Recaps

Jiang Ning cultivated through the night, then used a breakthrough in Literacy to gain Causality Vision and trace the curse afflicting him to an altar. He sent Jing Wuming to prepare the Crossing Immortal Gate forces for Chaoshēng Pavilion and planned to go there with him the next morning.

• Jiang Ning tempered his body through the night and gained more than three thousand Indestructible Vajra Body experience points.
• Jiang Ning told Ji Mingyue he intended to meet Chen Canghai and sweep away the sect forces in Guangning City.
• Jiang Ning read the Crossing Immortal Gate records, spent two hundred thousand Source Energy Points on Literacy, and gained the Causality Vision trait.
• Jiang Ning followed his causality threads to find the altar and doll behind his curse, glimpse the Great Xia Martial Saint, and notice Jing Wuming approaching.
• Jing Wuming reported that the surrendered Crossing Immortal Gate members had been reorganized under Yun Yinzi, and Jiang Ning ordered them to set out for Chaoshēng Pavilion.
• Jiang Ning told Jing Wuming to meet him the next morning so they could travel to Chaoshēng Pavilion together.

Jiang Ning went to Chaoshēng Pavilion to confront the returned Black Flood Dragon King Chen Canghai and demanded that he either surrender or leave Guangning Prefecture. Chen Canghai tested Jiang Ning’s strength and recognized that it surpassed the rumors, while their confrontation remained unresolved.

• Chen Canghai waited at Chaoshēng Pavilion with Chen Wang and said he would force the government troops to withdraw if Jiang Ning did not come within two days.
• Jiang Ning arrived at Liu Teng’s camp, ordered the troops to hold position, and forbade them from joining a fight without his command.
• Jiang Ning and Jing Wuming entered Chaoshēng Pavilion; its disciples and residents recognized Jiang Ning but did not stop him.
• Jiang Ning met Chen Canghai on the cliff platform and offered him the choices of resisting and losing the pavilion’s foundation or leaving Guangning Prefecture with his disciples.
• Chen Canghai unleashed his aura to test Jiang Ning, but Jiang Ning stood firm, and Chen Canghai realized his strength exceeded his reputation.

Jiang Ning fought Chen Canghai at Tide Cliff, withstood the elder’s Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Skill, and revealed a power that rapidly withered his opponent. Chen Canghai was left aged and defeated, pleading for Jiang Ning to spare Chaoshēng Pavilion’s disciples.

• Chen Canghai warned Jiang Ning of his strength and demanded that he withdraw from Guangning Prefecture, but Jiang Ning refused and gave him the choice to leave or share Crossing Immortal Gate’s fate.
• Chen Canghai struck Jiang Ning with the Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Skill, and Jiang Ning endured the icy Jin Force with his powerful body.
• Chen Canghai summoned a towering tsunami, but Jiang Ning manifested a golden giant and shattered the wave with a fist before weathering its remaining force.
• Jiang Ning used his newly comprehended Power of Wither and Flourish, causing Chen Canghai’s blood qi, cultivation, and body to rapidly decay.
• Chen Canghai aged visibly and pleaded with Jiang Ning to spare the disciples of Chaoshēng Pavilion.

Jiang Ning forced Chen Canghai to pledge ten years of service to spare Chaoshēng Pavilion, then used his Heart Blood to restore Chen Canghai’s vitality while binding him with Divine Path Authority. After Chaoshēng Pavilion began surrendering its inheritance, Jiang Ning studied the Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Skill and grasped the beginnings of its powerful techniques.

• Jiang Ning demanded that Chen Canghai serve him for ten years in exchange for sparing him and Chaoshēng Pavilion, and Chen Canghai accepted.
• Jiang Ning gave Chen Canghai a drop of Heart Blood containing Divine Path Authority and Flourish Force, rejuvenating him as Chen Canghai pledged to obey.
• Chen Canghai ordered Chen Wang to evacuate Chaoshēng Pavilion’s disciples and inventory its treasures for Jiang Ning.
• Chen Canghai handed Jiang Ning the Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Skill, and Jiang Ning quickly read its text and began cultivating it, taking Essence Pills to ease the resulting hunger.
• Jiang Ning studied the skill’s Black Flood Dragon Churns the River illustration and briefly manifested its airflow technique, astonishing Chen Canghai and Jing Wuming.
• Jiang Ning comprehended that Chen Canghai had not mastered the ultimate Swallowing Heaven and Earth profundity of the skill’s final illustration.

Jiang Ning rapidly mastered the Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Skill, demonstrated its power, and cultivated it by consuming Essence Pills and Chaoshēng Pavilion’s stored resources. By the following morning, he had reached the Perfected Realm and greatly increased his Source Energy, while nearing another breakthrough.

• Jiang Ning comprehended the Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Skill’s third diagram and demonstrated Black Flood Dragon Churns the River, leaving Chen Canghai and Jing Wuming stunned.
• Jiang Ning returned the skill scroll to Chen Canghai and began repeatedly circulating the technique, using Essence Pills to relieve its intense hunger and restore his strength.
• Jiang Ning ordered Jing Wuming to fetch Chaoshēng Pavilion’s resources, then consumed ores and treasures to replenish himself as he continued cultivating.
• After cultivating through the night, Jiang Ning reached the Perfected Realm of the Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Skill and saw his Source Energy rise to 737788.

Jiang Ning completed the Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Skill, took control of Chaoshēng Pavilion, and assigned his forces to seize its resources and suppress rival groups. After arranging the occupation and rewarding the soldiers, he returned to Guangning Prefecture, where Xie Xiaojiu, Feng Jiuge, and Zhou Xing arrived to meet him.

• Jiang Ning demonstrated the Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Skill at Great Completion, and Chen Canghai confirmed that Chaoshēng Pavilion had evacuated in good order.
• Jiang Ning ordered Jing Wuming and Liu Teng to take over Chaoshēng Pavilion, collected its resources, and left silver for the soldiers and officials.
• Jiang Ning put Chen Canghai in charge of inventorying Chaoshēng Pavilion and ordered Jing Wuming to lead troops against the Red Sand Gang and the Iron Bone Sect.
• Jiang Ning returned to his residence in Guangning Prefecture and sensed three visitors approaching.
• Xie Xiaojiu, Feng Jiuge, and Zhou Xing arrived from Dongling City and saluted Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning assigned Zhou Xing, Feng Jiuge, and Xie Xiaojiu duties to help him consolidate control over Guangning Prefecture, then gave them resources to strengthen their cultivation. After they left, Jiang Ning discussed the surrendered Black Flood Dragon King with Ji Mingyue and prepared to resume training.

• Jiang Ning welcomed Zhou Xing, Feng Jiuge, and Xie Xiaojiu, learned their current Martial Path grades, and discussed their talents and Zhou Xing's ambition.
• Ji Mingyue welcomed the three disciples and introduced herself as the Seventeenth Princess before they entered Jiang Ning's residence.
• Jiang Ning explained that the defeated sects needed investigation and reorganization, then assigned Feng Jiuge to audit seized records, Zhou Xing to investigate and punish offenders, and Xie Xiaojiu to escort sect resources.
• Jiang Ning gave the three disciples golden medicinal tea, money, and cultivation resources, and told Zhou Xing and Feng Jiuge they could reach Fourth Grade after a day of practice.
• Jiang Ning told Ji Mingyue that the Black Flood Dragon King had pledged ten years of service to preserve Chaoshēng Pavilion, then said he would practice while Ji Mingyue prepared soy-braised beef noodles and fried eggs.

Jiang Ning recovered his Divine Power, discovered that he needed 8,788 strands to reach Great Completion in the Unity Realm, and exchanged seized valuables for cultivation resources. He spent the day cultivating the Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Skill until it reached its limit, then prepared to break through.

• Jiang Ning added Divine Power to his Panel and saw that he had 10 of the 8,788 strands he believed were required for Great Completion in the Unity Realm.
• Jiang Ning sold cultivation manuals and valuables taken from Crossing Immortal Gate and Chaoshēng Pavilion at Myriad Blossom Pavilion, trading them for cultivation resources.
• Jiang Ning shared soy-braised beef noodles with Ji Mingyue, who promised to learn Sister Wan Wan's recipe after he said the beef was too salty and tough.
• Jiang Ning ate Blazing Sun Iron and repeatedly cultivated the Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Skill, rapidly increasing its experience points.
• Jiang Ning reached 10,000/10,000 experience in the Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Skill and saw the breakthrough plus sign appear on his Panel.

Jiang Ning broke through the Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Skill and gained the Whale Swallowing trait, which let him absorb Spirit Crystal Jade and strengthen his body more efficiently. After cultivating through two days of severe snowfall, he brought the skill to its Perfected Realm again and nearly reached one million Source Energy Points.

• Jiang Ning spent ten thousand Source Energy Points to break through the Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Skill and gained the deep-purple Whale Swallowing trait.
• Jiang Ning tested the trait on Spirit Crystal Jade, discovering that swallowing it let him absorb its energy and replenish his body more effectively.
• Jiang Ning resumed cultivation, finding his physique roughly ten percent stronger and his Divine Power accumulating at about three strands per day.
• Jiang Ning woke to unnatural snowfall, cultivated through the storm, and made porridge and lit a charcoal fire for Ji Mingyue.
• After two days of cultivation and using resources, Jiang Ning brought the Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Skill to the Perfected Realm again and raised his Source Energy to 987633.

Jiang Ning broke through the Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Skill, gaining the Dantian Sea trait and greatly increasing his True Essence, physical strength, and confidence in facing Unity Realm experts. Later, Shen Wenyuan brought him most of Crossing Immortal Gate’s sorted treasures, and Jiang Ning learned their value would be explained inside.

• Jiang Ning spent 20,000 Source Energy Points to break through the Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Skill, expanding his Dantian to ten times its former size and gaining the Dantian Sea trait.
• Jiang Ning tested his strength and found his physique and power had increased by about twenty-five percent, while his True Essence had doubled and his Divine Power had risen to twenty strands.
• Jiang Ning ate several purple fruits, then resumed cultivating the Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Skill until Ji Mingyue came to the backyard.
• Shen Wenyuan arrived with Ye Zhengqi and Zhuge Qingsong, bringing five chests containing ninety percent of the resources sorted from Crossing Immortal Gate.
• Jiang Ning questioned why Shen Wenyuan had brought him so much, but Shen Wenyuan said he would explain the value of the treasures inside.

Jiang Ning divided the Crossing Immortal Gate’s wealth equally with Shen Wenyuan and prepared to cultivate, while Shen praised his influence over Guangning Prefecture. The next morning, Jiang Ning discovered the panel’s origin and learned it was a manifestation of the Primordial Source Foundation, leaving him resolved to build his own future cautiously.

• Jiang Ning reviewed the Crossing Immortal Gate’s assets, valued at 630,000 taels of gold, and refused Shen Wenyuan’s offer of a seventy-thirty split, insisting on their agreed fifty-fifty division.
• Jiang Ning confirmed that Chen Canghai served him in exchange for preserving Chaoshēng Pavilion and said he planned to cultivate using the resources Shen would arrange.
• Ye Zhengqi reflected on Jiang Ning’s rise from a weak newcomer to someone who had subdued the former Unity Realm figure Chen Canghai, and Shen Wenyuan speculated that Jiang Ning might reach Martial Saint.
• Jiang Ning cultivated through the night, and the next morning the panel changed as he witnessed its origin in a purple light piercing worlds and entering a river flowing through the void.
• Jiang Ning understood that the panel was the Primordial Source Foundation, that his Source Energy had become Origin Points at a rate of ten thousand to one, and that previous owners had died after failing to reach the Supreme Primordial Source Realm.
• Jiang Ning felt relieved that he was not a pawn in another’s scheme and resolved to keep a low profile, strengthen himself, and shape his own fate.

After reaching one million Source Energy Points, Jiang Ning discovered that Origin Points could be spent to raise the ranks of his Traits. He invested heavily in Outstanding Comprehension to improve his cultivation efficiency and considered spending another 20 Origin Points on it.

• Jiang Ning continued cultivating the Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Skill through the night, then ate Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures and saw his Origin Points increase in real time.
• Jiang Ning spent 0.3 Origin Points raising Photographic Memory twice, but found its description unchanged and decided further upgrades were not worthwhile.
• Jiang Ning spent 1 Origin Point to raise Outstanding Comprehension from deep green to light blue, then confirmed that his Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Skill experience increased faster.
• Jiang Ning spent 2 Origin Points and then 10 more to raise Outstanding Comprehension to light purple, with each upgrade improving his cultivation efficiency.
• Jiang Ning saw that raising Outstanding Comprehension again would cost 20 Origin Points and weighed the expense against the broad improvement it could bring to his cultivation and training.

Jiang Ning raised Outstanding Comprehension, perfected the Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Skill, and broke through to a third level, gaining the Dragon Tendon Trait. After receiving the Red Sand Gang and Iron Bone Sect’s accumulated treasures, he spent Origin Points to improve Unity of Knowledge and Action and found that his cultivation efficiency increased.

• Jiang Ning upgraded Outstanding Comprehension to deep purple and discovered that it gave him a chance to enter Enlightenment, while his cultivation efficiency rose by about ten percent.
• After three days of cultivation, Jiang Ning perfected the Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Skill and spent five Origin Points to break through, gaining the purple Dragon Tendon Trait and greatly increasing his physical strength.
• Xie Xiaojiu and Chen Canghai delivered five chests of treasures seized from the Red Sand Gang and Iron Bone Sect, and Jiang Ning instructed Chen Canghai to give the register of their fields and shops to Marquis Wenyuan.
• Jiang Ning estimated that the five chests and the assets still to come would substantially increase his Origin Points, then spent them to raise Unity of Knowledge and Action to deep purple.
• Jiang Ning tested the upgraded Trait and saw his Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Skill experience gain increase, leaving him with 61.6 Origin Points.

After weeks of cultivation and the purge of Guangning Prefecture’s sects, Jiang Ning had greatly increased his strength but remained afflicted by a curse. Xia Xuanyan visited him and revealed that the Emperor was unconscious and Great Xia might soon face a change of ruler.

• Jiang Ning accumulated 213.1 Origin Points as the Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Skill broke through twice, strengthening his body and raising his Divine Power to 127.
• Xia Xuanyan arrived at Jiang Ning’s residence and was recognized by Jiang Ning as a powerful Nascent Soul Immortal.
• Jiang Ning welcomed Xia Xuanyan and admitted that neither Immortal Sect methods nor the Curse Killing Art had cured his condition.
• Xia Xuanyan revealed that the Emperor was unconscious and might not survive, prompting Jiang Ning to think of Ji Mingyue and her bond with her father.
• Xia Xuanyan prepared rare spirit tea and fruits in Jiang Ning’s snowy backyard.

Jiang Ning met with Xia Xuanyan, who used Profound Yellow Mother Qi Tea to demonstrate that Xuanhuang Grotto-heaven could suppress his curse and offered marriage into the Xia Family as a way to save him. Jiang Ning rejected the proposal after learning more about the curse and the Immortal Sects, then realized Emperor Changning’s impending death could plunge Great Xia into a succession crisis.

• Xia Xuanyan served Jiang Ning Profound Yellow Mother Qi Tea, which nourished him, suppressed his curse, and increased his Origin Points.
• Xia Xuanyan proposed that Jiang Ning marry his daughter and join the Xia Family, promising to help end the curse and warning that the Curse Killing Art could grow stronger.
• Xia Xuanyan said he could not identify the grotto-heaven behind Jiang Ning’s curse, and explained that the Immortals of the Crossing Immortal Sect inherited power from predecessors buried in grotto-heavens.
• Jiang Ning asked for time to consider the offer, ate the steeped tea leaves, then refused to marry into the Xia Family and swept up the offered treasures.
• After Xia Xuanyan left angrily, Jiang Ning considered the danger of a strengthened curse and learned that Emperor Changning’s coma threatened to leave Great Xia without a settled heir.

After learning that Emperor Changning was critically ill, Jiang Ning decided to return to the Royal Capital with Ji Mingyue, but first spent Origin Points to strengthen his Ten-Foot Golden Body. He tested the Divine Ability in an isolated wilderness and discovered it could expand him to a hundred feet and destroy a mountain with one punch.

• Jiang Ning decided to tell Ji Mingyue about Emperor Changning’s coma and return with her to the Royal Capital after she woke.
• Jiang Ning spent 120 Origin Points to raise Sixteen-Foot Golden Body into the Ten-Foot Golden Body Divine Ability.
• Jiang Ning left Guangning City and activated the Divine Ability in an isolated mountain forest.
• Jiang Ning’s golden body expanded to a hundred feet, and he tested its immense strength with a punch.
• Jiang Ning’s punch struck a Stone Mountain and shattered it, sending debris and snow into the air.

Jiang Ning strengthened his golden-body abilities and returned to find a letter warning that Emperor Changning was critically ill and that Ji Mingyue should stay away from the Royal Capital. After Jiang Ning told her the truth, Ji Mingyue explained that she had already said goodbye to her father and faced the danger of returning, leaving her choice unresolved.

• Jiang Ning tested his Ten-Foot Golden Body in the mountains, then spent 100 Origin Points to upgrade Dragon Elephant Power to pale gold and gain the strength of Ten Dragons Ten Elephants.
• Jiang Ning returned to his residence and read Ji Minghao's letter, which said Emperor Changning had vomited blood and fallen unconscious and asked Jiang Ning not to bring Ji Mingyue back to the Royal Capital.
• Jiang Ning decided to tell Ji Mingyue the truth rather than conceal her father's condition, believing she had the right to know and should not be left with regrets.
• Ji Mingyue said the Royal Capital was dangerous and that her brother was right not to take her back, while explaining that Ji Minghao had chosen his path as the Eighth Prince.
• Ji Mingyue told Jiang Ning that she had already seen her father for the last time and that both her father and brother had known this day would come.

Jiang Ning agreed to return to the Royal Capital with Ji Mingyue and prepared to summon his allies while training the Indestructible Vajra Body. Meanwhile, Xia Xuanyan paid the Heaven Cry Cult Master to strengthen the curse against Jiang Ning, and she summoned her Saintess to assist.

• Ji Mingyue admitted she wanted to return to the Royal Capital to see her father and brother, and Jiang Ning agreed to take her despite the danger.
• Jiang Ning arranged for Shen Wenyuan and others to manage Guangning Prefecture, sent for Jing Wuming and Chen Canghai, and began cultivating the Indestructible Vajra Body.
• Jiang Ning's training efficiency rose sharply, allowing his Indestructible Vajra Body experience to increase by nearly ten thousand before mid-morning.
• Chen Canghai returned to the city, and Jiang Ning secretly instructed him to meet the next morning.
• Xia Xuanyan asked the Heaven Cry Cult Master to increase the curse's killing power against Jiang Ning and paid her one strand of Profound Yellow Mother Qi upfront.
• The Heaven Cry Cult Master accepted the deal and summoned the Heaven Cry Cult's Saintess to support the strengthened curse.

Jiang Ning traced the strengthened curse to Heaven Cry Mountain and realized Xia Xuanyan had helped arrange it to pressure him into marrying into the Xia Family. After Xi Yan intensified the curse, the Heaven Cry Cult Master sensed Jiang Ning watching and set out for the Royal Capital using Xi Yan’s body, while Jiang Ning focused on strengthening himself.

• Xia Xuanyan joined the Heaven Cry Cult Master and Xi Yan at the altar, where the Cult Master assigned Xi Yan to intensify the curse killing against Jiang Ning.
• Xi Yan infused the Doll and its heart-piercing needle with blood, causing the curse to flare up and stab Jiang Ning with intense pain.
• Jiang Ning followed the curse’s Causality Thread to the altar, saw Xia Xuanyan and Xi Yan, and concluded Xia Xuanyan had plotted to make him marry into the Xia Family.
• The Heaven Cry Cult Master sensed someone prying into the Cave, and Jiang Ning quickly withdrew his gaze before she could identify him.
• The Heaven Cry Cult Master decided to use Xi Yan’s body to travel to the Royal Capital, leaving Xi Yan to watch over the altar.
• Jiang Ning endured the remaining curse and checked his progress, resolving to gather enough Source Energy Points to advance his Indestructible Vajra Body.

Jiang Ning completed the Inner Alchemy Nourishing Life Skill’s current realm while flying toward the Royal Capital with Ji Mingyue, Chen Canghai, and Jing Wuming. After they entered the city, rumors that a powerful figure had fallen ill spread, and Jiang Ning accepted that their return would draw every faction’s attention.

• Jiang Ning reached the Perfected Realm in the Indestructible Vajra Body but lacked the Origin Points needed for another breakthrough.
• Chen Canghai and Jing Wuming agreed to accompany Jiang Ning to the Royal Capital, and Shen Wenyuan promised to handle the remaining affairs in Guangning Prefecture.
• During the two-day flight, Jiang Ning absorbed the Great Sun Essence Qi above the clouds and brought the Inner Alchemy Nourishing Life Skill to its current Perfected Realm.
• Jiang Ning and Ji Mingyue entered the Royal Capital through the central gate, where city guards and onlookers recognized them.
• Rumors about a powerful figure vomiting blood and collapsing spread through the city, and Jiang Ning told Ji Mingyue that he did not mind attracting attention.

Jiang Ning visited the Imperial Advisor’s Residence, reunited with his family, and sparred with Jiang Yiming while Ji Mingyue learned Liu Wanwan’s cooking. He reassured Zhong Ling that he would escort her home and was startled by Su Qingying’s frank ideas about intimacy before Xiao Doubao pulled him toward Linglong.

• Jiang Ning arrived at the Imperial Advisor’s Residence with Ji Mingyue and greeted Qing He and Jiang Li.
• Xiao Doubao welcomed Jiang Ning, and Ji Mingyue gave her a sachet before joining Liu Wanwan in the kitchen to learn how to make braised beef noodles.
• Jiang Yiming sparred with Jiang Ning, who praised his progress and urged him to reflect on why he practiced martial arts.
• Su Qingying questioned Zhong Ling about her feelings for Jiang Ning, and Zhong Ling later told Jiang Ning she wanted to return to Five Peaks Prefecture; he offered to escort her after a few weeks.
• Su Qingying told Jiang Ning she understood that intimacy required them to undress and embrace, leaving Zhong Ling stunned.
• Xiao Doubao pulled Jiang Ning toward Linglong, prompting him to consider the costs and need for continuing her cultivation.

Third Prince Ji Mingyu visited Jiang Ning and Ji Mingyue, shared breakfast with the household, and urged Jiang Ning to support his bid for the throne in exchange for help curing Jiang Ning’s curse and arranging his wedding to Ji Mingyue. Jiang Ning declined for the time being, while Ji Mingyu warned that backing Eighth Prince Ji Minghao would leave them exposed amid the succession struggle.

• Jiang Li brought Third Prince Ji Mingyu to Jiang Ning’s home, where Liu Wanwan served them Braised Beef Noodles.
• Ji Mingyu asked Jiang Ning about his health and return from Guangning Prefecture, then revealed that the emperor’s condition was poor and warned that the Royal Capital was filled with political tension.
• Ji Mingyu said the emperor had left the Heir Apparent Position unresolved and declared that Great Xia needed a strong ruler to stabilize the realm.
• Ji Mingyu asked Jiang Ning to support him, promising to use the Imperial Treasury and the empire’s resources to help him escape the Death Trap of Curse Killing Art and to arrange his wedding to Ji Mingyue.
• Jiang Ning declined Ji Mingyu’s offer, and Ji Mingyu warned that supporting Ji Minghao would be dangerous because he lacked powerful backing.
• Ji Mingyu said he did not want a conflict with Ji Minghao but argued that a powerful ruler was needed to prevent the realm from descending into greater chaos.

Ji Mingyue returned to the palace with Jiang Ning and Su Qingying to see the ailing Emperor Changning. Jiang Ning briefly revived the emperor’s awareness with the Power of Wither and Flourish, and the chapter ended as Ji Mingyuan offered a Thousand-Year Shouyang Ginseng.

• Ji Mingyu urged Jiang Ning to support him in the Struggle for the Heir, but Jiang Ning refused, and Ji Mingyue said she still hoped her brothers would avoid fighting.
• Jiang Ning advised Ji Mingyue to see her father, and Su Qingying agreed to accompany them to the palace.
• At Yangxin Hall, Steward Fu initially blocked Ji Mingyue, but Su Qingying’s killing intent forced him to let them enter and revealed that Fifth Prince Ji Mingyuan was inside.
• Ji Mingyuan tried to stop Jiang Ning from approaching Emperor Changning, but Su Qingying held him back while Jiang Ning examined the emperor and found his curse had nearly consumed his vitality.
• Jiang Ning used the Power of Wither and Flourish to suppress the curse briefly, allowing Emperor Changning to wake and speak to Ji Mingyue and Jiang Ning.
• Ji Mingyuan presented a Thousand-Year Shouyang Ginseng to sustain Emperor Changning.

Emperor Changning used the Shouyang Ginseng to regain enough strength to speak with Ji Mingyue and Jiang Ning, then gave Jiang Ning the Longxiang Order and promised him three Saint King Pills. The King Beicang arrived at the palace and challenged the circumstances surrounding the emperor’s illness, leaving after urging him to settle the Crown Prince matter.

• Emperor Changning ordered Ji Mingyuan to guard the door, told Ji Mingyue he had only a day and night left, and insisted that his sons would have to fight over succession.
• Emperor Changning gave Jiang Ning the Longxiang Order to protect Ji Mingyue and promised him three Saint King Pills for awakening him.
• Emperor Changning sent a Shadow Guard to deal with Fu Dayu and then ordered another to find Hai Dahe and bring the pills.
• Ji Mingyuan announced that the King Beicang had come to request an audience, and the king entered with his son and accused Ji Mingyuan of keeping Emperor Changning from visitors.
• The King Beicang offered to examine Emperor Changning, announced he would remain in the capital, and urged him to settle the Crown Prince matter before leaving with his son.
• Steward Hai arrived carrying a wooden box, but refused to tell the King Beicang what it contained.

After King Beicang’s defiance prompts Emperor Changning to summon Ji Xuan from seclusion, Jiang Ning receives the Longxiang Order and is entrusted with protecting Ji Mingyue. Jiang Ning returns to the Imperial Advisor's Residence expecting Ji Xuan to come for him and prepares to use the Saint King Pills to strengthen himself.

• Emperor Changning gave Jiang Ning three Saint King Pills and ordered Steward Hai to summon his Imperial Uncle, Ji Xuan, while entrusting Ji Mingyue to Jiang Ning’s protection.
• Emperor Changning told Elder Ji that he had placed the secret guards under his command and had given Jiang Ning the Longxiang Order to protect Ji Mingyue and preserve hope for Eighth Prince Minghao.
• Ji Mingyuan tried to learn Emperor Changning’s plans from Ji Mingyue and Jiang Ning, but both refused to reveal anything.
• Jiang Ning told Ji Mingyue that Emperor Changning’s awakening was temporary and that he might never wake again; she thanked him as they left the palace.
• Jiang Ning returned to the Imperial Advisor's Residence, worried that Ji Xuan would confront him over Qingyi, and examined the Saint King Pills, hoping they would increase his strength.