Chapter Summaries

At Water Moon Sword Palace, Xiao Qiushui released her grieving younger sister Xiao Qiuyue, who intended to return and pursue revenge for her son’s death. Meanwhile, Jiang Ning went to the Martial Academy and perfected Wind Thunder Step, whose explosive power wrecked the path and drew the Tower Guardian’s attention.

• Xiao Qiushui questioned Xiao Emei about Yu Manyun’s death and learned that the investigation pointed toward Commander Jiang.
• Xiao Qiushui allowed Xiao Qiuyue to leave confinement, and Xiao Qiuyue said she would fulfill her elder sister’s wish while pursuing her own.
• Jiang Ning received his examination identity certificates, gave Luyi several drops of his blood to help her advance, and set off for the Martial Academy.
• Jiang Ning’s Wind Thunder Step advanced from Great Completion to the Perfected Realm, and its first step shattered the path and tore through the air.
• The Tower Guardian heard the roar, recognized the Perfected Realm’s One Step Wind Thunder Shock, and wondered who at the Martial Academy had mastered it.

Jiang Ning studied martial arts at the Library, practiced absorbing Great Sun Essence Qi, and shared a meal with Wang Qinghan and Wang Qingtan. He reached the experience-point threshold for Literacy’s eighth limit break but decided to wait until he was safely at home.

• Jiang Ning read martial manuals while pacing the Library, gaining Literacy and Wind Thunder Step experience points and noting Dongling City’s persistent lack of rain.
• Jiang Ning practiced the Inner Alchemy Nourishing Life Skill under the noon sun, and Wang Qinghan found him and offered him her flatbread.
• Wang Qingtan confronted Jiang Ning for eating Wang Qinghan’s lunch, and Jiang Ning hunted and roasted two birds for the sisters.
• Jiang Ning saw that Literacy had reached its seventh limit-break threshold and postponed breaking through until he returned home.
• Jiang Ning continued reading martial arts manuals, then decided to focus on learning about the world through the Library’s other books.

Jiang Ning returned home and broke Literacy through its eighth limit, gaining the Unity of Knowledge and Action trait and experiencing his soul leaving his body. He tested the new trait's benefits on Water Fire True Force and continued training, determined to reach its fifth limit break before undergoing Marrow Refining.

• Jiang Ning returned to his residence, ate the meal Luyi had warmed for him, and fed blood to the gold-red fish in the lake.
• Jiang Ning used 2,000 Source Energy Points to break Literacy through its eighth limit and experienced a brief Soul Out of Body, discovering that his spiritual power had surged.
• Jiang Ning inspected the new Unity of Knowledge and Action trait and found that practicing Water Fire True Force earned Experience Points more efficiently.
• Jiang Ning arranged water and fire around himself and continued training Water Fire True Force, which remained at its fourth limit break.

Jiang Ning received Xiao Emei’s warning that Xiao Qiuyue was looking for him, then hosted Bai Luoyu, Zhao Yulong, and the Buddhist monk Jīn Chán at his residence. Jīn Chán’s guidance had brought Zhao Yulong close to becoming a Heavenly Human Grandmaster, while Jiang Ning agreed to attend the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion auction in seven days.

• Jiang Ning read Xiao Emei’s letter and learned that Xiao Qiuyue had come looking for him over He Jinyun’s death.
• Bai Luoyu visited Jiang Ning with tea, and Jiang Ning welcomed him with wine steeped with Emperor Flow Paste.
• Bai Luoyu invited Jiang Ning to the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion’s annual auction in seven days, and Jiang Ning agreed to go.
• Bai Luoyu and Jiang Ning greeted Zhao Yulong and Jīn Chán, whom Jiang Ning recognized from their earlier meeting on Shuangyang Mountain.
• Jīn Chán revealed that he came from Vajra Temple and demonstrated his Heaven and Earth Force before the group.
• Zhao Yulong explained that Jīn Chán had been guiding him in the Heaven and Man United Realm, and Jiang Ning and Bai Luoyu congratulated him on nearing the Heavenly Human Grandmaster realm.

Jiang Ning completed Water Fire True Force’s Fifth Limit Break, strengthening Water Fire Immortal Garment and allowing him to wield water and fire as one. He tested the resulting Water Fire Grindstone in the Eastern Mausoleum Mountain Range, increased his Marrow Refinement efficiency by about thirty percent, and decided to finish Literacy’s Ninth Limit Break before focusing fully on Marrow Refinement.

• Jiang Ning filled Water Fire True Force’s experience and spent 2,000 Source Energy to reach its Fifth Limit Break, upgrading Water Fire Immortal Garment so he could draw on water and fire.
• Jiang Ning unleashed Water Fire Momentum in the Eastern Mausoleum Mountain Range and expanded the Water Fire Grindstone to its limit of one zhang.
• Jiang Ning used Water Fire Harmony to merge the grindstone’s water and fire, giving it combined powers to suppress, trap, and kill enemies.
• Jiang Ning drew in Heaven and Earth Force with the grindstone and found that his Marrow Refinement efficiency had increased by about thirty percent.
• Jiang Ning saw that Literacy was close to its Ninth Limit Break and resolved to complete it before concentrating on Marrow Refinement.

Xiao Qiuyue confronted Jiang Ning at his residence, accused him of killing her son He Jinyun, and died from an undetectable poison after two assassins attacked him. Jiang Ning summoned Bai Luoyu and Zhao Yulong for help as he faced suspicion over her death.

• Xiao Qiuyue returned to the Qinghe Earl Residence, and the Earl of Qinghe let her leave to pursue her own plan.
• Jiang Ning finished his reading at the Martial Academy Library and went to the Pill Tower before returning to his residence.
• Xiao Qiuyue waited outside Jiang Ning’s residence, identified him as He Jinyun’s suspected killer, and two assassins attacked him.
• Jiang Ning killed the two Sixth Rank assassins with True Essence Breaking Air, while Xiao Qiuyue admitted ordering their attack and then died from poison.
• Jiang Ning summoned Bai Luoyu, who urged him to involve Zhao Yulong and assured him the prefect would protect his own people.
• Zhao Yulong arrived, and Jiang Ning began recounting what had happened.

After Jiang Ning explained the deaths at the Earl’s residence, Zhao Yulong arranged for him to be detained while the investigation proceeded. Xiao Bieli escorted Jiang Ning to the county prison, where Jiang Ning encountered Liu Boming and ordered the guards to teach him a lesson as he was taken to the second floor.

• Zhao Yulong agreed to help Jiang Ning but said he would need to remain in prison while officials followed procedure.
• Xiao Bieli arrived, heard Jiang Ning’s account, and ordered that he be taken to the county prison as an important suspect.
• Jiang Ning told Luyi not to worry, then went with the escorts; Zhao Yulong and Bai Luoyu urged Xiao Bieli to treat him well.
• At the prison, the escorts decided Jiang Ning’s strength required him to be held on the third floor, and he saw Liu Boming alone in a cell.
• Liu Boming mocked Jiang Ning for being arrested, so Jiang Ning allowed the escorts to have a jailer teach Liu Boming a lesson before Jiang Ning continued toward the second floor.

Jiang Ning was confined to the County Prison Third Level, where he discovered that his strength could easily break through its bars and that a mysterious Grandmaster was held below. He used Source Energy to advance Literacy to its Ninth Limit Break, gaining the Heart Like a Mirror trait.

• Jiang Ning entered a cell on the County Prison Third Level, and a guard noticed the fingerprints his grip had left in the iron bars.
• Jiang Ning reassured himself that he could escape, then decided to focus on improving his own strength rather than relying on Zhao Yulong and Bai Luoyu’s influence.
• Jiang Ning used his Tiger Stance to burn and clean his cell, then heard locks moving on the County Prison Fourth Level.
• Jiang Ning opened his Heavenly Eye and saw a burly Grandmaster bound with Cold Iron and submerged in mercury, but decided the prisoner’s situation was not his concern.
• Jiang Ning spent 5,000 Source Energy to advance Literacy to its Ninth Limit Break and gained the Heart Like a Mirror trait.

Jiang Ning continued refining his marrow while imprisoned on the County Prison Third Level, where the guards treated him with deference after seeing his strength. His family and the Wang sisters visited him, and Xiao Bieli promised to work on securing his release within three to five days.

• Jiang Ning practiced Marrow Refining in his cell, and Zhao Dai brought him a lavish meal before arranging for the third level to be cleaned and furnished.
• Zhao Dai and Brother Li recognized Jiang Ning's grip marks and divine radiance, then treated him as a powerful Fourth Grade expert.
• Jiang Ning's Source Energy Points rose to 6200 and his Marrow Refining progress reached 66/1999 as he trained through the night.
• Jiang Li, Liu Wanwan, Jiang Yiming, Xiao Doubao, and Luyi visited Jiang Ning, and he reassured them that he would likely return within a few days.
• Xiao Bieli inspected Jiang Ning's grip marks and promised to resolve the matter so he could leave prison in three to five days.
• Wang Qingtan and Wang Qinghan visited Jiang Ning, said their father could help secure his release, and planned to ask him to act when they returned home.

While Jiang Ning waited in County Prison for the Young Marquis to rule on the earl’s Third Madam’s death, two intruders searched the prison for Long Xingyun and discussed the Secret King’s Treasure Map. Jiang Ning suspected it might contain True Dragon Precious Blood and became interested in finding it.

• Wang Shouyi told Wang Qingtan that the Young Marquis from Prefecture City would make the final ruling in Jiang Ning’s case, and he expected Jiang Ning to be released.
• Xiao Bieli and Zhao Dai shackled Jiang Ning as a precaution until the Young Marquis arrived, but Jiang Ning tested the restraints and found he could break them.
• Xiao Bieli doubted that the shackles could hold Jiang Ning, while Jiang Ning continued cultivating and eventually fell asleep.
• Two intruders entered County Prison Third Level at night and discussed rescuing Long Xingyun, who was imprisoned below.
• Jiang Ning overheard the intruders say Long Xingyun might possess the Secret King’s Treasure Map and learned they believed it could contain True Dragon Precious Blood.

Jiang Ning killed two intruders who came to free a prisoner below, then discovered that Long Xingyun hid a jade tablet inside his heart. Zhao Yulong arrived and removed Jiang Ning’s shackles, while Jiang Ning resolved to reach Long Xingyun before he left the prison.

• Two intruders failed to find the mechanism to the Fourth Level, attacked Jiang Ning when they realized he was awake, and were killed by his True Essence.
• Jiang Ning saw Long Xingyun bound in the Mercury Pool below and discovered a small jade tablet hidden inside his heart, which he suspected was tied to the Secret King's treasure.
• Zhao Yulong, Bai Luoyu, and Su Zhi arrived, and Zhao Yulong broke Jiang Ning’s locks and shackles; Jiang Ning then tore the remaining shackles apart himself.
• Jiang Ning told them the two corpses belonged to intruders who had attacked him, and Zhao Yulong left Xiao Bieli to investigate.
• Zhao Yulong said he would seek the Young Marquis’s help to settle Jiang Ning’s case, while Jiang Ning asked about the Eighteen Dragon Heads and planned to reach Long Xingyun before leaving prison.

Jiang Ning discovered that Xiao Bieli was holding Long Xingyun in the County Prison Fourth Level to force him to reveal the Secret King's Treasure, and learned that Xiao Bieli had taken Long Xingyun’s daughter as leverage. Jiang Ning used the Great Five Elements Water Escape Art to enter the prison level and confront Long Xingyun, who unexpectedly agreed to give him the treasure.

• Xiao Bieli removed Jiang Ning’s shackles after Zhao Yulong challenged his treatment of the Commander, then questioned him about the two dead intruders.
• That night, Jiang Ning used his Heavenly Eye to watch Xiao Bieli enter the Fourth Level and threaten Long Xingyun with a bloodstained Longevity Lock, warning that he would bring Long Xingyun’s daughter to him.
• Jiang Ning learned through lip-reading that Xiao Bieli was trying to obtain the Secret King's Treasure and had captured Long Xingyun’s daughter, then decided to investigate before Long Xingyun gave in.
• Jiang Ning used water to escape his locked cell and slipped through the Mysterious Iron Door into the Fourth Level.
• Jiang Ning introduced himself to Long Xingyun and said he wanted an item from him, and Long Xingyun agreed to give him the Secret King's Treasure.

Jiang Ning learned that Long Xingyun carried a Jade Tablet key to the True Dragon Hall and freed him in exchange for it. After giving Long Xingyun his blood to aid his recovery, Jiang Ning found that it did not form the usual bond between a Deity and a Dependent.

• Long Xingyun explained that the Jade Tablet hidden in his heart was his family’s key to the True Dragon Hall, and Jiang Ning agreed to spare his life in exchange for it.
• Jiang Ning cut open Long Xingyun’s chest, retrieved the Jade Tablet, and learned that blood would reveal whether someone met the key’s Immortal Root requirements.
• Jiang Ning used Saber Intent to break Long Xingyun’s Cold Iron Chains, and Long Xingyun thanked him as Senior.
• Long Xingyun removed the remaining chains and asked Jiang Ning for help recovering from his injuries.
• Jiang Ning gave Long Xingyun more than ten drops of his blood, which improved Long Xingyun’s recovery but did not create a Deity-Dependent bond.

Jiang Ning failed to mark Long Xingyun as his subordinate but helped him recover, and Long Xingyun escaped after corroding the prison wall with his Qi and Blood Beacon. Jiang Ning then confirmed that his Immortal Root met the True Dragon Hall’s requirements and continued Marrow Refining; the chapter ended as Xiao Bieli entered the prison injured, searching for Long Xingyun.

• Jiang Ning gave Long Xingyun his blood to heal him, but it left no Divine Descendant Subordinate mark.
• Long Xingyun used his Qi and Blood Beacon to corrode the Refined Iron wall and escape, while Jiang Ning returned to his cage using the Great Five Elements Water Escape Art.
• Jiang Ning used a drop of blood on the Dragon Pattern Jade Token, confirmed that his Immortal Root qualified, and sensed a distant summons from the True Dragon Hall.
• Jiang Ning drank wine containing Emperor Flow Paste, endured its intense cold, and resumed Marrow Refining.
• Xiao Bieli investigated Long Xingyun’s escape after a masked Grandmaster ambushed him and rescued Long Xingyun’s daughter.
• Xiao Bieli arrived at the prison injured, and Jiang Ning stopped cultivating when he saw him.

Jiang Ning watched Long Xingyun ambush and kill the injured Xiao Bieli, then kept silent as the prison discovered the escape and death. Long Xingyun fled Dongling City with his daughter, while Prefect Zhao concluded that a Grandmaster had killed Xiao Bieli with the Blood Fiend Palm.

• Xiao Bieli inspected the damaged fourth-level prison and followed Long Xingyun’s escape tunnel while Jiang Ning watched through his Heavenly Eye.
• Long Xingyun ambushed Xiao Bieli outside the tunnel and killed him with three palms before escaping.
• Zhao Dai brought breakfast to Jiang Ning, then entered the fourth level to search for Xiao Bieli and found the broken chains and tunnel.
• Long Xingyun left Dongling City with his daughter as fireworks announced that Xiao Bieli’s death had been discovered.
• Prefect Zhao examined Xiao Bieli’s corpse and determined that a Grandmaster had killed him with the Blood Fiend Palm.

After Qingyi and Wang Qingtan visited Jiang Ning in prison, they discussed how to influence the Young Marquis’s decision in his case. Zhao Yulong arrived the next morning to release Jiang Ning, who left prison confident that the case would be resolved.

• Qingyi visited Jiang Ning in the county prison, delivered Ji Mingyue’s letter, and warned him not to use the Eighth Prince’s token carelessly.
• Wang Qingtan arrived, told Jiang Ning that the Young Marquis would decide his case, and said her father had arranged a banquet for him and other officials.
• Qingyi recognized the Young Marquis as Marquis Lu and offered to speak with him, so Wang Qingtan explained the case after they left the prison.
• Jiang Ning checked his marrow-refining progress and continued cultivating while he waited for his release.
• Zhao Yulong arrived with Bai Luoyu, Su Zhi, and Zhao Dai, and Zhao Dai unlocked Jiang Ning’s cell so he could leave prison.

Jiang Ning left prison after seven days and visited County Governor Wang to thank him for helping secure his release. At the governor’s mansion, he learned that Lu Junyi had mentioned Qi Consort, while Wang Shouyi privately judged Jiang Ning a better potential match for Wang Qingtan than the Young Marquis.

• Jiang Ning left the county prison, reunited with Jiang Li, Liu Wanwan, and Xiao Doubao, and learned that County Commandant Xiao had been killed by a Grandmaster from the prison’s Fourth Level.
• After bathing and dressing, Jiang Ning took Luyi and gifts to the County Governor’s Mansion to thank Wang Shouyi for his help.
• Jiang Ning met Lu Junyi, who said Qi Consort had spoken on Jiang Ning’s behalf, prompting Jiang Ning to think of Qingyi and look toward Wang Qingtan.
• After Lu Junyi left, Wang Shouyi asked Wang Qingtan what she thought of Jiang Ning and Lu Junyi, then said Jiang Ning was the more suitable prospective husband.

Jiang Ning learned that Xiao Qiushui had entered the Secluded Death Gate to pursue the Heavenly Human Realm, and he decided to prepare for the threat by strengthening his blade technique. After resting at home, he began chopping firewood to push his Firewood Chopping Blade Technique toward its ninth limit break.

• At Star Plucking Tower, Jiang Ning shared Emperor Flow Paste wine with Bai Luoyu and Zhao Yulong, and Bai Luoyu invited him to view an ancient relic the next day.
• Jiang Ning returned home, slept soundly, and woke refreshed the next morning.
• A Flying Messenger Bird delivered Xiao Emei’s letter informing Jiang Ning that Xiao Qiushui had entered the Secluded Death Gate to pursue the Heavenly Human Realm.
• Jiang Ning considered the danger of Xiao Qiushui becoming a Heavenly Human Grandmaster but decided he could face her if she came to Dongling City.
• Jiang Ning chopped firewood to raise his Firewood Chopping Blade Technique, bringing its experience to 8545/9000 toward the ninth limit break.

Jiang Ning completed the Ninth Limit Break of the Firewood Chopping Blade Technique, gained the Butchering Ox Skillfully trait, and demonstrated saber intent powerful enough to bring down a mountain peak. After returning home and reflecting on his remaining path to greater strength, he went with Luyi to Bai Luoyu’s residence to see the prize Bai Luoyu had won at auction.

• Jiang Ning spent 5,000 Source Energy to break through the Firewood Chopping Blade Technique, gained the Butchering Ox Skillfully trait, and discovered his saber intent could cut apart leaves from a distance.
• Jiang Ning tested his new slash in the Eastern Mausoleum Mountain Range and collapsed a peak, drawing the attention of the Dragon Tiger Hall Master, Brother Chen, and other Dongling experts, who mistook the saber intent for that of a Heavenly Human Grandmaster or greater.
• Jiang Ning returned home, told Luyi that his saber art had improved, and considered how further Marrow Refinement and Wind Thunder Step breakthroughs could increase his strength.
• Jiang Ning went with Luyi to Bai Luoyu’s residence, where servants welcomed him without an announcement because Bai Luoyu had invited him to view an auction prize.

Jiang Ning used his Heavenly Eye to decipher part of an ancient turtle shell, discovering the Innate Six Lines and a secret method for concealing the Heavenly Mechanism while gaining enough Literacy experience to reach its next limit break. After Jiang Ning left to recover, Bai Luoyu asked him to help investigate abnormal weather in Dongling City and find the suspected Great Divine Power Practitioner manipulating the celestial phenomena.

• Bai Luoyu showed Jiang Ning a ten-thousand-year-old fragment of a turtle shell covered in incomprehensible writing, and Jiang Ning suffered a nosebleed after glimpsing its information.
• Jiang Ning opened his Heavenly Eye, read the fragment as Innate Six Lines, and gained a secret method to conceal the Heavenly Mechanism along with a surge of Literacy experience.
• Bai Luoyu asked Jiang Ning to investigate abnormal weather in Dongling County, which the Heavenly Surveillance Bureau suspected was caused by a Great Divine Power Practitioner manipulating the celestial phenomena.
• Jiang Ning agreed to survey Dongling City with his Heavenly Eye after resting, then left the Bai Residence with Bai Luoyu seeing him off.