Chapter Summaries

Zhang Rongfang and Zhang Yunqi infiltrated Kuaiyi Island, captured three disguised members of the Jade Shop Association, and escaped before the camp could stop them. Meanwhile, Zhu Wanguo received evidence linking Aloeswood Palace to the Rebel Sect, but an explosion rocked his ship as he examined it.

• Zhang Rongfang and Zhang Yunqi disguised themselves, landed on Kuaiyi Island, and split up to search the island.
• Zhang Rongfang located and abducted three people wearing Disguise Masks, then reunited with Zhang Yunqi and returned to their sea vessel.
• The Jade Shop Association camp raised the alarm after Zhang Rongfang and Zhang Yunqi had already sailed away with their captives.
• Zhu Wanguo received a Secret Scroll documenting secret contacts between the Rebel Sect and Aloeswood Palace.
• Zhu Wanguo noticed a red light outside his ship, then an explosion violently shook the vessel.

Zhang Rongfang led a surprise artillery attack on the Thousand Sect Alliance’s ships and ordered Ling Ting forces to intercept the survivors. The Alliance’s forces were decimated, while Shangguan Lian Yue fought One-Eyed Blade Qin Xianghong near the artillery formation.

• Zhang Rongfang had Shangguan Lian Yue’s Cannons bombard the two Thousand Sect Alliance ships, setting them ablaze and forcing their crews to flee.
• Zhu Wanguo ordered the survivors to split into groups and escape, but government troops met them with crossbows, firearms, and Bull-Horned Heavy Armor Warriors.
• One-Eyed Blade Qin Xianghong evaded the volleys and rushed toward the artillery formation, where Shangguan Lian Yue confronted her.
• Shangguan Lian Yue and Qin Xianghong exchanged powerful blows as Zhang Rongfang watched with soldiers guarding him.
• Zhang Rongfang asked his two giant armored guards their names, and they identified themselves as Xia Lian'er and Qiu Rushuang.

Zhang Rongfang survived Qin Xianghong’s attack without revealing his strength, while suspecting Shangguan Lian Yue had deliberately arrived late. Zuo Han carried Qin Xianghong away and killed her after she unleashed her Spirit Threads, leaving Zhang Rongfang to return to the Dao Palace.

• Xia Lian'er and Qiu Rushuang told Zhang Rongfang they had undergone the Yin Severing Ritual as children and said Shangguan Lian Yue had saved them.
• Qin Xianghong attacked Zhang Rongfang, but Zuo Han suddenly seized her and carried her into the woodland before Zhang Rongfang had to expose his strength.
• Zhang Rongfang questioned Shangguan Lian Yue’s delayed response but praised him publicly, then ordered him to pursue the fleeing Thousand Sect Alliance members.
• Zhang Rongfang returned to the Dao Palace, reflecting that his position and protection had kept him safe without requiring him to fight.
• Zuo Han fought Qin Xianghong as she unleashed her Spirit Threads and attacked with a blade, then crushed her and left her body withered after her Spirit Threads were lost.

Zhang Yunqi’s ambush devastated Zhu Wanguo’s fleeing Secret Teaching group, but Zhu escaped into the forest, where Zhang Rongfang intercepted and defeated him. Zhang Rongfang left Zhu unconscious after stopping his hidden attack.

• Zhang Yunqi and the Rebel Sect ambushed Zhu Wanguo’s group, and Zhu escaped while Ping’er used a deadly Spirit Burst before Zhang Yunqi killed her and Zhang Zhenhai killed Han Jia.
• Zhu Wanguo fled into the forest with two subordinates and encountered Zhang Rongfang waiting at a bridge.
• Zhang Rongfang killed Zhu Wanguo’s two subordinates when they attacked him.
• Zhu Wanguo unleashed several Breaking Limits and nearly struck Zhang Rongfang, but Zhang Rongfang caught his wrist and counterattacked, crushing his chest.
• Zhu Wanguo fired a concealed silver nail, but it failed to penetrate Zhang Rongfang’s armor; Zhang Rongfang knocked Zhu unconscious and carried him away.

After destroying the Thousand Sect Alliance’s force in Citong, Zhang Rongfang learned from the dying Zhu Wanguo that Demon Eagle would seek revenge, then arranged protection and returned to cultivation. A year later, he had pushed his Hard Skill to its limit and grew concerned about the secrets of the Extreme Realm, the Heavenly Maiden Secret Treasures, and the Eastern Sect’s Human Seed project.

• Zhang Rongfang reported his victory over the Thousand Sect Alliance to the Imperial Court and interrogated the captive Zhu Wanguo.
• Zhu Wanguo warned Zhang Rongfang that his master, Demon Eagle, would target him, then died before revealing more.
• Zhang Rongfang wrote to Chongxuan for support, contacted Thousand Stone Sect, and entrusted the purge of the Hundred Changes Organization to Chen Han and Shangguan Lian Yue.
• Over the following year, Zhang Rongfang cultivated until his Hard Skill reached Ninth Grade Breaking Limits and developed a new Limit State.
• Zhang Rongfang received Chongxuan’s inquiry about the Eastern Sect’s Human Seed project and concealed his knowledge of the Secret Cache.

Zhang Rongfang overheard Citong residents debating the Jade Sea Gang and questioned a bearded stranger whose martial skill and knowledge impressed him. The stranger explained that some Extreme Realm masters could kill people who had Worshiped God through Heart-Piercing, leaving Zhang Rongfang eager to learn more.

• Zhang Rongfang listened as Whiskers argued that Citong lacked anyone capable of stopping the Jade Sea Gang and dismissed the strength of local leaders and clans.
• Whiskers embedded a teacup in a table without breaking it and claimed he had once escaped the Black List Expert Grim Moon Hook.
• Whiskers described the three stages of Martial Arts and said some Black List Experts had reached the Extreme Realm.
• Zhang Rongfang asked whether Extreme Realm masters could kill those who had Worshiped God, and Whiskers said a few supreme masters could use Heart-Piercing.
• Zhang Rongfang questioned Whiskers about Super Grade Martial Arts and gradually treated him as a knowledgeable expert worthy of instruction.

Zhang Rongfang met Yue Sheng, a disguised con artist who earned money by posing as a martial expert, while the Western Sect attacked Cloud Sea Mountain Manor to seize its Human Seed, Xu Qingyou. After learning that two Human Seeds had been found and were being hunted, Zhang Rongfang prepared to strengthen himself before the danger reached him.

• Zhang Rongfang spoke with Yue Sheng, exchanged contact information, and learned that Yue Sheng was traveling to broaden his martial knowledge.
• After Zhang Rongfang left, Yue Sheng revealed that she was a woman wearing a fake beard and muscle suit, and decided to use Zhang Rongfang's local reputation for further scams.
• Cheng Hui and two Western Sect monks confronted Xu Shenquan as their forces destroyed Cloud Sea Mountain Manor and pursued Xu Qingyou, the Human Seed and Xu Shenquan's daughter.
• Zhang Yunqi told Zhang Rongfang that the Western Sect had located the other two Human Seeds, one of whom was Xu Qingyou, and that Cloud Sea Mountain Manor had been destroyed.
• Zhang Rongfang rejected the idea of retreating into the mountains and checked his Attribute Panel, which showed his vitality at 164–165.

Zhang Rongfang investigated how Worship God martial artists’ Spirit Threads behaved during a Spirit Burst, hoping to discover the secret behind their immortality. He spotted a faintly glowing point in Han Jia’s shoulder before it vanished, and prepared to repeat the experiment to identify it more clearly.

• Zhang Rongfang told Zhang Yunqi he planned to test an idea, while Zhang Yunqi warned him to keep the method of killing Worship God martial artists secret.
• Zhang Rongfang entered the cave and repeatedly killed Han Jia, the captured Spirit Vein, to observe her Spirit Burst.
• After Han Jia’s Spirit Threads burst outward and began retracting, Zhang Rongfang used Dark Light Vision to see them converge inside her left shoulder.
• Zhang Rongfang cut into Han Jia’s shoulder and glimpsed a fingernail-sized speck of brighter Silver Light moving beneath the Spirit Threads.
• Zhang Rongfang took up the All Under Heaven Blade and prepared to repeat the experiment so he could locate the Spirit Thread core.

Zhang Qingzhi delighted Lin Qianhe by giving her rare medicinal pills, while Zhang Rongfang pursued the moving Silver Light inside Han Jia and sought Yue Sheng’s advice. Yue Sheng’s remarks gave Zhang Rongfang a sudden insight, and he left to investigate it, while Zhang Zhenhai’s gift of a golden saddle revealed her feelings for him.

• Zhang Qingzhi gave Lin Qianhe the Red Jade Heavenly Fragrance Pills, and she embraced him before happily leaving with them.
• Zhang Rongfang struck Han Jia during the sixth Spirit Burst and saw Silver Light moving beneath her flesh, but it vanished before he could track it.
• Zhang Zhenhai gave Zhang Rongfang a small golden saddle for the Double Leaf Festival, and he stored it away because he could not marry before gaining strength to face Worship God martial artists.
• Zhang Rongfang asked Yue Sheng how a heart could move, and Yue Sheng replied that people’s hearts could be in different places and move differently.
• Yue Sheng’s words sparked an idea in Zhang Rongfang, who hurried away from Cotton Cloud Residence to handle something he had thought of.

Zhang Rongfang discovered a way to stop Han Jia’s Spirit Core and kill her, then learned that Golden Wing Tower had uncovered his ties to the Rebel Sect. He went to eliminate the witnesses, while Golden Wing Tower’s Citong headquarters came under attack.

• Zhang Rongfang traced Han Jia’s Spirit Core through the Silver Threads and stopped it by striking after revealing a blood-red human-face diagram in her wounds, killing her.
• A Rebel Sect expert and Zhang Zhenhai warned Zhang Rongfang that Golden Wing Tower had captured a member who had seen him, potentially exposing his connection to the sect.
• Zhang Rongfang decided to deal with the witnesses and physical evidence at Golden Wing Tower’s Citong Branch.
• A Golden Wing Tower Black Eagle decoded intelligence identifying Zhang Ying as a Great Dao Sect Daozi secretly associated with the Rebel Sect, and brought it to Spirit Envoy Xiang Tiantong.
• Masked attackers launched an assault on Xiang Tiantong’s ship, shooting sailors with arrows and boarding from small boats.

Zhang Rongfang killed Xiang Tiantong after the Golden Wing Tower operative revealed that the Western Sect had received intelligence about the Great Dao Sect and the Rebel Sect. Learning that the Western Sect stronghold was Sea Gazing Temple, Zhang Rongfang decided to eliminate everyone who knew; the chapter ended as attackers broke into the temple.

• Black-clad attackers boarded the ship, and Zhang Rongfang pursued and killed Xiang Tiantong after he fled ashore.
• Zhang Zhenhai reported that Golden Wing Tower had sent important intelligence to the local Western Sect leader, whom they identified as Sea Gazing Temple's Abbot, Kong Xiang.
• Zhang Rongfang told Zhang Zhenhai that they could remove all suspicion by eliminating everyone who knew about the intelligence.
• Kong Xiang received Golden Wing Tower's report, ordered copies sent to the Head Temple, and told his men to hide two captured Rebel Sect members.
• Someone attacked Sea Gazing Temple, and monks cried out that intruders had broken through the gate.

Zhang Yunqi and the Rebel Sect fought Sea Gazing Temple, where the Yuan Brothers nearly killed him with their combined attack. A Bull-Horned Black Armor warrior arrived, killed the brothers, and took over the fight.

• Kong Xiang sent for Yuan Ying and Yuan Hong after hearing that intruders had attacked Sea Gazing Temple.
• Zhang Yunqi fought the Yuan Brothers, whose hard skills and combined techniques overwhelmed him and injured his arms.
• The Yuan Brothers prepared another Dual Aspect Dragon Spine attack as Zhang Yunqi decided to order the Rebel Sect to withdraw.
• A vibration preceded the wall's destruction, and a Bull-Horned Black Armor warrior charged through the rubble and crushed the Yuan Brothers against the opposite wall.
• The armored warrior told Zhang Yunqi he would take over and vowed to make everyone pay for provoking him in Citong.

Zhang Rongfang led his forces into Sea Gazing Temple, killed the Yuan Brothers, and fought through the Outer Courtyard toward the Inner Courtyard to rescue its captives. Kong Xiang confronted him, and their fierce duel continued after Zhang Rongfang proved able to withstand his strongest attacks.

• Zhang Rongfang ordered his masked men to surround the courtyard while Zhang Zhenhai and Zhang Yunqi secured the fallen Yuan Brothers as test subjects.
• Zhang Rongfang advanced toward the Inner Courtyard and killed several martial monks who attacked him with weapons, guns, and crossbows.
• Kong Xiang arrived and struck Zhang Rongfang from behind, but Zhang Rongfang matched his strength and withstood his rapid attacks.
• Kong Xiang used the Sea Sky Fate killing move, but Zhang Rongfang blocked it and sent him crashing into a wall.
• Kong Xiang recovered from his injuries, praised Zhang Rongfang as a true expert, and prepared to continue fighting.

Zhang Rongfang fought Kong Xiang, who transformed through the True Buddha Temple’s supreme Martial Arts and matched his speed with a second Limit State. Zhang Rongfang outlasted him, killed him, and revealed that he had found a way to swiftly kill Spirit Veins.

• Kong Xiang activated True Form Subduing Demon Skill and overwhelmed Zhang Rongfang with a barrage of attacks, but Zhang Rongfang used Critical State, Shrink Step, and Yin Stream to find and strike his openings.
• Kong Xiang transformed into his Asura Dharma Appearance and kept pace with Zhang Rongfang, while Zhang Yunqi explained that Kong Xiang approached the strength of a Grandmaster but lacked the realm and techniques to match one.
• As Kong Xiang began to tire, Zhang Rongfang remained unfazed, stacked multiple Limit States and Breaking Limit Skills, and shattered Kong Xiang’s elbow before striking his heart.
• Zhang Rongfang used the Autumn Rain Blade to locate and destroy the Silver Light within Kong Xiang, causing Kong Xiang to shrivel into black ash and a layer of skin.
• Zhang Rongfang told the shocked Zhang Yunqi and the others that he had found a method to swiftly kill Spirit Veins.

Zhang Rongfang and the Rebel Sect destroyed Sea Gazing Temple, rescued more than a hundred captive women, and evacuated before the authorities arrived. Sun Chaoyue later led Guardian soldiers to surround the emptied temple as Zhang Rongfang and Chen Han returned in disguise.

• After Kong Xiang's death, Zhang Yunqi ordered the Rebel Sect to purge Sea Gazing Temple and prevent anyone from escaping.
• Zhang Rongfang found more than a hundred captive Western women and ordered Zhang Zhenhai to shelter them, teach them Great Ling, and arrange work for them.
• Zhang Yunqi failed to learn Zhang Rongfang's method for killing Spirit Veins, and he reported that the missing captives had been found badly injured, with one having lost a leg.
• The Rebel Sect looted Sea Gazing Temple and left with its people and goods before the authorities arrived.
• Sun Chaoyue and another martial general led Guardian soldiers to surround Sea Gazing Temple, while Zhang Rongfang and Chen Han returned in a carriage wearing Daoist robes.

Zhang Rongfang concealed his role in Sea Gazing Temple’s destruction and had the massacre blamed on the Thousand Sect Alliance, while the case was closed without challenge. A month later, he attended a banquet for returning general Xue Chengsi as enslaved Hu Xi women and children arrived at Citong Port, and his wealth and influence in the Rebel Sect continued to grow.

• Zhang Rongfang and Shangguan Lian Yue entered Sea Gazing Temple and found its monks dead and Abbot Kong Xiang missing.
• Zhang Rongfang ordered Li Shang to investigate the massacre, while Zhao Yanting and Niluofu warned him that powerful religious groups might scrutinize the case.
• A month later, the investigation concluded that the Thousand Sect Alliance had destroyed Sea Gazing Temple, and Kong Xiang’s hollowed corpse was found near the shore.
• Great Ling’s returning expeditionary fleet brought enslaved women and children to Citong Port, and Niluofu hosted its commander, Xue Chengsi, at a banquet.
• Zhang Rongfang discussed the unity of foreign armies with Xue Chengsi as his Guardian Teaching Office profited from shipping exemptions and strengthened his standing in the Rebel Sect.

Zhang Rongfang’s growing control of Citong drew a challenge from Xue Ji, whose family appeared to be testing his strength over Princess Yongxiang’s disappearance. After learning that Xue Chengsi’s wife was an Imperial Princess and that the family would leave in ten days, Zhang Rongfang decided to endure the provocation while considering how to advance his martial arts.

• Xue Chengsi told Zhang Rongfang that the Western Sect’s True Buddha Temple was hunting Human Seeds and suggested that Citong’s disasters raised questions about Zhang’s success there.
• Xue Ji accused Zhang Rongfang of killing Princess Yongxiang and threatened to investigate him within three days, while Xue Chengsi’s guests watched the confrontation.
• Chen Han warned Zhang Rongfang that Xue Ji was a martial arts prodigy and that Xue Chengsi likely intended his son to provoke Zhang and test his strength.
• Chen Han revealed that Xue Ji’s mother was an Imperial Princess and that Xue Chengsi’s family would leave Citong in about ten days.
• Zhang Rongfang reviewed his Attribute Panel and asked Chen Han about Grandmasters and the Extreme Realm before concluding that he lacked access to the Hard Skills needed to advance.
• Zhang Rongfang decided to endure the Xue family’s provocation because the Spirit Army escorting their resources and slaves included many experts.

Kong Ding and a Western Sect leader investigated Kong Xiang’s death and the suspected Rebel Sect activity in Citong, while Zhang Rongfang learned that a powerful Mahoraga had arrived and decided to lie low. When Xue Ji came to Aloeswood Palace to provoke him and pressure Sun Chaoyue, Zhang Rongfang paid the demanded compensation and drew Xue Ji aside to discuss Princess Yongxiang’s disappearance.

• Kong Ding concluded that Kong Xiang’s killer had used an unusual combination of techniques, and the Western Sect leader ordered him and Kong Wu to investigate the Rebel Sect and the missing goods.
• Zhang Rongfang read Zuo Han’s warning about the visiting Yuan Generation Grandmaster Mahoraga and resolved to avoid drawing attention until his life reached two hundred.
• Xue Ji accused Sun Chaoyue of breaking his cup and demanded five thousand taels, claiming she could become his property if she could not pay.
• Zhang Rongfang paid Xue Ji the five thousand taels and apologized, then hinted that he had found a clue about Princess Yongxiang’s disappearance.
• Xue Ji agreed to speak privately after Zhang Rongfang suggested he had an explanation he did not dare reveal publicly.

Zhang Rongfang misdirected Xue Ji’s investigation toward Secret Teaching spies among Princess Yongxiang’s guards, while warning him of the dangers. As Western Sect investigator Kong Ding arrived at Aloeswood Palace to meet Zhang Rongfang, the investigation into Kong Xiang’s death and the Rebel Sect continued to close in.

• Zhang Rongfang told Xue Ji that Secret Teaching agents had served among Princess Yongxiang’s guards and that one had later appeared during an encirclement.
• Xue Ji said he would verify Zhang Rongfang’s clues and left Aloeswood Palace, beginning to doubt that Zhang Ying had killed the princess.
• Zhang Rongfang told Zhang Zhenhai to avoid provoking Xue Ji while the Western Sect and military forces were nearby.
• Kong Ding and his companion watched two Rebel Sect patrolmen enter Huang Jing Mountain, then decided to seek Zhang Rongfang’s help locating the Rebel Sect.
• Kong Ding arrived at Aloeswood Palace and introduced himself to Zhang Rongfang, who greeted him as a True Buddha Temple master.

Zhang Rongfang tried to conceal the Rebel Sect from the Western Sect monks while Xue Ji continued investigating Princess Yongxiang’s case. After Xue Ji was severely wounded in a clash with a Secret Teaching outpost, Zhang Rongfang treated him, and a masked intruder appeared at Aloeswood Palace demanding to see him.

• Kong Ding and Hui Jue told Zhang Rongfang they had come to eradicate the Rebel Sect, so Zhang Rongfang warned Zhang Yunqi to hide the members who knew his identity.
• Zhang Rongfang let Xue Ji investigate and arranged for him to receive information, while the Rebel Sect’s core members left Citong for a Hidden Island.
• Chen Han reported that Xue Ji had been ambushed by a Secret Teaching expert and was badly injured, so Zhang Rongfang went to treat him.
• Zhang Rongfang stopped Xue Ji’s internal bleeding, while Chen Zhong revealed that he had been held back by another expert during the attack.
• Iron Mask appeared atop Aloeswood Palace’s outer wall and demanded to know where Xue Ji was.