Chapter Summaries

Shi Xiaoyuan learned that a sunken ship held Iron Ore and was guarded by a powerful White Dragon Fish, which he suspected protected a Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasure. He forced Huang San’er to join the Green Snake Gang and prepared to follow him underwater to the ship.

• A Pointy-Mouthed Monkey-Cheeked Man brought the injured Huang San’er before Shi Xiaoyuan and said he had found a sunken ship.
• Huang San’er told Shi Xiaoyuan that a White Dragon Fish attacked his group at the ship, killing or driving off everyone but him.
• Shi Xiaoyuan concluded that the White Dragon Fish might guard a Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasure, and hoped to capture it and advance to Martial Dao Rank 7.
• Shi Xiaoyuan made Huang San’er join the Green Snake Gang and promised his family would remain safe if he cooperated.
• Shi Xiaoyuan ordered Huang San’er to guide the gang underwater to the sunken ship, and they finished preparing to set out.

Jiang Ning secretly followed Shi Xiaoyuan and the Green Snake Gang as they descended toward a sunken ship to confront the White Dragon Fish. The group reached the wreck and spotted the rare spirit fish, while Jiang Ning waited to see how dangerous it was.

• Shi Xiaoyuan prepared the Green Snake Gang to dive using fish bladders filled with fresh air, knowing he would need to face the White Dragon Fish himself.
• Jiang Ning listened from underwater, learned about the White Dragon Fish and the sunken ship’s iron ore, and decided to follow the gang and possibly take advantage of their encounter.
• Shi Xiaoyuan and the others entered the water, and Jiang Ning quietly tailed them as they descended into deeper water.
• Huang San'er guided the group toward the sunken ship and signaled his fear after spotting a flash of white in its hull.
• Shi Xiaoyuan saw the White Dragon Fish and recognized the rare spirit fish, prized for its strength and nourishing flesh.

Shi Xiaoyuan led Green Snake Gang fighters into the sunken ship to capture a White Dragon Fish and claim its iron-ore cargo, but the fish slaughtered his men underwater. Left alone, Shi Xiaoyuan chose to fight on and began a monstrous transformation while Jiang Ning watched from outside.

• Shi Xiaoyuan and his men entered the sunken ship after taking a breath of air, while Huang San'er stayed behind and Jiang Ning watched unseen.
• The White Dragon Fish ambushed the group inside the cabin, dodged their nets and attacks, and killed the Ninth Rank fighters one by one.
• Jiang Ning saw the fish’s extraordinary strength and became eager to claim it as a nourishing Spirit Fish.
• Shi Xiaoyuan decided to risk everything to kill the White Dragon Fish and claim the fish, the iron ore, and any nearby treasures.
• Shi Xiaoyuan’s body grew taller as his muscles and bones cracked, transforming him into a monstrous figure.

Shi Xiaoyuan transformed with a divine gift from the God Worshipping Sect, fought the White Dragon Fish, and survived Jiang Ning’s near-fatal saber strike through rapid healing. After revealing that the gift came from sacrificing an Innate Spiritual Awakened’s soul, Shi Xiaoyuan became fixated on taking Jiang Ning’s soul and charged at him.

• Shi Xiaoyuan transformed underwater, gained immense strength and speed, and battered the White Dragon Fish into submission.
• Jiang Ning struck Shi Xiaoyuan across the chest, but the wound rapidly healed as Shi Xiaoyuan stalled and claimed his power was a gift from a god.
• Shi Xiaoyuan explained that the God Worshipping Sect worshiped the God of Flesh and Blood and that its most precious offering was an Innate Spiritual Awakened’s soul.
• Shi Xiaoyuan admitted that he had received his divine gift by offering such a soul and tried to bargain for permission to leave with the White Dragon Fish.
• After realizing Jiang Ning would not let him go, Shi Xiaoyuan became consumed by the prospect of obtaining another gift and charged at Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning killed Shi Xiaoyuan and the White Dragon Fish, then searched the sunken ship and its surroundings for treasure. He discovered a pool of Water Within Water and found that swallowing a drop sharply increased his Swimming Experience Points.

• Jiang Ning cut apart the White Dragon Fish and severed Shi Xiaoyuan’s arms before killing him with a final slash.
• Jiang Ning claimed the White Dragon Fish and explored the sunken ship, finding its iron-ore storehouse and testing Shi Xiaoyuan’s heavy saber against his Spirit Weapon.
• Jiang Ning searched the ship and nearby area for the treasure that had empowered the White Dragon Fish.
• Huang San’er stayed behind for fear of the Green Snake Gang’s retaliation, then surfaced when his air ran out and hid beneath the ship.
• Jiang Ning discovered Water Within Water in an underwater cave and swallowed a droplet, which made his Swimming Experience Points rise rapidly.

Jiang Ning absorbed the Water Within Water in the underwater cave, gaining Swimming breakthroughs and powerful new traits. After using up the special water, he left with Swimming ready for another limit break once he gathered enough Source Energy.

• Jiang Ning tested the Water Within Water and found that absorbing it rapidly increased his Swimming Experience Points while chilling his body.
• Jiang Ning spent 20 Source Energy to break through Swimming and gained the Water Control Technique, which let him manipulate nearby currents but tired his body and mind.
• Jiang Ning broke through Swimming again, gaining Water Spirit Affinity, which enhanced his senses and greatly sped his recovery in water.
• Jiang Ning tested the new trait by cutting his arm and watched the wound heal in less than ten breaths.
• Jiang Ning absorbed all the remaining Water Within Water, filling Swimming to 4000/4000 while leaving himself short of the Source Energy needed for a fourth limit break.

Jiang Ning discovered that a black stone was likely the source of the Water Within Water, then used his Water Control Divine Power to kill nearly everyone aboard the Green Snake Gang’s tower ship. He looted the ship and set off by boat for his residence, while Huang San'er survived beneath the hull and watched in awe.

• Jiang Ning found a silver-flecked black stone in the underwater cave, suspected it had produced the Water Within Water, and carefully put it away.
• Huang San'er remained hidden beneath the tower ship as Green Snake Gang members searched for Shi Xiaoyuan and his group.
• Jiang Ning used streams of water to kill the Green Snake Gang members aboard the tower ship, including the Pointy-Mouthed Monkey-Cheeked Man, while Huang San'er witnessed his power.
• Jiang Ning confirmed Huang San'er was the coerced guide and spared him, then searched the tower ship and gathered its silver and banknotes.
• Jiang Ning loaded his gains onto a small boat and used his Water Control Divine Power to carry it toward his residence.

Jiang Ning returned home with the spoils from his attack and met Liu Qingsong, an Elder of Medicine King Valley, who questioned him about Tian Buyi’s death. After Liu Qingsong departed without exposing him, Jiang Ning quietly followed the group into the dusk.

• Huang San'er recovered on the Tower Ship, recognized the corpses as victims of Jiang Ning’s strange methods, and sailed toward shore.
• Jiang Ning gathered his spoils, including a Black Stone he hoped would improve his Bone Constitution and Swimming skill, and carried them home.
• Liu Qingsong told his companion that Jiang Ning was unlikely to have killed Tian Buyi, then waited at Jiang Ning’s house to ask whether he had seen Tian Buyi.
• Jiang Ning prepared for a possible fight, sent Jiang Li away with the family, and met Liu Qingsong in the front hall.
• Liu Qingsong used a special Gu Insect to trace Jiang Ning to the desolate island and questioned him about Tian Buyi, but Jiang Ning denied seeing him.
• Liu Qingsong left with his companions, and Jiang Ning picked up his saber and secretly followed them.

After discovering that Liu Qingsong suspected him of taking a Leopard Embryo Transformation Body Tempering Pill, Jiang Ning lured Liu Qingsong into Luoshui and ambushed him underwater. Liu Qingsong countered Jiang Ning’s strongest blade with his Fingertip Divine Power, and their fight continued.

• Liu Qingsong concluded that Jiang Ning had secretly moved his family and likely swallowed a Leopard Embryo Transformation Body Tempering Pill, but chose to return and confront him later rather than risk a clash with his protectors.
• Jiang Ning overheard Liu Qingsong’s plans underwater and decided to kill him before the pill could be discovered and the charge of seizing Tribute could bring greater trouble.
• Jiang Ning swept Wang Jiu and Wu Sheng into Luoshui, severely wounded them, and used a false Blood Serpent to lure Liu Qingsong into the depths.
• Liu Qingsong pursued the Blood Serpent, hoping to capture what he believed was a Demon, until he reached the wounded Wang Jiu and Wu Sheng.
• Jiang Ning attacked Liu Qingsong with his strongest blade, but Liu Qingsong met it with successive Iron Beads fired using his Fingertip Divine Power and began retreating.

Underwater, Jiang Ning fought Liu Qingsong, a Martial Dao Rank 7 expert from Medicine King Valley, and used his Water Spirit Affinity to withstand the elder’s attacks and read the movements of his Soft Sword. Liu Qingsong realized Jiang Ning was adapting to his techniques and turning the fight against him, leaving the duel unresolved.

• Liu Qingsong drew his Soft Sword and attacked Jiang Ning, but their first clash ended without either gaining an advantage and chipped Liu Qingsong’s sword.
• Jiang Ning recovered quickly in the water and defended against Liu Qingsong’s Rainstorm Swordplay until Liu Qingsong paused to speak with him.
• Jiang Ning confirmed that he had the Leopard Embryo Transformation Body Tempering Pill and had killed Tian Buyi, strengthening Liu Qingsong’s resolve to kill him.
• Liu Qingsong identified Jiang Ning’s lack of combat experience and launched a faster, more deceptive attack with his Soft Sword.
• Jiang Ning used the water’s movements to sense Liu Qingsong’s changes and evade his attacks as Liu Qingsong found himself increasingly pressured by Jiang Ning’s counters.

Jiang Ning used his Water Control Technique to trap and kill Liu Qingsong after the Rank Seven warrior activated a Blood Burning Forbidden Technique. Back home, Jiang Ning studied the Medicine King Valley’s Furnace Pill Transformation Art and tried refining pills, discovering the medicine had become a mass of pure liquid within him.

• Liu Qingsong activated the Blood Burning Forbidden Technique, greatly increasing his combat power, but Jiang Ning trapped him in a Water Prison.
• Liu Qingsong broke free once, but Jiang Ning formed the Water Prison again and Liu Qingsong drowned as the forbidden technique exhausted him.
• Jiang Ning searched Liu Qingsong and the two Rank Eight cultivators, then tied their bodies to a boulder and sank them into the lake.
• Jiang Ning returned home and found Strength Enhancing Pills and the Furnace Pill Transformation Art among the spoils.
• Jiang Ning memorized the art’s furnace image and used Spiritual Power to visualize it, consuming large amounts of Qi and Blood.
• Jiang Ning looked inward and saw pure medicinal liquid formed from the two Strength Enhancing Pills, then noticed something that alarmed him.

Jiang Ning used the Furnace Pill Transformation Secret Technique to absorb pills, gaining strength and improving his Bone Constitution. He brought White Dragon Fish to Canglang Martial Hall for dinner, where its effects benefited Wang Jin and the others.

• Jiang Ning absorbed medicinal liquid from Strength Enhancing Pills and the Leopard Embryo Transformation Body Tempering Pill, gaining strength and feeling his tendons, bones, blood, and organs improve.
• Jiang Ning visited Canglang Martial Hall, reassured Jiang Li and the others that his trouble was resolved, and promised Wang Jin he would perform well at the Assessment Assembly in three days.
• Jiang Ning shared White Dragon Fish with Wang Jin, Jiang Li, Liu Wanwan, and the children, warning them that its nourishing effects made it important to limit how much they ate.
• Xiao Doubao became flushed and dazed after eating fish, so Jiang Ning examined her and confirmed she was fine before taking away the rest of her portion.
• After Jiang Ning left, Wang Jin felt his body and Bone Constitution changing and realized the White Dragon Fish had caused the improvement.

Jiang Ning benefited from White Dragon Fish, underwater training, and pill refinement, bringing his strength close to three thousand jin. The next morning, he used his accumulated Source Energy to break through Swimming’s Fourth Limit Break and gained the divine power Summoning Clouds and Rain, which he planned to test.

• Jiang Ning gave Jiang Li more than ten jin of White Dragon Fish meat and put the Black Stone into a wine flask to test whether it could draw out the treasure’s effects.
• Jiang Ning ate more than five jin of White Dragon Fish meat, trained underwater at Chaotic World Beach, and gained strength and Qi and Blood.
• Jiang Ning refined Strength Enhancing Pills and part of his Leopard Embryo Transformation Body Tempering Pill, tempering his arm muscles and bringing his strength close to three thousand jin.
• Jiang Ning worried that Cao Rong and Medicine King Valley could threaten him, then resolved to grow strong enough to become Great Xia’s second Martial Saint.
• Jiang Ning spent Source Energy to advance Swimming to its Fourth Limit Break and gained the divine power Summoning Clouds and Rain.

Jiang Ning tested his Summoning Clouds and Rain Divine Ability, discovered that rain strengthened his body and let him weaponize water, then confirmed that the Black Stone boosted his Swimming Experience Points. After training and increasing his strength, he took Yang Kai to a sunken ship in Luo River Lake, where Yang Kai saw the vessel in the deep water.

• Jiang Ning summoned clouds and heavy rain over Luo River Lake, finding that the rain enhanced his recovery and senses and let him fire water needles powerful enough to damage rock.
• Jiang Ning saw silver starlight in his wine and confirmed that the Black Stone increased his Swimming Experience Points as he ate White Dragon Fish meat and drank.
• Jiang Ning trained his Inner Alchemy Nourishing Life Skill and took his strength past three thousand jin by using pills and the Furnace Pill Transformation Secret Technique.
• Jiang Ning visited Yang Kai at the Weapon Forging Shop and offered him iron ore, then took him by boat to its location in Luo River Lake.
• Jiang Ning dove deep into the lake without breathing equipment, and Yang Kai followed him to the outline of a sunken ship.

Jiang Ning settled his iron-ore bargain with Yang Kai, then visited Qingyi after reaching Ninth Rank Great Completion and refined a Leopard Embryo Transformation Body Tempering Pill while he waited. Qingyi tested his Bronze Skin and gave him the item Shen Congyun had left, revealing a Golden Body Pill and a Vajra Token.

• Yang Kai agreed to buy Jiang Ning's sunken iron ore for ten thousand taels and arranged to salvage it and settle the account.
• Jiang Ning went to the Myriad Blossom Pavilion and refined the Leopard Embryo Transformation Body Tempering Pill while waiting for Qingyi.
• Qingyi recognized Jiang Ning's Furnace Pill Transformation Secret Technique and watched him refine the medicinal power, increasing his strength to around three thousand one hundred jin.
• Jiang Ning crushed a Bronze Dagger in his bare hand without injuring his palm, confirming that he had reached Ninth Rank Great Completion with Copper-Like Skin.
• Qingyi gave Jiang Ning the wooden box Shen Congyun had left for him, revealing a Golden Body Pill and a gold Vajra Token.

Jiang Ning refused to join Vajra Temple but learned that the Vajra Token could secure one reasonable request, and he sold two weapons to Qingyi. Lin Jia'er brought him the payment, prompting Qingyi to tell her she had overstepped.

• Qingyi explained that the Vajra Token could make Jiang Ning a Direct Disciple of Vajra Temple, but Jiang Ning decided not to join because he feared exposing the Panel's secrets.
• Qingyi told Jiang Ning he could use the token to make one reasonable request of Vajra Temple, such as borrowing the complete Indestructible Vajra Body, and gave him a Vajra Pill that could help him reach Eighth Grade.
• Jiang Ning sold Liu Qingsong's damaged Soft Sword and Shi Xiaoyuan's Heavy Blade to Qingyi for a total of five thousand five hundred taels.
• Lin Jia'er brought the Silver Notes to Qingyi and greeted Jiang Ning, after which Qingyi accepted the payment and told Lin Jia'er that she had overstepped.

Jiang Ning learned that reaching Eighth Rank would let him compete for the Patrol Office Deputy Commander post, a powerful official position that could protect him and aid his cultivation. After two days of intense training and refining pills, his strength and Source Energy had risen substantially as he prepared to pursue that goal.

• Lin Qingyi ordered Lin Jia'er to kneel outside for three double-hours and Xiao Lu for two, but reduced Xiao Lu's punishment to half an hour after Jiang Ning pleaded for her.
• Lin Qingyi gave Jiang Ning information about the Patrol Office and explained that reaching Eighth Rank could qualify him for the captain assessment and a Ninth Rank official position.
• Jiang Ning read that the Deputy Commander position was also open to competition and resolved to pursue it despite the Martial Academy students who usually dominated such posts.
• Jiang Ning left Myriad Blossom Pavilion, saw Xiao Lu and Lin Jia'er kneeling, and returned home to focus on improving his strength.
• Over the next two days, Jiang Ning refined the Vajra Pill and Strength Enhancing Pill, raised his strength to 3,700 jin, and increased his Source Energy to 143.7.
• Jiang Ning strengthened his skin through the Indestructible Vajra Body and continued refining the Leopard Embryo Transformation Body Tempering Pill, expecting to gain more strength soon.

Jiang Ning met Liu Wanwan’s younger brother, Liu Sansheng, who urged Liu Wanwan and her family to return to the Liu Family and offered help for Jiang Li’s ruined arm. Jiang Ning resolved to protect his family from pressure to return, then left the meal to prepare White Dragon Fish Slices after Liu Sansheng’s remark about Liu Wanwan’s changed life upset him.

• Jiang Ning brought Xiao Doubao to the hall, where Liu Sansheng had come to visit Liu Wanwan after ten years apart.
• Liu Sansheng learned that Jiang Li’s right arm was crippled and offered to use his future Patrol Office captain’s position to bring Jiang Ning into the Patrol Office.
• Liu Sansheng urged Liu Wanwan and her family to return to the Liu Family, promising better prospects for the children and saying Jiang Li’s arm might be healed at Medicine King Valley.
• Jiang Ning judged that Liu Sansheng’s offer would leave Jiang Li vulnerable in the Liu Family and decided he would protect his family and seek a cure for Jiang Li himself.
• Liu Sansheng stayed for a meal and remarked that Liu Wanwan had once never cooked at home; Jiang Ning left the table to make White Dragon Fish Slices, displeased by the implication that she had married beneath herself.

Jiang Ning hosted Liu Sansheng with rare White Dragon Fish, and the family argued over whether Jiang Yiming should return to the Liu Family. Yang Kai arrived with the payment for Jiang Ning’s iron ore, and Jiang Ning gave part of it to Jiang Li and Liu Wanwan to support Yiming’s martial arts training; Liu Sansheng left still hoping to persuade them.

• Jiang Ning served a hundred-jin White Dragon Fish and explained that its flesh would help Jiang Yiming develop his martial talent.
• Liu Sansheng argued that Yiming would have a better future with the Liu Family, but Liu Wanwan said the choice was hers, and Yiming declared that he wanted to stay in Luoshui County.
• Yang Kai arrived with eleven thousand seven hundred taels of silver for Jiang Ning’s iron ore and joined the family for lunch.
• Jiang Ning gave three Gold Leafs and seven Silver Notes to Jiang Li and Liu Wanwan so they could strengthen Yiming’s martial arts foundation.
• Yang Kai departed, and Liu Sansheng again urged Jiang Ning to send Yiming to the Liu Family before taking his leave.

Jiang Ning prepared for the Patrol Office assessment, having reached nearly the limit of Rank 8 strength, and gave Wang Jin ten jin of White Dragon Fish meat. He declared that he would compete for Team Leader, then set out with Wang Jin and the other Canglang Martial Hall disciples for the assessment.

• Jiang Ning gave some White Dragon Fish meat to Jiang Li and Liu Wanwan for Jiang Yiming, and brought ten jin to Wang Jin because it had lost much of its effect on him.
• Wang Jin explained that the unusually large White Dragon Fish had likely neared Demon Transformation, then accepted the fish meat after discovering how much it could help him.
• Wang Jin asked whether Jiang Ning would compete for Team Leader, and Jiang Ning said he intended to claim the position as a step toward contending for Deputy Commander.
• Cheng Ran and Li Qing arrived to support Jiang Ning, followed by Zhao Hu, Zhou Xing, and Zhang Tiesheng.
• Wang Jin led the five disciples out of Canglang Martial Hall toward the Patrol Office assessment as other disciples followed to watch.