Chapter Summaries

Xu Xiaoshou deflected Fu Yinhong’s questioning about the deadly fight with sarcasm, confidence, and a meal paid for with a Spirit Crystal. Fu Yinhong accepted that he had been trapped by an illusion array and was only a witness, leaving the murderer’s trail to pursue elsewhere.

• Xu Xiaoshou introduced himself to Fu Yinhong, then told A-Jie to greet her, prompting A-Jie to call her “Mommy.”
• Fu Yinhong questioned Xu Xiaoshou about the fight, and he said one person had died while the other had left.
• Xu Xiaoshou mocked Fu Yinhong’s authority and insisted his Yuan Ting cultivation made it impossible for him or A-Jie to have killed a Master.
• Xu Xiaoshou pointed Fu Yinhong toward the crowd on Black Street, and a subordinate reported that an illusion array had trapped him at the scene.
• Xu Xiaoshou offered to pay for the food and wine, but the shopkeeper refused; Fu Yinhong took the shopkeeper’s fear as proof that he and Xu Xiaoshou had not colluded.

Xu Xiaoshou convinced Fu Yinhong that he had only limited information about the masked swordsman, but she ordered him detained for half a month. He knocked out the guard assigned to watch him and left the tavern, telling the shop owner to report the incident without revealing their earlier dealings.

• Xu Xiaoshou described a tall, masked man with powerful sword intent to Fu Yinhong but said he did not know which way the man had gone.
• Fu Yinhong ordered Xu Xiaoshou detained for ten days, then extended the detention to half a month after he insulted her.
• After Fu Yinhong left, Xu Xiaoshou learned that the Imperial Guard watching him was named Sun Dagang and was at the peak of the Upper Spiritual Realm.
• Xu Xiaoshou tricked Sun Dagang into turning around, knocked him unconscious, and dragged him into the tavern.
• Xu Xiaoshou told the shop owner to report Sun Dagang’s knockout but keep their earlier dealings secret, then left with cooked beef.

Mu Zixi was questioned by three swordsmen searching for someone who had mastered Sword Thought, but Xiao Sixteen arrived and claimed her as his junior sister. He restrained Mu Zixi and drove the swordsmen away, leaving her trapped beside an apparent assassin.

• Three swordsmen questioned Mu Zixi about a swordsman with Sword Thought, but she denied knowing anyone and said she was waiting for someone.
• Gu Qingyi introduced himself and his junior brothers, Gu Qing'er and Gu Qing'san, then asked who Mu Zixi was waiting for.
• Xiao Sixteen arrived, recognized Mu Zixi from intelligence reports, and told the swordsmen to leave.
• Xiao Sixteen called Mu Zixi his junior sister, restrained her with his power as a Master, and shielded her from the swordsmen.
• Gu Qingyi decided Xiao Sixteen was not the swordsman he sought and apologized, but Xiao Sixteen ordered the three swordsmen to scram.

Gu Qingyi withdrew with Gu Qing'er and Gu Qing'san after suspecting Mu Zixi's cat was a Ghost Beast, but two gray-robed strangers arrived and changed the confrontation. The purple-chained woman kicked Xiao Sixteen into Gold-Rich Trading Company's emblem as she approached Xu Xiaoshou and Mu Zixi.

• Gu Qingyi asked whether Gu Qing'er and Gu Qing'san had seen the cat and led them away when they could not, deciding not to get involved.
• Gu Qing'er and Gu Qing'san halted when the purple-chained woman and Xin Gugu appeared, and Gu Qingyi suspected they were from the Grey Palace of the Xu Moon.
• The purple-chained woman flirted with Gu Qingyi while Xin Gugu tried and failed to scatter the watching crowd with his golden Buddhist staff.
• The purple-chained woman asked Xiao Sixteen to move aside, and when he refused, she kicked him into Gold-Rich Trading Company's golden emblem.

Jiao Tangtang knocked Xiao Sixteen unconscious and tried to recruit Mu Zixi, whose rare spiritual body she wanted as a vessel for Lord Greed God. Mu Zixi shouted for Xu Xiaoshou and tried to flee into Gold-Rich Trading Company, but Jiao Tangtang restrained her again as the white cat was startled into the air.

• Jiao Tangtang kicked Xiao Sixteen unconscious, shocking Xin Gugu, Gu Qingyi, and the Three Swordsmen.
• Jiao Tangtang introduced herself to Mu Zixi and urged her to come with her, secretly coveting Mu Zixi’s spiritual body for Lord Greed God.
• Jiao Tangtang dispelled Mu Zixi’s restraints, and Mu Zixi unleashed a piercing shout calling for Xu Xiaoshou to save her.
• Mu Zixi ran toward Gold-Rich Trading Company, but Jiao Tangtang restrained her again before she could reach the entrance.
• Jiao Tangtang approached Mu Zixi as she despaired and wondered where Xu Xiaoshou had gone.

Xu Xiaoshou watched Mu Zixi get trapped from the roof of Gold-Rich Trading Company, then finally called out when Jiao Tangtang moved to attack her. His intervention drew Jiao Tangtang’s attention, and the chapter ended with her realizing he could see Greed God after he casually threw the cat aside.

• Xu Xiaoshou spotted famous swords among the Three Swordsmen and recognized the power of Jiao Tangtang and Xin Gugu’s artifacts as similar to Mo Mo’s sealed power.
• When Mu Zixi cried out, Xu Xiaoshou shouted from the rooftop for Jiao Tangtang to stop, then told Mu Zixi to apologize before he came to get her.
• Jiao Tangtang noticed Greed God was with Xu Xiaoshou and rushed up to the roof, while Greed God leaped onto him and collapsed after inhaling his vitality.
• Xu Xiaoshou picked up Greed God and threw it aside, leaving Jiao Tangtang shocked that he could see the cat.

Xu Xiaoshou escaped Jiao Tangtang’s attempts to recruit him, then found himself confronted by Xin Gugu and his junior sister’s pursuers. When Xin Gugu refused to let him leave with Lord Greed God, Xu Xiaoshou seized the white cat and threatened to crush it.

• Jiao Tangtang tried to persuade Xu Xiaoshou to come with her, but he derailed their conversation and jumped down to Mu Zixi.
• Xu Xiaoshou freed Mu Zixi from her restraint and tried to leave, but Xin Gugu blocked his way while Jiao Tangtang landed nearby.
• Gu Qingyi decided the swordsmen had found the wrong person and started to leave with his two junior brothers.
• Xu Xiaoshou called Xin Gugu a Ghost Beast host, and Jiao Tangtang warned him not to kill Xu Xiaoshou because of his abundant vitality.
• Xu Xiaoshou snatched Lord Greed God from Xin Gugu and threatened to crush the cat unless they made way.

Xu Xiaoshou used the invisible Greed God as a hostage to control Jiao Tangtang and Xin Gugu, humiliating them before bargaining for their artifacts. The standoff continued as he demanded Jiao Tangtang’s Purple Chain in addition to Xin Gugu’s monk’s staff.

• Xu Xiaoshou threatened to hurt Greed God if Xin Gugu or Jiao Tangtang moved, and they backed away to protect the cat.
• Xu Xiaoshou ordered Xin Gugu and Jiao Tangtang to move back and forth, while onlookers and Mu Zixi wondered why they were obeying him when his hand appeared empty.
• Jiao Tangtang warned Xu Xiaoshou not to push them further, and Xin Gugu offered him a treasure in exchange for Greed God.
• Xu Xiaoshou agreed to trade Greed God for Xin Gugu’s monk’s staff, then demanded Jiao Tangtang’s Purple Chain as well.

Xu Xiaoshou refused to trade the white cat after realizing his life force could help it, and the cat chose to stay with him. He proposed that Jiao Tangtang and Xin Gugu pay him regular fees to raise it, then beckoned Jiao Tangtang closer.

• Jiao Tangtang agreed to trade after Xu Xiaoshou threatened to keep the cat, but Xu Xiaoshou released it and accidentally revived it with a breath of life force.
• Mu Zixi inhaled the life force too, acted dazed, then blushed and yelled at Xu Xiaoshou before he hid her away.
• Xu Xiaoshou refused the trade and let the white cat choose between him and Jiao Tangtang and Xin Gugu; the cat leaped onto his head and settled in.
• Jiao Tangtang tried to lure the cat with a spiritual herb, but it rejected the offering and stayed with Xu Xiaoshou.
• Xu Xiaoshou proposed raising the cat with unlimited life force in exchange for regular fees and compliance with some unreasonable requests, then beckoned Jiao Tangtang closer.

Xu Xiaoshou negotiated with Jiao Tangtang over making himself a host for Greed God, using the white cat to keep her at a distance. Jiao Tangtang agreed, but Xu Xiaoshou rejected her demand that Greed God’s safety come first, leaving their deal unresolved.

• Xu Xiaoshou confronted Jiao Tangtang about seeking a Ghost Beast host and held the white cat to stop her approaching.
• Xu Xiaoshou privately proposed that Greed God follow him as a host, while Mu Zixi objected to his teasing remarks.
• Jiao Tangtang weighed the deal against her lack of resources and agreed to let Greed God follow Xu Xiaoshou.
• Jiao Tangtang demanded that Greed God’s safety come first, but Xu Xiaoshou refused and said the cat would rank third at most.

Xu Xiaoshou took Greed God into his care and secured Jiao Tangtang’s communication jade slip, while Mu Zixi protested his request. Jiao Tangtang and Xin Gugu left, agreeing Xu Xiaoshou was the best person to look after Greed God, before Jiao Tangtang kicked Xin Gugu.

• Jiao Tangtang warned Xu Xiaoshou not to feed Greed God flesh and blood, and Xu Xiaoshou took the cat into his arms.
• Xu Xiaoshou asked Jiao Tangtang for regular payment and her communication jade slip, angering Mu Zixi and prompting Jiao Tangtang to hand it over with a Lock-on aura attached.
• Xu Xiaoshou considered whether Greed God was worth keeping and imagined using the jade slip to summon Jiao Tangtang and Xin Gugu as backup.
• The spectators dispersed after Jiao Tangtang and Xu Xiaoshou avoided a fight, and Xin Gugu asked Jiao Tangtang whether leaving Greed God with Xu Xiaoshou was wise.
• Jiao Tangtang defended Xu Xiaoshou as the best caretaker because of his strength, intellect, and reactions, then kicked Xin Gugu when he said he could not erase Xu Xiaoshou’s flaw.

Old Jin explained to Qu Qing'er that Xu Xiaoshou had likely held an invisible Ghost Beast and warned her that powerful, hidden forces were emerging as great chaos approached. He told her never to provoke the Grey Palace of the Xu Moon or Saint Slave, leaving Qu Qing'er wondering about Saint Slave’s activity in Tiansang City.

• Qu Qing'er asked Old Jin why he had let the crowd gather and cause trouble outside Gold-Rich Trading Company, and he admitted he could not intervene.
• Old Jin revealed that Xu Xiaoshou had most likely held a Ghost Beast, which ordinary spiritual perception could not detect, and said Xu Xiaoshou and a swordsman could see it because of their exceptional souls.
• Old Jin explained that Ghost Beasts might still be developing in secret despite Holy Spirit Hall’s past slaughter of them, and warned that relying on Holy Spirit Hall’s protection could be dangerous.
• Old Jin told Qu Qing'er that great chaos was approaching and named the Grey Palace of the Xu Moon and Saint Slave as forces she must never provoke.
• Qu Qing'er recalled rumors that Saint Slave had recently become active in Tiansang City and had attacked Tiansang Spirit Palace.

Qu Qing'er pieced together that the Grey Palace of the Xu Moon, Saint Slave, and powerful sword factions had converged on Tiansang City because of the rumored White Cavern and the Eighth Sword Immortal's Yousi Sword. She prepared to compete for White Cavern slots at the City Lord Manor's banquet while Elder Jin dismissed Xu Xiaoshou as insignificant.

• Elder Jin gave Qu Qing'er a hint that the two young people they had seen belonged to the Grey Palace of the Xu Moon.
• Qu Qing'er connected the Grey Palace of the Xu Moon and Saint Slave to the arrival of three swordsmen from major Eastern Region factions.
• Qu Qing'er inferred that the factions had come to Tiansang City over rumors of White Cavern and the Eighth Sword Immortal's Yousi Sword.
• Qu Qing'er and Elder Jin discussed how the City Lord Manor's banquet would divide White Cavern slots, and she resolved to secure more for her trading company.
• Qu Qing'er asked about Xu Xiaoshou, but Elder Jin told her to leave him to the Imperial Guard and focus on her duties.
• Qu Qing'er left still uneasy about Xu Xiaoshou's possible connections, then dismissed the thought and focused on distinguishing herself at the banquet.

Xu Xiaoshou searched the ring taken from an assassin and discovered a vast fortune, powerful treasures, and hundreds of spiritual array disks. When Xiao Sixteen began to wake, Xu Xiaoshou crippled him and nearly severed his carotid artery before he could pose a threat.

• Xu Xiaoshou checked the ring he had taken from the dead assassin and suspected the Zhang Clan had sent the killers after him.
• Xu Xiaoshou found nearly a million Spirit Crystals, numerous pills and weapons, and hundreds of spiritual array disks in the ring.
• Xu Xiaoshou realized the dead assassin had been a dangerous spiritual array master and resolved to use his trump cards immediately in future fights.
• Xiao Sixteen groaned as he began to wake, so Xu Xiaoshou pierced his shoulders, badly injured his thighs, and cut halfway through his carotid artery.
• Xiao Sixteen convulsed in pain and recognized Xu Xiaoshou.

Xu Xiaoshou interrogated the captured assassin Xiao Sixteen, learning that the Zhang Clan had put a bounty on him to obtain Throne Essence Blood. The interrogation ended with Xu Xiaoshou mistaking Xiao Sixteen's glance at his ring for an attempt to resist and thrusting a hand into his chest.

• Xu Xiaoshou kept Xiao Sixteen immobilized and warned him not to move or circulate his spiritual essence.
• Xu Xiaoshou treated Xiao Sixteen's neck wound and learned his name and age before asking whether the Zhang Clan had sent him.
• Xu Xiaoshou reopened Xiao Sixteen's healing wound when he hesitated, prompting him to reveal that Zhang Taiying had posted a fifty-thousand-Spirit-Crystal bounty on Dark Nether Street.
• Xiao Sixteen explained that the job was mainly for the Zhang Clan's Throne Essence Blood, prized for its Ancestor Bear Bloodline and power of the Heavenly Dao.
• When Xiao Sixteen glanced at his ring to retrieve the Throne Essence Blood, Xu Xiaoshou panicked and thrust his hand into Xiao Sixteen's chest.

Xu Xiaoshou questioned Xiao Sixteen about the Zhang Clan and learned the clan had placed a deadly bounty on him through Three Incense Sticks. After Xiao Sixteen finished revealing what he knew, Xu Xiaoshou killed him.

• Xu Xiaoshou learned from Xiao Sixteen that Zhang Taiying was a Throne and that the Zhang Clan had at least three Thrones and a dozen Masters.
• Xiao Sixteen revealed that the Zhang Clan had posted a bounty on Xu Xiaoshou on Dark Nether Street and issued a wanted order through Three Incense Sticks.
• Xiao Sixteen explained that Three Incense Sticks’ lowest active bounty rank, Death Disciples, carried a minimum reward of one million Spirit Crystals.
• Xiao Sixteen warned Xu Xiaoshou that the Three Incense Sticks wanted order would continue until he was dead.
• Xu Xiaoshou asked whether Xiao Sixteen had anything else to say, then slashed off his head.

After killing Xiao Sixteen, Xu Xiaoshou weighed the danger posed by the Zhang Clan and Three Incense Sticks, then considered how to strengthen himself without rushing his cultivation. He prepared to cultivate spiritual arrays, hoping the red interface would grant him the mastery he needed.

• Xu Xiaoshou burned Xiao Sixteen's corpse and cleaned away the blood.
• Xu Xiaoshou judged that he and his allies might not be strong enough to confront the Zhang Clan's Thrones yet, so he chose to wait and grow stronger.
• Xu Xiaoshou considered how his early-stage Innate cultivation could mislead Master-level enemies, while deciding that raising his realm quickly was not useful to him.
• Xu Xiaoshou reviewed the White Flame and Dragon-Fusion Realm jade slips but put them away because he lacked the preparations to cultivate them.
• Xu Xiaoshou found spiritual-array materials in Li Qi's ring and imagined using array discs to overcome the Great Fireball Technique's limits.
• Xu Xiaoshou sealed his room and turned to the red interface, hoping it would give him mastery of spiritual arrays.

Xu Xiaoshou held a philosophy-heavy class for the outer court disciples to earn Passive Value, and their praise of his teachings turned into insults about the elders. The elders gathered outside the dormitory as Xu Xiaoshou listened from nearby and collected more Passive Value.

• Xu Xiaoshou complained that wandering the outer court had yielded little Passive Value, so he arranged a class for the disciples.
• Xu Xiaoshou delivered lessons on psychological warfare, combat, and philosophy, earning nearly seventy thousand Passive Value.
• The disciples praised Xu Xiaoshou’s teachings and concluded that his difficult Dao was superior to the elders’ lessons.
• Xu Xiaoshou listened with Perception while the disciples loudly called the elders’ Dao dogshit and his own the Heavenly Dao.
• The dormitory discussion abruptly stopped when the disciples spotted the black-faced elders gathered outside their windows.

Xu Xiaoshou spent his Passive Value on draws, hoping to obtain a powerful skill, and eventually drew the extended passive skill Resilience. After upgrading it to Innate, he gained a new realization, leaving him eager to discover its effects.

• Xu Xiaoshou weighed how to spend his 180,000 Passive Value and decided to try the Awakening Pool while saving enough to upgrade a passive skill.
• Xu Xiaoshou used five Passive Keys, received mostly consolation prizes, and lamented the loss of 50,000 Passive Value.
• Xu Xiaoshou spent more Passive Value on ten additional keys and obtained the extended passive skill Resilience.
• Xu Xiaoshou tested Resilience with a split, hurt his thigh, and spent ten skill points to upgrade the skill to Innate Lv. 1.
• Xu Xiaoshou felt a wave of warmth and experienced a flash of realization about Resilience.

Xu Xiaoshou discovered that Innate Resilience combined with Countershock could trap and rebound force, making him fear he was nearly invincible. After accidentally swallowing a Yuan Ting Pill, he felt an overwhelming reaction and began to writhe on the ground.

• Xu Xiaoshou tested Resilience with Countershock and found that holding his fists together made his arms absorb the force, causing pain and an injury before Endless Vitality healed him.
• Xu Xiaoshou imagined how the combination could devastate enemies who attacked him repeatedly or were caught in his grip.
• Xu Xiaoshou tried to identify a weakness in the combination but could not find a plausible way to counter it.
• Xu Xiaoshou accidentally swallowed a Yuan Ting Pill instead of a Spirit Refining Pill and felt its intense spiritual energy surge through him.
• Xu Xiaoshou's body became extremely sensitive, and he struggled and cried out as he tried to move.