Chapter Summaries

Jiang Ning confronted the Yellow Sky Sect’s Heavenly Kings at Duanlong Ridge and forced them to withdraw their troops from Five Peaks Prefecture. He then traveled to Xisha County to meet the Yellow Sky Daoist, where he faced the Daoist and five powerful figures in the valley.

• Jiang Ning heard Zhou Sheng’s report that Heavenly Kings Zhenyue and Fuhai commanded fifty thousand troops near Jun Tian City, then left alone to deal with them.
• Jiang Ning entered the Heavenly Kings’ tent and gave Zhenyue and Fuhai the choice to withdraw or die; Fuhai accepted his demand, and Zhenyue reluctantly agreed.
• Jiang Ning announced that he would meet the Yellow Sky Daoist, then flew to Xisha County while the Heavenly Kings ordered their forces to hold back.
• Jiang Ning found the Yellow Sky Daoist in a valley with five powerful figures and told him that Zhenyue and Fuhai had agreed to withdraw their troops.
• Jiang Ning studied the five figures, recognizing a man he had seen at an altar ceremony in Guangning Prefecture City, as he faced the Yellow Sky Daoist.

Jiang Ning met Yellow Sky Daoist in Xisha County and challenged his decision to hasten Great Xia’s collapse, arguing that rebellion would bring unbearable suffering to ordinary people. Yellow Sky Daoist defended his plan to create a new dynasty, and the two began a battle of Primordial Spirit power that left the valley in ruins.

• Jiang Ning sensed the great formation beneath the valley and questioned Yellow Sky Daoist about his reasons for rebelling.
• Jiang Ning warned that war would unleash violence and devastate commoners, while Yellow Sky Daoist argued that the realm’s suffering stemmed from Immortal Sects and hidden old monsters.
• Yellow Sky Daoist admitted he had worsened the disorder and declared that he would overthrow Great Xia to establish a new era with more paths for the people.
• Jiang Ning challenged Yellow Sky Daoist to prove his strength, and the two unleashed their powers against each other.
• The five Heavenly Kings retreated from the clash, but its shockwaves injured several of them as the valley was torn apart.
• A Heavenly King remarked that the duel showed only a fraction of an Immortal’s might.

Jiang Ning fought Yellow Sky Daoist to a draw in the Yellow Sky Sect’s valley before leaving, while the Sect Leader admitted he could not see through Jiang Ning and felt wary of him. Jiang Ning concluded the clash had confirmed Yellow Sky Daoist’s strength, chose not to risk fighting him on his home ground, and headed toward Five Peaks Prefecture and Jun Tian City.

• Jiang Ning and Yellow Sky Daoist clashed with their Primordial Spirits for several minutes, ravaging the valley before both withdrew unharmed.
• Jiang Ning praised Yellow Sky Daoist’s abilities, rejected the Yellow Sky Sect’s plans, and flew away in Black and White Rainbow Light.
• Yellow Sky Daoist told five of his disciples that Jiang Ning’s Primordial Spirit matched his own and that Jiang Ning’s confidence suggested he had powerful support or trump cards.
• Yellow Sky Daoist explained that the advance on Five Peaks Prefecture had been a test, then approved a withdrawal of the Yellow Sky Sect’s forces.
• Jiang Ning reflected that the clash had confirmed Yellow Sky Daoist’s Nascent Soul Immortal strength and decided to avoid risking a fight beneath the valley’s great formation.
• Jiang Ning dismissed responsibility for Great Xia’s people and flew toward Five Peaks Prefecture and Jun Tian City.

Jiang Ning returned to the Marquis Mansion after forcing the Heavenly Kings of Duanlong Ridge to withdraw and meeting Yellow Sky Daoist, then reassured Zhou Sheng that the Yellow Sky Sect posed no immediate threat to Five Peaks Prefecture. He said goodbye to Zhong Ling and flew back to the Royal Capital, where Ji Minghao waited for him at Lishui Imperial Palace.

• Jiang Ning told Zhou Sheng and Zhong Yue that the Heavenly Kings had agreed to leave Five Peaks Prefecture and that his clash with Yellow Sky Daoist had ended in a draw.
• Jiang Ning warned that the Yellow Sky Sect's threat could not be resolved quickly because deeper dangers involved ancient Immortals, but said the sect would make no major moves soon.
• Jiang Ning promised Zhong Ling he would visit within three months, and she told him she would travel to the Royal Capital if he did not come.
• Jiang Ning discussed the fragile peace with Zhong Ling, then departed Jun Tian City in a black-and-white rainbow.
• Jiang Ning arrived in the Royal Capital, and Ji Minghao relaxed after waiting for his return at Lishui Imperial Palace.

Jiang Ning returned to Lishui Imperial Palace and told Ji Minghao that he had helped Five Peaks Prefecture and fought Yellow Sky Daoist. Ji Minghao thanked him for protecting the prefecture and sought his thoughts on the empire’s threats, while Jiang Ning left the question of reaching Martial Saint level unresolved.

• Jiang Ning returned to the Marquis Mansion, then hurried to Lishui Imperial Palace after an Imperial Guard told him Ji Minghao had been waiting there.
• Jiang Ning reflected on how refining the Heavenly Soldiers had greatly increased his strength as the palace Commander led him to Ji Minghao.
• Jiang Ning told Ji Minghao that he had helped Zhou Sheng repel the Yellow Sky Sect’s siege at Five Peaks Prefecture and had fought Yellow Sky Daoist to a draw in Xisha County.
• Jiang Ning explained that Yellow Sky Daoist’s Eight Trigrams Formation gave him a major advantage, easing Ji Minghao’s concern about Jiang Ning’s chances against him.
• Ji Minghao asked whether Jiang Ning could reach Martial Saint level, and Jiang Ning said the outcome remained unknown.
• Ji Minghao revealed he had planned to ask Jiang Ning to help Five Peaks Prefecture, then bowed and thanked him for resolving the threat and protecting its people.

Ji Minghao confided in Jiang Ning about the burdens of ruling and asked him to attend the next day's Court Assembly, which Jiang Ning agreed to do. Jiang Ning then cultivated at the ruined central island, strengthening his spirit before returning to Qingyi's room.

• Ji Minghao told Jiang Ning that he had married Shen Mengyun for political support and had no love for her, and said Jiang was the only person he could trust.
• Jiang Ning comforted Ji Minghao about the responsibilities of the throne and agreed to support him at the next day's Court Assembly.
• Jiang Ning inspected his cultivation panel at the damaged central island and used 200 Origin Points to improve the Spirit Platform Illuminating True Self Method.
• Jiang Ning cultivated through the night by drawing True Spirit Fragments from the River of Time, raising the method's experience points to 36,773.
• Jiang Ning returned to Dongling Marquis Mansion and entered Qingyi's room late at night.

Ji Minghao prepared for his first court assembly as emperor while Jiang Ning traveled to the palace as Prince of Luoshui. At the assembly, Ji Minghao revealed that Jiang Ning had already ended the Yellow Sky Sect’s threat to Five Peaks Prefecture, astonishing the officials.

• Shen Mengyun brought Ji Minghao supper, and he burned the book titled “From Luoshui County to Top Scholar” after recalling Jiang Ning and the Imperial Guard’s report.
• Jiang Ning left Dongling Marquis Mansion before dawn and rode an Imperial Guard carriage to the palace for the Court Assembly.
• At Taiji Hall, Ji Minghao granted Jiang Ning a seat at the front, and the officials saw the deference shown to him.
• An official urged Ji Minghao to send aid to Five Peaks Prefecture, and Shen Xiao volunteered to lead ten thousand troops there.
• Ji Minghao announced that Jiang Ning had gone to Five Peaks Prefecture the previous day and made the two Yellow Sky Sect Heavenly Kings withdraw without a battle.
• Jiang Ning confirmed Ji Minghao’s announcement, leaving Shen Xiao and the other officials astonished.

Jiang Ning attended court as news arrived that the Northern Barbarians had surrounded Tianque City under Wheel-Rotating King, whose power carried the aura of the god imprisoned in the Great Snow Mountain. Li Xiang argued that Jiang Ning was one of the few people capable of saving the city, leaving Jiang Ning to weigh his displeasure at Ji Minghao’s maneuvering against his willingness to prevent a massacre.

• Xiang Yuan and other officials called for Jiang Ning to be rewarded, while Ji Minghao asserted that he had already arranged a reward.
• A military official reported that Wheel-Rotating King and the Northern Barbarian army were threatening Tianque City, prompting Jiang Ning to recall the Northern Barbarians’ Great Snow Mountain god.
• Li Xiang silenced the court, and Ji Minghao distributed memorials describing the city’s desperate situation and Wheel-Rotating King’s fifteen-day ultimatum.
• Li Xiang said only a handful of top experts could resolve the crisis and urged Ji Minghao to send Jiang Ning or another prince to confront Wheel-Rotating King.
• Jiang Ning realized Ji Minghao had laid the groundwork to make him take responsibility, felt displeased at being treated like a chess piece, and recalled Ji Minghao’s past help.

Jiang Ning accepted Ji Minghao’s plea to defend Tianque City and set out alone for the northern border with an Imperial Edict granting him sweeping authority. After he departed, Ji Minghao rewarded Jiang Ning’s family with prestigious titles and privileges, which the court unanimously approved.

• Ji Minghao bowed to Jiang Ning and asked him to go to Tianque City, and Jiang Ning agreed to confront the Northern Barbarians’ Wheel-Turning King.
• Ji Minghao gave Jiang Ning an Imperial Edict granting him authority to command forces, appoint or dismiss officials, and execute first and report later.
• Jiang Ning rejected an escort, asked Ji Minghao to reassure his family, and flew north in a Black and White Rainbow Light.
• Ji Minghao elevated Jiang Li, Lady Liu, Jiang Yiming, and Jiang Yuanyuan with official titles, privileges, and a fief, and the court supported the decree.
• After the Court Assembly dispersed, ministers discussed the unprecedented rewards and Ji Minghao’s reasons for granting them.

After court officials discussed Jiang Ning’s mission to the north, Li Xiang and Xiao Wuque worried that Wheel-Rotating King carried the power of the God of Great Snow Mountain. Jiang Ning reached Tianque City, sensed the two northern kings and Wheel-Rotating King, then appeared before King Beicang and Zhenbei King Xu Zhen.

• Xiang Yuan celebrated Jiang Ning’s northward journey with military officers, while Li Xiang told Xiao Wuque he feared Great Snow Mountain’s God was granting power to the mortal world.
• Jiang Ning arrived above Tianque City and sensed King Beicang and Zhenbei King Xu Zhen inside, along with Wheel-Rotating King encamped outside the city.
• Wheel-Rotating King sensed an unusual presence, but Jiang Ning had already vanished from the sky above Tianque City.
• King Beicang and Xu Zhen discussed abandoning Tianque City because they doubted they could withstand Wheel-Rotating King and his army.
• Jiang Ning appeared silently in the council hall, where King Beicang recognized him and Xu Zhen saw him for the first time.

Jiang Ning arrived in Tianque City with an imperial edict authorizing him to handle the crisis, then demonstrated his overwhelming physical strength to Zhenbei King Xu Zhen. After Xu Zhen accepted the vast gap between them, Jiang Ning began probing why the Northern Barbarians’ Imperial Advisor had given the city fifteen days.

• Jiang Ning showed Zhenbei King Xu Zhen and King Beicang the Emperor’s imperial edict, confirming his authority and identity.
• Xu Zhen described the Northern Barbarians’ forces, including eight thousand Great Snow Dragon Steeds, and said the Wheel-Turning King had defeated him in one exchange.
• Xu Zhen asked to test Jiang Ning’s strength, and Jiang Ning pinned him with one hand despite Xu Zhen unleashing his full physical power.
• Xu Zhen acknowledged Jiang Ning’s superiority and said the Prince of Luoshui could resolve Tianque City’s crisis.
• Jiang Ning asked why the Wheel-Turning King had given Tianque City a fifteen-day deadline, and Xu Zhen suggested he still feared offending the Martial Saint.

Jiang Ning warned the Zhenbei King and the North Cang King that the Wheel-Turning King had gained the Great Snow Mountain deity’s power and was likely baiting a top Great Xia expert into a decisive fight. He agreed to protect Tianque City, but said he needed a breakthrough first, then arranged for the city’s stores of medicinal herbs and other treasures to be gathered for him.

• Jiang Ning told the Zhenbei King and the North Cang King that the Wheel-Turning King’s fifteen-day deadline likely served to lure Prince Ji Xuan, the Qingxu Temple Master, or Ku Hai into a fight.
• Jiang Ning learned that the two rulers had discussed abandoning Tianque City, and they insisted they would fight under his command instead.
• Jiang Ning admitted he could not guarantee victory over the empowered Wheel-Turning King without breaking through his cultivation bottleneck.
• Jiang Ning asked the Zhenbei King and the North Cang King to gather all available Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, including ordinary herbs and fruits, to aid his breakthrough.
• Jiang Ning ordered the two rulers to keep his arrival secret while they arranged to send the gathered supplies to him.

Jiang Ning weighed the threat posed by Wheel-Turning King and the deity of Great Snow Mountain, then began gathering resources to strengthen himself before the Northern Barbarian Imperial Advisor’s deadline. After refining Zhenbei King Xu Zhen’s treasure stores, he directed him to collect more supplies from Tianque City in exchange for protecting its people.

• Jiang Ning reviewed his Origin Points and cultivation progress, concluding that he needed more Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures to prepare for the deity behind Wheel-Turning King.
• Xu Zhen brought four chests of treasures from his estate, and Jiang Ning swallowed and refined their contents, gaining thirty-six Origin Points.
• Jiang Ning told Xu Zhen that more resources would help him ensure Tianque City survived the coming conflict.
• Xu Zhen ordered the city’s Aristocratic Families, merchant associations, and military officers to send their stored treasures to Jiang Ning.
• Jiang Ning asked Xu Zhen to treat hoarding as betrayal but to give offenders one chance and spare their families, and Xu Zhen agreed.

Jiang Ning refined the treasures from Zhenbei King and King Beicang, advanced his cultivation, and drew King Beicang’s awe as he gathered supplies for the coming fight against Wheel-Turning King. King Beicang then realized that Divine Might King Li Tianwen had likely killed his heir, leaving him poised to pursue the truth.

• After Zhenbei King Xu Zhen left, Jiang Ning refined the remaining medicinal power from four chests and increased his Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Skill experience.
• As Jiang Ning cultivated the Spirit Platform Illuminating True Self Method, King Beicang sensed his overwhelming spiritual presence and brought him five chests of treasures.
• Jiang Ning devoured the contents of King Beicang’s chests, raising his Origin Points to 443.8, and King Beicang promised to collect more supplies across Tianque City.
• Jiang Ning said he needed more resources to prepare for Wheel-Turning King, and King Beicang explained that protecting his family and the city mattered more to him than his hatred over his son’s death.
• Jiang Ning told King Beicang that he had not killed his heir, prompting King Beicang to suspect that Divine Might King Li Tianwen had secretly dealt the fatal blow.

Jiang Ning cultivated on the resources collected in Tianque City, perfected two techniques, and spent Origin Points to advance the Spirit Platform Illuminating True Self Method and improve its traits. He ended the chapter with 217.3 Origin Points and resumed cultivating.

• King Beicang admitted he had suspected who killed his son, apologized to Jiang Ning, and promised to gather resources from Tianque City’s families and merchant guilds.
• Zhenbei King delivered carts of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, which Jiang Ning devoured to gain Origin Points and fuel his cultivation.
• Overnight, Jiang Ning perfected the Spirit Platform Illuminating True Self Method and the Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Skill, then spent 200 Origin Points to break through the former and raise Spiritual Wisdom to Light Gold.
• Jiang Ning saw a possible future in which he fought the Wheel-Turning King beneath an inverted Great Snow Mountain and sensed a mysterious godlike presence.
• Jiang Ning spent another 200 Origin Points to raise Insight into True Spirit and Pre-perception, then entered cultivation with 217.3 Origin Points remaining.

After three days of consuming Tianque City's remaining treasures, Jiang Ning spent 500 Origin Points to break through the Spirit Platform Illuminating True Self Method, gaining a Deep Gold Pre-perception trait and sensing a hidden mystery within the human body. As the Barbarian Tribe's Imperial Advisor prepared to attack Tianque City the next morning, Jiang Ning realized his new perception might have revealed the path to a legendary realm.

• The Zhenbei King and the King Beicang delivered Tianque City's final stores of treasures to Jiang Ning, bringing his Origin Points to 933.3 and both cultivation techniques to the Perfected Realm.
• Jiang Ning spent 500 Origin Points to break through the Spirit Platform Illuminating True Self Method, and the resulting spiritual radiance caused people across Tianque City to bow toward him.
• The red-robed lama dismissed the possibility that Tianque City's defenders posed a serious threat and ordered a final ultimatum, declaring that the city would fall the next morning.
• Jiang Ning perceived more than ten thousand scenes across the world and gained the Deep Gold Pre-perception trait, greatly strengthening his spirit and Spiritual Power.
• Jiang Ning sensed vague shadows throughout his body and realized they might be part of a deeper human mystery beyond flesh, spirit, and Nascent Soul.

Jiang Ning investigated the changes in his body, cultivated the Indestructible Vajra Body, and agreed to face the Northern Barbarian Imperial Advisor after learning the enemy would attack at dawn. At Tianque City’s walls, the Wheel-Turning King arrived and overwhelmed the defenders until Jiang Ning’s voice and spiritual force broke the effect.

• Jiang Ning considered whether stronger physical strength and perception would reveal the vague shadows within his body, then began cultivating the Indestructible Vajra Body.
• King Beicang and Zhenbei King Xu Zhen learned that the barbarians planned to attack at dawn and suspected the Northern Barbarian Imperial Advisor had reacted to Jiang Ning’s arrival.
• Jiang Ning said he had seven or eight parts confidence and told the two kings to watch from the city walls while he faced the enemy.
• At dawn, the Wheel-Turning King walked through the air toward Tianque City, causing soldiers to drop their weapons and kneel under his oppressive presence.
• The Wheel-Turning King called out to Jiang Ning, and Jiang Ning’s clear voice and spiritual force broke the spell over the defenders.

Jiang Ning resisted the Wheel-Turning King's Buddhist Kingdom Pure Land and shattered it with the Heavenly Eye at his brow. The Wheel-Turning King admitted defeat in their contest of spiritual will, then challenged Jiang Ning to a contest on the Martial Path.

• The Wheel-Turning King revealed that he had come to test Great Xia's strength and declared that he would defeat Jiang Ning at the spiritual level.
• The Wheel-Turning King summoned the Buddhist Kingdom Pure Land, forcing Tianque City's citizens and soldiers to kneel before his Buddha form.
• Jiang Ning opened the Heavenly Eye on his brow, dispelling the Buddhist visions and freeing the people of Tianque City from the Wheel-Turning King's spiritual pressure.
• The Wheel-Turning King recognized Jiang Ning's Heavenly Eye, speculated that he was a Reincarnated Body, and conceded that his spiritual will had lost.
• The Wheel-Turning King stepped forward and challenged Jiang Ning to compete again on the Martial Path.

The Wheel-Turning King summoned an Eight-Armed Buddha Dharma Form and attacked Jiang Ning with its divine artifacts. Jiang Ning countered several strikes with his Sixteen-Foot Golden Body, but the chapter left him being drawn into the Treasure Vase while the Dharma Conch shook his Nascent Soul.

• The Wheel-Turning King summoned a golden sea of lightning and manifested an eight-zhang Eight-Armed Buddha Dharma Form.
• Jiang Ning revealed his Sixteen-Foot Golden Body and blocked the Demon-Subduing Sword and vajra pestle, then evaded the demon-subduing hook.
• The Wheel-Turning King used the Treasure Parasol to restrain Jiang Ning, but Jiang Ning unleashed Heart Tribulation Fire and shattered the parasol and lotus with a punch.
• The Wheel-Turning King blew the Dharma Conch to attack Jiang Ning’s Nascent Soul and sent the Treasure Vase to draw him in.

Jiang Ning escaped the Treasure Vase and killed Wheel-Turning King with one punch, revealing strength far beyond Second Under Heaven. The God of Great Snow Mountain then invited him to visit, leaving Jiang Ning to consider the mysterious being’s intentions as Tianque City celebrated his victory.

• Jiang Ning expanded into his Ten-Foot Golden Body inside the Treasure Vase and snapped its chains, shattering the artifact to escape.
• Jiang Ning unleashed his full power and destroyed Wheel-Turning King’s Eight-Armed Heavenly Dragon Dharma Form with one punch, killing him.
• Zhenbei King Xu Zhen and King Beicang marveled at Jiang Ning’s strength, while the soldiers at Tianque City cheered his victory.
• The God of Great Snow Mountain appeared to Jiang Ning, denied ill intent, and invited him to visit as a guest.
• Zhenbei King Xu Zhen and King Beicang agreed that Jiang Ning might be only one step away from the world’s strongest figure.