Chapter Summaries

As ministers inspected the River Conservancy Office, Liang Qu dealt with rumors that the captured Snake Demons were River God messengers. He arranged for Li LiBo and Chen Jiechang to spread a story explaining their capture, then promised them promotions if they advanced in their martial training.

• The ministers questioned Wei Lin and Xu Yuelong about the River Conservancy Office’s accounts, marking several items for correction before the rain stopped.
• Xu Yuelong persuaded the ministers to have lunch before leaving, while the officials teased Liang Qu about how he had subdued the Snake Demons.
• The ministers criticized Jian Zhongyi for failing to establish a Drum Tower, leaving Zuo Heng uneasy about the inspection.
• Liang Qu heard villagers call the captured Snake Demons River God messengers and summoned Li LiBo and Chen Jiechang to help manage the rumors.
• Li LiBo and Chen Jiechang proposed spreading a story that the Snake Demons had come to help govern the waters and had willingly served King of Yue.
• Liang Qu promised to promote Li LiBo and Chen Jiechang to River Chiefs if they reached the fourth martial barrier before October.

Liang Qu listened as King of Yue's party arranged supplies and recruitment in Pingyang Prefecture, then turned down Guan Congjian's challenge unless he could provide a Treasure Plant with the Similar Yet Dissimilar trait. After Liang Qu rode away, Zhang Xu suggested he might be able to provide a Two Lives Flower.

• King of Yue's subordinates arranged supplies and announced martial and literary examinations to recruit people for Ning Jiang Prefecture.
• Liang Qu left the River Conservancy Office after seeing Xu Yuelong and Wei Lin being questioned.
• Guan Congjian challenged Liang Qu and offered him five hundred, then one thousand taels to spar.
• Liang Qu refused to fight unless Guan Congjian found him a Treasure Plant with the Similar Yet Dissimilar trait, then rode away on Red Mountain.
• Zhang Xu asked Guan Congjian about Liang Qu's request and hinted that he might provide a Two Lives Flower.

Liang Qu reviewed the completed Feng Bu County waterway survey, discussed the snake clan’s commanders, and learned that an unknown commander called Lord Net controlled part of the Eastern Region. Guan Congjian then offered him a precious Two Lives Flower from King of Yue’s subordinate in exchange for arranging their spar within three days.

• Long Pingjiang presented Liang Qu with the detailed Feng Bu County waterway dossier, and Liang Qu approved its format for the next survey in Jiangling County.
• Liang Qu assured Long Binglin that the Snake Demons had been dealt with and explained that his River Conservancy Office duties would delay his visit to the Dragon Man Clan Grounds.
• Long Binglin described the snake clan’s commanders and said the mysterious Lord Net controlled territory in the Eastern Region despite having no known subordinates.
• Guan Congjian arrived with a Two Lives Flower and asked Liang Qu to choose a time and place for their spar, preferably within three days.
• Guan Congjian told Liang Qu that a subordinate of King of Yue had given him the flower for free so they would spar before King of Yue left.

Liang Qu learned that Zhang Xu had arranged Guan Congjian’s challenge as a warning to the young martial examinees, then explored the Immortal Island Above the Clouds again to strengthen his true astral force. His visit ended abruptly as the island turned hazy and shattered.

• Liang Qu learned that Zhang Xu, the King of Yue’s Steward, had supplied Guan Congjian with the Treasure Plant and intended their match to humble the young examinees.
• Liang Qu rewarded the Dragonfolk who gathered the information, then visited the garden and let the Water Beasts share watermelon juice and Glutinous Rice cakes.
• Liang Qu used Mirage Worm to return to the Immortal Island Above the Clouds, where he sensed spiritual essence flowing into his true astral force.
• Liang Qu examined the island’s White Jade Stairway and wondered whether the wounded Mirage Dragon still lived at the mountaintop.
• The Immortal Island turned hazy and shattered while Liang Qu stood near the stairs.

Liang Qu condensed his sixth minor meridian after being cleansed by the Immortal Island Above the Clouds, bringing him closer to forming a Human Bridge. In Pingyang Prefecture, King of Yue’s martial examination drew crowds, and Liang Qu decided to take the test after learning it could earn a discount at an upcoming auction.

• Liang Qu condensed the Xiphoid Meridian, bringing his meridian count to three major and six minor meridians, enough to attempt an initial Human Bridge.
• Liang Qu assessed the gains from the dream’s spiritual-energy cleansing and considered how Mirage Worm evolutions and his limited Marsh Essence would affect future cultivation.
• News spread that King of Yue was recruiting talent, and crowds arrived in Pingyang Prefecture for literary and martial examinations.
• Lu Gang explained that candidates could earn bronze, silver, or gold medals by enduring simulated battles through the White Marble pillars’ preserved will.
• Ran Zhongshi told Liang Qu and the others that gold medalists and anyone who passed the test would receive a five-percent discount at the next day’s Celestial Ship Merchant Guild auction.
• Liang Qu changed his mind and strode toward the pillars, declaring that he would show his peerless talent.

Liang Qu joined the martial examination and endured the White Marble pillar’s escalating trials, earning a Gold Medal before facing and defeating a supernatural spear. Zhang Xu revealed that Liang Qu had received a Jade Tablet, a rank above Gold, and Liang immediately asked what discount it gave him at the Celestial Ship Merchant Guild.

• Liang Qu declined to skip the line and touched a White Marble pillar while the crowd watched.
• An ordinary young man from Nanxun Town endured just over a quarter of an hour and received a bronze Waist Token.
• Liang Qu withstood the pillar’s trials long enough to earn a Gold Medal, drawing crowds and astonishment from the officials and clan youths.
• After the Gold Medal trial ended, Liang Qu faced a lightning-wreathed spear in the void and shattered it with his White Ape and Coiling Dragon Great Pillar.
• Zhang Xu congratulated Liang Qu and presented him with a Jade Tablet, which ranked above a Gold Medal.
• Liang Qu asked Zhang Xu what discount the Jade Tablet earned at the Celestial Ship Merchant Guild, and Zhang Xu offered to ask its Steward.

Liang Qu received a jade token containing one strike from the King of Yue after passing the martial examination, prompting speculation among the gold token holders about how he had overcome the trial. As the Celestial Ship Merchant Guild offered him auction discounts and the King of Yue ordered an investigation into his character, Ta Ta Kai also tested the pillar before Liang Qu arrived at the auction with Long Binglin and Long E Ying.

• Zhang Xu explained that Liang Qu’s jade token held one strike from the King of Yue, while Ran Zhongshi and the gold token holders wondered why the jade grade had been concealed and how Liang Qu had passed.
• Xu Zishuai pressed Liang Qu for an explanation, but Liang Qu said his method could not be learned by others.
• Zhu Bingcan offered Liang Qu commission-free sales on three auction lots and discounts on ten more, and Liang Qu set out to share the news with his companions.
• The King of Yue ordered Zhang Xu to investigate Liang Qu’s character, while Guan Congjian failed to find Liang Qu among the crowds at the martial examination.
• Ta Ta Kai joined the queue and endured the White Marble pillar for nearly a quarter-hour before collapsing without earning a plaque.
• On the eighteenth day of June, Liang Qu presented his invitation and entered Sky Vessel Tower with Long Binglin and Long E Ying.

At the auction, Liang Qu arranged for a duplicate of the King of Yue’s jade plaque and learned his fame had brought a flood of new apprentices to his Master’s martial arts school. The King of Yue summoned Liang Qu to his private room and asked him to become his personal disciple.

• Liang Qu bought a Tianshan jade seed and commissioned a copy of the King of Yue’s jade plaque, hoping to preserve the appearance that its strike remained unused.
• Long Binglin and Long E Ying joined Liang Qu at the auction, where they met Long Zijian and Long Zihe in a private cabin.
• Hu Qi and Xiang ChangSong told Liang Qu that his jade plaque had helped draw over two hundred new apprentices to the Yang Martial Hall, and they discussed expanding the school and partnering with Shanghu Academy.
• Liang Qu and the other guests went downstairs to greet the King of Yue, who called Liang Qu to accompany him upstairs.
• The King of Yue said Liang Qu had passed the final stage of the martial examination and asked whether he was willing to become his personal disciple.

At the auction, Liang Qu’s jade token fueled speculation about the King of Yue’s intentions, while Liang Qu told his fellow disciples that he had declined offers to become the King’s disciple and adopted son. He left with a registered-disciple relationship and a promise to teach the King’s grandson martial arts in nine or ten years.

• As the Ghost Weasel Tiger was auctioned, clan patriarchs speculated that Liang Qu’s jade token meant he had endured or shattered a Martial Saint’s divine spear, and they debated whether the King of Yue would seek to recruit him.
• Liang Qu left Cabin A Number 1 and went to Cabin B Number 3, where Xu Zishuai and the others pressed him about the King of Yue’s summons.
• Liang Qu said he had refused the King of Yue’s offer to take him as a disciple, explaining that he owed his progress to Yang Dongxiong and would not abandon his master for personal gain.
• Liang Qu revealed that he had also declined the offer to become the King of Yue’s adopted son, choosing to remain in Yi Xing Town and preserve the foundations he had built there.
• Liang Qu said the King of Yue had accepted him as a Registered Disciple, given him a Waist Token, and asked him to teach martial arts to the King’s four-year-old grandson in nine or ten years.

Liang Qu celebrated his new position as the King of Yue’s registered disciple and arranged to become the master of the heir apparent’s grandson. At the auction, he sold mermaid tears, spent heavily on treasures for cultivation, and left after settling the transactions.

• Xu Zishuai and the senior brothers discussed Liang Qu’s future role as the heir apparent’s grandson’s master, and Liang Qu said the apprenticeship ceremony would happen the next day.
• Liang Qu’s five auction lots sold for a total of about twenty-five thousand taels, prompting Xu Zishuai to ask about his wealth.
• Liang Qu revealed that he had saved two hundred and eighty thousand taels, including money earned from boat fares with Xu Tiling.
• Liang Qu bought Qi and Blood Harmonizing Pill, Wither-Bloom Sister Lotus, Jade Greenwater, and two bottles of Vein Marrow Jade Liquid to aid his cultivation.
• Xu Yuelong bought Dragon Spirit Silk for fifty-eight thousand taels, while Liang Qu watched the later high-priced auction items without bidding.
• Liang Qu redeemed his auction discounts and paid less than seventy-six thousand taels in total, then wondered whether Wei Shao had returned and thought of Guan Congjian.

Ta Ta Kai celebrated earning a bronze medal while Old Toad learned that jade medals were worth tens of thousands of taels and hurried to find the pillar. At the Yang Residence, the spectators gathered for Liang Qu and Guan Congjian’s match, which was about to begin as Liang Qu arrived with Long E Ying, Long Yao, and Long Li.

• Ta Ta Kai showed off his bronze medal, while Fat Catfish regretted being unable to touch the pillar and Old Toad set out to seek a jade medal after hearing its value.
• Zhang Xu led medal holders from the Flowing Light Boats to the Yang Residence, where he and Yang Dongxiong discussed the upcoming match.
• Bian Yuanchong and other guests adopted puppies from Yang Dongxiong’s household as they waited for the competitors.
• Guan Congjian arrived with He Liannianci and Zong Lichan, inspected the Martial Arts Field, and said he would fight Liang Qu bare-handed until one man could not rise or admitted defeat.
• Liang Qu arrived with Long E Ying, Long Yao, and Long Li, prompting Ma Shaobai to switch his wager to Guan Congjian.

Liang Qu arrived at the martial arts school after breaking through to Wolf Smoke Human Bridge, then fought Guan Congjian in a fierce contest of strength. The clash revealed both men's Second True Auras, and Liang Qu's White Ape transformed into an Indestructible Golden Body.

• Liang Qu arrived with the Dragon Girl, and Yang Dongxiong recognized that he had reached Human Bridge.
• The women went to watch from the flowered windows while Ma Shaobai and the other disciples gathered around the Martial Arts Field.
• Liang Qu and Guan Congjian fought hand-to-hand, matching each other's strength until both unleashed their True Auras.
• Liang Qu revealed a Second True Aura as his White Ape seized Guan Congjian's blue-green great dragon, and Guan Congjian answered with his own Second True Aura, a golden bell covering the White Tiger.
• Liang Qu's White Ape gained an immortal isle and blazing golden light, prompting He Liannianci to identify it as the secret art Indestructible Golden Body.

Liang Qu and Guan Congjian fought a fierce martial arts duel, drawing attention to Liang Qu’s rare Indestructible Golden Body and hidden jade-medal strength. Liang Qu shattered Guan Congjian’s golden bell with a powerful final strike, and Guan admitted defeat before collapsing.

• He Liannianci recognized Liang Qu’s Indestructible Golden Body and wondered which eminent monk had taught him the secret art.
• Liang Qu and Guan Congjian exchanged powerful attacks, impressing the spectators with their Second True Aura and supreme martial arts.
• Guan Congjian pressed on despite his worsening injuries, while Liang Qu realized his opponent wanted a full fight rather than a dignified concession.
• Liang Qu unleashed a formidable new strike that trapped Guan Congjian and shattered his golden bell.
• Guan Congjian admitted defeat and fell to the ground as Liang Qu caught his breath.

Liang Qu defeated Guan Congjian in the Martial Arts Field, and Guan Congjian broke through after the fight. Later, Liang Qu told the Old Monk about He Liannianci and asked him to cut a Netherwood Root Buddha Statue petal as a gift for the disciple he would accept the next day.

• Zhang Xu gave Guan Congjian a Full Essence Pill, and Liang Qu explained that his winning technique was called Slaying the Flood Dragon.
• Guan Congjian accepted his defeat, then broke through while the gathered martial artists reflected on the lesson of the fight.
• He Liannianci asked Liang Qu about his Golden Body, but Liang Qu stayed silent to protect the Old Monk's whereabouts.
• The Old Toad and a River Otter secretly approached the River Conservancy Office, and Su Guishan ordered his men to let them pass unharmed.
• Liang Qu told the Old Monk about the day's events, then brought him the Netherwood Root Buddha Statue and asked for a lotus petal to give as a meeting gift to his new disciple.

Liang Qu welcomed Wen Shiyun, the Crown Prince’s young heir, as his first disciple in a formal ceremony attended by his master and fellow disciples. After the rites, the Crown Princess revealed that the King of Yue had also prepared a gift for Liang Qu.

• Liang Qu’s master and fellow disciples arrived early, bringing toys and other gifts for his new disciple.
• The Crown Princess arrived with Wen Shiyun, whose full name Liang Qu learned before the guests assembled for the ceremony.
• Wen Shiyun agreed to become Liang Qu’s disciple, struggled to repeat the required instruction, and completed the tea-offering rites.
• Liang Qu gave Wen Shiyun a Netherwood Root lotus petal, and Yang Dongxiong, Yu Dun, and Lu Gang presented him with toys and a chessboard.
• The Crown Princess announced that the King of Yue had prepared an Apprenticeship Ceremony gift for Liang Qu.

Liang Qu received King of Yue’s Apprentice Ceremony gifts, including a Fifth Grade Soul Golden Lotus and a Profound Yellow Token that could eventually secure Profound Yellow Long Qi. The Crown Princess explained that the rare Qi was intended to help Yang Dongxiong advance, and Liang Qu ended the ceremony by thanking King of Yue.

• Liang Qu had Long Yao serve Frozen Cream while Zhang Xu presented the Apprentice Ceremony gifts.
• Zhang Xu revealed six customary tuition gifts and a Fifth Grade Soul Golden Lotus worth ten Great Merits.
• Zhang Xu presented a Profound Yellow Token and explained that Liang Qu would need ten Great Merits to exchange it for a strand of Profound Yellow Long Qi.
• The Crown Princess explained that the Qi was intended for Yang Dongxiong’s attempt to advance to Grandmaster, but could later serve Liang Qu as a medium for consuming other Long Qi.
• Wen Shiyun offered the Crown Princess a bowl of Frozen Cream, and Liang Qu bowed toward the Flowing Light Boat to thank King of Yue.

Liang Qu’s disciples examined the Profound Yellow Token King of Yue had given him, while Wen Shiyun spent a joyful day with Liang Qu’s clever water beasts. The Crown Princess left with Wen Shiyun, and Liang Qu reassured his beasts that their bond with him remained closer than his new master-disciple relationship.

• Yang Dongxiong explained that he had enough great merits to exchange the Profound Yellow Token for Profound Yellow Energy, but would wait until his cultivation was ready.
• Wen Shiyun encountered Ta Ta Kai and Scarface, and Long Yao stopped the two river otters from fighting by tossing them into the pond.
• The Crown Princess discovered that Wen Shiyun did not want to leave Liang Qu’s home and listened as he asked for a garden full of clever water beasts.
• Zhang Xu praised Liang Qu’s beast-taming skill, while the Crown Princess wondered whether she could create a similar garden for Wen Shiyun.
• Liang Qu treated the water beasts to Frozen Cream and assured them that their bond with him was closer than his relationship with Wen Shiyun.

Liang Qu arranged a renovation of his residence and brought He Liannianci and Guan Congjian to meet the Great Grandmaster. The chapter ended with the merchant guild’s Steward leaving with the revised plans while the guests joined Liang Qu’s household for dinner.

• Su Guishan returned home, asked when Liang Qu would take the fleet to catch Treasure Fish, and proposed a major renovation to make the residence more comfortable.
• Liang Qu agreed to remodel the residence, added rooms and a second floor to the plans, and sent Fan Xinglai to summon He Liannianci and the Celestial Ship Merchant Guild’s Steward.
• He Liannianci and Guan Congjian arrived, and Liang Qu brought them to meet Old Monk, whom they greeted as the Great Grandmaster.
• The merchant guild’s Steward left with the revised renovation plan, and He Liannianci and Guan Congjian ate dinner with Liang Qu’s household.

Liang Qu hosted He Liannianci and Guan Congjian for dinner, then learned more about the Old Monk’s unusual history and standing at Hanging Temple. He Liannianci left with an offer to travel alongside Guan Congjian, while Liang Qu reflected on the many powerful ties surrounding him.

• Liang Qu hosted He Liannianci and Guan Congjian, and Guan Congjian eagerly ate the meal while He Liannianci struggled with the presence of two Grandmasters.
• Liang Qu learned that Guan Congjian needed to clear Hanging Temple’s gates to continue passing down its teachings, and offered for him and He Liannianci to travel with Liang Qu’s group.
• After dinner, Liang Qu asked He Liannianci about the Old Monk, who had been a Former Dynasty Graduate, cultivated at Louguan Platform, and later joined Hanging Temple.
• He Liannianci explained that the Old Monk held the Adamantine Bright King title and was considered strong enough to have a chance at becoming a Martial Saint.
• Liang Qu watched He Liannianci and Guan Congjian depart, then reflected on his own connections to powerful figures.

Liang Qu said farewell to King of Yue and the Crown Princess, then traveled with Long Binglin and Long E Ying to the Dragon Man Clan Grounds to help the Dragonfolk consume qi. The Ze Cauldron detected two strands of Dragon Seed Aura as they arrived at a broad basin.

• Liang Qu's colleagues discovered he had become Wen Shiyun's master and demanded that he host two banquets.
• Long Binglin returned from delivering the auction goods to the Dragon Man Tribe, and Liang Qu decided to go with him to the clan grounds.
• Liang Qu persuaded Frog Duke to let the group pass through the pond without paying a toll.
• Long Binglin explained the Dragonfolk's lotus-fiber clothing and described their declining ties with the Merfolk.
• Liang Qu traveled through the Vortex Waterway with Long Binglin and Long E Ying, and the Ze Cauldron detected two strands of Dragon Seed Aura at the basin.