Chapter Summaries

Jiang Liu began cultivating with the Flowing Cloud Sect at night to strengthen his body faster while continuing his training at the Listening Wind Pavilion by day. In Xun Province, the Dao Sect’s leaders discussed their strength and feared that a lack of younger successors would leave the sect vulnerable.

• Jiang Liu told Murong Yin and Feng Yue that he would cultivate at the Flowing Cloud Sect’s residence at night, and they supported his efforts to grow stronger.
• Jiang Liu joined Tang Wanyu, Chen Xiaoyun, Elder Liuxing, and Elder Yun Yue to cultivate the Star Cloud Saint Art, and all five found their body-strengthening progress faster.
• Jiang Liu began returning to the Flowing Cloud Sect’s residence each evening and training at the Listening Wind Pavilion during the day, leaving Tang Wanyu frustrated when he departed without greeting her.
• Dao Xing, Dao Sheng, and Dao Hai discussed the Dao Sect’s situation in its temporary residence in Gan County and recognized that the sect lacked a younger generation capable of succeeding its older Grandmasters.
• The Dao Sect’s leaders remained committed to fighting the Ghost School despite knowing that members of the Lotus Sect alliance might be colluding with Corpse Valley.

The Dao Sect discovered proof that the Lotus Sect, Buddhist Sect, and White Saint Society were colluding with Corpse Valley, but chose to remain in the alliance until the Ghost School was eliminated. Fighting intensified across Xun Province after the Martial Prohibition Hall destroyed the Ji Family, and the two alliances eventually reached another deadlock.

• The Dao Sect's three Grandmaster Vice Sect Leaders decided to keep the Corpse Valley evidence quiet, destroy the Ghost School's forces, and then leave the alliance.
• The Lotus Sect, Buddhist Sect, White Saint Society, and Sun Moon Sect planned to seize territory from the Five Great Families and Ghost School alliance before parting ways with the Dao Sect.
• Both alliances escalated their fighting in Xun Province, while the Lotus Sect, Buddhist Sect, White Saint Society, and Dao Sect concealed where missing corpses and injured martial practitioners had gone.
• News arrived that the Martial Prohibition Hall had exterminated the Ji Family, killing Ji Qiang and Ji Xingfeng and driving Liu Yihang and Wang Dali to flee.
• The Five Great Families and Ghost School alliance checked its retreat and reclaimed some territory amid Ji Xingyu's attacks, but both alliances soon returned to a deadlock.

Zheng Xueyi used the Zheng Family’s strength to bring Dui Province’s factions under an alliance led by his family. Meanwhile, Jiang Liu completed strengthening every bone in his body and prepared to begin strengthening his blood vessels.

• Zheng Xueyi schemed to divide the Moonfall Sect, Hundred Fists Gate, and Sword Worship Villa by separately approaching the latter two factions.
• Hundred Fists Gate, Sword Worship Villa, and the Moonfall Sect each sought an alliance with the Zheng Family, bringing Dui Province under its factional alliance.
• Jiang Liu completed strengthening all the bones in his body, startling Elder Liuxing, Yun Yue, Tang Wanyu, and the others with his rapid progress.
• Jiang Liu discovered that his strengthened bones were several times stronger and could hold more essence, increasing his reserves and cultivation potential.
• Jiang Liu decided to draw in Star Power and begin strengthening the blood vessels throughout his body.

Jiang Liu endured the bloody process of strengthening his blood vessels after completing the tempering of his bones, then returned to the Listening Wind Pavilion to meditate. On New Year's Eve, he prepared to move back to the family estate and visit the Feng Family, and went to the Flowing Cloud Sect's residence to discuss the evening's cultivation arrangements.

• Jiang Liu began strengthening his blood vessels, which ruptured and bled before Star Power repaired them, forcing him to stop and rest.
• Elder Liuxing and the others realized Jiang Liu was tempering his blood vessels, and his dedication inspired the four women to cultivate more diligently.
• Jiang Liu washed away the blood, returned to the Listening Wind Pavilion, and meditated through the night.
• On New Year's Eve, Jiang Liu told Murong Yin and Feng Yue that they would move back to the large estate and attend dinner at the Feng Family, while he went to handle other matters.
• Jiang Liu visited the Flowing Cloud Sect's residence and told Elder Liuxing, Elder Yun Yue, Tang Wanyu, and Chen Xiaoyun that he had finished strengthening all his bones.

On New Year's Eve, Jiang Liu told the Flowing Cloud Sect elders he would stop cultivating with them and explained how to strengthen their blood vessels. He visited Murong Aotian, then returned home and carefully examined his body before beginning blood-vessel strengthening.

• Jiang Liu told the four elders he would no longer cultivate with them and explained the precautions for strengthening blood vessels.
• The four asked Jiang Liu about cultivation, especially Bone Tempering, before he left the Flowing Cloud Sect's base.
• Jiang Liu visited Murong Aotian at Ascension Tower, discussed events across Great Qian, and asked about his condition.
• Jiang Liu returned to his residence, where Murong Yin and Feng Yue prepared New Year's supplies and gifts with Cuier and Xiao He.
• Jiang Liu examined his meridians and entire body with origin qi and mental power, finding nothing unusual.

Jiang Liu visited the Feng Family for a New Year's Eve banquet, where Old Master Feng decided Feng Boxing should give way to Feng Boyun if he would not draw closer to Jiang Liu. After returning home, Jiang Liu put off having children with Murong Yin and Feng Yue until the turmoil had passed, while the Feng Family later supported his two pavilions.

• Jiang Liu arrived at the Feng Family with Murong Yin, Feng Yue, Cuier, and Xiao He, and Feng Yunshi and Tang Xiaorou welcomed them.
• Old Master Feng hosted Jiang Liu at the banquet and signaled his displeasure with Feng Boxing, who feared losing his position as family head.
• After the banquet, Jiang Liu visited Feng Boyun's courtyard before leaving with Murong Yin and Feng Yue, while Old Master Feng resolved to replace Feng Boxing if he would not approach Jiang Liu.
• After the first lunar month, Old Master Feng removed Feng Boxing as family head and appointed Feng Boyun, whose family then helped Listening Wind Pavilion and Gentle Rain Pavilion grow.
• Feng Yue told Jiang Liu that Tang Xiaorou had asked when they would have children, and Jiang Liu said they should wait a few years because the situation was too chaotic.

The Martial Prohibition Hall destroyed the Ji Family on New Year’s Eve, leaving four Grandmasters alive and throwing Great Qian’s Jianghu forces into alarm. Jiang Liu suspected Lu Tianheng was hunting Grandmasters to cultivate an evil art, unaware that Lu had deliberately spared the four survivors because too many people were present.

• News reached Jiang Liu that the Martial Prohibition Hall had wiped out the Ji Family, with Ji Xingfeng, Ji Qiang, Liu Yihang, and Wang Dali escaping.
• The Confucian Sect praised the attack and faced harsher crackdowns, while the National Preceptor's Mansion declared support for the Martial Prohibition Hall.
• The Wang Family and Liu Family retreated as rival forces seized territory, while the Three Sects stayed focused on cultivation and did not respond.
• Other Jianghu forces grew wary of the Three Sects’ silence and began tightening defenses and forming alliances.
• Jiang Liu wondered why Lu Tianheng had spared four Grandmasters and concluded that Lu was likely cultivating an evil art by hunting Grandmasters.
• Lu Tianheng had deliberately allowed the four Grandmasters to escape because the large crowd made it inconvenient to act.

Lu Tianheng pursued Ji Qiang, Ji Xingfeng, Liu Yihang, and Wang Dali as they fled through a forest, forcing them to split up. He caught up with Ji Xingfeng and then Ji Qiang, leaving Ji Qiang trapped beneath his attack.

• Ji Qiang proposed splitting into two groups, and he fled with Ji Xingfeng while Liu Yihang and Wang Dali took another route.
• Lu Tianheng divided his pursuers, then raced after Ji Qiang and Ji Xingfeng while Chen Qiansong pursued Liu Yihang and Wang Dali.
• Lu Tianheng struck Ji Xingfeng and continued after Ji Qiang, while two Martial Prohibition Hall Grandmasters arrived to fight Ji Xingfeng.
• Ji Qiang mistook the battle behind him for a chance to escape, but Lu Tianheng caught up and sent towering trees crashing into him.
• Lu Tianheng appeared above Ji Qiang and challenged him to escape.

Lu Tianheng defeated and captured Ji Qiang, then sealed Ji Xingfeng’s dantian after his subordinates wore him down. With Yu Qi and He Baiyi, Lu Tianheng resumed following Chen Qiansong’s trail, intent on capturing all four Grandmasters.

• Lu Tianheng overwhelmed Ji Qiang and used his Crimson Greatsword to damage Ji Qiang’s dantian and spiritual sea.
• Lu Tianheng wore Ji Qiang down, sealed his dantian to prevent self-detonation, and carried him to Ji Xingfeng’s battlefield.
• Lu Tianheng found Ji Xingfeng exhausted from fighting Yu Qi and He Baiyi, then sealed Ji Xingfeng’s dantian.
• Lu Tianheng praised Yu Qi and He Baiyi, and the three restored their vital energy for about an hour.
• Yu Qi and He Baiyi carried Ji Qiang and Ji Xingfeng as Lu Tianheng led them onward along Chen Qiansong’s trail.

Liu Yihang and Wang Dali fled into the desert to escape Chen Qiansong’s pursuit and were forced to fight a horde of Sand Devouring Serpents. Chen Qiansong and his companions followed, suffered severe injuries, and retreated into the forest, still unable to catch their targets.

• Liu Yihang and Wang Dali entered the desert, hoping to use its terrain to escape their pursuers.
• Liu Yihang and Wang Dali encountered a horde of Sand Devouring Serpents and fought them with their weapons and essence-qi barriers.
• Chen Qiansong and the other three followed the combat fluctuations into the desert and were attacked by another horde of Sand Devouring Serpents.
• He Chu cut off his bitten left arm, while Chen Qiansong cut off Liu Changxing’s bitten right foot and carried him toward the forest.
• Chen Qiansong and his companions escaped into the forest, where the serpents eventually withdrew, leaving He Chu and Liu Changxing gravely injured and Liu Yihang and Wang Dali uncaught.

Liu Yihang and Wang Dali were overwhelmed by the Sand Devouring Serpents and their king while trying to escape into the forest. They survived after losing a leg and an arm, and later became a two-man team known as Crippled Heaven and Maimed Earth.

• Liu Yihang and Wang Dali retreated toward the forest but found more Sand Devouring Serpents blocking their way.
• The Sand Devouring Serpent King arrived and attacked them as they fled deeper into the forest.
• Wang Dali lost his right hand to venom and cut it off, while Liu Yihang severed his left leg after the king bit him.
• Wang Dali and Liu Yihang regrouped, killed the serpents pursuing them, and fled dozens of li into the forest to recover.
• The Jianghu later named the pair Crippled Heaven and Maimed Earth for their missing limbs.

Lu Tianheng took Ji Qiang and Ji Xingfeng to a cave and revealed that he cultivated an evil art by devouring martial artists. Jiang Zongquan witnessed him devour Ji Xingfeng, realized Lu Tianheng could threaten the Great Qian Imperial Family, and fled to warn against the danger.

• Lu Tianheng abandoned the pursuit of Liu Yihang and Wang Dali after Chen Qiansong reported that Sand Devouring Serpents had killed two Grandmasters.
• A Vice Centurion told Lu Tianheng that the Martial Prohibition Hall had crushed the Ji Family's principal forces in You Prefecture and was purging the remaining members.
• Lu Tianheng took Ji Qiang and Ji Xingfeng to a secluded cave while his subordinates went to rest.
• Lu Tianheng used his blood-mist cultivation art to devour Ji Xingfeng, then waited for his strength to stabilize before turning to Ji Qiang.
• Jiang Zongquan secretly watched Lu Tianheng devour Ji Xingfeng, recognized his evil art, and retreated while Lu Tianheng prepared to devour Ji Qiang.

Jiang Lan and Jiang Zongquan planned to expose Lu Tianheng’s practice of the Bloodthirsty Evil Art and use public pressure to force the Three Sects to act against him. Lu Tianheng remained unaware that his secret had been exposed and left for Mo Prefecture with Chen Qiansong.

• Jiang Zongquan hurried to the palace and told Jiang Lan that Lu Tianheng was practicing the Bloodthirsty Evil Art.
• Jiang Lan proposed secretly spreading the news to provoke a punitive campaign and make the Three Sects seek cooperation with the imperial family.
• Jiang Lan and Jiang Zongquan discussed the plan in detail, while deciding to keep Jiang Zongquan’s advancement to a Peak Grandmaster concealed.
• Lu Tianheng continued cultivating after devouring Ji Qiang, hoping to grow stronger and eventually take revenge on Dao Fan Shangren.
• Lu Tianheng returned to the small county town, found that He Chu and Liu Changxing had left, and departed for Mo Prefecture with Chen Qiansong.

Rumors spread across Great Qian that Lu Tianheng had devoured Ji Xingfeng and Ji Qiang to cultivate the Bloodthirsty Evil Art, prompting martial artists to demand answers from the Martial Prohibition Hall. With Duanmu Haotian still missing, Flowing Cloud Matriarch went to consult Gongsun Haoyue about confronting Lu Tianheng and handling the Imperial Family.

• A martial artist in a You Prefecture teahouse accused Lu Tianheng of devouring Ji Xingfeng and Ji Qiang to cultivate the Bloodthirsty Evil Art, and the crowd resolved to demand proof from the Martial Prohibition Hall.
• The accusation spread throughout Great Qian, drawing martial artists toward Mo Province and uniting them in denouncing Lu Tianheng and the Martial Prohibition Hall.
• In Xun Province, Ji Xingyu grieved over his relatives’ fate, and the Lotus Sect Alliance and the five great families of the Ghost School called a temporary truce.
• Jiang Liu showed no surprise at the news, while Flowing Cloud Matriarch recognized that the secret she and Gongsun Haoyue had concealed was now public.
• Flowing Cloud Matriarch decided they might need Dao Fan Shangren and a compromise with the Great Qian Imperial Family to capture Lu Tianheng, then flew to the Star Moon Sect to speak with Gongsun Haoyue.

Dao Fan Shangren and the Martial Prohibition Hall’s Grandmasters reacted to news that Lu Tianheng had cultivated the Bloodthirsty Evil Art. With Lu Tianheng missing and the Hall unable to agree on a response, its Grandmasters split into three factions.

• Dao Fan Shangren realized Lu Tianheng’s unusual blood qi had likely come from the Bloodthirsty Evil Art and anticipated that the three sects might seek his help.
• The twelve Grandmaster Deputy Commanders in Mo Province worried that Lu Tianheng’s exposure would leave the Martial Prohibition Hall vulnerable to the three sects, the imperial family, and the National Preceptor's Mansion.
• Chen Qiansong suggested explaining the situation to the three sects and Jiang Lan, but Tang Fei and Cheng Tian objected that Ji Qiang and Ji Xingfeng were missing.
• The Grandmasters failed to agree on a response and dispersed, while the Martial Prohibition Hall ignored the martial artists gathering outside.
• Chen Qiansong, Ming Chengyun, Li Xuewu, Jiang Congyue, and He Chu gathered to drink, while Tang Fei, Cheng Tian, and Sun Yunlu met separately and the remaining Grandmasters stayed neutral.

Flowing Cloud Matriarch and Gongsun Haoyue traveled to the imperial capital to enlist Dao Fan Shangren in capturing Lu Tianheng. After agreeing to set out for Mo Province, Jiang Lan privately told Jiang Zongquan to ensure Lu Tianheng was killed so the imperial family could control the Martial Prohibition Hall.

• Flowing Cloud Matriarch and Gongsun Haoyue demanded that the Great Qian Imperial Family explain Lu Tianheng's actions, and Jiang Lan asked them to help capture him.
• Flowing Cloud Matriarch and Gongsun Haoyue arrived in Sky City, where Jiang Lan welcomed them and received them at the imperial palace.
• Gongsun Haoyue refused to promise Jiang Lan that Lu Tianheng would be handed over to the imperial family after his capture.
• Dao Fan Shangren agreed to join Flowing Cloud Matriarch and Gongsun Haoyue in capturing Lu Tianheng, while offering to restrain the Jianghu forces.
• Jiang Lan, Dao Fan Shangren, and Gongyang Zhuang agreed to travel to Mo Province at dawn to search for Lu Tianheng.
• Jiang Lan privately urged Jiang Zongquan to kill Lu Tianheng so the imperial family could take control of the Martial Prohibition Hall, and Jiang Zongquan agreed.

Duanmu Haotian returned to Haotian Sect and learned about the sect’s affairs, including Lu Tianheng’s cultivation of an evil technique and the other sects’ plan to seek Dao Fan’s help. He ordered investigations into people whose temperaments or strength had changed suddenly and prepared to go to Mo Province to confront Lu Tianheng.

• Chang Luo and Chang Tian greeted Duanmu Haotian when he returned to Haotian Sect, and he ordered them to summon the elders.
• Duanmu Haotian heard reports from the elders and learned that Flowing Cloud Matriarch and Gongsun Haoyue had gone to the imperial city to invite Dao Fan to help deal with Lu Tianheng.
• Duanmu Haotian told the elders to watch for martial artists whose temperaments had changed drastically or whose strength had suddenly increased, and he instructed Tianming to notify Flowing Cloud Sect and Star Moon Sect.
• Duanmu Haotian questioned Tianyun and Tianfeng about their regions and ordered both to investigate for signs of the unusual changes.
• The next day, Duanmu Haotian planned to go to Mo Province to join the effort against Lu Tianheng and discover the source of his cultivation method.

Duanmu Haotian and three Peak Grandmasters separately sought Lu Tianheng in Mo Province, and Duanmu found a file placing him in a mountain range in He Prefecture. The four headed toward Lu Tianheng’s location, though Dao Fan Shangren was uneasy about joining forces with Duanmu.

• Flowing Cloud Matriarch, Gongsun Haoyue, and Dao Fan Shangren reached Li Prefecture and learned from Ascension Tower that Duanmu Haotian had already found Lu Tianheng’s whereabouts.
• Dao Fan Shangren considered backing out after learning Duanmu Haotian had returned, but Gongsun Haoyue reminded him of his promise, and the three flew toward He Prefecture.
• Duanmu Haotian reached the Martial Prohibition Hall in Wei City and killed two subordinates while demanding information about Lu Tianheng.
• A Rank 9 Martial Practitioner led Duanmu Haotian to a locked Calligraphy Studio, where he broke in and found a file locating Lu Tianheng in a mountain range in He Prefecture.
• Duanmu Haotian left for Ascension Tower to send Flowing Cloud Matriarch and the others the newly discovered location.

Duanmu Haotian tracked Lu Tianheng to a mountain range in He Prefecture and waited for Flowing Cloud Matriarch, Gongsun Haoyue, and Dao Fan Shangren to arrive. The four cornered Lu Tianheng, but when Duanmu Haotian offered to spare him for information about the Bloodfiend Art, Lu Tianheng attacked with blood-colored mist.

• Duanmu Haotian ordered Mo Heze to send urgent information about Lu Tianheng through Ascension Tower’s channels and then flew toward He Prefecture.
• Duanmu Haotian sensed a dense bloodstained aura in the mountains and suspected Lu Tianheng’s Bloodfiend Art was connected to the Bloodfiend Sect and the disappearances of martial artists.
• Duanmu Haotian found Lu Tianheng cultivating and waited until Flowing Cloud Matriarch, Gongsun Haoyue, and Dao Fan Shangren arrived.
• Duanmu Haotian led the three to Lu Tianheng, and they concealed their auras and formed an encirclement.
• Lu Tianheng confronted Dao Fan Shangren, while Duanmu Haotian offered to spare his life if he explained the Bloodfiend Art.
• Lu Tianheng pretended to accept Duanmu Haotian’s approach, then released blood-colored mist at him.

Duanmu Haotian, Flowing Cloud Matriarch, Gongsun Haoyue, and Dao Fan Shangren continued their assault on Lu Tianheng, with three trying to capture him alive and Dao Fan Shangren seeking to kill him. After nearly two hours, Lu Tianheng was badly injured and running low on Yuan Qi, but the fight remained unresolved.

• Duanmu Haotian redirected Lu Tianheng’s blood mist and told Flowing Cloud Matriarch and Gongsun Haoyue to keep Lu Tianheng alive for questioning.
• Flowing Cloud Matriarch, Gongsun Haoyue, and Dao Fan Shangren attacked Lu Tianheng with Thunder, flames, and talisman arts, leaving him scorched but not seriously injured.
• The four Peak Grandmasters continued attacking as Lu Tianheng struggled to evade them, while their techniques suppressed his Bloodfiend Art and burned away his Yuan Qi.
• Duanmu Haotian, Flowing Cloud Matriarch, and Gongsun Haoyue held back to capture Lu Tianheng, while Dao Fan Shangren attacked at full strength and tried to land a fatal blow.
• After nearly two hours, Lu Tianheng’s injuries and Yuan Qi depletion worsened, and the four became wary as his aura and bloodthirsty intent grew increasingly unstable.