Chapter Summaries

After Xie Yuan defeated Yu Jin and helped Iron Clothes Gate win its battle, Liu Heshang promoted him to Core Disciple and promised valuable training rewards. Liu Heshang also expelled Lin Tao for his earlier schemes, while a young man in blue watched Xie Yuan and left to report back.

• Cao Shan convinced the crowd that Iron Clothes Gate had routed Divine Weapon Hall and Black Tiger Fist Hall, drawing young men interested in learning martial arts.
• A young man in blue watched Xie Yuan from outside the gate, praised his ability, and left with his subordinates to report back.
• Iron Clothes Gate disciples celebrated Xie Yuan, and Liu Heshang praised him before promoting him to Core Disciple.
• Liu Heshang promised Xie Yuan new clothes, an Advanced Medicinal Bath, medicine packets, and personal guidance.
• Liu Heshang expelled Lin Tao for recommending Xie Yuan with ill intentions and allowed him to collect restorative medicine.

Zhang Yu Feng tried to force Xie Yuan into the County Commandant’s back garden, where servants were replaced every few months, and threatened to arrest him when he refused. Xie Yuan drew his axe to fight, but a short, fat figure burst into the tea room and intervened.

• Xie Yuan met Zhang Yu Feng in the martial hall’s tea room and refused his invitation to work in the County Commandant’s back garden.
• Zhang Yu Feng revealed that the County Commandant had taken an interest in Xie Yuan and warned that he had no choice but to comply.
• Xie Yuan realized the back-garden servants were likely killed and cursed Zhang Yu Feng for setting him up.
• Zhang Yu Feng accused Xie Yuan of several crimes and ordered him to come to the County Office for trial.
• Xie Yuan drew his axe and prepared to fight Zhang Yu Feng, but a short, fat figure burst in and demanded to know what was happening.

Liu Heshang taught Xie Yuan how to break through the First Level of Practice and warned him against rushing his cultivation. After selling wood for a profit and returning to Iron Clothes Hall, Xie Yuan learned that a county constable surnamed Zhang was waiting to see him.

• Liu Heshang explained that breakthrough required repeatedly using Blood Qi to temper the body past its limit, and cautioned Xie Yuan that rash cultivation could leave Weak Points or damage his foundation.
• Xie Yuan decided to take another Advanced Medicinal Bath after a few days of cultivation, then use the momentum to break through.
• Xie Yuan sold his cartload of wood to Boss Wan for twenty-four taels, accepting extra payment for allowing Boss Wan to use his reputation to promote wooden training equipment.
• Cao Shan told Xie Yuan that a guest surnamed Zhang, who was a county constable, had been waiting for him in the tea room.

Xie Yuan learned how the Soaring Dragon Escort Agency rewarded its members and met its young leader, Zhao Xingyang, who gave him a saber manual before departing with an escort team. The chapter left Xie Yuan at the agency with seven days to prove himself.

• Qin Hai explained that Xie Yuan would start as a runner and could earn silver and merit by completing assignments.
• Qin Hai told Xie Yuan that he would serve under Zhao Xingyang and described Zhao as a twenty-four-year-old Third Level martial artist whom his men would follow into danger.
• Qin Hai brought Xie Yuan to the Soaring Dragon Escort Agency, where Zhao Xingyang was waiting with an escort team about to depart.
• Zhao Xingyang examined Xie Yuan, gave him the Galloping Wolf Saber Art on credit, and told him he would inspect his progress in seven days.
• Zhao Xingyang led the escort team out of the agency, calling their route as the men followed behind him.

Zhang Yu Feng failed to bring Xie Yuan to Vajra Gate and was ordered to accept punishment, while the County Commandant grew interested in Xie Yuan. At the Soaring Dragon Escort Agency, Xie Yuan rapidly mastered the Galloping Wolf Saber Art, leaving Qin Hai amazed by his talent.

• The County Commandant reprimanded Zhang Yu Feng for mishandling his attempt to recruit Xie Yuan and sent him back to Vajra Gate to accept punishment.
• The County Commandant told Zhang Yu Feng to arrange for disciples to visit the Soaring Dragon Escort Agency and test Xie Yuan.
• Xie Yuan practiced the Galloping Wolf Saber Art early in the morning and quickly improved despite having never used a saber before.
• Qin Hai arrived, questioned Xie Yuan's apparent natural talent, and coached him through the saber art's techniques.
• Xie Yuan reached Entry Level in the Galloping Wolf Saber Art within a day, and Qin Hai praised him while crediting Vajra Gate.

Xie Yuan improved rapidly at the Galloping Wolf Saber Art by drawing on his axe skills and training relentlessly. Escort Leader Lu noticed his diligence and asked why a newcomer was practicing the technique.

• Xie Yuan asked Qin Hai about axe techniques and learned he could exchange merit or silver for an axe and better cultivation methods.
• Qin Hai suggested that Xie Yuan's Chopping Wood experience helped him learn saber techniques, and Xie Yuan returned to practice with that connection in mind.
• Over several days, Xie Yuan's Galloping Wolf Saber Art progress reached 404/500 as he trained from morning until night.
• Escort Leader Lu approached Xie Yuan, praised his diligence, and asked why he was practicing the Galloping Wolf Saber Art so soon after entering the martial hall.

Xie Yuan demonstrated that his Galloping Wolf Saber Art had reached Minor Accomplishment and prepared for his first escort assignment to Jinshan County. As he left Cloudshine with the small team, the Little Leopard Lord plotted to ambush them in revenge for the destruction of his stronghold.

• Lu Zhenyu objected to Zhao Xingyang giving Xie Yuan martial arts manuals ahead of schedule, but Zhao defended his approach and praised Xie Yuan's talent.
• Xie Yuan performed the Galloping Wolf Saber Art for Zhao Xingyang, who corrected his flaws and told him to repay his advanced merit on an escort job.
• Three days later, Xie Yuan reviewed his martial progress and left the escort agency with Tang Dawei, Wu Qing, and Kong Chun for Jinshan County.
• On a mountain road west of Cloudshine, the Little Leopard Lord forced two bandits to help him ambush the Soaring Dragon Escort Agency team in revenge for his destroyed stronghold.

Xie Yuan stunned the escort agency by defeating Li Guo with a saber strike that Shen Longteng recognized as carrying the power of minor accomplishment. Zhao Xingyang returned from a bloody battle with the Leopard Mountain Seven Bandits, and Xie Yuan’s name quickly spread through the agency.

• Zhao Xingyang led his injured escort team back to Cloudshine and praised their unity after they defeated the Leopard Mountain Seven Bandits.
• Xie Yuan defeated Li Guo in a spar by severing his saber with one strike, drawing astonishment from the gathered escort agency members.
• Shen Longteng praised Xie Yuan’s saber comprehension and ordered him to repay his borrowed merit points by taking assignments.
• Zhao Xingyang arrived and revealed that he had killed six of the Leopard Mountain Seven Bandits, while their badly injured leader escaped.
• The escort agency members dispersed, spreading Xie Yuan’s reputation after his impressive spar.

Xie Yuan combined a Superior Medicinal Bath with a Golden Jade Pill, dramatically advancing his Flesh Tempering and boosting his strength. Afterward, he learned that Head Zhao and the Chief Escort Leader had promoted him to Beginner Escort Master, and he was assigned to an escort mission the next day.

• Xie Yuan swallowed a Golden Jade Pill and soaked in a Superior Medicinal Bath while cultivating.
• After six shichen, Xie Yuan’s Iron Cloth progress reached 1573/2000, and his Blood Qi, muscles, and explosive power had greatly improved.
• Xie Yuan decided to save merit points for another medicinal bath and continue advancing toward the Second Level of Practice.
• Kong Chun congratulated Xie Yuan, explaining that Head Zhao and the Chief Escort Leader had made him a Beginner Escort Master.
• Xie Yuan discovered that his belongings had been moved to the Escort Master quarters and that he was expected to escort the next day.

Xie Yuan faced Meng Tuo, the Vajra Gate’s giant fighter, and used his speed to evade the spiked club and wear him down. He disarmed the wounded Meng Tuo and ended the fight with his blade at the giant’s neck.

• Xie Yuan recognized Yu Chunsheng as Zhang Yu Feng’s powerful backer and defeated another Vajra Gate disciple with Wolf King Howls at the Moon.
• Xie Yuan and Meng Tuo were the last fighters standing, and they introduced themselves before their match began.
• Meng Tuo smashed his spiked club into the arena, but Xie Yuan used his newly strengthened Inner Breath to dodge and slash him from behind.
• Xie Yuan circled Meng Tuo, inflicting wounds while the giant’s club repeatedly missed and damaged the arena.
• Xie Yuan cut Meng Tuo’s leg, knocked away his spiked club, and held his blade against the kneeling giant’s neck.

After Xie Yuan and Kong Chun killed a group of bandits, the escort agency confirmed that Scarface was the last of the Leopard Mountain Seven Bandits and rewarded Xie Yuan with a promotion to Advanced Escort. Xie Yuan returned to the village, then went into the mountains to train and found the great tree withered, with a black-robed figure standing on its roots.

• Xie Yuan killed two bandits who had been fighting Kong Chun, while a dying bandit beheaded Scarface and cursed him.
• Tang Dawei and Wu Qing arrived, and the escort team recognized Scarface as the last of the Leopard Mountain Seven Bandits.
• The escort team delivered the goods to Jinshan County, returned with Scarface's head, and received official commendation and reward silver.
• Zhao Xingyang recommended Xie Yuan for promotion to Advanced Escort, and Shen Longteng approved it at the agency's celebration.
• Xie Yuan visited Small Stone Village, gave Wang Lei and the others guidance on processing timber, then headed into the mountains to train.
• Xie Yuan found the great tree withered and its spiritual aura replaced by an oppressive presence, then spotted a black-robed figure standing on its roots.

Xie Yuan encountered a powerful Black Robed Figure at the withered Azure Tree, where she questioned him about the missing Azure Fruit and showed him a vision of humanity’s ancient history. After escaping, he warned the villagers away from the woods and discovered that Black Heaven Book had appeared on his panel.

• The Black Robed Figure seized Xie Yuan, disarmed him, and demanded to know when the Azure Tree withered and where its Azure Fruit was.
• Xie Yuan admitted that he had eaten the fruit after it fell on its own, and the Black Robed Figure released him and asked his name.
• The Black Robed Figure tapped Xie Yuan’s brow, giving him a vision of humanity’s rise and the scattering of the golden books, then warned him to keep the encounter secret.
• Xie Yuan fled home, realized the world held powers beyond what he had known, and warned Wang Lei, Zhu Dongming, and the others not to enter the woods.
• Xie Yuan checked his panel and found Black Heaven Book among his cultivation techniques and skills.

Xie Yuan helped the Soaring Dragon Escort Agency repel an ambush by the One-Eyed Stronghold in Nine Mile Gorge, earning Zhao Xingyang's praise for his decisive role. The escort delivered its goods safely, and Xie Yuan expected another medicinal bath to help him break through after returning.

• Zhao Xingyang warned the convoy that Nine Mile Gorge was dangerous and explained that bandits often attacked there.
• The One-Eyed Stronghold blocked the plank road with a boulder and attacked the convoy with bows, stones, and blades.
• Xie Yuan cut down several bandits, rescued pathfinders, and joined Qin Hai to kill a second-level bandit.
• Zhao Xingyang wounded the one-eyed strongman, who fled into the forest, and the remaining bandits retreated.
• Zhao Xingyang credited Xie Yuan with helping save the convoy, which delivered its goods safely before returning.
• On the return journey, Xie Yuan thought another medicinal bath might let him break through.

Xie Yuan was assigned to escort Situ Qin, a noble young woman returning to Yun Province Prefecture, after Zhao Xingyang could not take the job. They left with Situ Qin’s well-armed household guards, while several suspicious vendors watched the convoy depart.

• Situ Qin challenged Zhao Xingyang for refusing to escort her, so he called Xie Yuan in as a replacement.
• Situ Qin immediately accepted Xie Yuan as her escort, and Zhao Xingyang explained that he was to take her safely to Yun Province Prefecture.
• Zhao Xingyang assigned Xie Yuan to travel alone with Situ Qin, then urged them to depart at once.
• Xie Yuan discovered that Situ Qin’s household had provided a large convoy and more than twenty capable guards, making the escort agency’s banner mostly a formality.
• Xie Yuan and Situ Qin left town heading south, and several people posing as vegetable sellers exchanged glances before abandoning their stalls and leaving.

Xie Yuan confronted the Zhang brothers after overhearing their plan to kidnap Brother Lei and his family, then fought Zhang Yu Feng and overwhelmed him. The fight stopped on a shocking revelation: Zhang Yu Feng claimed he had killed Xie Yuan’s brother.

• Xie Yuan burst into the Zhang brothers’ home and demanded to know what they were plotting.
• Zhang Yu Feng drew his saber and fought Xie Yuan, who countered with his saber and axe.
• Xie Yuan disarmed Zhang Yu Feng and stopped him from protecting Zhang Lao Er from a strike.
• Zhang Yu Feng recognized that Xie Yuan had reached the Second Level of Practice and taunted him about his brother.
• Zhang Yu Feng told Xie Yuan that he had killed his brother.

During the escort journey, Xie Yuan spoke with Situ Qin, who explained how martial rankings distinguished rising young fighters from renowned Grandmasters. The chapter left Xie Yuan wondering whether the Taoist Master he had encountered belonged to the Celestial Dragon Ranking.

• Situ Qin openly praised Xie Yuan's looks, and he admitted that she was very pretty.
• Situ Qin revealed that she wanted Zhao Xingyang to work in Yun Province Prefecture, but he was unwilling to leave the escort agency so soon.
• Situ Qin explained that the Hidden Dragon Ranking listed seventy-two young martial artists, each with at least the second Qi and Blood Transformation.
• Situ Qin described the Soaring Dragon Ranking for the top thirty-six Grandmasters in the Heaven and Earth Twin Bridges Realm and said the Spring Rain Pavilion compiled the rankings.
• When Xie Yuan asked about the Inner and Outer Unity Realm, Situ Qin said its Great Grandmasters entered the Celestial Dragon Ranking.

At the Coiling Dragon Town martial hall matches, Liu Heshang fought Wang Black Tiger to a draw before facing Fang Wei and being pierced through the abdomen by his spear. The chapter ends with Liu Heshang charging along the spear toward Fang Wei with his saber raised.

• Fang Wei and Wang Black Tiger discussed dividing Iron Clothes Gate’s property before Liu Heshang arrived with his disciples.
• Wang Black Tiger and Fang Wei staged a draw, then Liu Heshang fought Wang Black Tiger with a mutual-destruction style and forced another draw.
• Fang Wei took the stage with a heavy spear and overwhelmed Liu Heshang, while Xie Yuan watched and considered stepping in.
• Liu Heshang deliberately let Fang Wei’s spear pierce his abdomen, then ran along the spear toward him with his saber raised.

Xie Yuan challenged the masters of Black Tiger Fist Hall and Divine Weapon Hall, defeating Wang Black Tiger with one punch and breaking Fang Wei’s spear with one blade strike. He kicked Fang Wei off the platform, leaving Coiling Dragon Town’s martial halls stunned.

• Xie Yuan challenged Fang Wei and Wang Black Tiger to face him together, but Fang Wei sent Wang Black Tiger to fight first.
• Wang Black Tiger attacked Xie Yuan with a blood-qi-enhanced punch, and Xie Yuan broke his palms and blasted him off the platform with one punch.
• Fang Wei took up his spear and faced Xie Yuan, who warned that one blade strike would decide the match.
• Fang Wei thrust his spear at Xie Yuan, and Xie Yuan’s blade shattered the spear’s front half.
• Xie Yuan knocked the remaining spear from Fang Wei’s hand and kicked him off the platform.

Xie Yuan cultivated the Golden Bell Cover, earned promotion to Advanced Escort Master, and led his first escort job toward Yulin County. Meanwhile, a band of men gathered at Rooster Mountain and prepared to begin a major undertaking.

• Xie Yuan practiced the eighteen Arhat images and began making progress in the Golden Bell Cover.
• After the New Year, the escort agency confirmed Xie Yuan’s promotion to Advanced Escort Master, and Zhao Xingyang praised his talent.
• Three days later, Xie Yuan reached the Golden Bell Cover’s first level and gained a major boost to his defenses.
• Zhao Xingyang assigned Xie Yuan to lead a small escort job, and Xie Yuan set out with five companions toward Yulin County.
• At Rooster Mountain, a burly man welcomed the assembled members of Three Mountains Four Waters and announced that it was time to do big business.

Xie Yuan and Mu Chaoyun reached Yun Mountain Town while fleeing Lu Lao San, found shelter, and treated their injuries as the Yunshan Sword Sect recruited disciples. Still fearing pursuit, they decided to enter the recruitment process, where Xie Yuan recognized familiar faces and encountered Cui Zhi.

• Xie Yuan and Mu Chaoyun entered crowded Yun Mountain Town and found that the local inns were full because the Yunshan Sword Sect was recruiting disciples.
• Xie Yuan and Mu Chaoyun rented a room in a private courtyard, where they rested and treated their injuries while Xie Yuan bought medicine and concealed their trail.
• After a night of recovery, Mu Chaoyun used the Eight Trigrams Plate and warned Xie Yuan that Lu Lao San might still be following them.
• Mu Chaoyun proposed that they try to join the Yunshan Sword Sect, and the two went to its recruitment courtyard.
• Xie Yuan and Mu Chaoyun reached examiner Cui Zhi, and Xie Yuan casually claimed that he had learned Cui Zhi's surname at the gate.