Chapter Summaries

Fang Yuan returned from slaughtering the Qinghe County branch of Myriad Treasures Pavilion and considered how to handle the aftermath while keeping his strength hidden. Back at Clear River Martial Arts School, he began inspecting the treasures he had taken.

• Fang Yuan reunited with Wang Pangzi in the carriage and let him believe their trip had ended with an ordinary transaction.
• Fang Yuan reviewed the massacre, judged that he had left no obvious evidence, and considered the possible response from Myriad Treasures Pavilion headquarters.
• Fang Yuan parted from Wang Pangzi at Clear River Martial Arts School and climbed over the wall into the grounds.
• Fang Yuan assessed his ability to contend with veteran Third-Rank Martial Artists and decided to keep developing quietly while maintaining his connection with Wang Pangzi.
• Fang Yuan returned to his courtyard, noticed nothing unusual about the Old Scholar Tree, and opened the stolen bundle to inspect its pills and powders.

Fang Yuan counted the resources he had taken from Myriad Treasures Pavilion and discovered a mysterious Jade Buddha among his belongings. When the Buddha’s eyes seemed to move, a supernatural Buddhist chant overwhelmed him and urged him to repent and take refuge.

• Fang Yuan used a Qi Replenishing Pill and estimated that his stolen money, elixirs, and other resources would support his cultivation for a long time.
• Fang Yuan found a finely carved Jade Buddha that had belonged to Steward Mo and wondered why the steward had kept it close.
• Fang Yuan noticed the Buddha’s expression seemed unusual and briefly thought its eyes had moved.
• A powerful Buddhist chant filled Fang Yuan’s mind with accusations of sin and scenes of his past killings.
• The Jade Buddha appeared immense amid golden light and urged Fang Yuan to take refuge in Buddhism.

Fang Yuan resisted a Buddhist trial that condemned his killing as sinful, arguing that self-defense and stopping evil could also be compassionate. He escaped the illusion after cracking the Buddha statue, but the Small Jade Buddha crumbled to dust, leaving him shaken and dependent on the Jade Pendant that had protected him.

• The Jade Pendant Li Wuhen had given Fang Yuan shielded his consciousness from the Buddha’s chant and helped him resist its demand to take refuge.
• Fang Yuan challenged the Buddha’s claim that killing made him guilty, arguing that he had acted to survive and prevent further harm.
• The Buddha’s true master questioned Fang Yuan’s murderous intent, and Fang Yuan argued that refusing to kill could let villains harm innocents.
• A crack spread across the golden Buddha’s forehead, and the illusion rejected Fang Yuan, returning him to his courtyard.
• The Small Jade Buddha crumbled into powder in Fang Yuan’s hand, and he gripped the Jade Pendant as his fear and relief settled.

After narrowly resisting the Jade Buddha’s mental attack, Fang Yuan returned home shaken and accepted Liu Wanwan’s offer to cultivate together. At Formless Temple in Wushui Commandery, an Old Monk sensed a disturbance and looked toward the north.

• Fang Yuan recalled how close he had come to being trapped by the Jade Buddha and resolved to remain wary of Myriad Treasures Pavilion.
• Fang Yuan returned to Liu Wanwan, concealed what had happened, and declined the food she offered.
• Liu Wanwan suggested they cultivate together, and Fang Yuan agreed before she blew out the lamp.
• At Formless Temple, an Old Monk stopped chanting after sensing a subtle disturbance and turned his gaze northward.

Abbot Liaochen sent Huining north to Qinghe County to find and guide a violent man with unusual spiritual potential. Meanwhile, Fang Yuan recovered from the previous night's struggle and prepared to use a Barrier Breaking Pill to advance to Third Rank, while investigating the unusual qi within his body.

• Abbot Liaochen told Huining that a man in Qinghe County bore great karmic burdens but had the potential to awaken, and ordered him to guide the man toward Buddhism.
• Huining accepted the assignment and left Formless Temple that night, traveling north toward Qinghe County.
• Fang Yuan woke feeling refreshed, checked his increased Basic Health Preservation Method proficiency, and admired the Jade Pendant he had taken from Li Wuhen.
• Fang Yuan went to the Training Ground and opened the box containing the Barrier Breaking Pill, resolving to break through to Third Rank.
• Fang Yuan examined his body and sensed two distinct but related streams of qi, both fully compatible with him.

Fang Yuan began an unprecedented attempt to reach Third Rank by tempering his body twice with his two distinct currents of qi and blood. After using the Essence of Five Grains to nourish and strengthen his body, he left Tiger Lord's Energy restless in his Dantian.

• Fang Yuan reasoned that he could use the Essence of Five Grains and Tiger Lord's Energy to temper his body in two separate rounds, then chose to take the risk.
• Fang Yuan gathered Qi Replenishing Pills, Blood Replenishing Powder, Old Mountain Ginseng, and other resources before beginning his breakthrough preparations.
• Fang Yuan circulated the Essence of Five Grains to nourish his body, feeling his muscles and bones grow stronger as his physical strength increased.
• Fang Yuan considered Black Heart Tiger's strength approaching ten thousand jin and the master-level qualities required to reach the strength of nine oxen.
• Tiger Lord's Energy began surging restlessly in Fang Yuan's Dantian as the Essence of Five Grains continued tempering his body.

Fang Yuan used the Essence of Five Grains to reach Third Rank and nearly nine oxen's strength, then took a Barrier Breaking Pill that sent his Tiger Lord's Energy into a deep slumber. He wondered whether he would have to choose between the two kinds of qi after all.

• The Basic Health Preservation Method's aura restrained Fang Yuan's restless Tiger Lord's Energy, allowing the Essence of Five Grains to keep tempering his body.
• Fang Yuan consumed more Old Ginseng and Qi Replenishing Pills, accelerating the Essence of Five Grains' circulation and completing his breakthrough to Third Rank.
• Fang Yuan lifted a thousand-jin Stone Lock with one hand and judged his physical strength to be near or at nine oxen's strength, though he could not surpass that limit.
• Fang Yuan swallowed the Barrier Breaking Pill, which consolidated his Third Rank Realm but left his Tiger Lord's Energy completely dormant.
• Fang Yuan recalled Chen Zhengyang's warning that different kinds of qi could clash during body tempering and questioned whether he must choose one kind of qi.

Fang Yuan used the Five Tiger Severing Gate Saber Technique to trigger Tiger Lord's Energy, which violently tempered his body alongside the Essence of Five Grains and drove him beyond the ordinary Third-Rank limit. He emerged with vastly greater strength and a stable balance between the two currents of Qi.

• Fang Yuan practiced the Five Tiger Severing Gate Saber Technique, awakening the previously unresponsive Tiger Lord's Energy.
• Tiger Lord's Energy surged through Fang Yuan's body, painfully tempering his limbs and bones after the Essence of Five Grains had laid a foundation.
• Fang Yuan channeled the rampaging energy through his saber forms as his saber momentum and strength rose.
• Fang Yuan smashed through a bodily bottleneck and underwent a dramatic increase in strength, Blood Qi, and senses.
• Fang Yuan finished his saber routine and sensed that the blue and red Qi currents remained distinct but revolved together in a stable balance.

After Fang Yuan broke through to the Third Rank Realm, an old man in the Imperial Capital sensed an anomaly in the northeast and changed the rewards for next spring’s Martial Artist Arena. Fang Yuan prepared to consolidate his strength for the Qinghe Arena, then saw Zhou Chen arrive at the Training Ground.

• Fang Yuan broke through to the Third Rank Realm by double tempering and drew in his newly surging aura.
• An old man in the Imperial Capital sensed an anomaly in the northeast and ordered the commandery arena’s top three to be allowed to copy a Cultivation Method from the outer section of the Imperial City Guard Armory.
• A black-armored guard hurried to relay the old man’s order, which would make the next year’s preliminary arenas more competitive across the Imperial Dynasty.
• Fang Yuan restrained his aura and planned to consolidate his breakthrough while waiting for the Qinghe Arena.
• Zhou Chen entered the Training Ground, and Fang Yuan realized he had not seen Senior Brother Zhou for many days.

Fang Yuan learned that the Zhou Family was being forced out of its new businesses in the prefectural city after a Third-Rank Martial Artist defeated Zhou Chen's uncle. As Zhou Chen sought help from Chen Zhengyang, Fang Yuan considered the growing unrest and realized his own strength had advanced to Nine Bulls Two Tigers Strength.

• Zhou Chen told Fang Yuan that a powerful martial artist was trying to seize the Zhou Family's businesses in the prefectural city.
• Zhou Chen revealed that the intruder had injured his Third-Rank Martial Artist uncle in fewer than ten moves and threatened further violence.
• Zhou Chen hurried to Chen Zhengyang's residence to ask for advice and possible help mediating.
• Fang Yuan connected the Zhou Family's trouble with the Jade Buddha and the investigators expected from Myriad Treasures Pavilion's prefectural city headquarters.
• Fang Yuan checked his panel and saw that his realm now listed Nine Bulls Two Tigers Strength, which he questioned as a possible achievement marker.

Fang Yuan reached the peak of his physical strength through dual qi induction and double tempering, then advanced his footwork and gained the trait Snowfall Silent. Chen Zhengyang worried about the dangers awaiting Fang Yuan in the prefectural city as unusually heavy snow began to fall.

• Fang Yuan recognized that his strength had surpassed the ordinary limits of a Third-Rank Martial Artist, while worrying that his Health Cultivation Method lacked a follow-up.
• Fang Yuan trained through the day, and Chen Zhengyang watched him while reflecting on the dangers in the prefectural city and Fang Yuan’s likely future there.
• Chen Zhengyang noted the unusually bitter cold as snow began to cover the Martial Arts School’s Training Ground.
• Fang Yuan practiced footwork in the snow until his proficiency reached its limit and he gained the trait Snowfall Silent.
• Fang Yuan tested his new trait by leaping onto a high wall and moving silently across walls and rooftops without leaving footprints.

Fang Yuan advanced his cultivation and decided to visit the Wang Family, while a mysterious watcher tracked his growing strength. The chapter ended as Fang Yuan approached the Wang Residence, prepared to enter Qinghe County’s upper-tier power struggle.

• Fang Yuan tested the Snowfall Silent trait and resolved to seek higher-level cultivation methods in the prefectural city.
• Fang Yuan set aside concerns about Zhou Chen and decided that strengthening himself was the best course.
• Fang Yuan told Liu Wanwan he was going to visit Senior Brother Wang, and a servant disguised as a thin man watched him leave.
• Fang Yuan considered revealing some of his strength before the Qinghe Arena and wondered about the power of Fourth-Rank Martial Artists.
• Fang Yuan arrived at the Wang Residence and approached its gate, aware that the visit could draw him into Qinghe County’s power struggle.

Fang Yuan visited the Wang residence at Wang Fugui’s invitation and received an unexpectedly grand welcome from Wang Shouye, the head shopkeeper of the Baimao Merchant Guild. As Wang Shouye led him toward the reception hall, Fang Yuan suspected the Wang Family had reasons beyond courtesy for seeking his company.

• A gate servant recognized Fang Yuan and hurried inside to announce his arrival.
• Wang Shouye and Wang Fugui came out to greet Fang Yuan, and Wang Shouye ordered the residence’s central gate opened for him.
• Wang Shouye introduced himself as Wang Fugui’s father and praised Fang Yuan, while Wang Fugui urged him to skip the formalities.
• Fang Yuan thanked Wang Shouye and explained that he had come to pay his respects because Wang Fugui had treated him well.
• Wang Shouye personally led Fang Yuan into the residence, while Fang Yuan studied the household and considered why the Wang Family was honoring him so highly.

Fang Yuan met with Wang Shouye, who offered the Wang Family’s full support in nurturing him. Fang Yuan questioned why the experienced merchant was making such a generous offer so directly, leaving the family’s motives uncertain.

• Wang Shouye welcomed Fang Yuan into the main hall and tried to establish a brotherly relationship, but Fang Yuan avoided accepting the form of address.
• Wang Shouye discussed city prices, grain costs, and merchant travels with Fang Yuan before turning to his proposal.
• Wang Shouye offered the Wang Family’s resources, connections, and other support to help Fang Yuan grow, asking only for future goodwill in return.
• Fang Yuan questioned Wang Shouye’s unusually candid offer and said it made him uneasy.

Wang Shouye privately explained why he had chosen to support Fang Yuan, revealing that the Wang Family had a centuries-old tradition of befriending people whose potential was not yet recognized. He showed Fang Yuan an ancient portrait strikingly similar to him and began describing the extraordinary benefactors who had aided the family.

• Wang Shouye sent Wang Fugui out of the hall so he could speak with Fang Yuan in private.
• Wang Shouye revealed that Black Heart Tiger was away from Qinghe County, leaving Black Tiger Hall weakened and distracted by rival gangs.
• Wang Shouye said he had come to believe in fate after meeting Fang Yuan, then showed him an old portrait that closely resembled him.
• Wang Shouye recounted the Wang Family's former prominence, its flight to Qinghe County after offending a powerful enemy, and its ancestral rule to build ties with people of every status.
• Wang Shouye explained that some of the family's past acquaintances had been genuine extraordinary figures who provided warnings, guidance, or direct help in times of crisis.

Wang Shouye explained why the Wang Family believed Fang Yuan was the benefactor foretold in an ancestral painting and offered him the family’s support. Fang Yuan accepted the goodwill and opened an ancient brocade pouch, whose message made his eyes widen.

• Wang Shouye told Fang Yuan how a mysterious beggar left the Wang Family a painting and a verse predicting a future benefactor.
• Wang Shouye connected the verse and the painted figure to Fang Yuan, arguing that he was the Wang Family’s foretold benefactor.
• Fang Yuan weighed whether the prophecy was a trap and decided that accepting the Wang Family’s support made sense regardless.
• Fang Yuan accepted Wang Shouye’s goodwill, and Wang Shouye presented him with the sealed pouch left alongside the painting.
• Fang Yuan broke the seal, unfolded the brocade inside, and stared in shock at its writing.

Fang Yuan discovered a three-hundred-year-old message from a mysterious pioneer who identified him as an outsider and pointed him toward a path to the fourth rank. The message also promised a time-sensitive second opportunity, so Fang Yuan rushed out to claim it after pledging his loyalty to the Wang Family.

• Fang Yuan read the message, which called him an outsider, warned him not to underestimate the world, and directed him to seek the Hall of Rebirth beneath a pool on Wangchen Mountain.
• Fang Yuan learned that the message's author had left a force-technique opportunity in the Imperial City Security Department Armory and asked him to look after the Wang Family.
• Fang Yuan found the hidden instruction to leave at the third quarter of noon and turn right, then asked Wang Shouye for the time.
• After learning it was the second quarter of noon, Fang Yuan promised not to abandon the Wang Family and refused Wang Shouye's offer of a meal.
• Fang Yuan hurried out of the hall, passed Wang Fugui, and rushed toward the Wang Family's main gate.

Fang Yuan hurried from the Wang Family to pursue a fortune, while a powerful woman assessed his potential and urged Wang Yushuang to join her sect. Wang Yushuang chose to stay in Qinghe County a little longer, waiting for the Qinghe Arena and whatever answer it might bring.

• Wang Shouye told Wang Fugui that the cooperation with Fang Yuan had succeeded and instructed him to build a close relationship with his Junior Brother.
• Fang Yuan followed the brocade cloth's directions and raced toward the location of a second stroke of fortune.
• A middle-aged woman praised Fang Yuan's foundation and potential, judging him by standards far beyond Qinghe County.
• The woman invited Wang Yushuang to inherit her sect's Sovereign Maiden's Path Sutra, but Wang Yushuang declined to leave just yet.
• The woman agreed to wait a little longer as Wang Yushuang watched the street where Fang Yuan had disappeared.

Fang Yuan followed the brocade cloth’s directions to a secluded alley, where he discovered fresh blood and survived a lethal ambush by the wounded Zhang Shun. Zhang Shun pleaded that the attack was a misunderstanding while secretly preparing to escape.

• Fang Yuan searched the dead-end alley at the third quarter of noon, doubting that the brocade cloth’s promised opportunity could still exist after three hundred years.
• Fang Yuan caught a faint scent of fresh blood near the alley’s high wall and silently approached it.
• Zhang Shun sprang from the shadows and attacked Fang Yuan, but Fang Yuan drew his Ghost Head Saber and knocked the ambusher’s blade aside.
• Zhang Shun claimed he had mistaken Fang Yuan for his pursuers and offered his possessions in exchange for his life.
• Zhang Shun recalled fleeing Xu Feng and Li Hanshan after being wounded, cursed Ji Kun for misleading him about Fang Yuan, and prepared to escape once Fang Yuan let his guard down.

Fang Yuan killed Zhang Shun before he could speak, then searched the body and took a suspicious piece of cowhide. Li Hanshan and Xu Feng arrived moments later, found Zhang Shun dead, and discovered that the item they sought was missing.

• Fang Yuan swiftly killed Zhang Shun with the Ghost Head Saber, breaking Zhang Shun's blade and inflicting a fatal wound.
• Fang Yuan searched Zhang Shun's corpse, took his supplies, and found a heavy piece of cowhide hidden beneath his clothing.
• Fang Yuan tucked the cowhide away and slipped out of the alley before anyone arrived.
• Li Hanshan and Xu Feng followed the Trace-Guiding Incense to the alley and found Zhang Shun's corpse.
• Xu Feng searched the body and realized the Carefree Sect's core Cultivation Method was still missing.
• Li Hanshan examined Zhang Shun's broken saber and concluded that the blade had been cut before Zhang Shun was struck.