Chapter Summaries

Wan Jianyi defeated Xu Sansheng, and Zhang Ming defeated Wang Jiadi in the martial examination bouts. Jiang Ning then entered the arena to face Zhang Ming for a place in the First Class and the rank of Martial Jinshi, with the fight about to begin.

• Wan Jianyi defeated Xu Sansheng with Wudang Sword Qi, and Xu Sansheng admitted his loss.
• The Second Princess criticized Wan Jianyi’s sharp-edged approach, while Ji Mingyuan defended him.
• Zhang Ming defeated Wang Jiadi with a rapid series of saber strikes, then spared him from a potentially fatal blow.
• Wang Hong announced that Jiang Ning would face Zhang Ming and that Wan Jianyi would face Mingxin to determine the top three martial scholars.
• Jiang Ning accepted a saber from Wang Hong as effortlessly as Zhang Ming had, then took his position opposite Zhang Ming as the spectators watched.

Jiang Ning defeated Zhang Ming, then watched Mingxin defeat Heaven Rankings champion Wan Jianyi with his Indestructible Golden Body and Buddha Bone. Mingxin challenged Jiang Ning next, and Jiang Ning entered the field and requested a sword.

• Jiang Ning disarmed Zhang Ming with a powerful slash, and Zhang Ming admitted defeat.
• Wan Jianyi attacked Mingxin with Wudang Sword Qi and a massive tide of Sword Intent, but Mingxin emerged unharmed and revealed his Buddha Bone and Indestructible Golden Body.
• Mingxin overwhelmed Wan Jianyi with a series of palms, and Wan Jianyi accepted defeat.
• Mingxin called Jiang Ning into the field, and Wang Hong summoned a sheathed sword for Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning tested his newly mastered Tai Xu Yin Yang Sword against Master Mingxin, revealing movement and sword techniques that astonished the spectators. After Mingxin unleashed his Wrathful Vajra power, Jiang Ning defeated him with Ruined Void, leaving the two warriors’ strength clear.

• Jiang Ning drew his sword and pierced Master Mingxin before he could react, then used the Tai Xu Yin Yang Sword to create multiple real figures and strike from every direction.
• General Shen explained to the man on the Dragon Throne that Jiang Ning’s apparent movement techniques came from manipulating the void with his sword.
• Master Mingxin realized Jiang Ning was using him to temper his sword and unleashed his Wrathful Vajra power, manifesting a Buddha image and attacking with a Golden Buddha Palm.
• Jiang Ning met Mingxin’s palm with his own, and the collision shook the Training Ground and filled it with dust.
• When the dust cleared, Jiang Ning’s sword had pierced Mingxin’s right shoulder and emerged through his back, establishing Jiang Ning’s victory.
• Jiang Ning withdrew his sword as Mingxin acknowledged his peerless Sword Dao, and Jiang Ning reflected on Mingxin’s strength and the power of his Ruined Void strike.

Jiang Ning became Great Xia’s youngest Martial Champion after defeating Mingxin, while Wan Jianyi was left with third place and a wounded pride. When Jiang Ning was summoned before Emperor Changning, he discovered the emperor was terminally ill, and a hidden group briefly clashed with the imperial defenders before the emperor ordered the ceremony to continue.

• Mingxin admitted defeat to Jiang Ning, and spectators praised Jiang Ning as the youngest Martial Champion in Great Xia’s history.
• Zhang Ming conceded his match against Wan Jianyi, and Wang Hong summoned Jiang Ning, Mingxin, and Wan Jianyi to the northern platform.
• The Emperor acknowledged Jiang Ning’s achievement and his connection to Ji Mingyue, then a gust lifted the Mysterious Gauze and Jiang Ning glimpsed the emperor’s frail, dying appearance.
• A hidden group attacked or appeared in the sky, and Mr. Nine emerged beside Jiang Ning after the brief clash ended.
• The Emperor dismissed the threat and ordered Jiang Ning to sound the Kui Niu Drum to announce the new Martial Champion.

Jiang Ning used the Kui Niu Drum and heavenly lightning to temper his body, displaying a nine-zhang-nine Crimson Dragon and a physique that others judged close to innate. After Emperor Changning named him the Martial Champion, Jiang Ning received his robe from Second Princess Ji Mingya and was summoned to attend the Court Assembly the next day.

• Jiang Ning struck the Kui Niu Drum as lightning coursed through him, strengthening his body and raising his Crimson Dragon to nine zhang and nine.
• Mingxin told Wan Jianyi that Jiang Ning’s Martial Dao foundation surpassed theirs and that Wan Jianyi might not truly have defeated He Shouchi.
• The Human Emperor and observers, including Martial King Xiang Yuan and Xiao Wuque, recognized Jiang Ning’s physique as perfect and close to innate.
• Emperor Changning summoned Jiang Ning to the platform, and Ji Mingya took the Champion’s Robe from Ji Mingyue and draped it over him.
• Jiang Ning, Mingxin, and Wan Jianyi greeted Emperor Changning, who ordered them to attend the Court Assembly the next day before returning to the palace.

Jiang Ning received a warning from Second Princess Ji Mingya that his revealed potential made him a threat to powerful figures across Great Xia, including the Imperial Clan. After deciding to grow strong enough to survive, he returned to the Imperial Advisor's Residence with Qing He and prepared to congratulate his eldest brother and sister-in-law.

• Ji Mingyue told Jiang Ning that her sister Ji Mingya's husband had died violently in the Northern Desert and her infant son had died mysteriously, and Jiang Ning urged Ji Mingyue to be careful.
• Ji Mingya emerged from hiding and warned Jiang Ning that the Kui Niu Drum had revealed he was a Second Rank Great Grandmaster with a nearly innate Perfect Physique.
• Ji Mingya explained that powerful grandmasters, Immortal Gods, Grotto-heaven experts, and the Imperial Clan feared another figure who could rival the Martial Saint, and she cautioned Jiang Ning not to share her husband's fate.
• Jiang Ning resolved to reach First Grade as soon as possible, then returned to the residence and met Qing He, who praised his Champion's Robe and helped him put it on.
• Jiang Ning told Qing He they would go congratulate his eldest brother and sister-in-law.

Jiang Ning received the Emperor’s Champion robe, waist token, and plaque after winning the Martial Champion title, then assessed the dangers threatening Great Xia and resolved to grow stronger while keeping his family safe. He used Dragon Hibernation Spirit Liquid to accelerate his cultivation of the Spirit Platform Illuminating True Self Method.

• Jiang Ning showed Jiang Li and Liu Wanwan his Champion’s Robe and told them the palace procession had come to deliver his imperial honors.
• Vice Minister Zhou Qian presented Jiang Ning with the Champion’s Attire, a gilded waist token, and the Emperor’s plaque, and invited him to enter the palace the next day to give thanks.
• Jiang Ning told Jiang Li to wait until peace came before hanging the plaque at their home, while reflecting on the Martial Saint and the resistance he might face.
• After lunch, Jiang Ning weighed the dangers facing Great Xia and judged that his strength and the Imperial Advisor’s Residence could protect him and his family for now.
• Jiang Ning inspected his physical abilities, checked his progress toward becoming a Title-level Great Grandmaster, and inhaled the Dragon Hibernation Spirit Liquid before entering his Inner Scenery to cultivate.

Jiang Ning cultivated the Spirit Platform Illuminating True Self Method with the Inner Scenery and Dragon Hibernation Spirit Liquid, making rapid progress despite the strain of the Inner Scenery. After sharing a meal with Su Qingying, he agreed to sleep in her room so she would not try to force herself to become pregnant, while she prepared for his visit.

• Jiang Ning cultivated in the Inner Scenery, gained more than six hundred experience points, and realized its distorted passage of time and mental strain made long stays dangerous.
• Jiang Ning used Dragon Hibernation Spirit Liquid to recover and continued cultivating, raising the method to 1763/5000 and later 2137/5000.
• Su Qingying brought Jiang Ning Liu Wanwan's dumplings and soy-braised beef noodles, and he praised her dumplings and shared food with her.
• Su Qingying said she wanted to sleep with Jiang Ning because she did not think she was pregnant; Jiang Ning agreed but avoided explaining how pregnancy worked because he feared she might force the issue.
• Jiang Ning resumed cultivating with more Dragon Hibernation Spirit Liquid while Su Qingying prepared two quilts, put on rouge, and practiced smiling before he arrived.

Jiang Ning attended his first Court Assembly as the newly appointed Martial Champion, escorted by Zhou Qian through Vermilion Bird Gate. While waiting with Mingxin and Wan Jianyi, he claimed that Jin Chan had taught him the Indestructible Vajra Body, leaving Mingxin startled.

• Jiang Ning spent the night beside Su Qingying, then woke early for the Court Assembly and found his Source Energy had risen to 233177.
• Liu Wanwan prepared Jiang Ning a large bowl of braised beef noodles and four meat buns before he left in his champion robe.
• Zhou Qian escorted Jiang Ning to Vermilion Bird Gate, where the Imperial Guards checked his Champion Waist Token and let their carriage enter the palace.
• Jiang Ning met Mingxin and Wan Jianyi in a side hall while Emperor Changning began the Court Assembly in Taiji Hall.
• Mingxin asked about Jiang Ning's martial lineage, and Jiang Ning named Jin Chan as the source of his Indestructible Vajra Body, astonishing Mingxin.

Jiang Ning was named Dongling Marquis and appointed Zeshan Province Inspector after Emperor Changning revealed that he was a Second Rank Great Grandmaster. Xiao Wuque gave him a protective talisman before he took up the dangerous post.

• Mingxin suggested Jiang Ning had an affinity with Buddha, but Jiang Ning rejected the idea of becoming a monk.
• Emperor Changning appointed Wan Jianyi Imperial Sword Attendant and Mingxin Nation Protecting Zen Master.
• Emperor Changning enfeoffed Jiang Ning as Dongling Marquis over all four counties of Dongling County and revealed his Second Rank Great Grandmaster cultivation.
• Emperor Changning also appointed Jiang Ning Zeshan Province Inspector, despite a military official's objection that the post was dangerous.
• Xiao Wuque told Jiang Ning that Martial Saint Manor had no suitable replacement and gave him a Dao Ancestor talisman that could protect him from harm.

Jiang Ning received two protective treasures from Xiao Wuque, accepted the Martial Saint’s invitation, and rode through the Royal Capital as the new Martial Champion. He met the Martial Saint in a sealed cave heaven, where the old master revealed that he was nearing the end of his life and could no longer overcome the River of Time.

• Xiao Wuque gave Jiang Ning a Dao Ancestor talisman that could restore him to his peak and a Small Teleportation Talisman that could send him a thousand li away.
• Xiao Wuque invited Jiang Ning to meet the Martial Saint’s true body, and Jiang Ning agreed; meanwhile, the Little Prince planned to use the King Beicang’s military power to pursue Ji Mingyue after Jiang Ning’s eventual death.
• Jiang Ning asked Zhang Shilang about the King Beicang and learned that he commanded the hundred-thousand-strong Tianxiong Army and ranked among the court’s foremost powerhouses.
• Jiang Ning rode through the Royal Capital in the Martial Champion’s procession, while Wan Jianyi recognized the vast gap between them.
• Jiang Ning met Xiao Wuque at Martial Saint Manor, and Xiao Wuque brought him to a sealed cave heaven where they found the Martial Saint in a humble thatched hut.
• The Martial Saint explained that the River of Time had reduced him to a stooped old man and that he could only cling to life for a few more days; he served Jiang Ning and Xiao Wuque tea that could add years to their lifespans.

Jiang Ning learned from the Martial Saint and Xiao Wuque about the Shackles, the need for unceasing growth, and the dangers awaiting anyone who might approach the Martial Saint’s level. Xiao Wuque revealed that the aging Martial Saint had sacrificed his vitality after refusing to bind himself to his grotto-heaven, leaving Great Xia’s stability—and Jiang Ning’s chance to grow safely—at risk when he dies.

• The Martial Saint praised Jiang Ning’s foundation and told Xiao Wuque that breaking through the Shackles required deep accumulation and continual growth.
• Jiang Ning recognized that his Panel let him improve without regressing, and the Martial Saint predicted he could reach the First Grade within one or two years.
• Xiao Wuque explained that powerful sects, grotto-heavens, and the Imperial Clan would try to kill Jiang Ning before he could approach the Martial Saint’s strength.
• The Martial Saint warned Jiang Ning to rely on himself, then let him drink tea rich in life essence.
• Xiao Wuque revealed that the Martial Saint had refused to absorb his grotto-heaven, damaging his vitality, and had used a Spirit Body to kill Fu Yuan Saint Monarch without exposing his true condition.
• Jiang Ning realized that the Martial Saint’s death could overturn Great Xia’s order and leave him exposed to the forces seeking to eliminate him.

Jiang Ning returned to the capital, reflected on how his rise would inevitably put him against powerful forces, and accelerated his cultivation of the Spirit Platform Illuminating True Self Method. After attending the palace banquet, he learned nothing of Ji Mingyue’s marriage dilemma and went home to cultivate again.

• Jiang Ning received an invitation to the palace banquet for the newly admitted Presented Scholars and spent the day cultivating with Dragon Hibernation Spirit Liquid, raising his method’s progress to 3361/5000.
• Jiang Ning attended the banquet, quietly consumed Spirit Fruits and Spirit Wine, and left as soon as he could.
• Jiang Ning told Ji Mingyue that growing stronger would inevitably set him against powerful figures, and she encouraged him to focus on cultivation.
• Ji Minghao asked Ji Mingyue why she had not told Jiang Ning that the emperor wanted him to propose, and she refused to pressure him, choosing to speak with the emperor herself.
• Jiang Ning returned to his estate, inhaled more Dragon Hibernation Spirit Liquid, and resumed cultivating the Spirit Platform Illuminating True Self Method.

Jiang Ning cultivated the Spirit Platform Illuminating True Self Method throughout a snowy day, using up his Dragon Hibernation Spirit Liquid and advancing the method to Great Completion. He received his new provincial office and marquis regalia, while keeping his family close but avoiding marriage because his growing strength made those around him vulnerable.

• Jiang Ning saw that his Source Energy had increased after drinking tea at the palace banquet and began cultivating the Spirit Platform Illuminating True Self Method with Dragon Hibernation Spirit Liquid.
• Jiang Ning advanced the method from 3598 to 4011 progress before Zhou Qian arrived with his Zeshan Province Inspector robe and seal, marquis regalia, and the deed to his Royal Capital mansion.
• Jiang Ning gave the mansion deed to Jiang Li to keep, but said his family would remain at the Imperial Advisor's Residence for now and privately resolved to avoid forming deeper ties while his strength drew danger.
• Jiang Ning spent the snowy day cultivating, using up his remaining Dragon Hibernation Spirit Liquid and reaching 4833 progress before resting in a hot bath.
• Jiang Ning returned to cultivation in his Inner Scenery and advanced the method beyond its threshold, reaching Great Completion with 77 progress.

Jiang Ning reached Great Completion in the Spirit Platform Illuminating True Self Method, sensed the Heavenly Dao, and entered the Shangyang Inner Scenery Ground, where Shen Yue Ru shared her Tai Xu Yin Yang Sword insights with him. At the Sermon Platform, Shen Yue Ru began to undergo a powerful sword-related breakthrough while Jiang Ning settled in to seek another inheritance.

• Jiang Ning advanced the Spirit Platform Illuminating True Self Method to Great Completion and sensed the Heavenly Dao's will, recognizing the strength of Title-level Great Grandmasters.
• Jiang Ning entered the Shangyang Inner Scenery Ground and met Shen Yue Ru, who had arranged to meet him there.
• In the Yang Pool, Shen Yue Ru blended Spirit Souls with Jiang Ning and transferred her Tai Xu Yin Yang Sword comprehension to him.
• Shen Yue Ru and Jiang Ning went to the Sermon Platform and began roaming beyond the world in spirit.
• Jiang Ning opened his eyes to see sword cries and sharp aura gathering around Shen Yue Ru, whose hair streamed upward as her sword insight manifested.

Jiang Ning encountered a reflection of the past in the Shangyang Inner Scene, where a celestial immortal explained the realms beyond immortality and the Yin Yang Tribulation Fire Great Celestial Venerable taught the Nine Nether Tribulation Fire True Art. He gained two Dao Leaves and a perfected first chapter before reuniting with Shen Yue Ru, who urged him to pursue immortality.

• Jiang Ning spoke with a female celestial immortal, who explained the human immortal, celestial immortal, and true immortal realms and how Dao Flowers and Dao Fruits marked advancement.
• The Yin Yang Tribulation Fire Great Celestial Venerable arrived and taught the three chapters of the Nine Nether Tribulation Fire True Art, causing a crimson and a black Dao Leaf to grow on Jiang Ning's Immortal Seedling.
• Jiang Ning awoke from the past reflection, found the first chapter of the Nine Nether Tribulation Fire True Art perfected on his Panel, and decided to stay focused on the Ascending Heaven Stair.
• Shen Yue Ru awoke with new insights into swordsmanship, and Jiang Ning told her that the Yin Yang Tribulation Fire Great Celestial Venerable had imparted his teachings to him.
• Shen Yue Ru explained that Grand Celestial Venerables stood above Celestial Venerables and that their appearances could not be remembered, then urged Jiang Ning to pursue the true path of immortality.

Jiang Ning tested his mental strength on the Ascending Heaven Stair, reaching the 187th step before returning to his body with a greatly tempered Spiritual Body. He then advanced the Nine Nether Tribulation Fire True Art twice, strengthening its traits while confirming that his Water Fire abilities remained intact.

• Shen Yue Ru climbed ahead of Jiang Ning on the Ascending Heaven Stair and reached the 188th step before the pressure dispersed her Spiritual Body.
• Jiang Ning climbed to the 187th step, judged his mental strength close to that of a Nascent Soul Immortal, and chose to return rather than push toward his limit.
• Jiang Ning absorbed his tempered Spiritual Body and increased his mental strength by about half a tenth.
• Jiang Ning checked that his Fire Eye, Water Fire Harmony, and Water Fire Grindstone still worked after the Nine Nether Tribulation Fire True Art replaced Water Fire True Force.
• Jiang Ning spent ten thousand Source Energy to achieve the first breakthrough, upgrading Water Fire Immortal Garment to a light-purple trait.
• Jiang Ning spent another twenty thousand Source Energy on the second limit break, upgrading Fire Eye Spirit Pupils to a light-purple trait.

Jiang Ning broke through the Nine Nether Tribulation Fire True Art and gained the Heart Tribulation Fire Divine Ability, then discovered a new change in his Immortal Seedling. Meanwhile, Yun Shanhe and a cloaked man prepared an ambush for Jiang Ning at his residence in Dongling City.

• Jiang Ning strengthened his Fire Eye Spirit Pupils and saw the Imperial Clan's fortune and calamity above the palace.
• Jiang Ning advanced the Nine Nether Tribulation Fire True Art and gained the Heart Tribulation Fire, which amplified his body, spirit, and energy by burning his life force.
• Jiang Ning practiced the technique, noticed a new branch with scarlet and black leaves on his Immortal Seedling, and used Kan Water and Li Fire to cleanse his body and quiet his desires.
• Jiang Ning decided not to spend several more days grinding the technique and went to sleep.
• Yun Shanhe and a cloaked man arrived at Jiang Ning's Dongling City residence and planned to wait for his return and trap him with a Formation.

Jiang Ning cultivated through the snowfall until Shen Mengyun visited and told him that ancient grotto-heavens were curse-killing Emperor Changning while the princes competed for the throne. She asked him to support Eighth Prince Ji Minghao for Seventeenth Princess Ji Mingyue’s sake, and Jiang Ning left with a plan in mind before returning to cultivation.

• Jiang Ning spent several days cultivating the Spirit Platform Illuminating True Self Method, refused the Princes who tried to recruit him, and advanced the method beyond one-third completion.
• Qing He told Jiang Ning that Shen Mengyun had come to see him, and he went to meet her in the snow-covered front courtyard.
• Shen Mengyun revealed that the great grotto-heavens were curse-killing Emperor Changning and that the succession struggle would soon intensify.
• Shen Mengyun identified herself as Eighth Prince Ji Minghao’s supporter and asked Jiang Ning to help him take the throne, citing Ji Mingyue’s bond with Jiang Ning and her brother.
• Jiang Ning said he would consider Shen Mengyun’s request, reflected on Ji Mingyue and the dangers ahead, then returned to his residence and resumed cultivation.

Jiang Ning left the Royal Capital and returned to Dongling City, where the soldiers greeted him as the newly ennobled Dongling Marquis. As he entered the East District, he sensed an unusual flow of energy near his home.

• Wan Jianyi visited Jiang Ning to bid farewell before returning to Bashu Sword Pavilion, and Li Qing said she would return to Luoshui County after completing three years of study.
• After seeing the Eighth Prince, Jiang Ning decided to return to Dongling to avoid the constant stream of visitors and reunite with Luyi and Zhong Ling.
• Jiang Ning said goodbye to his family, promised Xiao Doubao he would visit again, encouraged Jiang Yiming, and gave him a small ceramic bottle to drink.
• Jiang Ning used his mastery of the Tai Xu Yin Yang Sword to travel at great speed from the Royal Capital to Dongling City.
• The city guards welcomed Jiang Ning as Dongling Marquis, and he saw the notice confirming that Dongling County was his fief.
• As Jiang Ning entered the East District, he sensed something unusual near his home.