Chapter Summaries

Jiang Ning bought a fortune in cultivation resources at Myriad Blossom Pavilion, hoping to turn his wealth into strength while waiting to learn why the previous night’s upheaval had occurred. After discovering that Great Sun Essence Qi badly burned his organs without a water source, he began refining a Century Blood Lotus as he waited for Qingyi to wake.

• Jiang Ning reviewed his growing Source Energy and went early to Myriad Blossom Pavilion to ask Qingyi about the strange events of the previous night.
• Since Qingyi was asleep, Jiang Ning spent 42,300 taels of silver on Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, including precious pills and five Blood Lotuses.
• While waiting for Qingyi, Jiang Ning tried to cultivate with Great Sun Essence Qi but found that two wisps severely burned his organs without water to nourish them.
• Jiang Ning ate a leaf from a Century Blood Lotus and practiced Five Animal Frolics Fist to absorb its powerful medicinal effects and boost his Blood Qi.
• Jiang Ning broke off another Blood Lotus leaf and continued refining his resources instead of waiting for Qingyi to wake.

Jiang Ning learned from Qingyi that a Yellow Sky Sect Earthly King had marked him after their Yin Spirit encounter, though the Earthly King was far away and injured. As Jiang Ning left to strengthen himself, Qingyi reflected on her constrained life in the Prince's Mansion and resolved to find him a wife.

• Jiang Ning thanked Qingyi for saving him and gave her a hairpin, which she asked him to place in her hair.
• Qingyi explained that an Earthly King of the Yellow Sky Sect had used Yin Spirit Out of Body to mark Jiang Ning, and that the spirit had been injured and would need over a year to recover.
• Jiang Ning told Qingyi he had killed several Yellow Sky Sect members, then worried that the mark could expose him and resolved to improve his strength with his Source Energy.
• Qingyi teased Jiang Ning about finding him a wife, then privately considered whether the Old King had arranged her marriage to use her as a furnace cauldron.
• After leaving Myriad Blossom Pavilion, Jiang Ning wondered about Qingyi's true strength and decided not to probe into her past.

Jiang Ning used Source Energy to break through the Wind Thunder Arrow Technique, gaining powerful bursts of speed and strength and improving his arrows. He then refined more Blood Lotuses, practiced his Inner Alchemy Nourishing Life Skill, and turned to a Jade-Transparent Bamboo Shoot to strengthen his bones.

• After refining a Century Blood Lotus, Jiang Ning spent Source Energy to break through the Wind Thunder Arrow Technique and gained the Wind Thunder Breath trait.
• Jiang Ning tested the new technique, finding that it let him move about fifty percent faster and briefly enhance his strength with thunderous bursts.
• Jiang Ning shot an arrow across the lake with increased power and concluded that a better bow could further improve his attacks.
• Jiang Ning refined four more Blood Lotuses by practicing his fist art, then breathed in Great Sun Essence Qi while seated in water and advanced his Inner Alchemy Nourishing Life Skill.
• Jiang Ning took a Jade-Transparent Bamboo Shoot from his Storage Ring, intending to improve his bone constitution and prepare for Bone Forging.

Jiang Ning refined Azure Wave Bamboo Shoot and Earth Core Cold Marrow, strengthening his bones and Spiritual Power, then ate a rare Scarlet Flame Vermilion Fruit. The next morning, he discovered that his Source Energy had surged to 687.33 points, far beyond his expectations.

• Jiang Ning refined the Jade Bamboo Shoot in less than three hours and found that it had made his bones harder while providing Source Energy.
• Jiang Ning refined four drops of Earth Core Cold Marrow, extending his Spiritual Power roughly one zhang and allowing him to sense movement all around him.
• Jiang Ning ate the Scarlet Flame Vermilion Fruit but detected no lasting physical change, though he hoped its rarity would yield substantial Source Energy.
• The next morning, Jiang Ning checked his Panel and saw that his Source Energy had risen to 687.33 points.

Jiang Ning used a limit break on the Firewood Chopping Blade Technique, gaining Innate Blade Bone and blade strikes that drew on Heaven and Earth Force. He then chose to save his Source Energy for the Wind Thunder Arrow Technique and began refining a Dragon Tiger Tendon Forging Pill to advance his Tendon Refining.

• Jiang Ning spent 200 Source Energy to complete the Firewood Chopping Blade Technique’s Fifth Limit Break and gained the Innate Blade Bone trait.
• Jiang Ning tested his new blade technique and found his strikes could draw on Heaven and Earth Force to cut through stone and other objects from a distance.
• Jiang Ning decided not to invest further in the Firewood Chopping Blade Technique or Swimming and planned to pursue the Wind Thunder Arrow Technique’s Second Limit Break instead.
• Jiang Ning took a Dragon Tiger Tendon Forging Pill and used the Furnace Pill Transformation Art to refine it inside his body.

Jiang Ning refined a Dragon Tiger Tendon Forging Pill, strengthened his tendons, and ordered Xie Xiaojiu to keep watch on the Yellow Sky Sect and Liu Linmen. To avoid being found through the mark left by a Yellow Sky Sect Earthly King's yin spirit, he arranged to stay at the Xie Residence, while Xie Zhengtian hoped to bind his family to Jiang Ning through Xie Xiaojiu.

• Jiang Ning finished refining a Dragon Tiger Tendon Forging Pill and found that his explosive power had increased, then swallowed another pill to continue cultivating.
• Xie Xiaojiu reported that Yellow Sky Sect agents had bought herbs for eye ailments, while Liu Linmen had not been seen leaving; Jiang Ning ordered her to keep watching them.
• Jiang Ning told Xie Xiaojiu he would secretly stay at the Xie Residence for several days to avoid Liu Linmen, who could use a Heavenly Eye to identify him through the mark on his body.
• Xie Xiaojiu returned to the Xie Residence, where Xie Zhengtian urged her to seize Jiang Ning's favor, but she rejected his suggestion and left.

Jiang Ning stayed in Xie Xiaojiu’s courtyard while he refined the Dragon Tiger Tendon Forging Pill, and the two navigated the awkwardness of sharing her home. After Xie Xiaojiu prepared a bath and borrowed clothes for him, Jiang Ning stood up to try them on.

• Jiang Ning refused Xie Xiaojiu’s offer to give up her bed and continued refining the pill in her courtyard.
• Xie Xiaojiu bathed and carried out the bathwater while Jiang Ning tried to ignore the sounds and silhouettes from his practice spot.
• Xie Xiaojiu prepared bathwater for Jiang Ning, who used Water Control Divine Power to cool it before soaking.
• Xie Xiaojiu offered to wash Jiang Ning’s clothes and brought him a set of white long robes because he had no change of clothes.
• Jiang Ning agreed to try on Xie Xiaojiu’s old robes and stood up from the tub.

Jiang Ning accepted Xie Xiaojiu’s help dressing and grooming, then spent the night cultivating beneath the eaves rather than sharing her room. At the Patrol Office, he learned the Yellow Sky Sect was spreading its influence and that Liu Linmen’s eye injury gave him more time to grow stronger.

• Xie Xiaojiu dressed Jiang Ning in fine clothes and combed his hair, and he agreed to let her groom him in the future.
• Jiang Ning refused to sleep in Xie Xiaojiu’s room and cultivated beneath the eaves through the cold night; the next morning, Xie Xiaojiu accidentally greeted him before changing and then went inside to dress.
• Jiang Ning and Xie Xiaojiu went to the Patrol Office, where he spent the day cultivating while she reported the Yellow Sky Sect’s activities and healing talismans.
• Jiang Ning learned that Liu Linmen had an eye injury and had sought treatment from a physician, easing his immediate concern about being discovered and attacked.
• Jiang Ning considered Liu Linmen his greatest threat and resolved to use the extra time, his Dragon Tiger Tendon Forging Pill, and his growing Source Energy Points to improve his strength.

Jiang Ning advanced his tendon training and confidence through three days of refining Dragon Tiger Tendon Forging Pills while tracking the Yellow Sky Sect and Liu Linmen. After his Source Energy surpassed 700, he gained the means to further advance his skills, leaving his next breakthrough undecided.

• Jiang Ning spent a cold night in Xie Xiaojiu’s room, but slept separately after she invited him in and offered him a quilt.
• Over three days of refining Dragon Tiger Tendon Forging Pills, Jiang Ning advanced from Ox Tendon to just short of Flood Dragon Tendon and gained confidence in facing Liu Linmen.
• Jiang Ning learned that the Yellow Sky Sect had won over thirty percent of East District residents and promised a Heavenly King would pray for rain next spring.
• Jiang Ning suspected Liu Linmen had visited Ye Qiu to use Open Heavenly Eye and planned to watch Liu Linmen’s movements the next day.
• Jiang Ning’s Source Energy rose to 717.88, giving him the option to advance the Wind Thunder Arrow Technique or further break through other skills.

Jiang Ning investigated a mysterious visitor to the Yellow Sky Sect, then trained his Wind Thunder Arrow Technique on Desolate Island. At the Yellow Sky Sect station, Liu Linmen met Altar Master Sun, who said the God Worshipping Sect leader was still considering joining them.

• Xie Xiaojiu brought Jiang Ning a report that a hooded figure had entered the Yellow Sky Sect station, and Jiang Ning decided not to investigate Liu Linmen yet.
• Jiang Ning reviewed the Patrol Office’s failed efforts to find the God Worshipping Sect and concluded that powerful allies might be helping it disappear.
• Jiang Ning crossed Luo River on foot, tested the explosive strength of his tendon-refined body, and reached Desolate Island.
• Jiang Ning practiced the Wind Thunder Arrow Technique in the rain and gained experience with each arrow he shot.
• Liu Linmen met Altar Master Sun and offered to have the Yellow Sky Sect remove the False God Power afflicting the God Worshipping Sect if its leader joined them.
• Altar Master Sun said the leader was still considering the offer and asked Liu Linmen to identify who had attacked one of their incense masters.

After three days of intense practice, Jiang Ning broke through the Wind Thunder Arrow Technique’s second limit and gained the Heart Arrow Technique, which let him guide arrows in flight. He kept hiding from Liu Linmen to protect his family and returned to Xie Xiaojiu’s home, where she welcomed him and helped him prepare for bed.

• Jiang Ning spent three days practicing archery and underwater fist techniques until his Wind Thunder Arrow Technique was ready for another breakthrough.
• Jiang Ning spent 200 Source Energy and gained the Heart Arrow Technique, then tested how his will could redirect an arrow in midair.
• Jiang Ning used the upgraded technique to shoot farther and harder, concluding that his strength had increased substantially.
• Jiang Ning checked that his family was safe, then avoided going home because Liu Linmen was investigating the attack and might discover the mark on him.
• Jiang Ning returned late to Xie Xiaojiu’s home, told her he had made a breakthrough, and let her wash his feet before bed.

Jiang Ning avoided Liu Linmen’s investigation while training his Wind Thunder Arrow Technique and seeking Contribution Points to advance his tendons. As Xie Xiaojiu arrived at the Desolate Island, she witnessed an arrow that broke the sound barrier and was left stunned by Jiang Ning’s skill.

• Jiang Ning refused to meet Liu Linmen, who suspected him and planned to investigate him again.
• Jiang Ning learned that a roaming Black Mountain Army force had entered Luoshui County and considered hunting its members for Contribution Points.
• Jiang Ning continued tempering his tendons and practicing archery, bringing his Wind Thunder Arrow Technique close to its third breakthrough.
• Liu Linmen failed to investigate Jiang Ning and Tang Miaomiao, and he feared making an enemy of Jiang Ning.
• Xie Xiaojiu arrived by boat as Jiang Ning shot an arrow that broke the sound barrier, leaving her shocked by his archery and talent.

Jiang Ning completed the third breakthrough of his Wind Thunder Arrow Technique, gaining the power to shoot arrows that summoned wind and lightning. He took Xie Xiaojiu toward BeiQiu Mountain and used his enhanced hearing to locate the Black Mountain Army, while a Patrol Office force also closed in on the bandits.

• Xie Xiaojiu told Jiang Ning that the Black Mountain Army had been located at BeiQiu Mountain, and he decided she would accompany him.
• Jiang Ning spent Source Energy to break through his Wind Thunder Arrow Technique, then tested its new Wind Thunder Arrow trait and saw it dramatically increase an arrow's speed and power with wind and lightning.
• Jiang Ning and Xie Xiaojiu crossed the lake in a light boat propelled by his Water Commanding Divine Power and followed the river into BeiQiu Mountain.
• Liu Sansheng and Liu Zhaonan led Patrol Office martial artists through a gorge toward the Black Mountain Army, while the bandits prepared to ambush them and use their bodies as tonic.
• Jiang Ning used his enhanced hearing to detect the sounds of weapons clashing, brought the boat ashore, and led Xie Xiaojiu toward the fighting.

Jiang Ning watched the Patrol Office teams fight the Black Mountain Army, then used his bow to turn the battle with devastating arrows. As the Black Mountain Cavalry leader climbed toward him, Jiang Ning killed two of the leader’s companions, leaving the confrontation unresolved.

• Jiang Ning and Xie Xiaojiu spotted Liu Sansheng and Liu Zhaonan’s teams battling the Black Mountain Army, while five Black Mountain Cavalrymen waited by the lakeside.
• The Black Mountain Cavalry leader sent four men into the fight, and they quickly overwhelmed the Patrol Office teams, severing Zhao Hu’s arm.
• Jiang Ning fired from the cliff, killing Black Mountain Army soldiers with arrows that pierced armor and prompted Liu Zhaonan to order a retreat.
• The Black Mountain Cavalry leader and two companions charged toward Jiang Ning, but his arrows killed the two Martial Dao Rank 7 men as the leader climbed the rock wall.

Jiang Ning killed a powerful Black Mountain Army warrior with his Water Fire True Force, then helped wipe out the remaining soldiers and earned 19,550 Contribution Points. As he considered how his skills made his true strength difficult to gauge, Liu Linmen identified him as the likely attacker from the earlier night and suspected Jiang Ning had a grudge against the God Worshipping Sect.

• Xie Xiaojiu was overwhelmed by a Rank 7 warrior, but Jiang Ning killed him with one palm using Water Fire True Force.
• Jiang Ning shot down the Black Mountain Army soldiers in the valley, and Liu Zhaonan and Liu Sansheng thanked him and agreed to transport the corpses.
• Jiang Ning and Xie Xiaojiu left BeiQiu Mountain, and Jiang Ning kept three Rank 7 corpses in his Sumeru Ring for their Contribution Points.
• Ye Qiu verified Jiang Ning's battlefield merits at the Patrol Office and awarded him 19,550 Contribution Points.
• Jiang Ning reviewed his skills the next morning and decided to prioritize building his Martial Path foundation rather than spending scarce Source Energy on skill breakthroughs.
• Liu Linmen learned that Jiang Ning had destroyed the Black Mountain Army force and suspected he was the mysterious attacker from the earlier night who had targeted the God Worshipping Sect.

Jiang Ning reached Flood Dragon Tendon and, through a bluff about injuring the Yellow Sky Sect’s Earthly King, persuaded Liu Linmen to treat him with wary respect. He returned to the Patrol Office believing he was safe for now, while Altar Master Sun planned to attack him and Xie Xiaojiu learned he would go home that night.

• Jiang Ning broke through to Flood Dragon Tendon and resolved to seek thirty thousand Contribution Points for a Rising Dragon Pill.
• Liu Linmen met Jiang Ning outside the Patrol Office, confirmed his suspicions with the Heavenly Eye, and followed him aside to speak.
• Jiang Ning claimed the Earthly King’s Yin Spirit had been injured, leading Liu Linmen to believe Jiang Ning was an extraordinary figure and ask him to spare the sect.
• Altar Master Sun asked Liu Linmen to let her avenge the sect’s Incense Master, and Liu Linmen agreed so she could test Jiang Ning’s strength.
• Jiang Ning concluded Liu Linmen had been bluffed and felt safer for now, then told Xie Xiaojiu he would go home instead of returning with her.

On a snowy day, Jiang Ning learned that Patrol Office members were earning Contribution Points by killing ordinary people tainted by the Evil God's aura, and he refused to join in. He left to meet the Prefecture Lord while a Yellow Sky Sect woman watched the Patrol Office, waiting for a chance to seize him as a sacrificial offering.

• Jiang Ning spent the snowy day reading while Xie Xiaojiu brewed tea, and Feng Jiuge arrived to warn him that the other commanders were excluding him.
• Feng Jiuge explained that Patrol Office members were farming Contribution Points by killing people connected to the God Worshipping Sect, and she admitted she was tempted but troubled by the practice.
• Jiang Ning rejected the idea of exploiting ordinary people for Contribution Points, and Xie Xiaojiu said she also refused to target Luoshui County’s commoners.
• Jiang Ning concluded that the Patrol Office leadership likely tolerated the killings and left to meet the Prefecture Lord.
• A Yellow Sky Sect woman concealed herself in the snow outside the Patrol Office, waiting to capture Jiang Ning as a sacrificial offering and hoping to join the sect’s feast of hunting the Yellow Sky Sect.

Jiang Ning confronted Hong Minghu about Patrol Office officers killing ordinary people to claim Contribution Points, but learned the Prefecture Lord profited from the scheme and would not stop it. As Jiang Ning headed home, a middle-aged woman secretly followed him, intending to sacrifice him for a breakthrough to the Fifth Grade Inner Strengthening Realm.

• Jiang Ning asked Hong Minghu to address officers killing ordinary people and claiming credit, but Hong Minghu defended the practice and urged Jiang Ning to consider the interests of his social class.
• Ye Qiu told Jiang Ning that Hong Minghu received a share of the Contribution Points and warned that powerful families backing He Jinyun and other officials made them difficult to challenge.
• Jiang Ning returned to his courtyard, where Xie Xiaojiu learned that his meeting with Hong Minghu had achieved nothing.
• After Xie Xiaojiu left, Jiang Ning decided he could not stop the Patrol Office's scheme and would focus on protecting those close to him.
• A middle-aged woman watched Jiang Ning leave the Patrol Office and secretly followed him, hoping to sacrifice him and reach the Fifth Grade Inner Strengthening Realm.

Jiang Ning discovered that a middle-aged woman had been tailing him and used her to test his newly mastered Wind Thunder Arrow. After she survived the arrow by transforming into a Flesh and Blood Monster, he killed her with a slash of Blade Intent, then heard constables approaching.

• Jiang Ning sensed a powerful follower and identified her as the middle-aged woman who had accompanied Liu Linmen.
• Jiang Ning lured the woman into an alley, escaped to a high attic, and shot her with his Wind Thunder Arrow.
• The woman survived the arrow and transformed into a towering Flesh and Blood Monster that charged at Jiang Ning.
• Jiang Ning cut through much of the monster with a slash of Blade Intent, preventing her wounds from regenerating.
• The woman tried to claim she meant no harm, but Jiang Ning beheaded her and considered the Contribution Points her death might earn.
• Constables arrived at the scene and recognized Jiang Ning as their commander.

Jiang Ning returned home after killing a Sixth Rank member of the God Worshipping Sect, intending to trade the corpse for contribution points and a Rising Dragon Pill. Reunited with his family, he planned to pursue the Dragon Tendon realm while improving his Literacy and Water Fire True Force skills.

• Jiang Ning asked the constables to clean the battlefield, identified the monster as a Sixth Rank martial artist, and secretly took a golden box and the corpse into his Sumeru Ring.
• Jiang Ning reflected on how his Wind Thunder Arrow and Blade Intent had let him defeat the powerful enemy, then returned home after confirming his family was safe.
• Liu Wanwan and Jiang Li welcomed Jiang Ning home, and he reassured them that his troubles were temporarily resolved before spending the night talking with Jiang Li.
• Jiang Ning reviewed his skills the next morning and focused his plans on reaching Dragon Tendon while raising his Literacy and Water Fire True Force experience.
• Jiang Ning waited for the Patrol Office to open so he could turn in the God Worshipping Sect martial artist, claim fifty thousand contribution points, and obtain a Rising Dragon Pill.