Chapter Summaries

Gu Shaoshang cultivated Pure Yang Wuji Gong and met Chongxu, who came to negotiate for Wudang’s Tai Chi Scripture. When they could not agree on a price, Chongxu challenged him, and their fight began.

• Gu Shaoshang drew Pure Yang energy from heaven and earth, greatly accelerating his cultivation of Pure Yang True Qi.
• Gu Shaoshang sent Zhang Yi to rest and welcomed Chongxu, who asked for the handwritten Tai Chi Scripture.
• Gu Shaoshang refused to return the scripture for nothing and demanded that Chongxu obtain Shaolin’s Tendon Transformation Scripture in exchange for Wudang’s Tai Chi techniques.
• Chongxu objected that the Tendon Transformation Scripture was restricted to Shaolin’s abbot, so Gu Shaoshang offered to hand over the Wudang techniques if Chongxu could defeat him in one move or half a move.
• Chongxu drew his sword and attacked with swordsmanship that Gu Shaoshang praised, then Gu Shaoshang moved as the sword light closed around him.

Gu Shaoshang defeated Daoist Master Chongxu in a fierce contest of Tai Chi, leaving the Wudang leader badly injured and unconvinced about relinquishing the manual. After Chongxu warned that others would come to claim it, Gu Shaoshang suspected the handwritten Tai Chi manual concealed a hidden mystery.

• Gu Shaoshang met Daoist Master Chongxu’s Tai Chi Swordplay with his own powerful Tai Chi fists and knocked Chongxu’s sword away.
• Chongxu used Wudang’s Tiyun Zong to rise into the air and unleashed a vast Tai Chi Diagram of sword qi.
• Gu Shaoshang’s Tai Chi Cannon Fist shattered Chongxu’s attack, sent him crashing through a courtyard wall, and left him severely injured.
• Chongxu acknowledged Gu Shaoshang’s strength but warned that others would demand the Tai Chi manual, then staggered away.
• Gu Shaoshang gained 700 points of Source Power and suspected the manual held hidden mysteries.

Gu Shaoshang discovered Zhang Sanfeng’s hidden teachings on acupoints in the martial arts manual and focused on advancing to Life Establishment. Meanwhile, Daoist Master Chongxu headed back to Wudang, but Sun Baifa suddenly blocked his carriage.

• Gu Shaoshang let Daoist Master Chongxu leave and encouraged Zhang Yi to keep training.
• Gu Shaoshang found pale-gold writing in Zhang Sanfeng’s manual by soaking it and applying Pure Yang True Qi, revealing methods for probing and condensing seven acupoints.
• Gu Shaoshang concluded that Zhang Sanfeng had discovered a way to extend life, but decided to prioritize reaching Life Establishment before attempting to open acupoints.
• Daoist Master Chongxu returned to his disciples, admitted Gu Shaoshang had defeated him, and said they would plan how to recover the manual and avenge his martial uncle.
• Sun Baifa stopped the Wudang carriages on the road, and a young daoist leaped down to confront him.

Sun Baifa confronted the Wudang party and swiftly defeated Ninghe, then learned that Gu Shaoshang had nearly killed Chongxu in three punches. Sun Baifa left for Luoyang City, eager to challenge Gu Shaoshang, while Chongxu doubted he could survive the encounter.

• Sun Baifa blocked the Wudang carriages and demanded that Chongxu come out, but Ninghe challenged him first.
• Sun Baifa overwhelmed Ninghe with the Heavenly Mechanism Staff, disarmed him, and nearly struck him down before Chongxu intervened.
• Sun Baifa recognized that Chongxu was gravely injured and asked how Gu Shaoshang had defeated him.
• Chongxu revealed that Gu Shaoshang had beaten him in three punches and nearly killed him, shocking the Wudang disciples and Sun Baifa.
• Sun Baifa laughed and headed toward Luoyang City to seek Gu Shaoshang, while Chongxu told Ninghe that Sun Baifa's survival would depend on Young Hero Gu's mood.

Gu Shaoshang sensed the acupoints in his body and reflected on the martial arts realms before going out to face Sun Baifa, who had come to challenge him. He promised to spare Sun Baifa if he could withstand three punches, then launched the first punch, forcing Sun Baifa to brace against it with his Heavenly Mechanism Staff.

• Gu Shaoshang examined his body’s acupoints with Sea of Consciousness Power and considered the path to the Spirit Condensation realm.
• After Zhang Yi brought him food, Gu Shaoshang sensed an uninvited challenger and went outside to meet him.
• Sun Baifa introduced himself and challenged Gu Shaoshang, who offered him a chance to live by taking three punches.
• Gu Shaoshang crossed the distance with Buzhou Break and brought his first punch down on Sun Baifa.
• Sun Baifa found no way to evade the punch and flipped his Heavenly Mechanism Staff horizontally to block it.

Gu Shaoshang defeated Sun Baifa in a duel and killed him after Sun Baifa lost their wager. He returned to his courtyard with Zhang Yi as constables cleaned up the wrecked street and wondered when he would leave.

• Gu Shaoshang overwhelmed Sun Baifa with his first two punches, leaving him buried in the ground and unable to move.
• Sun Baifa admitted that another punch would kill him, but Gu Shaoshang lifted his foot to stomp him to death.
• Sun Baifa begged Gu Shaoshang to stop, but Gu Shaoshang sensed his malice and crushed his head, earning 1400 points of Source Power.
• Gu Shaoshang picked up the Heavenly Mechanism Staff and entered his courtyard with Zhang Yi.
• Constables arrived to clean the ruined street, lamented the deaths caused by Gu Shaoshang, and discussed asking Little Zhang when he would leave.

After learning that Gu Shaoshang had defeated and killed several renowned martial artists, Tianya and Shangguan Haitang discovered that he had entered their hideout. Gu Shaoshang let Tianya go but stopped Shangguan Haitang, demanding an explanation for her surveillance.

• Constable Xiao Zhang met Tianya in Luoyang, and Tianya reported that An Shigeng had been killed and the stolen coinage molds case was solved.
• Shangguan Haitang told Tianya that Gu Shaoshang had defeated Daoist Master Chongxu and killed Sun Baifa and Zhuo An, and that she had been too afraid to approach him.
• Gu Shaoshang appeared behind Tianya and Shangguan Haitang, revealed he knew they had been monitoring him, and ordered them to tell Zhu Wushi he would visit him himself.
• Tianya and Shangguan Haitang tried to leave, but Gu Shaoshang's fist intent stopped them, and he demanded an explanation from Shangguan Haitang.

Gu Shaoshang defeated Tianya and forced Shangguan Haitang to serve him for a year, then rode with her and a young girl toward their destination. The chapter ended as Gu Shaoshang sensed a great master near a suspicious roadside tea stall.

• Gu Shaoshang revealed that Shangguan Haitang was a woman and demanded that she serve him as a maid for a year.
• Tianya attacked Gu Shaoshang with his Phantom Sword, but Gu Shaoshang shattered his katana and knocked him unconscious with one punch.
• Shangguan Haitang gave Tianya medicine, then followed Gu Shaoshang after he offered her no real choice but to come with him.
• Five days later, Shangguan Haitang warned Gu Shaoshang that Zhu Wushi would seek revenge, and Gu Shaoshang said Zhu might not be his match by then.
• Gu Shaoshang asked about Master Wuhen, and Shangguan Haitang said Zhu Wushi had reported that the master died of a serious illness.
• Gu Shaoshang noticed a suspicious tea stall on the road and sensed a great master nearby.

Gu Shaoshang rode toward an ambush at a roadside tea stall, where Cao Zhengchun waited to test the martial arts of the young fighter opposing him. After Gu Shaoshang defeated Cao Zhengchun’s four eunuch disciples, he faced the Governor and ended the chapter with a mocking question.

• Gu Shaoshang sensed a powerful master and ambushes near the tea stall, then rode forward with Shangguan Haitang and Zhang Yi.
• Cao Zhengchun killed Iron Claw Flying Eagle after exposing him as Zhu Wushi’s man, then ordered four eunuch disciples to test Gu Shaoshang.
• Shangguan Haitang recognized the Eastern Depot horses and realized Cao Zhengchun was at the tea stall.
• The four eunuchs attacked Gu Shaoshang with Evil Warding Swordplay, but he evaded their moves and struck them down with one palm.
• Cao Zhengchun approached Gu Shaoshang and released his powerful aura, while Gu Shaoshang asked whether he had ever inserted feathers.

Gu Shaoshang fought Cao Zhengchun, using his own injury to break through Cao Zhengchun’s Heavenly Dipper Primordial Qi Barrier. The exchange left both men badly struck, with Gu Shaoshang crashing into and killing several Eastern Depot men.

• Gu Shaoshang attacked Cao Zhengchun with Buzhou Break, but Cao Zhengchun blocked the blow with his Heavenly Dipper Primordial Qi.
• Gu Shaoshang continued battering Cao Zhengchun’s barrier while the Second Chief ordered the Third Chief and a squad to capture Shangguan Haitang.
• Gu Shaoshang stopped the Third Chief with a bluestone projectile and warned the Eastern Depot men not to approach.
• Cao Zhengchun seized Gu Shaoshang’s deliberate opening and cut a deep gash across his chest and abdomen with a finger-sword.
• Gu Shaoshang used the opening to shatter Cao Zhengchun’s barrier and land a powerful punch, but Cao Zhengchun struck him in return and sent him crashing through the Eastern Depot men.

Gu Shaoshang fought Cao Zhengchun and killed him after using a sonic attack and Moon in the Well to overcome Cao Zhengchun’s superior cultivation and swordsmanship. Shangguan Haitang watched the battle as Cao Zhengchun fell.

• Gu Shaoshang recovered from Cao Zhengchun’s blow, attacked the Eastern Depot men, and forced Cao Zhengchun to draw his sword.
• Cao Zhengchun’s Evil Warding Swordplay pursued Gu Shaoshang as he retreated, leaving a wound on his forehead.
• Gu Shaoshang unleashed a powerful sonic exhalation that injured Cao Zhengchun and disrupted his protective qi.
• Gu Shaoshang drew Moon in the Well and severed Cao Zhengchun’s sword and right arm with a slash.
• Cao Zhengchun attacked with his remaining left palm, but Gu Shaoshang punched through it and struck his chest, killing him.

Gu Shaoshang killed Cao Zhengchun, then traveled with Shangguan Haitang to Water Moon Nunnery to obtain the Three Blades of Avici Path. He revealed the hidden technique in Guihai Bailian’s crimson robe and prepared to cultivate it.

• Gu Shaoshang found no martial arts manuals on Cao Zhengchun’s corpse, buried it, and ordered Shangguan Haitang to take him to Water Moon Nunnery.
• News spread that the Sun Moon Holy Cult had seized the Tiger Tally and that Gu Shaoshang had killed Cao Zhengchun.
• After three days of travel, Gu Shaoshang reached Water Moon Nunnery with Zhang Yi, while Shangguan Haitang protested that she needed to return to her foster father.
• Gu Shaoshang asked Lu Huannong for the Three Blades of Avici Path, then entered the inner hall and emerged with Guihai Bailian’s crimson robe.
• Gu Shaoshang roasted the fireproof robe over a bonfire, revealing the text and diagrams for the first move, “Sovereign of the World.”

Gu Shaoshang memorized Sovereign of the World and the Three Blades of Avici Path before retreating to a forest to advance to Life Establishment. After surviving the dangerous refinement of his blood, he awoke with greatly increased strength and unleashed a punch that toppled the nearby trees.

• Gu Shaoshang took the red robe bearing Sovereign of the World, told Shangguan Haitang to find Bai Xiaosheng and Zhang Jinjiu, and left Water Moon Nunnery to cultivate.
• In a forest, Gu Shaoshang memorized the Three Blades of Avici Path and deduced it alongside Sovereign of the World, stirring his killing intent.
• Gu Shaoshang regulated his breathing and drove his blood to circulate faster, enduring intense heat and pain as he advanced to Life Establishment.
• Gu Shaoshang fainted after refining his blood, and the blood-colored dragon formed from his qi returned to his body.
• At dawn, Gu Shaoshang awoke with increased height and strength, then punched the air hard enough to topple trees within ten zhang.

Gu Shaoshang broke through into the late Life Establishment Realm and recovered from the transformation at Water Moon Nunnery. He left with Shangguan Haitang and Zhang Yi to find Zhang Jinjiu, while planning to confront the Iron Gallbladder Divine Marquis.

• Gu Shaoshang’s breakthrough carried him straight into the late Life Establishment Realm, though he failed to activate the Primordial Ancient Sacred Body.
• Shangguan Haitang saw the naked Gu Shaoshang return to his room, and he spent the next two days tempering his blood qi and growing stronger.
• Gu Shaoshang left Water Moon Nunnery with Zhang Yi after thanking Lu Huannong, who remained heartbroken.
• Shangguan Haitang told Gu Shaoshang that Zhang Jinjiu could investigate anything but was difficult to command, and that Bai Xiaosheng’s identity was unknown.
• Gu Shaoshang said he would seek an explanation from the Iron Gallbladder Divine Marquis after finding Zhang Jinjiu, and the group arrived at Number One Manor Under Heaven.

Gu Shaoshang confronted Shangguan Haitang after discovering she had not truly brought him to Zhang Jinjiu, but Zhu Wushi arrived before the dispute could turn violent. Gu Shaoshang and Zhu Wushi began a fierce battle at Number One Manor Under Heaven, which continued as Gu launched another attack through the dust.

• Shangguan Haitang admitted that Zhang Jinjiu was not at Number One Manor Under Heaven, and Gu Shaoshang threatened to kill her until Zhang Yi pleaded for her life.
• Zhu Wushi arrived with Guihai Yidao and Tianya, reclaimed Shangguan Haitang, and challenged Gu Shaoshang.
• Gu Shaoshang cut off Zhu Wushi's speech and struck first, but Zhu met his fist with the Shaolin Great Vajra Palm and was driven into a disadvantage.
• Zhu Wushi used the Qingcheng Heart-Shattering Palm to escape Gu Shaoshang's follow-up and hurled massive rocks at him with the Great Absorption Technique.
• Gu Shaoshang shattered the incoming rocks with the Scattered Arrows Strike, then a red light surged from the haze as he launched another attack.

Gu Shaoshang overwhelmed Zhu Wushi in a devastating clash at the First Under Heaven Manor, then spared Shangguan Haitang and her allies while taking Zhang Yi. Zhu Wushi fled toward the Heavenly Prison, but Gu Shaoshang caught up with him and left him despairing.

• Gu Shaoshang struck Zhu Wushi with a divine punch, destroying the First Under Heaven Manor’s main hall and breaking through Zhu Wushi’s defensive techniques.
• Zhu Wushi was badly injured and tried to escape, while Shangguan Haitang begged Gu Shaoshang to spare him and threatened that Zhang Jinjiu would remain lost.
• Tianya and Guihai Yidao attacked Gu Shaoshang, but he shattered their blades, threw them aside, and warned them not to pursue him.
• Gu Shaoshang took Zhang Yi from Shangguan Haitang and departed without looking back.
• Zhu Wushi fled through the snowy forest, intending to kill Gu Santong and absorb his power, but Gu Shaoshang appeared ahead of him and filled him with despair.

Gu Shaoshang defeated and killed Zhu Wushi after countering his Great Absorption Technique. Searching Zhu Wushi’s belongings, Gu Shaoshang found a diary recording his dealings with powerful figures and schemes across the jianghu.

• Zhu Wushi recovered enough to face Gu Shaoshang and attacked with the Pure Yang Finger, but Gu Shaoshang broke his fingers and struck his chest with Buzhou Break.
• Zhu Wushi seized Gu Shaoshang and activated the Great Absorption Technique, but Gu Shaoshang kicked him between the legs, breaking his hold.
• Gu Shaoshang crushed Zhu Wushi’s chest, and Zhu Wushi died while remembering Suxin and regretting that he had failed to save her.
• Gu Shaoshang received 3000 Source Power for killing Zhu Wushi and searched his body, finding no martial arts manuals but discovering a diary.
• Gu Shaoshang read diary entries describing Zhu Wushi’s encounters with Dongfang Bubai, Feng Qingyang, Bai Xiaosheng, and others, along with his plots to frame Dongfang Bubai and kill a man who abducted Haitang.

After killing Zhu Wushi, Gu Shaoshang left his companions with evidence of the Divine Marquis’s crimes. At Black Wood Cliff, Zhuge Zhengwo and the Chief Constable arrived to question Dongfang Bubai, who awaited them in crimson bridal attire.

• Gu Shaoshang gave Tianya Zhu Wushi’s booklet, which revealed that Zhu Wushi had drained his master’s inner power, then left with Zhang Yi.
• Zhuge Zhengwo and the Chief Constable led a party from Divine Marquis Manor and Six Doors toward Black Wood Cliff to investigate Yang Yuxuan’s death.
• Jia Bu and Tong Baixiong met the party and escorted them toward the cliff, while Zhuge warned his companions not to provoke Dongfang Bubai.
• Zhuge explained that Dongfang Bubai had mastered the Sunflower Manual and had once defeated Zhu Wushi, then took Cui Lüeshang and a cold-faced young man into the hall.
• Dongfang Bubai, dressed in a crimson brocade robe, asked whether Zhu Wushi had come to question him.

Zhuge Zhengwo and Divine Constable confronted Dongfang Bubai over Yang Yuxuan’s murder, and Dongfang blamed Zhu Wushi, who had once absorbed his Sunflower True Qi. Divine Constable attacked Dongfang and was killed, leaving Zhuge Zhengwo to face him in a desperate duel.

• Zhuge Zhengwo asked Dongfang Bubai where he had been when Yang Yuxuan was killed, and Dongfang claimed he had stayed in seclusion on Black Wood Cliff.
• Dongfang Bubai said Zhu Wushi had once absorbed some of his Sunflower True Qi and accused him of framing Dongfang for the murder.
• Divine Constable rejected the accusation and charged Dongfang Bubai with the Red Flower Sword as Zhuge Zhengwo rushed to intervene.
• Dongfang Bubai killed Divine Constable in moments, while Zhuge Zhengwo fought through the Sun Moon Holy Cult followers and reached his companion’s body.
• Zhuge Zhengwo took the Demon-Slaying Moon Crossbow from Divine Constable and prepared to fight Dongfang Bubai with his Stunning Shot.

Zhuge Zhengwo fought Dongfang Bubai on Black Wood Cliff, but Dongfang defeated him and gouged out his eyes before leaving with a threat to attack Beijing in a year. Gu Shaoshang and Zhang Yi entered Beijing and followed a crowd rushing to see the Zhanhua Scholar at Xiuyu Tower.

• Zhuge Zhengwo wounded Dongfang Bubai with his Stunning Shot, but Dongfang unleashed his terrifying speed and overwhelmed him.
• Dongfang Bubai gouged out Zhuge Zhengwo's eyes, while Cui Lüeshang and Leng Lingqi arrived too late to save him.
• Dongfang Bubai said he would master the Heavenly Human Physique within a year and threatened to kill Zhuge Zhengwo, Cui Lüeshang, Leng Lingqi, and Zhu Houzhao in Beijing.
• Zhuge Zhengwo told Cui Lüeshang and Leng Lingqi to conceal that he had exhausted his strength as they carried the Constable God's corpse away from Black Wood Cliff.
• Gu Shaoshang and Zhang Yi entered Beijing, heard that the Zhanhua Scholar had appeared at Xiuyu Tower, and followed the crowd there.