Chapter Summaries

Chen Qing fused Qingmu True Qi and Kuntu True Qi, then spent two months cultivating while rumors spread about the Liu Family and other young elites. Meanwhile, Heart Eater gathered the Yunlin Branch of the Demonic Sect and ordered preparations for a major operation, leaving his followers under strict warning.

• Chen Qing used the Earth Core Marrow Pearl and Wood Sun Jade to fuse Qingmu True Qi and Kuntu True Qi, then resolved to cultivate both arts and open his twelfth regular Meridian.
• Chen Qing devoted himself to secluded cultivation for two months, reached the fourth level of both arts, and gained a rising reputation among the Qingmu Institute disciples.
• Li Wang told Chen Qing that the Liu Family and allied families had suffered brutal attacks, and invited him to join Jingwu Guard missions, but Chen Qing declined to focus on cultivation.
• Li Wang reported that Feng Shuhao and Nie Shanshan might be preparing to break through into Gang Jin.
• Heart Eater met with the Yunlin Branch Demonic Sect figures, distributed Calming Heart Pills, and ordered them to gather capable subordinates for an operation.
• Heart Eater warned Blood Rakshasa and Poison Old Man over their actions and threatened anyone who disobeyed or leaked information.

Miao Feng was killed by a mysterious intruder, while Chen Qing learned that Miao Feng and Ji Qixuan had vanished and continued advancing his cultivation. After completing the Core Embracing Realm, Chen Qing prepared to break through to Gang Jin.

• Ji Qixuan advised Miao Feng to abandon the search for his missing son and hinted that revenge might be possible later.
• A mysterious intruder entered Golden Sand Fort, suppressed Miao Feng’s Poison Fiend Thunder, and killed him before searching his study.
• Elder Sang gathered late-stage Embracing Dan Strength disciples to share Gang Jin breakthrough advice and distributed three drops of Century Earth Core Milk to each.
• Elder Sang told Chen Qing that the Earth Origin Sect had dismissed its responsibility for Yu He’s actions and that Miao Feng and Ji Qixuan had both vanished.
• Chen Qing suspected Master Li was behind the disappearances, returned to cultivation, and used the Century Earth Core Milk.
• Chen Qing opened his twelfth primary meridian, completed the Core Embracing Realm, and decided to refine true gang and break through to Gang Jin.

Chen Qing broke through to Gang Jin and spent a month converting his Qingmu True Qi into Qingmu True Gang, while Nie Shanshan’s first breakthrough attempt fell short but strengthened her foundation. After Chen Qing left seclusion, he learned that an envoy from the Tianbao Supreme Sect had arrived at Wutai Sect and suspected the visit concerned the plan to gather and train the Hundred Sect Geniuses.

• Chen Qing opened the Heaven and Earth Bridge, drew Heaven and Earth Yuan Qi into his body, and began tempering his Qingmu True Qi into True Gang.
• Nie Shanshan emerged from seclusion after connecting with the Heaven and Earth Bridge and drawing in yuan qi, but failed to condense True Gang; Chu Jinyun and Peng Zhen praised her progress and discussed her prospects and Chen Qing’s root bones.
• Chen Qing spent a month converting all his Qingmu True Qi into Qingmu True Gang, then continued cultivating in seclusion to consolidate his new Gang Jin realm.
• Chen Qing found that his usual sect resources had little effect on his True Gang cultivation and decided to visit Master Li at the Qingmu Institute’s Transmission Training Ground.
• Chen Qing asked Zhang Yuan why the training ground was empty, and Zhang Yuan told him that Yu Bao'er, Luo Xinya, and other disciples had gone to see the Tianbao Supreme Sect’s envoy.
• Chen Qing wondered whether the envoy’s visit was connected to the plan to gather and centrally cultivate the Hundred Sect Geniuses.

The Tianbao Supreme Sect announced a plan to gather talented disciples at Xuwang Mountain, and Li Baichuan told Chen Qing that the Hundred Sect Geniuses would serve as competition and whetstones for the sect’s own elite. At a gathering to discuss Gang Jin breakthroughs and Jingwu Guard teams, the group learned that Feng Shuhao had become the first among them to break through.

• Zhao Kang told He Yuzhou that sects would receive five years of tribute relief for each disciple who passed the Xuwang Mountain assessment and remained there, and He Yuzhou decided to prepare while awaiting further details.
• Chen Qing offered Li Baichuan a Silver-Patterned Blood Ganoderma, and Li Baichuan explained that the Tianbao Supreme Sect intended to use Hundred Sect Geniuses to spur its own core disciples and children of Millennial Families.
• Chen Qing continued cultivating the Eight Desolations Prison Suppression Art, then accepted Yan Yaoyang's invitation to meet with disciples from Wutai Sect and Xuanjia Gate.
• Yan Yaoyang and Shi Ziyi discussed their failed attempts to break through to Gang Jin, and Yan Yaoyang proposed forming a team to complete Jingwu Guard missions; Chen Qing declined to join for now.
• A Gengjin Institute disciple announced that Feng Shuhao had broken through to Gang Jin, shocking Chen Qing and everyone gathered at Plum Rain Pavilion.

After Feng Shuhao reached Gang Jin, Hanyu Valley investigated whether he had received outside help, while Li Baichuan revealed that Chen Qing had also advanced to Gang Jin. He Yuzhou appointed Chen Qing to temporarily oversee Qingmu Institute and granted him expanded access and cultivation resources, while keeping his breakthrough secret amid the unrest.

• Leng Qianqiu explained that Xiao Bieli had failed to reach Gang Jin because his mind had wavered, and said a Gang Condensing Pill could improve his next attempt.
• A steward reported that Feng Shuhao had reached Gang Jin, prompting Leng Qianqiu to order an investigation into whether he had used a Gang Condensing Pill.
• Li Baichuan asked He Yuzhou to let him cultivate in the Earth Core Milk Cave for up to half a year and proposed that Chen Qing temporarily lead Qingmu Institute.
• Li Baichuan told He Yuzhou that Chen Qing had reached Gang Jin, and He Yuzhou agreed to open the cave and entrust Chen Qing with the institute's affairs.
• Chen Qing confirmed his breakthrough to He Yuzhou, who ordered him to keep it quiet and granted him unrestricted access to Langya Pavilion, the Tingchao Martial Library Fourth Floor, and increased monthly resources.

Chen Qing studied the Wutai Sect’s martial arts and realm records, then cultivated Kuntu True Gang and fused it with Qingmu True Gang, greatly increasing his strength. At a meeting about the Demonic Sect’s growing threat, He Yuzhou revealed that Chen Qing had reached Gang Jin, and the gathered leaders congratulated him.

• Chen Qing entered the Tingchao Martial Library’s fourth floor, studied the Nine Heavens Thunder Finger and fragments of peerless arts, and learned about the True Origin Realm.
• Chen Qing copied the Nine Heavens Thunder Finger, reached Lesser Mastery, and focused on advancing the Eight Desolations Prison Suppression Art.
• After two months, Chen Qing formed Kuntu True Gang and fused it with Qingmu True Gang into a powerful Gray-Green True Gang.
• Chen Qing approved two Outer Court applicants for the Inner Court and told Luo Xinya that Master Li had entrusted him with Qingmu Institute affairs.
• He Yuzhou summoned the sect’s leaders, warned that the Demonic Sect might be preparing a major operation, and assigned defensive duties while naming Qingmu Institute the mobile force.
• He Yuzhou announced that Chen Qing had broken through to Gang Jin, shocking the assembly, and the gathered leaders congratulated Chen Qing.

After breaking through to Gang Jin, Chen Qing received advice from Shen Xiuyong about stabilizing his cultivation and the limits imposed by the supreme sects. The Jingwu Guard tried to recruit him, but he refused and stayed focused on cultivation as Yunlin Prefecture's powers sought his favor.

• Shen Xiuyong congratulated Chen Qing, advised him to use Gang Quenching Pills to temper his True Gang, and explained how the supreme sects controlled resources and advanced cultivation methods.
• Chu Jinyun told Nie Shanshan that Chen Qing had reached Gang Jin, and Nie Shanshan resolved to cultivate harder before her next breakthrough attempt.
• Li Wang recognized that he had become distracted by wine and women, vowed to focus on cultivation, then accepted Lin Zhirou's invitation to meet at Bibo Lake.
• Wang Yongsheng offered Chen Qing three top-grade Gang Quenching Pills and a position in the Jingwu Guard, but Chen Qing accepted the pills and declined the post.
• As Chen Qing's breakthrough became known across Yunlin Prefecture, visiting factions and clans sought an audience, but he refused their visits and continued cultivating.

He Yuzhou learned that the Demonic Sect was attacking Xuanjia Gate and led Chen Qing, Peng Zhen, and Tan Yang to reinforce it. While Heart Eater’s forces overwhelmed the gate and Jin Poyue betrayed Shi Kaishan, Chen Qing’s group arrived to find the sect in flames and rushed into a forest after hearing Xuanjia Gate members being pursued.

• He Yuzhou told the Assembly Hall that Heart Eater’s main force was heading for Xuanjia Gate, then ordered Chen Qing, Peng Zhen, and Tan Yang to reinforce it while the others guarded Wutai Sect.
• Heart Eater led the Demonic Sect forces in destroying Xuanjia Gate’s mountain gate and launching a surprise attack that killed the guards and plunged the sect into chaos.
• Shi Kaishan confronted Heart Eater, but Jin Poyue struck Shi Kaishan from behind and revealed that he had joined the Sacred Gate, leaving Shi Kaishan to face both attackers while gravely wounded.
• Du Lingchuan ordered disciples to retreat through a secret passage as he and other elders stayed behind to hold off the Demonic Sect forces.
• Chen Qing, Peng Zhen, and Tan Yang reached the burning Xuanjia Gate, heard a fight in nearby woods, and hurried in to help the pursued defenders.

Chen Qing and the arriving allies defeated the Demonic Sect attackers at Xuanjia Gate, while He Yuzhou and Leng Qianqiu drove the battle toward the Back Mountain. Old Demon Heart Devourer looted the Local Element Cave and disappeared, leaving the leaders to secure the mountain and search for him.

• Chen Qing killed Jiang Chuanqiao while Peng Zhen and Tan Yang killed Mei Kun, and Peng Zhen used a treasured pill to stabilize the gravely wounded Du Lingchuan.
• Tan Yang and Peng Zhen rushed to aid Xuanjia Gate's sect master, while Chen Qing stayed behind to protect Du Lingchuan and the survivors.
• He Yuzhou arrived in time to save Shi Kaishan, killed Han Baiyi and Hu Mei, and drove Jin Poyue into Leng Qianqiu's fatal icy palm.
• Shi Kaishan told He Yuzhou and Leng Qianqiu that Heart Eater had entered the Local Element Cave after killing three elders, but they found the cave looted and Heart Eater gone.
• Zhou Nianchu joined He Yuzhou and Leng Qianqiu, and the three agreed to clear the remaining Demonic Sect fighters and search Xuanjia Gate before pursuing Heart Eater.

Chen Qing treated Du Lingchuan after the battle at Xuanjia Gate, then fought Zuo Feng until Feng Shuhao arrived to help. Feng Shuhao suddenly betrayed Chen Qing with a back attack, but Chen Qing’s Azure Flood Dragon Armor and hardened body withstood the strike, leaving Feng Shuhao and Zuo Feng shocked.

• Chen Qing used Qingmu True Gang and Peng Zhen's Healing Pill to stabilize Du Lingchuan's injuries, and Du Lingchuan regained consciousness.
• Chen Qing noticed Zuo Feng approaching through the forest and fought him with his spear and martial arts.
• Feng Shuhao emerged from hiding and joined Chen Qing against Zuo Feng, forcing Zuo Feng back and injuring his hand.
• As Chen Qing attacked Zuo Feng, Feng Shuhao turned his palm strike against Chen Qing's back in an attempt to kill him and seize his essence blood and true qi.
• Chen Qing's Azure Flood Dragon Armor and hardened body absorbed Feng Shuhao's attack, revealing the armor to both Feng Shuhao and Zuo Feng.

Chen Qing killed Zuo Feng and Feng Shuhao, then learned that Feng Shuhao’s master, Zhou Nianchu, had taught him demonic arts. Chen Qing and the wounded Du Lingchuan hurried to warn the sect masters, while Zhou Nianchu sat among them in Xuanjia Gate’s Assembly Hall.

• Chen Qing wounded Zuo Feng with Nine Luminaries Star-Glow Needles, fused his True Gangs, and killed Zuo Feng and Feng Shuhao after they attacked him together.
• Chen Qing interrogated Feng Shuhao and learned that Zhou Nianchu had taught him demonic arts a year and a half earlier, then killed him and took valuables from both corpses.
• Chen Qing returned to the clearing, revealed Zhou Nianchu’s connection to demonic arts, and agreed with Du Lingchuan to warn He Yuzhou and Leng Qianqiu immediately.
• Chen Qing and Du Lingchuan rushed toward Xuanjia Gate as its survivors and allied experts cleared the battlefield and hunted remaining Demonic Sect fighters.
• At Xuanjia Gate’s Assembly Hall, He Yueting reported that he and Monk Mo had killed Chang Suning, while He Yuzhou and Leng Qianqiu discussed the Demonic Sect’s losses and Heart Eater’s escape.

Chen Qing revealed that Zhou Nianchu had taught demonic arts to Feng Shuhao, and He Yuzhou and Leng Qianqiu exposed Zhou as Heart Eater. After they killed him, Qixia Mountain Villa was ordered to seal its gates and submit to an investigation, while Xuanjia Gate took custody of Zhou’s corpse.

• Chen Qing told He Yuzhou that Feng Shuhao had confessed Zhou Nianchu taught him demonic arts, and Du Lingchuan arrived injured with Chen’s support.
• Leng Qianqiu questioned Zhou Nianchu about Feng Shuhao and Elder Qian’s murder, while He Yuzhou presented Feng’s corpse as evidence of demonic cultivation.
• Zhou Nianchu tried to flee, but He Yuzhou and Leng Qianqiu attacked him; he revealed his demonic power and was identified as Heart Eater.
• Heart Eater fought He Yuzhou and Leng Qianqiu, burned his Essence Blood to escape, and was killed by their combined attacks.
• Leng Qianqiu ordered Qixia Mountain Villa to seal its gates and await an investigation, while He Yuzhou permitted Xuanjia Gate to handle Zhou Nianchu’s corpse.

After the Demonic Sect’s Yunlin Branch was defeated, Chen Qing received a powerful spear manual while the surviving sects and families assessed the changing balance of power. News of the battle spread through Yunlin Prefecture, as an unidentified gray-clad figure quietly left a tavern.

• Xuanjia Gate stewards searched for the valuables Zhou Nianchu and Heart Eater had hidden, while Chen Qing helped clear the battlefield and Ye Qingyi congratulated him on reaching Gang Jin.
• Du Lingchuan thanked Chen Qing for saving him and gave him the Mountain Splitting Thunder Spear manual, which Chen Qing accepted.
• He Yuzhou and Leng Qianqiu discussed Xuanjia Gate’s losses, plans to supervise Qixia Mountain Villa, and the coming Xuwang Mountain genius cultivation plan.
• Liu Mingyuan told Liu Mingxuan that Zhou Nianchu had been exposed as Heart Eater and that Chen Qing had killed Zuo Feng; Liu Mingxuan decided to prepare Chen Qing a generous gift.
• Tavern patrons discussed the Demonic Sect’s defeat and predicted Wutai Sect and Hanyu Valley would dominate Yunlin Prefecture, while a gray-clad figure listened and slipped away into the dusk.

Chen Qing learned of the Tianbao Supreme Sect’s Xuwang Mountain selection and sought guidance from Li Baichuan, who taught him the peerless True Martial Seal in exchange for a future favor. The chapter left Chen Qing eager to return and study the new martial art.

• Chen Qing practiced the Mountain Splitting Thunder Spear and reviewed his progress in cultivation.
• Shen Xiuyong told Chen Qing that the Tianbao Supreme Sect would select young talents for training at Xuwang Mountain, and Chen Qing considered the opportunity.
• Chen Qing learned from Yu Bao'er that Li Baichuan had emerged from seclusion and visited him with medicinal herbs.
• Li Baichuan explained how True Gang control developed across the Inner Gang and Outer Gang realms, then offered to teach Chen Qing a peerless martial art in exchange for an unspecified favor.
• Li Baichuan demonstrated the nine styles of the True Martial Seal, and Chen Qing gained entry-level proficiency before leaving to study it.

Chen Qing accepted the Liu Family’s gratitude and prepared to return to Gaolin County, but the Wutai Sect soon summoned its leaders and disciples to announce the Xuwang Mountain selection. Chen Qing and several other disciples volunteered to compete, and Elder Sang warned him to rely on the sect’s support if his journey home became dangerous.

• Liu Mingyuan visited Chen Qing, thanked him for killing Zuo Feng, and presented him with three Gang Quenching Pills while offering the Liu Family’s support.
• After Yunlin Prefecture’s turmoil subsided, Chen Qing told Luo Xinya he planned to return to Gaolin County, then received an urgent summons to the Assembly Hall with Li Baichuan.
• He Yuzhou announced that the Xuwang Mountain Hundred-Sect Talent Development Program would begin in three months and invited eligible disciples to volunteer for its selection.
• Shen Xiuyong, Yan Yaoyang, Nie Shanshan, Chen Qing, Li Lei, Li Wang, and two Inner Sect disciples volunteered to compete.
• Elder Sang offered Chen Qing the sect’s protection and resources for his journey to Gaolin County, and Chen Qing thanked him before departing.

Chen Qing returned to Gaolin County, reunited with his mother and old acquaintances, and learned that his father was still missing. After revealing that he had reached Gang Jin to Zhou Liang, Chen Qing spent half a month at home; his return then prompted local leaders to learn that he was expected to become the future sect master of the Wutai Sect.

• Chen Qing returned to Gaolin County and reunited with Madam Han, who told him how Wu Manqing had helped her live comfortably; he confirmed there was still no news of his father.
• Yang Huiniang brought Chen Jinhua and Yang Tiezhu to join Chen Qing and Madam Han for dinner, and the family gathered to welcome him home.
• Chen Qing visited Zhou Academy, where Sun Shun, Zhou Liang, and Madam Li welcomed him; Zhou Liang explained that Qin Lie lived and worked at the academy after his sister died.
• Chen Qing told Zhou Liang and Sun Shun that he had reached Gang Jin, shocking them; he then spent half a month visiting acquaintances and staying with Madam Han.
• The heads of the Han and Luo Families and several martial arts school masters asked Pang Qinghai whether they should visit Chen Qing, and Pang warned them to leave him undisturbed.
• Pang Qinghai told the local leaders that Chen Qing would likely become the future sect master of the Wutai Sect, leaving them shocked and regretful that they had not formed closer ties with him earlier.

Chen Qing returned from Gaolin County to Wutai Sect, where He Yuzhou rewarded him with valuable cultivation resources and ordered him to deliver a letter to the Shen Family in Tianbao City. The chapter left Chen Qing preparing to strengthen himself before traveling to Heavenly Treasure Mountain in a month.

• Chen Qing told Madam Han he would leave Gaolin County, reassured her that he would always return, and then visited Zhou Academy to give Zhou Liang Solidify Origin Pills and Sun Shun Barrier Breaking Pills.
• Madam Li and Zhou Liang regretted that Zhou Yu had not married Chen Qing, while Chen Qing said goodbye to Madam Han and departed for Wutai Sect.
• After Chen Qing returned to the sect, He Yuzhou worried that Heart Eater might have survived the battle at Xuanjia Gate and secretly acquired Xuanjia Gate's resources.
• He Yuzhou gave Chen Qing an Overlord Blood Pill from Earth Origin Sect and an Ice Marrow Ganoderma from Hanyu Valley as rewards.
• He Yuzhou asked Chen Qing to deliver a sealed letter to Shen Qianshan of the Shen Family in Tianbao City, then told him to absorb his new resources before setting out for Heavenly Treasure Mountain in one month.

Chen Qing consumed the Overlord Blood Pill and the Ice Marrow Ganoderma, breaking through to the Primordial Unity realm of the Eight Extremes Vajra Body before departing for Tianbao City. On the eve of departure, Li Baichuan gave him the Hidden Spirit Art in exchange for a promise to seek a Nine Revolutions True Return Pill, while Chen Qing prepared to join Wutai Sect’s candidates for the Xuwang Mountain selection.

• Chen Qing swallowed the Overlord Blood Pill and used its fierce Qi and Blood to advance his Eight Extremes Vajra Body.
• After twenty days of cultivation and consuming the Ice Marrow Ganoderma, Chen Qing broke through to Primordial Unity and gained powerful self-healing and physical strength.
• News spread that the Tianbao Supreme Sect was recruiting candidates for Xuwang Mountain, and Shi Ziyi and Fang Rui joined Wutai Sect’s party for the journey to Tianbao City.
• Chen Qing asked Li Baichuan whether True Origin Realm experts could see through his concealment, and Li Baichuan offered him the Hidden Spirit Art in exchange for a Nine Revolutions True Return Pill.
• Chen Qing asked Li Baichuan to confirm that he could resolve future trouble, then solemnly bid his master farewell before leaving the courtyard.

The Wutai Sect and Xuanjia Gate party set out for Tianbao City and joined forces with the Imperial Puppet Sect while resting in Maple Leaf County. At the inn, they encountered the hostile Chaoyang Sect, and their plan to travel together with the Imperial Puppet Sect fell apart.

• He Yuzhou sent Sang Yanping, Chu Jinyun, and the disciples off from Wutai Sect, entrusting the elders with their safe passage to Tianbao City.
• After five days on the road, the party met Fang Hongtao and the Imperial Puppet Sect in Maple Leaf County and agreed to travel together.
• Duan Shan demonstrated an Iron Guard puppet and claimed it could rival a Gang Strength Early-stage expert.
• At Guiyun Inn, Sang Yanping and Chu Jinyun recognized Ruan Wenzhu and the Chaoyang Sect, whose old feud with Wutai Sect made the hall tense.
• Fang Hongtao moved his group away from Wutai Sect to greet Ruan Wenzhu, and the Chaoyang Sect went upstairs without a confrontation.
• Sang Yanping told the Wutai Sect disciples to settle into their rooms and return for dinner, while the planned joint journey with the Imperial Puppet Sect went unmentioned.

Chen Qing and the Wutai Sect traveled toward the Tianbao Supreme Sect’s Xuwang Mountain selection, clashing with the Chaoyang Sect before avoiding further conflict. After ten days on the road, they reached the final ridge overlooking Tianbao Supreme Sect.

• Chu Jinyun and Sang Yanping discussed the danger posed by Ruan Wenzhu and concluded that neither sect would risk open conflict before the selection.
• Chen Qing examined Pingjiang Pavilion’s Record of Heroes and found himself ranked sixty-fifth, while several Chaoyang Sect disciples also placed high on the list.
• Liu Wu fought Shen Xiuyong after a Chaoyang Sect beast injured Tread Snow, and the Imperial Puppet Sect’s Fang Hongtao persuaded both sides to stand down.
• Ruan Wenzhu rejected Liu Wu’s proposal to ambush the Wutai Sect, while Sang Yanping ordered his party to leave Maple Leaf County that night.
• Chen Qing cultivated the Hidden Spirit Art as the Wutai Sect traveled cautiously for ten days toward Tianbao City.
• Sang Yanping halted the convoy at the last mountain ridge and told the group that the Tianbao Supreme Sect lay ahead.