Chapter Summaries

Xiao Bai tested his enhanced pistol, Platinum No. 1, in the Mittel Auction House's back garden while the Weapon Refiner trio doubted him. He fired three shots and shattered the wooden board, leaving the iron plates untested.

• Xiao Bai arrived at the Mittel Auction House's back garden, where the Weapon Refiner trio was waiting with Ya Fei.
• Ya Fei led everyone to a wooden board and two iron plates that Xiao Bai had arranged as targets.
• Xiao Bai aimed Platinum No. 1 while the trio mocked and urged him to hurry.
• Xiao Bai gripped the pistol with both hands and fired three shots at the wooden board.
• Xiao Bai shattered the board and was pleased that he had hit his target.

Xiao Bai tested his new pistol, revealing its power and alarming the Weapon Refiner trio. The middle-aged Weapon Refiner tried to persuade Xiao Bai to hand it over for inspection, but the trio’s arrogance displeased him.

• Xiao Bai fired at an iron plate, missed, and pretended he had been testing the pistol’s range.
• Xiao Bai fired repeatedly at the iron plate, leaving it dented but not pierced, and judged the weapon powerful if he could improve his aim.
• The Weapon Refiner trio recognized the pistol’s potential and the middle-aged man asked Xiao Bai to lend it to him.
• The middle-aged man claimed he could improve the weapon, while his two disciples boastfully urged Xiao Bai to hand it over.
• Xiao Bai sarcastically agreed that he had been ignorant, and one of the young men ordered him to bring the weapon over.

Xiao Bai demonstrated his Submachine Gun to a Weapon Refiner and his two disciples, who tried to pressure him into handing it over. After Xiao Bai and Ya Fei sent them away from the Mittel Auction House, the Weapon Refiner vowed to find another chance to deal with them.

• Xiao Bai fired the Submachine Gun at an iron plate, riddling it with holes and delighting the Weapon Refiner and his disciples.
• Xiao Bai put the weapon into his Storage Ring after noticing the trio's greed, but the two disciples demanded that he show it to their master.
• Xiao Bai refused to take the weapon back out, and Ya Fei invited the visitors to a banquet at the Mittel Auction House.
• The middle-aged Weapon Refiner declined the invitation and left with his disciples after Xiao Bai and Ya Fei saw them off.
• In an alley, the Weapon Refiner explained that the Mittel Auction House was not a good place to attack Xiao Bai and Ya Fei, and promised his disciples they would get another chance.

Xiao Bai warned Ya Fei to protect their businesses and deal cautiously with the three Weapon Refiners while his strength was damaged. After cultivating, he returned to the Dou Zhe realm and wondered how Xiao Yan was doing.

• Ya Fei visited Xiao Bai, and he explained that his damaged strength meant they had to build their businesses carefully.
• Xiao Bai told Ya Fei to offer the three Weapon Refiners a chance to join them and handle them if they refused.
• Ya Fei accepted the task and left Xiao Bai's room, while Xiao Bai reflected on his loss of power and resumed cultivating.
• Xiao Bai absorbed nearby Dou Qi and cultivated until he regained the Dou Zhe realm.
• Xiao Bai felt more confident in his ability to protect himself and wondered how Xiao Yan was doing.

After a lightning strike awakened Xiao Bai’s spiritual intelligence and improved his talent, he reached the Dou Zhe stage and continued cultivating to stabilize his foundation. He left the Mittel Auction House after learning that three Weapon Refiners were staying near the guild in western Wutan City.

• Xiao Bai became a minor Dou Zhe and kept cultivating to strengthen his foundation.
• Xiao Bai declined a maid’s offer to inform Ya Fei that he was going out.
• Xiao Bai asked where the three invited Weapon Refiners were staying and pretended he only wanted to broaden his horizons.
• The maid told Xiao Bai that the Weapon Refiners were near the Weapon Refiner Guild in western Wutan City.
• Xiao Bai thanked the maid and headed out toward the west.

Xiao Bai entered western Wutan City to find a local who could help him locate three people. After intimidating Black Bull into cooperating, he learned the Weapon Refiner in his drawing was Master Neo and set off to find him.

• Xiao Bai headed west through Wutan City and looked for someone who could help him find the people he sought.
• Xiao Bai chose Black Bull, a burly mercenary harassing a stall owner's daughter, and called him over.
• Black Bull ignored Xiao Bai and tried to grab the frightened girl, so Xiao Bai slapped him and provoked his lackeys.
• Xiao Bai claimed he was from the Mittel Auction House, causing Black Bull and his men to back down and apologize.
• Xiao Bai showed Black Bull a drawing of a Weapon Refiner, and Black Bull recognized him as Master Neo and agreed to lead Xiao Bai to him.

Xiao Bai followed Black Bull to Neo's courtyard and confronted Black Bull and Second Brother. After defeating them both, he demanded that they call out Master Neo.

• Black Bull brought Xiao Bai to Neo's small courtyard and begged him to let him go.
• Black Bull ran inside and called for his brother to avenge him, while Xiao Bai followed and recognized Second Brother.
• Xiao Bai demanded an apology from Black Bull and told Second Brother to call Master Neo out.
• Second Brother attacked Xiao Bai with the Yellow-tier Advanced Dou Technique Chaotic Prisoner Hammer, but Xiao Bai caught the blow with his bare hands.
• Black Bull charged at Xiao Bai and was kicked away, while Xiao Bai seized Second Brother by the neck and declared that the main course was next.

Xiao Bai used enhanced poison pills and a hidden weakening drug to subdue Neo and his disciples. He left the three men incapacitated, while Yao Yao sensed danger and slipped away from her tent.

• Xiao Bai reverse-enhanced two Healing Pills into Black Heartbreak Pills and fed them to Second Brother and Black Bull, leaving them writhing in pain.
• Neo arrived, demanded the antidote, and challenged Xiao Bai, who taunted him into attacking.
• Neo struck Xiao Bai repeatedly, but Xiao Bai blocked every attack while Neo silently resolved not to believe Yao.
• Yao Yao sneezed at her distant tent, suspected someone was thinking about her, and left because the place felt unsafe.
• Xiao Bai's Make You Soft drug drained Neo's strength and Dou Qi, allowing Xiao Bai to grab his arm and send him flying beside his two disciples.

Xiao Bai killed Neo, Black Bull, and Second Brother, looted their valuables, and used Brother Gua’s study ability to learn weapon refining. He noticed a bird had witnessed him studying the book and set off to hunt it down.

• Xiao Bai questioned Neo about his missing disciple, then killed Neo after Neo threatened to expose his use of poison.
• Xiao Bai killed Black Bull and Second Brother, looted the three men, and left the bodies for Brother Gua to dispose of.
• Xiao Bai absorbed the energy Brother Gua returned and advanced to a Three-star Dou Zhe.
• Xiao Bai found the Basic Compendium of Weapon Refining hidden in Neo’s underwear and used Brother Gua’s study ability to learn its contents.
• A bird spotted Xiao Bai studying the book, so Xiao Bai decided to hunt down the only witness.

Xiao Mei'er visited Xiao Bai to tell him that the Xiao Family's coming-of-age ceremony would take place in three months and that he was required to attend. Xiao Bai accepted the reminder and said he would be there.

• A servant told Xiao Bai that someone from the Xiao Family had arrived to see him.
• Xiao Bai received Xiao Mei'er and asked why she had come.
• Xiao Mei'er explained that she had heard people say Xiao Bai had forgotten his roots, and he questioned her about the rumor.
• Xiao Mei'er told Xiao Bai that the Xiao Family's coming-of-age ceremony was three months away and that he had to attend.
• Xiao Bai learned that those who failed to meet the required Dou Qi level at sixteen would be assigned to manage clan businesses, and he said he would attend the ceremony.

Xiao Bai prepared for the clan’s test of his strength by claiming a quiet courtyard and using his Strengthening Furnace to refine equipment. He discovered the furnace could automatically forge items from drawings, though its magic-core and energy costs frustrated him.

• Xiao Mei'er warned Xiao Bai that the clan planned to test his strength at the coming-of-age ceremony, and he gave her several items, including a Qi Gathering Powder.
• Xiao Bai decided to prepare equipment for his safety and asked the Mittel Auction House's logistics manager for a modest courtyard.
• Xiao Bai chose the courtyard’s rooms and declined Ya Fei’s offer to arrange young maidservants for him.
• Xiao Bai explained the basics of equipment refining and noted that Heavenly Flames could benefit Weapon Refiners.
• Xiao Bai used his Strengthening Furnace to forge equipment automatically from a drawing and materials, but complained to Brother Gua about its resource costs.

Xiao Bai negotiated his role with the Cheat and accepted that he would work for Brother Gua in exchange for support. He forged his first weapon, Black Blade, then planned more equipment while the Xiao Family prepared for its coming-of-age ceremony.

• Xiao Bai feared the Cheat might take over his body, but after talking with Brother Gua, he understood that he was a worker serving his boss in exchange for compensation.
• Xiao Bai finished forging a black longsword, named it Black Blade, and made a sheath for it.
• Xiao Bai put Black Blade and its sheath into the furnace for an Enhance +5 upgrade, then used energy crystals to speed up the process.
• Xiao Bai planned a full armor set and more weapons, including the Magic Blade Thousand Blades, after remembering that he had let a little fellow go.
• The Xiao Family clansmen prepared for their coming-of-age ceremony as elders sought ways to strengthen the juniors and the younger members continued cultivating.

Xiao Bai attended the Xiao Family coming-of-age ceremony and mocked Xiao Ning before joining Xiao Mei'er. Xiao Zhan began the Dou Qi qualification test, leaving the clan's youths waiting to learn whether they qualified.

• Xiao Bai arrived at the Xiao Family training grounds as the clan gathered for the ceremony.
• Xiao Ning taunted Xiao Bai about his job at the Mittel Auction House, but Xiao Bai mocked him for being unable to lend ten thousand Gold Coins.
• Xiao Mei'er joined Xiao Bai, and the two walked away together while Xiao Ning grew jealous and began gathering Dou Qi.
• Xiao Zhan stopped Xiao Ning and announced that youths needed Stage Seven of Dou Qi to qualify, though those below that level could challenge a qualified person.
• The examiner began testing the clan's youths, and those who passed or failed moved to their respective groups.

Xiao Mei passed her strength test at Stage Nine and Xiao Xun'er revealed that she had reached Three-star Dou Zhe. The results left Xiao Mei feeling outmatched, while Xiao Bai watched the testing continue.

• Xiao Mei tested at Dou Power Stage Nine, High Grade, and drew envious looks from the crowd.
• Xiao Bai greeted Xiao Yan and sensed that restrictions prevented him from gauging Xiao Yan's and Xiao Xun'er's strength.
• Xiao Mei joined Xiao Bai and sought his praise for her result; he told her to keep working toward becoming a Dou Zhe.
• Xiao Xun'er took the test and displayed the strength of a Three-star Dou Zhe, astonishing Xiao Zhan and the other Xiao Family leaders.
• Xiao Mei felt indignant that she still could not catch up to Xiao Xun'er despite reaching Stage Nine with Xiao Bai's resources.

Xiao Yan’s cultivation talent returned, and he tested at Dou Qi Stage Nine during the Xiao Clan’s coming-of-age ceremony. Xiao Zhan celebrated while the elders congratulated him, and Xiao Li continued plotting against Xiao Yan and Xiao Bai.

• Xiao Bai advised Xiao Mei not to let hatred control her and to focus on shaping her own life.
• Xiao Yan placed his hand on the stone tablet, which revealed that he had reached Dou Qi Stage Nine and sent the gathered clan members into an uproar.
• Xiao Zhan celebrated Xiao Yan’s restored talent, while the Great Elder and other elders congratulated him and reconsidered their hopes for the clan’s future.
• Xiao Zhan restored order and resumed the coming-of-age ceremony as Xiao Yan ignored the onlookers and talked with Xiao Xun'er.
• Xiao Li glared at Xiao Yan and Xiao Bai, then resolved to take revenge on both of them.

Xiao Bai completed the Dou Qi test and was announced as a One Star Dou Zhe, while Xiao Yan accepted and easily won a challenge. After the remaining challenge matches, Xiao Zhan ended the testing and addressed preparations for the coming-of-age ceremony one month later.

• Xiao Bai tested at the black monument and was declared a One Star Dou Zhe, shocking Xiao Ning and puzzling Xiao Yan.
• Xiao Zhan announced that those who failed could challenge one qualified companion, while Xiao Ning's two would-be challengers backed away.
• A challenger chose Xiao Yan, who accepted and knocked him down after only a few exchanges.
• The remaining challenge matches took place, and only a few of the challengers who had failed the test won.
• Xiao Zhan announced the end of testing and shared matters concerning the coming-of-age ceremony one month later.

After the coming-of-age assessment, Xiao Bai revealed that he had secretly reached Six Star Dou Zhe and later attended the Xiao Family ceremony. There, Xiao Yu returned and headed toward someone she remembered with anger, setting up a confrontation.

• After the assessment, Xiao Bai walked to the Mittel Auction House and reflected on his peaceful mood.
• Xiao Bai revealed that his test result had hidden his true strength of Six Star Dou Zhe.
• At the Xiao Family coming-of-age ceremony, Xiao Bai spotted Ya Fei and exchanged a nod with her.
• Xiao Bai overheard people discussing Xiao Yu’s return and her rumored history with Xiao Yan.
• Xiao Yu searched the crowd for someone she hated and walked toward that person.

Xiao Bai completed the Xiao Family coming-of-age ceremony and revealed that he had advanced to Two Star Dou Zhe. Xiao Yan learned from Yao Lao that Xiao Bai had once seemed far stronger and had a Dou Emperor bodyguard, then shared a heartfelt moment with Xiao Xun'er.

• Xiao Yu approached Xiao Yan and appeared ready to draw her sword, but she retreated when Xiao Zhan arrived with Ya Fei and others.
• Xiao Bai endured the lengthy coming-of-age ceremony after the elders called his name.
• Xiao Bai tested at Two Star Dou Zhe, surprising the people watching.
• Yao Lao told Xiao Yan that Xiao Bai had once seemed to possess at least Dou Ling strength and had been accompanied by a suspected Dou Emperor.
• Xiao Yan prayed that Xiao Xun'er would stay by his side forever, and Xiao Xun'er said she wanted the same.

At the Xiao Family coming-of-age ceremony, Xiao Yan revealed that he had become a One Star Dou Zhe and joined Xiao Xun'er and Xiao Yu in challenging Xiao Bai. Xiao Bai chose to provoke Xiao Yu, and their fight began onstage.

• Xiao Ning seethed as he watched Xiao Yan and Xiao Xun'er together, while Xiao Yu also resented Xiao Yan.
• Second Elder Xiao Ying announced that only Dou Zhes could challenge Xiao Bai, and Xiao Yan, Xiao Xun'er, and Xiao Yu volunteered.
• Xiao Yan revealed he had broken through to the One Star Dou Zhe realm, stunning Xiao Ning and the audience.
• Xiao Bai let Xiao Yu choose him by taunting her, and she leapt onto the stage to attack.
• Xiao Bai met Xiao Yu's opening palm strike and quietly told her, "Next time, I'll still dare."

Xiao Bai used a Gatling Machine Gun to end his spar with Xiao Yu and was declared the victor. Afterward, he decided to pursue heavy weapons research once Hai Bodong returned.

• Xiao Yu attacked Xiao Bai with her whip, forcing him to keep his distance.
• Xiao Bai brought out his Gatling Machine Gun and fired into the stage floor, startling Xiao Yu with its power.
• Xiao Bai called the match a draw, but Xiao Yu accepted her loss and left the stage.
• The Second Elder announced Xiao Bai as the victor, completing his coming-of-age ceremony.
• Xiao Bai concluded that technology and Dou Qi could work together and planned to have the Mo Family's research talents develop heavy weapons after Hai Bodong returned.