Chapter Summaries

Meng Zhao tried to save his life and keep the Emperor Yu Battle Armor from the Effeminate Fiend by claiming ties to the Demon Venerable Hall's Eighth Elder. The Fiend recognized Tan Cai'er's name but remained unconvinced, leaving Meng Zhao to prove his connection.

• The Effeminate Fiend demanded the bronze disc and explained that Drunken Spring Breeze could overwhelm even Innate experts caught unprepared.
• Meng Zhao hesitated to surrender the Emperor Yu Battle Armor, then realized the Effeminate Fiend might be linked to the Demon Venerable Hall's Eighth Elder.
• Meng Zhao argued that his dealings with Qian Jiao were meant to rob him, not collude with him, and said he had lied to Fu Qingtong about the trade.
• The Effeminate Fiend challenged Meng Zhao to prove his connection to the Eighth Elder or face death.
• Meng Zhao asked whether the Effeminate Fiend knew Tan Cai'er, and the Fiend admitted that he knew her well but questioned what that proved.

Meng Zhao used his connection to Tan Cai'er to persuade the Effeminate Fiend to test him with one move instead of attacking him outright. After Meng Zhao blocked the Effeminate Fiend’s Bright Moon Illuminates Great River palm technique with the Dragon Locking Skill, the Effeminate Fiend admired his strength and suspected he had a Special Physique.

• Meng Zhao claimed his friendship with Tan Cai'er indirectly connected him to the Eighth Elder, so the Effeminate Fiend would have no reason to harm him.
• The Effeminate Fiend offered to hear Meng Zhao out if he could withstand one move, and Meng Zhao accepted the challenge.
• Meng Zhao set the heavy bronze disc on the stone table without damaging it, impressing the Effeminate Fiend with his control of inner force.
• The Effeminate Fiend struck with Bright Moon Illuminates Great River, and Meng Zhao broke the technique’s mental assault before blocking its palm force with the Dragon Locking Skill.
• The attack drove Meng Zhao back and shook his body, but he quickly recovered, leading the Effeminate Fiend to suspect he possessed a Special Physique.

Meng Zhao spoke with the Effeminate Man about Tan Cai'er and the bronze disk, learning that Qian Jiao had been defeated and imprisoned. The Effeminate Man warned that Eldest Brother would hear of Meng Zhao’s connection to Cai'er, whom he believed intended to choose Meng Zhao as a husband.

• The Effeminate Man questioned Meng Zhao about how he met Tan Cai'er and asked about her maid Zhu'er.
• The Effeminate Man examined the bronze disk but could not discover its purpose or secrets.
• Meng Zhao asked whether the Eighth Elder had begun taking control of the Demon Venerable Hall, and the Effeminate Man revealed that Qian Jiao had been defeated and imprisoned.
• The Effeminate Man explained that he had followed Mu Ge, a devoted follower of Qian Jiao, and decided Meng Zhao’s transaction could be overlooked.
• The Effeminate Man said he would tell Eldest Brother about Meng Zhao and Tan Cai'er, warning that Eldest Brother might come to test him as a potential husband.

After the Effeminate Man left, Meng Zhao decided to focus on reaching the Innate Realm and woke Fu Qingtong and the others from their drugged sleep. The chapter ended with Fu Qingtong warned to avoid Mu Ge, though he remained uncertain he could cut ties.

• The Effeminate Man returned the item to Meng Zhao and gave him a secret location and code for reporting news about Mu Ge or Qian Jiao's faction.
• After the Effeminate Man departed, Meng Zhao resolved to enter seclusion and break through to the Innate Realm before involving himself in other troubles.
• Meng Zhao woke Fu Qingtong by stimulating his Qimen acupoint and explained that the Effeminate Man had drugged them while searching for Mu Ge.
• Meng Zhao warned Fu Qingtong that contacting Mu Ge again could put his life at risk, but Fu Qingtong gave no assurance he could stop.
• Meng Zhao taught Fu Qingtong how to wake Cang Shu Yun and the other Innate Realm Warriors, who then roused the remaining martial artists.

After Meng Zhao and Fu Qingtong departed separately, Meng Zhao reassured his three guards and returned to Zhuangzi, where he arranged affairs before entering seclusion. When a Wu Family visitor arrived, Meng Zhao delegated the meeting to Meng Chuan and Meng Rong, warning them not to promise anything hastily.

• Meng Zhao and Fu Qingtong agreed on a time for Fu Qingtong to visit, then departed separately as tensions between the Meng Family and Fu Family grew.
• On the ride back, Meng Zhao comforted Cang Shu Yun, Daoist Priest of Plucking Flowers, and Xue Huaiyong after their defeat, easing their expressions and strengthening their loyalty.
• After returning to Zhuangzi, Meng Zhao assigned tasks to his subordinates so affairs would run smoothly during his seclusion.
• Meng Chuan and Meng Rong watched Meng Zhao manage the estate and grew impressed by his ability and command of its affairs.
• When You Shuren of the Wu Family arrived, Meng Zhao declined to meet him and told Meng Chuan and Meng Rong to hear his purpose without making promises.

Meng Zhao began secluded cultivation to prepare to enter the Innate Realm and used the Evil Eye Secret Technique to connect with the bronze disc and the Azure Dragon Armor. After awakening the disc, he cut open the center of his forehead and let his purple blood fall onto it.

• Meng Zhao dismissed Meng Rong and Meng Chuan, then entered a guarded private courtyard to cultivate in seclusion.
• Meng Zhao visualized the Evil Eye Secret Technique, transforming his Mental Power and causing Little Nine to recoil in fear.
• Meng Zhao's visualization awakened the bronze disc, which spun and formed an Evil Eye of its own.
• Meng Zhao suppressed the technique's dangerous influence, seized the disc, and cut open the center of his forehead.
• Meng Zhao's purple blood shot from the wound and landed on the bronze disc.

Meng Zhao awakened the Azure Dragon Armor by feeding it his dragon blood, and the armor purified his blood and greatly strengthened his body. It fused with him and emerged as the Azure Dragon Battle Armor, restoring Emperor Yu’s armor to the world.

• Meng Zhao reopened the wound on his brow and used his dragon blood and the Evil Eye Secret Technique to awaken the Azure Dragon Soul in the bronze disc.
• After absorbing his blood, the disc transformed into the Evil Eye and attached itself to Meng Zhao’s brow before hiding beneath his skin.
• The Azure Dragon Armor circulated and purified Meng Zhao’s dragon blood, increasing his spiritual power and more than doubling his physical strength.
• Meng Zhao discovered that the armor had become connected to him like part of his body and could flow through his acupoints.
• Meng Zhao transformed the armor across his body, forming the Azure Dragon Battle Armor and bringing Emperor Yu’s armor back into the world.

Meng Zhao tested the Azure Dragon Armor and discovered that it let him sense Innate Vital Energy, strengthening his martial arts and combat power. He resolved to rely on it to conceal his Ziwei Star Destiny and make breaking through to the Innate Realm his priority.

• Meng Zhao examined the Azure Dragon Armor and sensed that it transformed his Mental Power, allowing him to perceive vital energy in the void.
• Meng Zhao used the armor to refine his Crimson Dragon Force into a lifelike Qi Dragon and discovered new mysteries in several martial arts.
• After practicing through the night without tiring, Meng Zhao concluded that the armor enhanced his abilities but did not grant overwhelming strength at his current level.
• Meng Zhao reasoned that Emperor Yu had designed the armor to guide its inheritors rather than let them depend on effortless power.
• Meng Zhao considered whether the armor could conceal his Ziwei Star Destiny from the Beitang Imperial Clan, then decided that reaching the Innate Realm was imperative.

Meng Zhao reflected on his Martial Dao journey and used his peak Houtian foundation to break through into the Innate Realm. He opened the two nostril orifices and the mouth orifice in a feat called Break Three Passes.

• Meng Zhao calmed his doubts and chose to break through while his cultivation and physique were at their peak.
• Meng Zhao recalled how Zhao Hun had taught him basic martial arts and later instilled internal force in him, beginning his rise as a martial artist.
• Meng Zhao drew on the martial arts he had studied as his body and internal force transformed through the breakthrough.
• Meng Zhao directed three scarlet true dragon forces at the mouth and nostril orifice gates.
• Meng Zhao shattered all three gates and opened the three Innate orifices.

Meng Zhao broke through into the Innate Realm, transforming his inner power and blood as the Ziwei Star recognized him as its Star Lord. His emergence clouded Celestial Master Zhang’s predictions and began weakening the Beitang Imperial Clan’s fortune, though the throne was not immediately threatened.

• Meng Zhao absorbed countless kinds of vital energy, which his Crimson Dragon Force subdued and transformed into powerful true qi.
• Meng Zhao’s blood changed to radiant purple essence, and a vision revealed the Ziwei Star as he became its Star Lord.
• Across the Divine Land, people looked up as the Ziwei Star blazed and sent a cascade of light over the continent.
• Celestial Master Zhang realized the Star Lord’s appearance had obscured the future and made the outcome of the southern war uncertain.
• Celestial Master Zhang warned his young attendant not to repeat their discussion and calculated that Beitang Sheng would keep the throne for now.
• Celestial Master Zhang saw that the Beitang Imperial Clan’s fortune was declining, threatening Great Yong’s predicted national destiny of three hundred and eighteen years.

Meng Zhao fully awakened his Purple Origin Dragon Body and Ziwei Treasure Body, gaining extraordinary physical and spiritual abilities as well as three powerful secret arts. With the Azure Dragon Armor concealing his Ziwei Star Power, he believed he could avoid discovery and prepared to test the limits of his transformed foundation.

• Beitang Sheng learned that a Ziwei Star Lord had emerged and ordered the imperial clan to find and kill the person if they resisted.
• Meng Zhao experienced a profound transformation as his Purple Origin Dragon Body and Ziwei Treasure Body fully awakened.
• Meng Zhao used his enhanced comprehension to revise Plum Blossom Hand into the more powerful thirty-six-move Plum Blossom Wishful Hand.
• Meng Zhao comprehended the Ziwei Star Swallowing Technique, Purple Haze Treasure Robe, and Purple Pole Returning Origin secret arts.
• Meng Zhao's dragon tattoo became complete with Ziwei Star as its pearl, then concealed itself as his Azure Dragon Armor sealed away the Star Power.
• Meng Zhao decided to test how far his newly perfected foundation could take him, confident that his Ziwei nature would remain hidden.

Meng Chuan demonstrated how his martial arts had improved by evading a barrage from twelve Vermilion Bird Divine Guards, but Meng Rong’s praise of Meng Zhao left him feeling envious. He and Meng Rong wondered about Meng Zhao’s six-day seclusion, and Meng Chuan suspected his brother was preparing to enter the Innate Realm.

• Meng Chuan evaded arrows and bolts fired from four directions by twelve Vermilion Bird Divine Guards, showing that his footwork had advanced.
• Meng Rong praised Meng Chuan’s improved ability, and he explained that fighting to save her had given him new insight into the Martial Dao.
• Meng Rong compared Meng Chuan unfavorably with Meng Zhao, prompting Meng Chuan to reflect on how rapidly his Fourth Brother had surpassed him.
• Meng Rong worried that Meng Zhao had been in seclusion for six days, and Meng Chuan guessed that he was nearing a breakthrough into the Innate Martial Dao.

Meng Chuan and Meng Rong learned that Meng Zhao had emerged from seclusion, then saw that he looked younger and carried an unusually plain, natural air. The chapter revealed that his transformation came from the Azure Dragon Armor, though the armor’s full mysteries remained unexplored.

• Meng Chuan and Meng Rong speculated about how Meng Zhao’s strength might change after entering the Innate Realm.
• A Meng Mansion warrior informed Meng Chuan that Meng Zhao had emerged from seclusion and wanted to see him in the study.
• Meng Chuan and Meng Rong arrived at the study, where Meng Zhao’s trusted aides and other important figures had gathered.
• Meng Chuan and Meng Rong were shocked to see that Meng Zhao looked several years younger and seemed completely ordinary.
• Meng Chuan suspected Qi Deviation, but the chapter explained that Meng Zhao’s natural plainness came from a wondrous function of the Azure Dragon Armor.

After emerging from seclusion transformed, Meng Zhao learned about the Wu and Xun Families’ response to Meng Rong’s abduction and considered their motives. Meng Rong rejected the idea of letting the Xun Family escape responsibility, and Meng Zhao promised to hear You Shuren out without letting her suffer a grievance.

• Meng Rong asked about Meng Zhao’s youthful appearance, and the Innate Realm Warriors present sensed how overwhelmingly powerful he had become.
• Meng Zhao heard reports about recent developments, including Night Cat’s slain agent, and asked about the Wu and Xun Families.
• Meng Chuan explained that You Shuren had apologized and brought gifts on behalf of both families, promising to discuss an important matter after Meng Zhao emerged.
• Han Pu suspected the Xun Family was using the Wu Family to shoulder the blame, prompting Meng Rong to insist that the Xun Family answer for Xun Tao’s role in her abduction.
• Meng Zhao reasoned that Xun Min was trying to protect his position and planned to demand compensation, then reassured Meng Rong that he would not let her suffer a grievance.

While hiding in the Hundred Fragrances Garden, Tie Xiongfei worried that both Meng Zhao and the Young Master might use him for their own ends. A mysterious note offered him a possible escape, and he decided to follow its instructions to Tian Ming Pavilion.

• Tie Xiongfei cultivated diligently while waiting to learn whether the Dark Sun assassins would strike at Meng Zhao again.
• Tie Xiongfei received word that the Xun Family and Wu Family would compensate Meng Zhao, leaving him frustrated and suspicious of the Young Master.
• An unknown visitor broke the room’s bolt, slipped a note inside, and left without entering.
• Tie Xiongfei read an invitation to meet at private room number three in Tian Ming Pavilion within a quarter of an hour.
• After weighing the dangers of staying with the Young Master or facing the Meng Family, Tie Xiongfei decided to go to the meeting.

Tie Xiongfei met the Bronze Masked Man, who offered him a way out of his predicament with Meng Zhao and Song Zhiwen by joining a powerful organization. The chapter ended with Tie Xiongfei questioning the man about his identity and the force behind him.

• Tie Xiongfei disguised himself and went to Tian Ming Pavilion to meet the person who had summoned him.
• Tie Xiongfei grew furious when he saw that the Bronze Masked Man was only a Houtian Realm martial artist, but the man argued that he could still help him escape Meng Zhao and Song Zhiwen.
• The Bronze Masked Man revealed detailed secrets about Song Zhiwen, including his training under Smiling Monk and his Spiritual Heart Wisdom Body.
• The Bronze Masked Man claimed his organization was powerful enough to crush Song Zhiwen and Meng Zhao and invited Tie Xiongfei to join.
• Tie Xiongfei doubted the man’s boasts but suspected a vast force stood behind him, so he asked who the man was and what organization he represented.

Tie Xiongfei joined the Masked Man’s organization after weighing the danger of remaining under Song Zhiwen and the threat posed by Meng Zhao. The Masked Man revealed that Meng Zhao had once belonged to the organization, leaving Tie Xiongfei stunned and doubtful.

• The Masked Man demanded Tie Xiongfei choose whether to join him or leave, promising to keep their meeting secret either way.
• Tie Xiongfei stayed, removed his bamboo hat, and accepted a cup of tea, committing himself to the Masked Man.
• The Masked Man warned that Song Zhiwen would likely sacrifice Tie Xiongfei to Meng Zhao, who would not forgive his past attempt on his life.
• The Masked Man explained that Meng Zhao had once belonged to his organization, learned its martial arts, and received its support before trying to go his own way.
• Tie Xiongfei rejected the claim as impossible because Meng Zhao came from a powerful clan and had spent ten years at Benevolence Temple.

Tie Xiongfei accepted the Masked Man’s offer of help and revealed that Meng Zhao’s Eternal Mausoleum concealed an Ancient Battlefield. The Masked Man planned to deal with Meng Zhao, negotiate with Song Zhiwen, and put Tie Xiongfei in charge of representing him in the matter.

• Tie Xiongfei suspected the Masked Man belonged to a powerful organization that might once have recruited Meng Zhao.
• The Masked Man offered to defeat Meng Zhao, make peace with Song Zhiwen, and help Tie Xiongfei rebuild his gang.
• Tie Xiongfei revealed that Song Zhiwen had discovered an Ancient Battlefield hidden within Meng Zhao’s Eternal Mausoleum.
• The Masked Man explained that the battlefield’s lingering aura was its greatest treasure and said its existence would make Song Zhiwen easier to negotiate with.
• The Masked Man told Tie Xiongfei to represent him in the matter, and Tie Xiongfei agreed, pleased at the chance to turn his fortunes around.

Tie Xiongfei and the Masked Man discussed how to kill Meng Zhao, but neither was sure they could overcome the hidden advantage that had foiled Dark Sun’s ace assassin. Tie Xiongfei proposed recruiting a powerful martial arts fanatic who was imprisoned after crippling an Innate Master of the Ding Family.

• Tie Xiongfei warned the Masked Man that Meng Zhao had powerful allies and had survived an assassination attempt by Dark Sun’s ace assassin.
• The Masked Man proposed luring Meng Zhao out alone while Tie Xiongfei killed him quickly, but Tie Xiongfei admitted he could not guarantee success.
• The Masked Man asked Tie Xiongfei to recommend formidable fighters to strengthen their plan.
• Tie Xiongfei identified a martial arts fanatic whose strength had neared Qi Condensation into Gang two years earlier.
• Tie Xiongfei explained that the fighter was imprisoned after crippling an Innate Master of the Ding Family, and that the City Lord’s Mansion had intervened to save him.

The Masked Man learned Yang Cai’s history and why he had been imprisoned, then agreed to arrange his release so he could be used against Meng Zhao. He ordered Tie Xiongfei to accompany him as he set the plan in motion.

• Tie Xiongfei told the Masked Man that Yang Cai was a martial arts prodigy raised by an old boxing master and imprisoned after crippling a Ding Family disciple.
• Tie Xiongfei explained that Beitang Ang had intervened because of his friendship with Yang Cai’s old boxing master, while the Ding Family continued to target Yang Cai in prison.
• Tie Xiongfei described how Yang Cai endured the prison attacks, trained relentlessly, and defeated those sent against him.
• The Masked Man recognized Tie Xiongfei was testing his ability to free Yang Cai and agreed to bring him out to help deal with Meng Zhao.
• The Masked Man told Tie Xiongfei to come with him as he began setting the release plan in motion.