Chapter Summaries

Jiang Ning discovered that the golden box he found contained a Divine Statue whose whispers nearly controlled him, and he resolved to strengthen his Spiritual Power. After turning in the transformed God Worshipping Sect member and arranging to collect a Rising Dragon Pill, he returned three days later to claim it.

• Jiang Ning opened the golden box and saw a Divine Statue whose whispers trapped him in a vision, but he shut the box and identified it as the God of Flesh and Blood.
• At the Patrol Office, Jiang Ning presented the transformed sect member’s corpse, and the Old Woman awarded him 60,000 Contribution Points after offering an extra 10,000 for the corpse.
• Jiang Ning asked the Old Woman for a Rising Dragon Pill, and she told him it would arrive from Prefecture City in about three days.
• Liu Linmen learned of the battle at Linjiang Restaurant and set out to investigate whether it involved Altar Master Sun.
• Three days later, Jiang Ning checked his Panel, noted his slow Source Energy growth, and prepared to collect the Rising Dragon Pill.

Jiang Ning used the Rising Dragon Pill and the Furnace Pill Transformation Art to reach the Dragon Tendon Level, then learned that Cao Rong was approaching Luoshui County with a hundred cavalrymen and left the city. Meanwhile, the Green-robed Middle-aged Man and Liu Linmen anticipated a confrontation and considered Jiang Ning’s growing threat.

• Jiang Ning received a Rising Dragon Pill from the old woman and used the Furnace Pill Transformation Art to temper his great tendons, reaching the Dragon Tendon Level after a week of practice and recovery.
• Jiang Ning checked his Panel while bathing and continued reading to raise his Literacy Experience Points toward the Fourth Limit Break.
• Feng Jiuge told Jiang Ning that Cao Rong had left the military camp with a hundred cavalrymen, a Sixth Rank treasure, and orders to suppress the Black Mountain Army, which had entered Luoshui County seeking revenge.
• Jiang Ning asked about Cao Rong’s route and left Luoshui County several hours later.
• The Green-robed Middle-aged Man learned that Jiang Ning had left the city and anticipated a confrontation with Cao Rong, while Liu Linmen concluded that Cao Rong might die soon and suspected Jiang Ning had a grudge against the God Worshipping Sect.

Jiang Ning waited for Liu Linmen but, when he did not appear, ambushed Cao Rong in a valley and killed him with two arrows. He escaped the confused cavalry and saw that his Literacy skill was close to its next Limit Break.

• Jiang Ning waited outside Luoshui County for Liu Linmen, then headed toward the Official Road when no one came.
• A military officer in Dongling City discussed Cao Rong’s approach and hoped he would cause trouble for Hong Minghu’s Patrol Office.
• He Jinyun told Wang Jin that Aunt Sun had been executed for her ties to the God Worshipping Sect, and Wang Jin decided to warn Jiang Ning not to act rashly.
• Cao Rong led his weary cavalry through a valley and ordered them to camp nearby for the night.
• Jiang Ning shot Cao Rong with two arrows, killing him, then escaped while the cavalry panicked.
• Jiang Ning checked his Panel and found that Literacy was only a few dozen Experience Points short of its next Limit Break.

Jiang Ning completed Literacy’s fourth limit break, expanding his spiritual force and gaining Outstanding Comprehension, then returned to Luoshui County. At Canglang Martial Hall, Wang Jin told him that Aunt Sun had been executed as a suspected member of the God Worshipping Sect.

• Jiang Ning spent 100 Source Energy to break through Literacy, forming a Spiritual Force Field that covered over thirty zhang.
• Jiang Ning used his improved Spiritual Power to control a Water Dragon that smashed apart the cliffside, and discovered Outstanding Comprehension increased his Five Animal Frolics Fist experience gains.
• Jiang Ning practiced through the night, then returned to Luoshui County after cultivating the Inner Alchemy Nourishing Life Skill on the road.
• Tong Yuan met Jiang Ning at the city gate and escorted him to Canglang Martial Hall at Wang Jin’s request.
• The Green-Robed Man and Gongsun Yu learned that Jiang Ning had returned and decided to wait for news of Cao Rong.
• Jiang Ning found Wang Jin exhausted in the backyard, where Wang Jin told him that Commander He Jinyun had executed Aunt Sun for allegedly belonging to the God Worshipping Sect.

After learning that He Jinyun had harmed Aunt Sun, Jiang Ning waited for an opportunity to attack him beyond Hong Minghu’s reach. He killed He Jinyun with rainwater needles and left no clear trace of how he died.

• Jiang Ning blamed himself for Aunt Sun’s death and decided to confront He Jinyun despite Wang Jin warning him not to act recklessly.
• Jiang Ning tracked He Jinyun with his Spiritual Force Field and waited as dark clouds gathered over Luoshui County.
• When He Jinyun left the Patrol Office by carriage, Jiang Ning attacked him with needles formed from rainwater.
• Jiang Ning continued striking He Jinyun’s vulnerable points as Hong Minghu rushed toward them, and pierced He Jinyun’s heart before Hong Minghu arrived.
• The rainwater needles vanished, leaving Hong Minghu to find He Jinyun dead without evidence of the killing method.

After avenging Aunt Sun by secretly killing He Jinyun, Jiang Ning watched the Patrol Office investigate the mysterious death and avoided suspicion. He reviewed his growing abilities and resolved to strengthen his body so he could face the danger if his deed was ever exposed.

• Hong Minghu found He Jinyun dead in the rain, with bizarre wounds and no visible weapon, and could not determine who had killed him.
• Jiang Ning reflected that killing the Young Earl could bring the Qinghe Earl’s family down on him, but he had acted to avenge Aunt Sun and protect those around him from He Jinyun.
• Jiang Ning went to the body with Xie Xiaojiu; Ye Qiu secretly considered him a suspect but dismissed the possibility, and Hong Minghu later assigned Ye Qiu to pursue the murderer.
• Xie Xiaojiu offered Jiang Ning a hot bath, but he declined and left her behind, fearing that closeness to him would put her at risk.
• At home, Jiang Ning reviewed his Panel and his strengthened skills, then concluded that Bone Forging was the next essential step toward entering the Fifth Grade Inner Strengthening Realm.

Jiang Ning reviewed the Sixth Rank Bone Forging Realm and realized his qi and blood and spiritual power already met the requirements for advancing. After resisting the influence of a blood-soaked Deity statue, he decided to take a drop of its blood to Qingyi for identification.

• Jiang Ning reread the Bone Forging Realm explanation and learned the thresholds for forging Iron Bone, Mysterious Bone, and Jade Bone.
• Jiang Ning tested his qi and blood and spiritual force, confirming they had reached the levels needed for Bone Forging Great Completion and could extend roughly a hundred meters.
• Jiang Ning judged that he needed Fifth Grade strength to protect himself in Dongling County and before the Qinghe Earl Residence.
• Jiang Ning opened the golden box containing the God Worshipping Sect’s blood-soaked Deity statue, resisted its whispers, and shattered its illusion with his spiritual power.
• Jiang Ning smelled the blood and felt an intense urge to drink it, so he closed the box and decided to ask Qingyi to identify a drop.

Jiang Ning brought Hundred Spirits Blood to Qingyi, who identified it and accepted ten drops that she needed to approach the Blood Exchange Grandmaster realm. In return, Qingyi agreed to obtain bone-forging pills for Jiang Ning, who left realizing that her strength and identity were far more extraordinary than he had assumed.

• Jiang Ning visited Qingyi at Myriad Blossom Pavilion and showed her the strange blood from the Golden Box.
• Qingyi identified the blood as Hundred Spirits Blood, explained its benefits, and bought ten drops from Jiang Ning for one hundred taels of gold.
• Qingyi noticed Jiang Ning's powerful Spiritual Power and Dragon Tendon strength after he revealed that he had used a Rising Dragon Pill.
• Jiang Ning asked Qingyi to use the gold to obtain Iron Bone Pills, Mystic Bone Pills, and Jade Bone Pills, and she agreed to source them from elsewhere.
• After leaving, Jiang Ning reflected that Qingyi was nearing the Blood Exchange Grandmaster realm and resolved not to investigate her secrets while keeping close to her.

After warning Jiang Ning that the powerful did not need evidence to act, Wang Jin sent him home to find Medicine King Valley Master Lu Qingshan treating Jiang Li's paralyzed right arm. Lu restored much of Jiang Li's movement, and Jiang Ning shared his unusual wine with Lu as their meeting revealed goodwill between them.

• Wang Jin warned Jiang Ning that Qinghe Earl could threaten him on suspicion alone and that the strong were not constrained by laws or evidence.
• Jiang Ning returned home and learned that Medicine King Valley Master Lu Qingshan had been waiting to see him.
• Jiang Ning found Lu treating Jiang Li's paralyzed arm with golden needles, medicinal paste, and his Inner Breath.
• Jiang Li regained movement in his right hand, and Lu gave him oil to apply twice daily to help the arm recover further.
• Jiang Li left to tell Liu Wanwan the good news, while Jiang Ning thanked Lu and offered him wine steeped with the mysterious Black Stone.
• Lu recognized Jiang Ning as an Innate Spiritual Awakened with an Ancient Immortal Root and remarked that his wine was extraordinary.

Jiang Ning received Lu Qingshan’s goodwill and learned that the Medicine King Valley Master suspected he was an ancient Immortal’s reincarnation and possibly He Jinyun’s killer. After Ye Qiu visited to probe him about the murder, Jiang Ning went to an uninhabited island with the Hundred Spirits Blood, preparing to open the Golden Box and cultivate.

• Lu Qingshan praised Jiang Ning’s wine, thanked him for dealing with the madman who had troubled Medicine King Valley, and warned him that the Qinghe Earl Residence might suspect him of killing He Jinyun.
• After leaving Jiang Ning’s residence, Lu Qingshan told Gongsun Yu that Jiang Ning’s powerful Spiritual Force and rapid advancement suggested he might be an Ancient Times Reincarnated Body, and that he might have caused the rain and killed He Jinyun.
• Jiang Ning welcomed Ye Qiu, who said the Prefecture Lord had assigned him to investigate He Jinyun’s death and probed Jiang Ning during their conversation.
• After Ye Qiu left, Jiang Ning reflected that strength was his greatest protection and examined the Hundred Spirits Blood in the Golden Box.
• Jiang Ning told Jiang Li he was going to the desolate island, crossed the lake on foot, and checked his Source Energy before preparing to open the box.

Jiang Ning tested the Golden Box’s Hundred Spirits Blood and found it rapidly increased his Qi and Blood Power, then trained Water Fire True Force while his body absorbed it. After gaining more than fifty percent in qi and blood, he consumed more of the blood to continue the growth.

• Jiang Ning opened the Golden Box, resisted its eerie illusion, and swallowed a drop of Hundred Spirits Blood, which immediately strengthened his body and qi and blood.
• Jiang Ning consumed more drops until his cells felt satisfied, and his Qi and Blood Power rose by over twenty percent within half a cup of tea.
• Jiang Ning chose to grind Water Fire True Force, hoping its future breakthroughs might reveal the True Intent Feng Jiuge had mentioned.
• Jiang Ning trained for more than two hours, raising Water Fire True Force from 54 to 89 experience points as his qi and blood continued to settle.
• Jiang Ning sensed that his Qi and Blood Power had increased by more than fifty percent and opened the Golden Box to consume more Hundred Spirits Blood.

The Yellow Sky Sect Leader set a plan in motion to provoke rebellion against Great Xia by raising a White Chi and arranging for the Human Emperor Sword to emerge. Unaware of this, Jiang Ning consumed Hundred Spirits Blood, reached Qi and Blood Like the Sea, and advanced Water Fire True Force to Great Success.

• The Yellow Sky Sect Leader told his disciple that he intended to invite Great Xia’s downfall and use the upheaval to destroy corrupt sects and aristocratic families.
• The Yellow Sky Sect Leader released a bloodline-stimulating White Serpent into Luo River and planned for it to gain a vicious reputation before he slew it with the Human Emperor Sword.
• Jiang Ning continued consuming Hundred Spirits Blood on the Desolate Island and found that it increased his Source Energy less than innate treasures had.
• Jiang Ning used more Hundred Spirits Blood and raised Water Fire True Force from Minor Completion to Great Success.
• Jiang Ning reached Qi and Blood Like the Sea after two days of cultivation, then consumed the remaining thirteen drops of Hundred Spirits Blood.

Jiang Ning spent Source Energy to push Swimming to its Sixth Limit Break and discovered that Water Control Technique had become an Authority capable of raising a vast amount of lake water. At the Patrol Office, he met Feng Xiaochen, who had come to investigate Cao Rong’s death, and the chapter ended with Jiang Ning greeting him.

• Jiang Ning chose to spend 500 Source Energy Points on Swimming, reaching its Sixth Limit Break and gaining an upgraded Water Control Technique described as an Authority.
• Jiang Ning tested the new ability at Luo River Lake, shattering the ice and raising a hundred meters of lake water before it crashed back down.
• Jiang Ning went to the Patrol Office to ask about the responses to He Jinyun’s and Cao Rong’s deaths.
• Feng Xiaochen told Feng Jiuge that Duwei Yan had sent him to investigate Cao Rong’s murder and questioned her about the killer.
• Jiang Ning arrived, recognized Feng Xiaochen as Feng Jiuge’s father and a Dongling xiaowei, and greeted him.

Jiang Ning revealed to Feng Xiaochen that he had reverse-deduced the Prairie Fire Spear Technique into a Superior Grade Martial Art, then learned that Feng Xiaochen was investigating Cao Rong’s death on Duwei Yan’s orders. He obtained the One Hundred and Eight Heavenly Stars and Earthly Fiends Bone Forging Method and began studying it, before Xie Xiaojiu arrived at the Patrol Office to see him.

• Jiang Ning demonstrated his Water Fire True Force to Feng Xiaochen, who realized Jiang Ning had already reverse-deduced the Superior Grade Martial Art.
• Feng Xiaochen told Jiang Ning that Duwei Yan had sent him to Luoshui County to investigate Cao Rong’s death, while Feng Jiuge defended Jiang Ning from suspicion.
• Jiang Ning visited the Internal Affairs Office and exchanged three thousand Contribution Points for the One Hundred and Eight Heavenly Stars and Earthly Fiends Bone Forging Method.
• Jiang Ning read the method and learned that combining Heavenly Stars Yang and Earthly Fiends Yin with its bone-forging practice could lead beyond Jade Bone toward the Martial Saint Body.
• Jiang Ning trained beside the fire as his Water Fire True Force experience grew, then Xie Xiaojiu arrived and joined him to warm herself.

Xie Xiaojiu announced that she had reached Seventh Rank, while Feng Jiuge reported that the Qinghe Earl Residence was enraged by He Jinyun’s death. As Jiang Ning trained through the snowfall, the Qinghe Earl’s Second Young Master arrived in Luoshui County to investigate his brother’s death, and Jiang Ning broke through Water Fire True Force, gaining the Water Fire Immortal Garment trait.

• Xie Xiaojiu told Jiang Ning she had officially reached Seventh Rank, and he praised her talent.
• Feng Jiuge reported that the Qinghe Earl Residence had learned of He Jinyun’s death and was furious, though its response was unknown.
• The Qinghe Earl’s Second Young Master rode a Pureblood Dragon Steed into Luoshui County and was received by Hong Minghu at the Patrol Office to discuss He Jinyun’s death.
• Jiang Ning trained Water Fire True Force until it met the requirements for a breakthrough, then spent 100 Source Energy to advance it.
• Jiang Ning gained the Water Fire Immortal Garment trait, which let him avoid water and fire, and considered testing it on the burning charcoal stove.

Jiang Ning tested the Water Fire Immortal Garment, then visited Qingyi and received three kinds of Bone Forging Pills. On the carriage ride home, he began tempering his bones while Qingyi remained troubled by the Old King’s plans for her.

• Jiang Ning tested the Water Fire Immortal Garment by handling hot charcoal and reaching into flames without being burned.
• Luyi brought Jiang Ning to Myriad Blossom Pavilion, where Qingyi gave him ten bottles each of Iron Bone Pills, Mystic Bone Pills, and Jade Bone Pills.
• Qingyi hinted that she was facing trouble but refused Jiang Ning’s offer to help, fearing she would drag him into the conflict involving the Old King and the Prince’s Mansion.
• On the ride home, Jiang Ning recalled the bone-forging method and began striking his bones with thirteen Blood Qi Hammers at once.
• Luyi sat quietly beside Jiang Ning as he practiced and admired him.

Jiang Ning absorbed five Iron Bone Pills into thirteen tempered bones, then returned home after escorting Luyi to Myriad Blossom Pavilion. There, Xie Xiaojiu told him that He Jinsheng had come to Luoshui County to investigate He Jinyun’s death, and the chapter ended as Jiang Ning and Xie Xiaojiu sat down to eat.

• Jiang Ning completed the first stage of Bone Forging and absorbed five Iron Bone Pills, filling thirteen bones with Iron Marrow.
• Jiang Ning escorted Luyi back to Myriad Blossom Pavilion, then hurried home to continue tempering his other bones.
• Jiang Ning learned from Jiang Li that Xie Xiaojiu had waited at his home all evening and went to meet her in the Front Hall.
• Xie Xiaojiu told Jiang Ning that He Jinsheng, He Jinyun’s Sixth Rank Peak elder brother, had arrived to investigate He Jinyun’s death.
• Jiang Ning asked whether Xie Xiaojiu suspected him of killing He Jinyun, and she admitted she could not rule him out before Liu Wanwan brought them food.

Jiang Ning let Xie Xiaojiu stay in his room during the snowy night, but focused on bone forging while she bathed. Afterward, he noticed her standing before him in her undergarment.

• Xie Xiaojiu said the snow and darkness made it difficult to return home, and Jiang Ning arranged for her to share his room.
• Jiang Ning carried hot and cold water to the room, and Xie Xiaojiu asked him to remain indoors while she bathed behind a screen.
• Jiang Ning trained in bone forging while Xie Xiaojiu bathed, and she later discovered that he had been concentrating on cultivation instead of watching her.
• Xie Xiaojiu recognized the Iron Bone Pills Jiang Ning used and waited quietly while he tempered thirteen bones.
• Jiang Ning finished cultivating, opened his eyes, and noticed Xie Xiaojiu standing before him in her undergarment.

Jiang Ning spent the night cultivating while Xie Xiaojiu slept in his bed, and discovered that his Source Energy increased around dawn. After finishing another cycle of Bone Forging, he went to sleep, leaving Xie Xiaojiu to begin her morning sword practice.

• Jiang Ning dried Xie Xiaojiu’s hair with his Water Control Divine Power, poured her bathwater outside, and refused her invitation to share the bed so he could cultivate.
• Jiang Ning forged bones through the night and found his thirteen recently tempered bones had made rapid progress.
• Jiang Ning adjusted Xie Xiaojiu’s blanket while she slept, and she grabbed his arm; after he accidentally squeezed her, he pulled free and returned to recovering in the water.
• Jiang Ning checked his panel near dawn and saw that his Source Energy had risen to 541.11, then continued Bone Forging despite his fatigue.
• At first light, Jiang Ning saw that seventy-eight bones were glowing faintly silver, while Xie Xiaojiu woke and prepared to practice her sword.
• Xie Xiaojiu helped Jiang Ning remove his shoes and tucked him into bed, and he fell asleep.

Jiang Ning continued tempering his bones, felt his body growing stronger, and went to the Patrol Office while waiting for He Jinsheng’s next move. After completing the first tempering of all 206 bones, he recovered in a frozen lake and discovered that water increased his Water Fire True Force training efficiency.

• Jiang Ning woke refreshed, watched Xie Xiaojiu practice her sword, and continued forging his bones while she trained.
• Jiang Ning observed that all 78 bones he had tempered were absorbing Iron Marrow and that his growing Bone Forging progress strengthened his body and Qi and Blood.
• Jiang Ning went with Xie Xiaojiu to the Patrol Office, where he spent the afternoon forging bones but did not encounter He Jinsheng.
• Jiang Ning completed the initial tempering of all 206 bones and sensed his physique continuing to grow stronger.
• Jiang Ning broke through the ice at Boulder Beach, recovered in the lake, and found that circulating Water Fire True Force underwater increased its Experience Point gains.