Chapter Summaries

Fang Yuan arrived at the Wushui Commandery Imperial City Security Department with Eunuch Cao and learned that it also housed the County Martial Academy’s cultivation resources. Outside, the Captains speculated about Fang Yuan’s place in Eunuch Cao’s plans and learned that Chen Bo Zhao had died at the Qinghe Arena.

• Fang Yuan asked Han Bao why they had come to the Imperial City Security Department instead of the County Martial Academy, and Han Bao explained that the two shared the same location and resources.
• Eunuch Cao led Fang Yuan into the department while Han Bao followed behind them.
• The Captains outside recognized Fang Yuan as the Qinghe Arena champion Eunuch Cao had brought back and discussed his victory over commandery-city talents, including Gu Changqing.
• The Round-Faced Captain told the other Captains that Chen Bo Zhao, the Young Master of An Yuan Duke's Mansion, had died on the Qinghe Arena.

Fang Yuan reached the Imperial City Security Department’s Scripture Depository to select cultivation methods, while learning more about the danger surrounding Chen Bo Zhao’s death and Zhao Fengxian’s standing. He entered with 5,000 Contribution Points and only one incense stick’s time to choose his manuals.

• Round-Faced Captain told the others that Fang Yuan had killed Chen Bo Zhao, causing them to avoid befriending Fang Yuan while keeping up appearances because he served Eunuch Cao.
• Eunuch Cao led Fang Yuan through the heavily guarded Imperial City Security Department and went to meet the Chief Inspector, sending Han Bao to guide Fang Yuan to the Scripture Depository.
• Han Bao gave Fang Yuan a Jade Token holding 5,000 Contribution Points, converted from Prefect Zhao’s offer, and explained that Zhao Fengxian was also a Commander.
• Han Bao told Fang Yuan he could choose two Mid-grade Cultivation Techniques but had only one incense stick’s time inside the Scripture Depository.

Fang Yuan entered the Scripture Depository and learned that his Copper Token allowed him to choose a Mid-grade Cultivation Method from the third floor. After he met Liu Ruyan, her shock at his access suggested that the token granted an unusual privilege.

• The old man at the counter examined Fang Yuan’s Copper Token and let him choose one Mid-grade Cultivation Method from the third floor for one incense stick’s time.
• Fang Yuan asked about the token’s special status, but the old man told him to ask the person who issued it; Fang Yuan realized that person was the mysterious elder from the Qinghe Arena.
• Fang Yuan also presented his Jade Token and learned he could choose another Mid-grade Cultivation Method worth fewer than five thousand Contribution Points from any floor.
• Fang Yuan headed for the third floor, then encountered Liu Ruyan, who said she had joined Qingxia Valley and received Contribution Points from her master.
• Liu Ruyan was astonished that Fang Yuan could enter the third floor and glanced toward the old man, recognizing that such access was not granted casually.

Fang Yuan learned that the Scripture Depository’s third floor held precious-grade techniques and headed there to choose one. Gu Changqing’s younger brother and his companions blocked the stairs, and Fang Yuan’s intimidating aura left the confrontation unresolved.

• Liu Ruyan explained that the Scripture Depository’s middle-grade techniques were divided into ordinary, refined, and precious grades, with precious-grade techniques on the third floor.
• Liu Ruyan said Fang Yuan would be only the second young martial artist besides Gu Changqing to enter the third floor, then went to the second floor.
• Fang Yuan approached the stairs, where Gu Changqing’s younger brother and several young martial artists blocked his way and challenged his right to go upstairs.
• Fang Yuan warned them that they were wasting Contribution Points and moved forward, unleashing an aura that made them see him as a bloodied tiger.

Fang Yuan calmly passed the young masters who had been sent to provoke him, while Chen Boyuan realized the scheme had failed and received an invitation to meet someone who also bore a grudge against Fang Yuan. Fang Yuan entered the third floor of the Scripture Depository, where he found a space larger than he expected.

• Fang Yuan ignored the young masters blocking the stairs, and his gaze made them move aside without a fight.
• Brother Gu realized Chen Boyuan had used him to provoke Fang Yuan and led his lackeys away to choose Cultivation Methods.
• Chen Boyuan learned his scheme had failed and considered how Fang Yuan's connection to Eunuch Cao complicated any move against him.
• A young martial artist delivered Chen Boyuan an unsigned invitation to meet at Chunfeng Pavilion at noon, and Chen Boyuan accepted.
• Liu Ruyan watched Fang Yuan defuse the confrontation, then returned to studying a Cultivation Method.
• Fang Yuan climbed to the third floor and opened a door into a space far larger than he had expected.

Fang Yuan examined the cultivation methods on the Scripture Depository’s third floor and chose the Wave-Breaking Saber Art as his preferred advancement technique. He then reached for the Chain Rapid Saber Art, which suited his exceptional strength, leaving his final exchange choice unresolved.

• Fang Yuan considered who might be plotting against him and decided Gu Changqing had likely been used by someone else.
• Fang Yuan reviewed the available methods and rejected Cloud-Entangling Saber and Sanhe Breaking Blade Technique as poor fits.
• Fang Yuan found the Wave-Breaking Saber Art, which required artistic conception in Entangling Silk Saber Technique and cost 5,000 Contribution Points.
• Fang Yuan compared the remaining methods and decided the Wave-Breaking Saber Art best matched his cultivation path.
• Fang Yuan chose the Chain Rapid Saber Art as the method most compatible with his Strength of Nine Bulls and Two Tigers and reached for its brocade box.

Fang Yuan chose the Six Harmonies Defense Saber Manual and the Wave-Breaking Saber Art, arranging to exchange his champion’s reward for the former and use his Contribution Points for the latter. He received both manuals after the old man warned him that leaking them would bring pursuit and slaughter.

• Fang Yuan discovered the blue tag for the Six Harmonies Defense Saber Manual and decided it suited him, though it cost ten thousand Contribution Points.
• Fang Yuan went downstairs and joined the line, while Gu Changbai kept his distance and Liu Ruyan assured him she had not spread word about his visit to the third floor.
• Fang Yuan presented the tags for the Six Harmonies Defense Saber Manual and the Wave-Breaking Saber Art at the counter.
• The old man recognized the Six Harmonies Defense Saber Manual and confirmed that Fang Yuan would use his champion’s reward for it and spend five thousand Contribution Points on the Wave-Breaking Saber Art.
• The old man gave Fang Yuan both manuals and warned him that only he could learn them, as their registration meant leaking them would invite pursuit and slaughter.

Fang Yuan chose two rare saber manuals from the Scripture Depository and learned that he and Gu Changqing were tied to rival officials competing for a single Superior Essence Condensing Resource. The chapter left Fang Yuan aware that their rivalry was part of a larger contest in Wushui Commandery City.

• The old man warned Fang Yuan that rare Cultivation Methods could be opened only three times, and Fang Yuan left the Scripture Depository with two brocade boxes.
• Han Bao asked what Fang Yuan had chosen, and Fang Yuan named the Wave-Breaking Saber Art and the Six Harmonies Defense Saber Manual.
• Han Bao told Fang Yuan that Gu Changbai was Gu Changqing's brother and explained that the Gu Family had rejected Eunuch Cao before the Chief Inspector took Gu Changqing under his wing.
• Han Bao revealed that Chief Inspector and Eunuch Cao were competing for Wushui Commandery City's sole Superior Essence Condensing Resource, with Gu Changqing and Fang Yuan serving as their respective candidates.
• Fang Yuan realized the conflict at the Scripture Depository was not merely trouble caused by a few dandies.

Fang Yuan learned from Han Bao how scarce Superior Essence Condensing Resources were and how much they could shape a martial artist’s future. He left uncertain whether Eunuch Cao could secure a share for him, and resolved to strengthen himself while waiting for an opportunity.

• Fang Yuan told Han Bao that someone had tried to provoke a fight with Gu Changbai to cost him his Scripture Depository reward, and Han Bao explained that Old Hei commanded respect throughout the Imperial City Security Department.
• Han Bao told Fang Yuan that Jiangyang Dao received only three Superior Essence Condensing Resource shares each year, while Wushui Commandery received one.
• Han Bao explained that Fourth-Rank Martial Artists like himself usually relied on inferior resources, which gave them a weaker foundation than those who used superior or intermediate resources.
• Han Bao described Iron Cloth Pills as widely available inferior resources that cost five hundred Contribution Points and were often used by the army.
• Fang Yuan remembered Qin Wan’s Iron Cloth Pill offer and his unfulfilled promise to deal with Black Heart Tiger, deciding he would repay her when he had the chance.

While waiting for Eunuch Cao, Fang Yuan learned that Gu Changqing was a powerful rival for the Superior Essence Condensing Resource. Han Bao revealed that only Martial Artist Arena participants qualified to exchange for Cultivation Methods, and Gu Changqing had never entered the Wushui Commandery Arena.

• Young nobles and sect disciples gathered to scrutinize Fang Yuan and whispered that he might compete with Gu Changqing for the Superior Essence Condensing Resource.
• Fang Yuan asked Han Bao about Gu Changqing, who was at the peak of the third rank and had the Chief Inspector's support.
• Fang Yuan reconsidered competing for the resource after finding no Mysterious Zone in the Scripture Depository and remembering his Ice Sculpture Fruit.
• Han Bao explained that Gu Changqing had skipped the Wushui Commandery Arena to exchange pointers with young talents from other commanderies.
• Han Bao told Fang Yuan that only Martial Artist Arena participants could exchange for Cultivation Methods, while Gu Changqing had not entered the Wushui Commandery Arena.

Fang Yuan faced down Zhou Zheng, who demanded the Cultivation Method from the third floor of the Scripture Depository. Zhou Zheng backed off after recognizing Fang Yuan’s lethal resolve, while other noble youths mocked him.

• Han Bao explained that Fang Yuan qualified to use the resources Eunuch Cao had secured, though Fang Yuan wondered how Gu Changqing had accessed the third floor without competing in the Martial Artist Arena.
• Zhou Zheng confronted Fang Yuan and demanded he hand over a third-floor Cultivation Method in exchange for one from the second floor.
• Han Bao identified Zhou Zheng as the heir to Anping Earl, and Fang Yuan asked how many sons the earl had.
• Fang Yuan warned Zhou Zheng that he might not be able to settle the consequences of attacking him, and Zhou Zheng remembered his father’s warning not to provoke Fang Yuan.
• Other noble youths jeered at Zhou Zheng for backing down, while Gu Changbai moved away from them and watched Fang Yuan calmly stand by the corridor.

Fang Yuan drove Zhou Zheng away without a fight, then faced scrutiny from Chief Inspector Shen Qianshan, who questioned his conduct. Shen announced that Wushui Commandery’s Superior Essence Condensing Resource would not simply be given to one person, leaving its allocation unresolved.

• Fang Yuan challenged Zhou Zheng to fight, and Zhou Zheng fled after threatening him.
• Su Wan'er and Han Bao observed Fang Yuan's composure after Zhou Zheng left.
• Eunuch Cao and Chief Inspector Shen Qianshan emerged from the main hall, and Shen pressured Fang Yuan with his gaze until Eunuch Cao intervened.
• Shen criticized Fang Yuan's behavior, while Zhou Zheng took satisfaction in the Chief Inspector's displeasure.
• Shen credited Eunuch Cao with helping Wushui Commandery obtain a Superior Essence Condensing Resource and said handing it to someone at will would not command respect.

Shen Qianshan challenged Fang Yuan to compete against Gu Changqing for the Superior Essence Condensing Resource, proposing a contest using Cultivation Methods from the Scripture Depository. Fang Yuan accepted, and the duel was set for seven days later at the main courtyard Training Ground, with each man responsible for his own life and death.

• Shen Qianshan argued that the resources should go to the capable, while Eunuch Cao cited the Great Yin Statutes requiring them to be given to Martial Artist Arena candidates.
• Gu Changqing emerged from the hall and stood behind Shen Qianshan, drawing awe from the crowd.
• Shen Qianshan proposed that Fang Yuan and Gu Changqing compete in seven days using Cultivation Methods from the Scripture Depository, with the victor receiving the resource.
• Fang Yuan accepted the contest and declared that each man would be responsible for his own life and death.
• Shen Qianshan confirmed the duel would take place at the main courtyard Training Ground, while Eunuch Cao silently watched Fang Yuan.

Fang Yuan accepted Shen Qianshan’s challenge to duel Gu Changqing in seven days over the resource allocation, and Eunuch Cao warned him about Gu Changqing’s sword talent and technique. After the crowd dispersed, Shen Qianshan urged Gu Changqing to make the most of the opportunity and stay vigilant.

• Fang Yuan agreed to fight Gu Changqing in seven days rather than let Eunuch Cao impose the resource allocation.
• Eunuch Cao told Fang Yuan that Shen Qianshan would not treat him unfairly and learned that he had chosen the Breaking Wave Saber Art and Six Harmonies Defense.
• Eunuch Cao revealed that Gu Changqing practiced the Clear Wind Chasing Moon Sword Art and had comprehended Sword Mastery while gathering qi.
• Fang Yuan considered the challenge and resolved to use his seven days of secluded cultivation to prepare.
• Zhou Zheng realized that Fang Yuan would now be mentioned alongside Gu Changqing, regardless of the duel’s result.
• Shen Qianshan told Gu Changqing that the duel was the best outcome he could secure and urged him not to let his guard down.

Shen Qianshan and Gu Changqing dismissed rumors that Fang Yuan had chosen two third-floor manuals and prepared for their Seven-Day Pact duel. Fang Yuan returned to Eunuch Cao’s residence, secured a quiet place to train, and began studying the Wave-Breaking Saber Art.

• Shen Qianshan and Gu Changqing read that Fang Yuan had exchanged for the Wave-Breaking Saber Art and doubted he had chosen another third-floor treasure.
• A captain reported rumors that Fang Yuan had visited the Scripture Depository’s third floor, but Shen Qianshan dismissed him and Gu Changqing ignored the claim.
• Gu Changqing told Shen Qianshan that the Three Commanderies Martial Tournament and its Superior Force resources were his true goals, and Shen told him not to hold back in seven days.
• Eunuch Cao brought Fang Yuan home and ordered Han Bao to guard him while he trained without interruption.
• Fang Yuan instructed Liu Wanwan and Little Bean Sprout, checked on Chen Yin, and entered the courtyard Training Ground with his two manuals.
• Fang Yuan placed the Wave-Breaking Saber Art and Six Harmonies Defense on a stone table and focused on the Wave-Breaking Saber Art.

Fang Yuan used the jade inheritance to comprehend the Wave-Breaking Saber Art and began practicing its first stance, Undercurrent. By nightfall, Han Bao sensed a profound change in Fang Yuan’s saber momentum and wondered whether he had mastered the basics again.

• Fang Yuan opened the Wave-Breaking Saber Art’s brocade box and discovered a pale-blue jade that drew his consciousness into a sea of crashing waves.
• Fang Yuan watched the waves until he understood their rhythm as saber momentum and learned that the art relied on Blade Intent, rhythm, and momentum rather than fixed moves.
• Fang Yuan returned to the courtyard, noticed fine cracks in the jade, and decided its two remaining viewings would be enough.
• Fang Yuan practiced the first stance, Undercurrent, using the Entangling Silk Saber Technique’s movement to accumulate hidden power with each swing.
• Han Bao sensed the heavy pressure in Fang Yuan’s changed saber wind and wondered if he had mastered the basics again.

Fang Yuan practiced the Wave-Breaking Saber Art and impressed Eunuch Cao with how quickly he grasped its spirit. Eunuch Cao presented him with a booklet of essence-force resources, and Fang Yuan was astonished by the wealth of options it contained.

• Fang Yuan struggled with the mental strain of practicing the Wave-Breaking Saber Art but recognized its connection to the Entangling Silk Saber Technique.
• Eunuch Cao arrived and praised Fang Yuan for grasping the saber art’s basics in less than a day.
• Fang Yuan promised Eunuch Cao that he would not disgrace him at the contest in seven days.
• Eunuch Cao gave Fang Yuan a booklet listing the essence-force resources available to him and his Foster Father.
• Fang Yuan skimmed the booklet and saw that it listed five Superior Resources and more than ten Medium Resources.

Fang Yuan reviewed Eunuch Cao’s list of Superior Forces but hesitated to choose one before the Seven-Day Pact. After learning that Qinghe Arena champions could enter the Mysterious Zone, he persuaded Eunuch Cao to take him there the next day.

• Fang Yuan questioned whether Eunuch Cao could truly command so many resources and examined the listed Superior Forces, including Cold and Heat Force.
• Eunuch Cao asked Fang Yuan to choose a force by the following morning, but Fang Yuan asked about the Mysterious Zone instead.
• Eunuch Cao explained that the Mysterious Zone held confidential archives and was normally accessible only to senior officials such as him and Shen Qianshan.
• Eunuch Cao revealed that Qinghe Arena champions received a chance to visit the Mysterious Zone under new Imperial Court regulations.
• Fang Yuan claimed he felt destined to visit the Mysterious Zone before choosing a force, and Eunuch Cao agreed to take him the next day.

Fang Yuan studied Eunuch Cao’s booklet describing Great Yin’s Superior Forces and weighed them against his physique and martial arts. He decided that Cold and Heat Force best suited his path of balancing hardness and softness.

• Eunuch Cao left Fang Yuan a booklet about the Forces available to him.
• Fang Yuan learned that Great Yin had 108 Superior Forces, divided into Celestial Phenomenon and Earthly Fiend Forces.
• Fang Yuan ruled out Nine Yang Force and Mysterious Ice Force because each would undermine one side of his hard-and-soft martial arts.
• Fang Yuan found that Cold and Heat Force required mastery of both hard and soft methods and the Intent Realm, conditions he already met.
• Fang Yuan concluded that his dual Qi induction, physique, and techniques made Cold and Heat Force the best match for him.

Fang Yuan considered his choice of force technique and planned to visit the Mysterious Zone before telling Eunuch Cao. In the Imperial City, Eight Thousand Years Old received a letter from Eunuch Cao and claimed that Fang Yuan wanted to return to serve at his side, while his foster sons concealed their reactions.

• Fang Yuan chose to postpone telling Eunuch Cao about his decision until after visiting the Mysterious Zone, then practiced his saber technique through the night.
• A messenger bird brought Eunuch Cao’s sealed letter from Jiangyang Dao to Eight Thousand Years Old in the Imperial City.
• Eight Thousand Years Old warned Third Brother and the other senior eunuchs not to meddle in matters concerning the princes or the succession.
• Eight Thousand Years Old eagerly read the letter and told the gathered eunuchs that Eldest wished to return and serve beside him.
• Third Brother hid his resentment as the other eunuchs exchanged covertly contemptuous looks.