Chapter Summaries

Liang Qu reviewed the profits and expansion plans for medicinal-herb farming while his allies developed settlements in the marsh. When the sea merchant convoy approached the Frog Clan Grounds, Liang Qu and the Water Demons gathered to meet it.

• Chen Qingjiang learned from the herb merchant that Rice Leech fields could net five to six taels per mu and Rice Frog fields around five taels, while Liang Qu discussed how expanding cultivation might affect prices.
• The herb merchants reported that the Weng Family had agreed to expand cultivation to five thousand mu next year, and Liang Qu asked them to document the year's methods and precautions.
• Quan Linghan ordered the construction of a permanent Merfolk settlement, while Fat Catfish continued watching the sea merchant convoy from the Frog Clan Grounds.
• On December twentieth, Liang Qu gained Marsh Essence as he cultivated in the pond and sensed that his divine soul was nearing fusion with his blood and Qi.
• When pathfinding salamanders appeared, Fat Catfish alerted Liang Qu, who summoned Binglin, E Ying, Long Yao, Long Li, and the others to gather at the Frog Clan Grounds.
• Old Toad landed on Fat Catfish's head and pulled its whiskers, then led it past the toad demons as the assembled Water Demons awaited the sea merchants.

Liang Qu attended the Frog Clan market and met the arriving Sea Merchants, whose Sea Market Master offered him a selection of Treasure Fish. He confirmed Silver Chi Fish and Blood Lion Fish, leaving the market about to open to the other buyers.

• Liang Qu waited with the Frog Clan and other Water Demons while Long Zongyin explained how the Sea Merchants traveled between the Great Marshes.
• The merchant caravan arrived, led by giant salamanders and a procession of enormous creatures carrying supplies.
• Toad King stopped the Sea Market Master from opening the market and called Liang Qu over to choose goods.
• The Sea Market Master showed Liang Qu several carriages filled with Treasure Fish, and Long E Ying selected five fish for him to consider.
• Liang Qu chose Silver Chi Fish and Blood Lion Fish and confirmed his purchase.

Liang Qu and Toad King traded demon bones for Treasure Fish and Diamond Squid eggs, then explored the sea merchants’ market with the Dragonfolk. The caravan settled into a bustling marketplace, where Liang Qu bought Naked Sea Butterflies for the pond and Long Yao showed interest in glowing algae.

• Toad King traded one of sixteen Great Demon bones to Sea Market Master for two Treasure Fish and asked to barter for Diamond Squid eggs.
• Toad King shared the Diamond Squid eggs with the other Great Demons, and Liang Qu ate one, gained Marsh Essence, and gave eggs to his companions.
• Sea Market Master arranged the caravan into a market, and the Frog Clan and Great Demons rushed to shop.
• Liang Qu agreed to buy fifty Naked Sea Butterflies for Long Li and had Long Zongyin put the purchase on the clan’s account.
• Long Yao chose Blue Light Algae that glowed when stirred.

Liang Qu persuaded the Sea Market Master to visit the Shallow Water Area and consider trading with the court, prompting Xu Yuelong to rapidly organize the major merchants. Five days later, the sea merchant caravan arrived, and two giant salamanders surfaced before the waiting River Conservancy officials.

• Long Zongyin explained that the Sea Merchants were governed by the Mermaid Tribe and Octopus Clan, and that their neutral trading network connected otherwise separate Demon Beast clans.
• Liang Qu asked the Sea Market Master about trading with humans, and she agreed to visit the Shallow Water Area to assess the situation.
• Liang Qu told Xu Yuelong that the Sea Market Master would arrive in five days, and Xu Yuelong summoned officials and merchants to prepare for trade.
• The Sea Market Master led her caravan south with Fat Catfish secretly following to report her movements to Liang Qu.
• After five days, Xu Yuelong and the River Conservancy officials waited at the shore as two giant salamanders surfaced.

The Sea Merchants arrived in Pingyang Prefecture, where officials and merchants rushed to trade with them. The Sea Market Master was impressed by the region’s buying power, while Xu Yuelong had the government purchase Volcano Algae for a proposed bathhouse.

• After the salamanders marked the shore, Liang Qu explained that the Sea Merchants would arrive after their scouts, and the officials waited for them.
• The Sea Market Master and its Water Demons brought a vast caravan of goods to the dock, astonishing the villagers and officials.
• Liang Qu and the officials welcomed the Sea Market Master, and the Celestial Ship Merchant Guild began trading treasures for the Sea Merchants’ goods.
• Ran Zhongshi opened the River Conservancy Office’s Treasure Vault, and the government offices joined the merchants in a major buying spree.
• Xu Yuelong ordered Ran Zhongshi to buy every crate of Volcano Algae for a proposed hot spring bathhouse, despite his concern about balancing the books.
• After a full day of trade, the Sea Market Master recognized Pingyang Prefecture’s potential, and Liang Qu asked what it thought of the region.

The Sacred Emperor ordered Liang Qu’s achievements recognized and arranged court assistance for his advancement after learning he might break Da Shun’s record. As Sea Merchants gathered in Jianghuai, King of Yue explained that reaching Hunting Tiger required spiritual light tied to Unity of Heaven and Man, and said the court would likely provide Liang Qu with a Heavenly Altar.

• The Sacred Emperor awarded Liang Qu ten Great Merits and ordered officials to verify his age and bring a Heavenly Altar to Pingyang for his advancement.
• Xu Yuelong and Sui Hongyan negotiated with merchant guilds, clans, and government offices to keep the Sea Merchants in Jianghuai.
• King of Yue arrived with a boatload of treasures, reunited Liang Qu with Wen Shiyun, and completed a transaction with the Sea Market Master.
• King of Yue explained that Unity of Heaven and Man let martial artists sense disturbances and unite essence, Qi, and spirit to form Innate Divine Powers.
• King of Yue told Liang Qu that the court would likely have him sit on a Heavenly Altar to help him catch spiritual light and enter Hunting Tiger.

Liang Qu learned how Heavenly Altars helped martial artists experience a Martial Saint’s Unity of Heaven and Man, and King of Yue advised him to relax while awaiting the imperial court’s decision. Later, Su Guishan arrived with the merchant fleet and traded Liang Qu a Two Lives Flower for Diamond Squid eggs.

• Liang Qu asked King of Yue how Heavenly Altars worked and learned that they let a person experience a Martial Saint’s Unity of Heaven and Man through the Saint’s true spirit.
• King of Yue explained that altar use consumed the true spirit and required Grandmaster remnants, and said the court would permit Liang Qu to use one if it helped him break the dynasty’s record.
• King of Yue told Liang Qu to stop straining to catch spiritual light and spend his remaining time playing and waiting for word from the imperial court.
• Su Guishan and Weng Lijun arrived at the River Conservancy Office with their fleet, and Liang Qu presented Su Guishan with the Diamond Squid eggs he had saved for him.
• Su Guishan ate an egg and gave Liang Qu permission to take the Two Lives Flower from one of the ships as payment.

Liang Qu obtained the Two Lives Flower, then proposed leasing Water Spiders to make underwater work and trade easier. A bidding contest over next year’s trade volume ended with Wei Lin promising twenty times this year’s volume, and the Sea Market Master agreed to visit twice a year if trade reached ten times the volume.

• Liang Qu used Su Guishan’s Waist Token to obtain the Two Lives Flower from the Treasure Box.
• Liang Qu suggested leasing Water Spiders, and Xu Yuelong and Ran Zhongshi agreed to negotiate with the Sea Market Master.
• The Sea Market Master found a Water Spider willing to lease for half a year, and Liang Qu proposed renewing the contract when the Sea Merchants returned.
• Wei Lin arrived and promised to increase next summer’s trade volume, prompting him and Xu Yuelong to raise competing offers until Xu yielded.
• Wei Lin insisted on his promise of twenty times this year’s volume, and the Sea Market Master agreed to visit twice a year if trade reached ten times the volume.

Liang Qu helped complete the Sea Market trade and received Diamond Squid eggs from Sea Market Master, prompting colleagues to suspect he had taken a kickback. After the Sea Merchants departed, Liang Qu arranged a winter River God Sacrifice in Yi Xing Town and requested a list of promising local youths.

• Wei Lin accepted the Sea Market terms, while Xu Yuelong handed his duties to Ran Zhongshi and fled by boat to go fishing.
• Sea Market Master gave Liang Qu a tube of Diamond Squid eggs as thanks for introducing Little Water.
• Xiang Fangsu and Ke Wenbin confronted Liang Qu about a suspected kickback, and he shared a small bundle of squid eggs with them.
• Su Guishan questioned Liang Qu about the eggs, and Liang Qu said they were Sea Market Master's remaining supply.
• The Sea Merchants departed, and Ran Zhongshi directed the River Conservancy Office staff to sort and record the traded goods.
• Liang Qu told Chen Zhaoan to hold a simple River God Sacrifice before Minor Cold, provide food and bathhouses, and register eligible native youths with promising temperaments.

Liang Qu divided the squid roe, expanded his collection of aquatic beasts, and planned a heated bathhouse for the winter. After reviewing Chen Zhaoan’s roster of young people for the River God Sacrifice, he prepared to hunt Flood Dragon Sect spies in the Great Marsh.

• Liang Qu divided the squid roe among the King of Yue, his fellow disciples, and Su Guishan, then used his Waist Token to obtain Treasure Fish.
• Liang Qu inspected the pond, accepted the high cost of transforming Sea Butterflies, and arranged for the Great Beaver family to build a Volcano Algae-heated bathhouse.
• Chen Zhaoan delivered a roster of eligible young people, and Liang Qu crossed out Liang Liu and asked that Liang Guangtian’s family be left off future lists.
• Liang Qu read the sacrificial prayer, transformed into a White Ape, and headed through the underground river to the Great Marsh to clear Flood Dragon Sect spies and choose offerings.

Liang Qu used the White Ape to lure Flood Dragon spies and other Water Beasts away from Pingyang while secretly returning to town. After completing the January 5th sacrifice, he left Xiang Fangsu hoping to become Chief Priest on June 6.

• Liang Qu killed Water Beasts as the White Ape, while the Fat Catfish misdirected pursuers and helped Round Head, Cannot Move, and Fist recover a sacrificial bighead carp.
• Liang Qu repeatedly drew the Water Beasts east, then slipped back to Pingyang with Water Travel Thousand Miles while the pursuing force continued onward.
• For three days, Liang Qu and the Fat Catfish kept Flood Dragon spies chasing the White Ape, leaving Pingyang's waters quieter and preventing the Fish Demons from regrouping or reporting to the Central Courtyard Dragon Palace.
• On January 5th, Liang Qu led the sacrifice at Shang Rao Wharf and gained 1.2417 River's Favor, bringing his total to 6.4938.
• Xiang Fangsu asked Liang Qu to make him Chief Priest for the June 6 ceremony and reminded him he had paid two hundred taels, but Liang Qu put him off.

Liang Qu arranged free martial arts training for promising youths from Yi Xing Town and selected the first disciples, making provisions for Chen A'san's family responsibilities. When his senior brothers returned, Xu Zishuai told him that Master and Master's Wife would remain with the Xu Family and had ordered the others to accompany Liang Qu to the Imperial Capital.

• Li LiBo, Chen Jiechang, and Lin Songbao examined the youths of Yi Xing Town and rated their physiques for martial arts training.
• Liang Qu questioned the candidates, chose five for the first batch, and named ten more for later batches.
• Liang Qu arranged for the ten unselected youths to help Chen A'san care for his ailing father, giving them a chance to earn priority for the next batch.
• Liang Qu met Yang Xu and the others at the wharf as their ship docked in Pingyang.
• Xu Zishuai told Liang Qu that Master and Master's Wife would stay with the Xu Family for the New Year Festival and had sent the others to the Imperial Capital with him.

Liang Qu was summoned by Lan Jicai, who verified his Martial Bone and brought him aboard a ship bound for the Imperial Capital with a Heavenly Altar. After meeting Master Mo and helping raise the altar above the mast, Liang Qu began preparing for the seven-day purification required before he could sit on it.

• Liang Qu learned that his senior brothers and sisters planned to travel to the Imperial Capital with him for the New Year Festival and other events.
• Lan Jicai arrived under the Sacred Emperor’s order, examined Liang Qu’s Martial Bone, and used further tests to verify his authenticity.
• Liang Qu packed his belongings, said farewell to his colleagues and the Old Monk, and boarded Lan Jicai’s ship with Yang Xu, Xiang ChangSong, Hu Qi, and others.
• Lan Jicai showed Liang Qu the Heavenly Altar and introduced him to Master Mo, then explained that the altar contained a Martial Saint’s true spirit and weighed over six thousand jin.
• Liang Qu and Lan Jicai helped raise the Heavenly Altar above the mast, and Lan Jicai explained the bathing, fasting, and daily routines Liang Qu had to follow before sitting on it.

Liang Qu learned that his earlier days of sitting on the Heavenly Altar had been only ritual, then performed the rite that awakened the altar and began meditating to commune with it. As he resonated with the spirit of Yan Dongjun, the river erupted into waves around the ship.

• Liang Qu asked Lan Jicai whether sunning himself on the Heavenly Altar had any effect, and Lan Jicai explained that the earlier rituals were merely superstition.
• After the ship turned north, Lan Jicai instructed Liang Qu to trace a talisman in blood on the altar, and Liang Qu completed the pattern in one stroke.
• The Heavenly Altar awakened with jade-like radiance, and Liang Qu sat cross-legged to sense its aura and commune with it.
• Lan Jicai told Yang Xu and the others that Yan Dongjun, a long-dead spear master and friend of the Grand Ancestor, was the true spirit housed in the altar.
• Liang Qu's breathing grew powerful as he resonated with the altar, stirring great winds and waves across the river while the altar remained still.

Liang Qu reached Unity of Heaven and Man at the Heavenly Altar, then returned to himself with a fading memory of the experience. After learning he had retained thirty-five percent and could use more Grandmaster remnants, he chose to sit at the altar again.

• Lan Jicai and his colleague released a Grandmaster remnant from a clay jar, and Lord Mo forced it into the Heavenly Altar.
• Liang Qu entered Unity of Heaven and Man, sensed the qi currents of heaven and earth, and repelled demon shadows with the Dragon Tiger Two Qi.
• Liang Qu returned to his body after seventeen hours and found that his vision had faded, though a faint imprint remained.
• Liang Qu told Lan Jicai he had retained thirty-five percent, which Lan Jicai said exceeded a previous cultivator's first attempt by ten percent.
• Lan Jicai explained that more Grandmaster remnants were available and recommended continuing, and Liang Qu agreed to sit at the altar again.

While Liang Qu sat on the Heavenly Altar for a third time, his Unity of Heaven and Man led him into a vision of Yan Dongjun confronting the Khan. As Liang Qu began to understand that he was ready to learn techniques, his companions discussed his progress while the ship continued toward the Imperial Capital.

• Liang Qu regained his senses in a vision where he lay beneath a wool carpet in the Khan’s tent and realized his third session on the altar had carried him beyond comprehending the realm and toward learning techniques.
• Liang Qu sensed Yan Dongjun approaching across a blizzard, then saw his blazing will scatter the storm as the Khan charged with his saber.
• Lan Jicai placed the final portions of Grandmaster remnants beside the altar while Xu Zishuai counted the five days Liang Qu had spent meditating.
• A military man reported that the ship had reached Cang Prefecture and would arrive at the Imperial Capital in three to five days.
• Yang Xu explained that Liang Qu could not yet achieve Profound Light Opening because he needed greater completeness, though his talent meant the breakthrough would come naturally in time.
• Yang Xu and Xu Zishuai concluded that the court had granted Liang Qu access to the Heavenly Altar because it expected him to become an extraordinary figure.

Liang Qu absorbed Yan Dongjun’s true spirit through the Heavenly Altar, gaining a powerful influx of knowledge and strength. After days of meditation aboard the Gold Leaf Boat, he began a dramatic breakthrough near the Imperial Capital, sending a pillar of blood and qi through the clouds.

• Liang Qu experienced Yan Dongjun’s battle with Naiman Khan and drove a spear through the Khan, while the Heavenly Altar rapidly consumed its Master remnants.
• Lan Jicai summoned help when Liang Qu bled and his aura weakened, and Lord Mo explained that the impact came from the gap between Liang Qu’s realm and Yan Dongjun’s.
• Liang Qu recovered and absorbed Yan Dongjun’s techniques and sensations before continuing to meditate for two days as the tower ship neared Accumulated Water Pond.
• Song Jili and Liu Qiaosheng noticed Liang Qu’s bones and sinews cracking as his blood and qi surged, drawing the attention of nearby boats.
• Liang Qu’s body blazed red, and his refined blood and qi rose into a pillar that broke through the clouds.

Liang Qu broke through into the Hunting Tiger realm aboard the Gold Leaf Treasure Ship as it charged into Accumulated Water Pond, then used Treasure Fish to fuel further breakthroughs. The chapter ended with his essence qi reaching a hundred zhang and the Sacred Emperor praising him from Moon Gazing Tower.

• Liang Qu began fusing his spirit and blood qi while Lan Jicai ordered the Gold Leaf Treasure Ship toward Accumulated Water Pond, where it rammed through a pleasure boat blocking its path.
• Liang Qu completed his first Hunting Tiger realm wall, sending his blood pillar above eighty zhang and astonishing the onlookers and foreign envoys.
• Liang Qu condensed a second wall, but found he lacked enough blood qi to continue.
• Ta Ta Kai brought Liang Qu four Steamed Treasure Fish, and Liang Qu spent 120,000 Marsh Essence to strengthen the Water King Ape Marsh Spirit and replenish his blood qi.
• The Gold Leaf Treasure Ship smashed through the great ships at the river mouth into Accumulated Water Pond as Liang Qu's essence qi rose a hundred zhang.
• The Sacred Emperor watched from Moon Gazing Tower and called Liang Qu a tall, stout Good Family Son.

Liang Qu completed his Hunting Tiger breakthrough before a stunned crowd, and the Sacred Emperor ordered him to take as long as he needed before inviting him to dine at the palace. After the blood pillar faded, Liang Qu entered the palace with Lan Jicai, where Eunuch Li advised him to behave naturally before meeting the emperor.

• The Sacred Emperor praised Liang Qu's breakthrough and ordered the capital to witness it, postponing dinner so he could dine with Liang Qu afterward.
• Eunuch Li delivered the edict to the gathered boats and distributed silver rewards to everyone aboard the Gold Leaf Boat.
• Liu Qiaosheng and the other young masters suspected Liang Qu was under twenty and discussed the significance of his exceptional achievement.
• Envoys marveled at Liang Qu's youth, and he finished settling his gains before the blood pillar collapsed.
• Yang Xu led his junior brothers and sisters to visit Xu Wenzhu, while Liang Qu and Lan Jicai followed Eunuch Li into the palace.
• Liang Qu discreetly gave Eunuch Li a silver note, and Eunuch Li advised him to speak and act naturally before the Sacred Emperor.

Liang Qu entered the Imperial City through the Noon Gate’s main entrance and met the Sacred Emperor at a private hot-pot banquet. The Sacred Emperor revealed that Liang Qu’s inventions and Mermaid Silk were already known in the capital, then had maidservants display the silk before Liang Qu and Lan Jicai.

• Eunuch Li explained that Liang Qu could use the Noon Gate’s main entrance because the Sacred Emperor had specially summoned him, and Liang Qu entered as onlookers recognized his new martial achievement.
• Eunuch Li and Lan Jicai led Liang Qu through the palace, where Lan Jicai handed the Chief Eunuch documents about Liang Qu and his background.
• The Sacred Emperor welcomed Liang Qu and Lan Jicai to a hot-pot banquet, and Liang Qu discovered the meal restored Marsh Essence.
• The Sacred Emperor recounted hot pot’s rise in the capital and praised its ability to bring people together, while Lan Jicai realized Liang Qu had created it.
• The Sacred Emperor said Liang Qu’s Pinyin, hot pot, anchor, and Mermaid Silk had reached the palace, then arranged for maidservants wearing Mermaid Silk to enter; Lan Jicai nearly choked and Liang Qu felt awkward.