Chapter Summaries

Zhang Qingyuan entered the Inner Sect Grand Competition semifinals after ending his secluded cultivation, then faced Zhou Qingshan in Group D’s opening match. Zhou unleashed a massive black metal sphere, and Zhang answered with his Heaven-Shattering Universe punch as their attacks collided.

• Zhang Qingyuan left seclusion after more than a month of cultivation with little further progress.
• The semifinals began with more than three hundred participants divided into ten groups, and Zhang Qingyuan was assigned to Group D.
• After the match schedule was drawn, Zhang Qingyuan faced Zhou Qingshan, a True Essence Fifth Layer disciple, in the first match.
• Zhou Qingshan expanded a rusted metal ball into a huge sphere and merged a destructive black Palm Seal into it, suppressing Zhang Qingyuan with its power.
• Zhang Qingyuan launched himself upward and struck the black metal sphere with his Heaven-Shattering Universe punch.

Zhang Qingyuan defeated Zhou Qingshan with one punch and continued his unbeaten run through group D’s semifinals. After sixteen consecutive victories, he faced Fu Qiaolei, a former Outer Sect Ten Prodigy and Fu Hongtian’s younger brother.

• Zhang Qingyuan sent Zhou Qingshan’s giant metal sphere flying with one punch, and the referee declared him the winner.
• Zhou Qingshan and other group D disciples were shaken by Zhang Qingyuan’s overwhelming strength.
• Zhang Qingyuan spent the next half month recuperating and preparing between matches as the semifinals progressed.
• Zhang Qingyuan won sixteen matches in a row, mostly by crushing his opponents, and attracted a growing group of admirers.
• Zhang Qingyuan’s seventeenth opponent was Fu Qiaolei, a fellow Inner Sect Disciple from his intake and Fu Hongtian’s younger brother.

Zhang Qingyuan faced Fu Qiaolei, a lightning prodigy who unleashed the Fu Family’s Nine Transformations of the Thunder Dragon Scripture at the start of their match. As the spectators recognized Fu Qiaolei’s power, Fu Hongtian summoned a massive Thunder Dragon, and the battle’s opening attack took shape.

• Zhang Qingyuan reflected on how far he had risen since once watching Fu Qiaolei and other Outer Sect prodigies from the crowd.
• The referee began the match between Zhang Qingyuan and Fu Qiaolei.
• Fu Qiaolei unleashed a devastating thunder strike and revealed the aura of the Nine Transformations of the Thunder Dragon Scripture.
• The spectators identified Fu Qiaolei as a Thunder Spirit Physique who had cultivated the scripture to its fourth level.
• Fu Hongtian invoked Thunder Control Over Nine Heavens, forming a vast Sea of Thunder and summoning a Thunder Dragon more than twenty zhang long.

Zhang Qingyuan defeated Fu Qiaolei in a lightning-fast semifinal battle after exchanging seventy-three punches. Fu Qiaolei conceded and left the arena, while Zhang Qingyuan acknowledged his strength.

• Fu Qiaolei unleashed a powerful Thunder Dragon attack, and Zhang Qingyuan countered with Twin Dragons Convergence.
• The two fighters clashed at tremendous speed, trading blows until their final collision blasted Fu Qiaolei into a crater.
• Fu Qiaolei admitted defeat, and the referee declared Zhang Qingyuan the winner.
• Zhang Qingyuan told Fu Qiaolei he looked forward to fighting him again and reflected that Fu Qiaolei had endured more of his punches than any other opponent in the semifinals.
• Fu Qiaolei studied Zhang Qingyuan, nodded, and left the arena.

After discovering that Thunder Arts could temper his body, Zhang Qingyuan entered Wind Thunder Valley to seek a way to grow stronger before the Finals. He charged into the valley’s storm and faced a powerful bolt of lightning head-on.

• Zhang Qingyuan realized that Thunder Arts could strengthen his body and left the competition plaza with a plan to improve before the Finals.
• Zhang Qingyuan traveled to Wind Thunder Valley, a Heavenly Thunder Peak resource realm filled with violent lightning and storms.
• Zhang Qingyuan resolved to brave the danger, relying on his cultivation, protective treasures, and Spirit Artifact Sword Pellet.
• Zhang Qingyuan launched himself into the dark clouds, where a thick bolt of lightning struck toward him.
• Zhang Qingyuan refused to evade and surged his Aura toward the incoming lightning.

Zhang Qingyuan discovered that Heaven and Earth Thunder contained a trace of vitality that could temper and strengthen his body, and he chose to keep enduring the strikes despite the damage to his armor. After absorbing a second bolt, his Proficiency Panel showed that his body-refinement art had gained proficiency.

• Zhang Qingyuan endured a thunder strike, using his High-grade Dharma Treasure armor to block most of its force while absorbing the vitality within it.
• Zhang Qingyuan concluded that thunder’s vitality could strengthen his body, though repeated strikes would damage his armor and ordinary cultivators could not safely withstand them.
• Zhang Qingyuan decided to continue body tempering and charged into the storm clouds again.
• Zhang Qingyuan absorbed the vitality from a second thunder strike, strengthening his body and gaining proficiency in his body-refinement art on the Proficiency Panel.

Zhang Qingyuan tempered his body with Heaven and Earth Thunder in Wind Thunder Valley, steadily improving his cultivation and the Desolate Sky Body Refining Art while competing in the Inner Sect Grand Competition. After qualifying for the Finals, he cultivated for two more months until his armor was ruined, reaching the middle stage of True Essence Fifth Layer and minor accomplishment in the body-refining art.

• Zhang Qingyuan realized that refining the vitality within Heaven and Earth Thunder increased the proficiency of the Desolate Sky Body Refining Art and committed to further tempering his body.
• Zhang Qingyuan cautiously absorbed increasingly greater numbers of thunderbolts in Wind Thunder Valley, strengthening his body while his Dharma Treasure armor accumulated damage.
• Zhang Qingyuan won his remaining semifinal matches undefeated and qualified for the Finals with the best record in his group.
• Zhang Qingyuan returned to Wind Thunder Valley after the semifinals, expecting the Finals to take place at least two months later.
• Zhang Qingyuan cultivated until his armor was completely damaged, advancing to the middle stage of True Essence Fifth Layer and bringing the Desolate Sky Body Refining Art to minor accomplishment.

After advancing his cultivation and body-refining art, Zhang Qingyuan prepared to consolidate his gains before the Finals and challenge Yuwen Shaohuan. Meanwhile, a mysterious young cultivator invited Lin Yan to join the Steadfast Faction after demonstrating overwhelming strength.

• Zhang Qingyuan reached minor accomplishment in the Desolate Sky Body Refining Art and broke through to the mid-stage of True Essence Fifth Layer, more than doubling his combat power.
• Zhang Qingyuan stopped tempering himself with thunder because his Dharma Treasure armor was destroyed and he wanted to stabilize his foundation before the Finals.
• Lin Yan confronted a mysterious young cultivator, who effortlessly erased Lin Yan’s powerful palm strike.
• The mysterious cultivator invited Lin Yan to join the Steadfast Faction, saying Lin Yan would soon be drawn into the conflict between it and the Radical Faction.

Lin Yan learned from a Mysterious Youth that the Steadfast Faction and Radical Faction were tied to secrets among Cloud Water Sect’s leaders, but he refused to join an unknown group. Two months later, the Inner Sect Grand Competition’s finals were about to begin, with forty disciples competing for the final rankings.

• Lin Yan questioned why the Mysterious Youth had invited him, and learned that Zhang Qingyuan was already bound to the Radical Faction through his Named Disciple master.
• The Mysterious Youth explained that the Steadfast and Radical Factions were rooted in matters among the Sect’s upper echelons, then left without revealing his identity.
• Lin Yan discussed the factions with Elder Xiao, who said the conflict seemed healthy and advised Lin Yan to remain in the Sect while he cultivated.
• After Lin Yan departed, Xiao Xuantian privately suspected the factions might be connected to the disappearance of the Water Sword Immortal.
• Two months passed, and anticipation for the Inner Sect Grand Competition’s finals intensified as forty disciples prepared to compete for the final rankings.

Yunshui Sect’s finals began before a huge crowd, and Zhang Qingyuan faced Lu Xiao in the opening round. As Zhang Qingyuan sensed the sword intent around his opponent, he realized it felt familiar; the chapter ended with an author’s note about reconsidering the later plot.

• Yunshui Sect’s Sect Leader announced the finals’ one-on-one elimination format, with the winners advancing to the top twenty.
• Zhang Qingyuan reflected on his growth and welcomed the chance to test his strength against powerful opponents.
• The lots paired Zhang Qingyuan with Lu Xiao for the first round.
• Lu Xiao arrived with an azure sword and a restrained, sharp Sword Intent that Zhang Qingyuan recognized as familiar.
• The author apologized for dissatisfaction with the recent writing and said they would rethink the story ahead.

Zhang Qingyuan recognized Qi Xiao’s Sword Intent as the legacy of the Water Sword Immortal, whose Sword Intent Post had once helped Zhang comprehend Water Intent. Their battle began with Qi Xiao unleashing a mighty sword strike and Zhang Qingyuan stopping it with a punch, leaving the contest unresolved.

• Zhang Qingyuan recognized the Sword Intent he had encountered years earlier in the Water Sword Immortal’s Sword Intent Post.
• Spectators identified Qi Xiao as the Water Sword Immortal Qi Yiming’s descendant and said he had cultivated Sword Intent and approached Sword Momentum.
• Zhang Qingyuan told Qi Xiao that viewing his ancestor’s Sword Intent Post had given him a great opportunity, but Qi Xiao rejected the remark and vowed to win.
• The referee began the match, and Qi Xiao launched a powerful sword strike at Zhang Qingyuan.
• Zhang Qingyuan met Qi Xiao’s sword with a punch, and the collision cracked the arena and triggered its protective formations.
• Zhang Qingyuan remained unhurt in midair and urged Qi Xiao to use his strongest methods.

Qi Xiao unleashed Sword Momentum, overwhelming the arena with a river-like sword strike, but Zhang Qingyuan answered with the Qiankun Sword, which broke through Qi Xiao’s attack and struck him. The chapter ended with blinding light swallowing Qi Xiao as Zhang Qingyuan explained that his sword drew on the Qiankun Dao inherited from Senior Qianyuanzi.

• Qi Xiao released Sword Momentum, stirring dark clouds and a vast river phantom that left the spectators and important figures astonished.
• Qi Xiao thrust his sword and sent the river’s power crashing toward Zhang Qingyuan with force comparable to a True Essence Realm Seventh Layer cultivator’s full strike.
• Zhang Qingyuan gathered his Water Sword Intent into a spatially twisting wheel and unleashed the Qiankun Sword.
• The two swords collided, shattering the arena and leaving a massive crater across its ground.
• Zhang Qingyuan’s remaining sword power overcame Qi Xiao’s Long River Sword Qi and struck him, engulfing him in blinding light.

Zhang Qingyuan defeated Qi Xiao in the Finals, drawing praise from the Important Figures and advancing to the top twenty. While recovering, he resolved to reach the top three so he could use the Hall of Enlightenment to improve his Water Intent, cultivation method, and martial cultivation system.

• The Important Figures recognized that Qi Xiao had comprehended Sword Momentum, but judged Zhang Qingyuan's powerful Essence, Qi, and Spirit to be even greater.
• Zhang Qingyuan defeated Qi Xiao as the arena shattered, and the victory advanced him into the top twenty of the Finals.
• Zhang Qingyuan rested in the waiting area and reflected on the battle, but gained little insight into how to advance his Water Intent into Momentum.
• Zhang Qingyuan considered using the Hall of Enlightenment to improve his Intent and the One Origin Gui Water Scripture, and decided he had to reach the top three to secure enough opportunities.

Zhang Qingyuan resolved to improve his strength and make a strong showing in the Inner Sect Grand Competition, though spectators doubted he could rival the Inner Sect Three Elites. His next opponent was Gu Qingtong, the former Number Ten on the Inner Ranking, setting up a test of whether Zhang Qingyuan’s success was more than luck.

• Zhang Qingyuan reflected that his battle with Qi Xiao had deepened his command of Water Intent and strengthened his resolve to complete his Hall of Enlightenment plan.
• The Finals’ first round selected the Top Twenty, and the second round began to determine the top ten.
• Spectators discussed the competitors, while a jealous sharp-mouthed, sharp-chinned cultivator dismissed Zhang Qingyuan’s rise as luck.
• The Deacon referee announced Zhang Qingyuan versus Gu Qingtong on Arena Number Nine, exciting the crowd because Gu Qingtong had been pushed out of the top ten by Zhang Qingyuan.
• The jealous cultivator predicted that Gu Qingtong would defeat Zhang Qingyuan and clear his name.

Gu Qingtong unleashed the Cloud Water Sect’s Nine Transformations of Fish and Dragon against Zhang Qingyuan, who answered with the Four Seas Suppressing Heaven Palm. Their first clash tore through the arena’s protective formations, and the duel remained unresolved.

• Gu Qingtong challenged Zhang Qingyuan and rose into the air as he summoned the fourth transformation of Nine Transformations of Fish and Dragon.
• Zhang Qingyuan released his full power, and his aura clashed with Gu Qingtong’s across the arena.
• Gu Qingtong struck Zhang Qingyuan with a devastating palm attack backed by the phantom of a primordial beast.
• Zhang Qingyuan countered with the Four Seas Suppressing Heaven Palm, and the two attacks collided with enough force to break through the arena’s formations.
• The spectators staggered from the shock of the collision and recognized the fighters’ power as that of the Top Ten Inner Ranking.

Zhang Qingyuan and Gu Qingtong fought at astonishing speed, stunning the spectators with their power. Gu Qingtong realized his disadvantage in a drawn-out battle and tried to force a decisive strike, but Zhang Qingyuan remained cautious as the fight continued.

• Zhang Qingyuan and Gu Qingtong exchanged hundreds of lightning-fast blows, shaking the arena and impressing the spectators.
• Gu Qingtong suffered a slight loss and realized Zhang Qingyuan's deep reserves and formidable body made an attrition battle dangerous for him.
• Gu Qingtong decided he had to settle the fight with one strike and attacked Zhang Qingyuan with a massive palm.
• Gu Qingtong retreated more than a hundred zhang after their collision, while Zhang Qingyuan landed on the damaged arena and refused to rush after him.

Zhang Qingyuan faced Gu Qingtong’s ultimate Fish Leaping into the Vast Sky technique and broke it with a direct strike from his Sword Pellet. Gu Qingtong suffered a backlash, and Zhang Qingyuan rushed in with a powerful punch as Gu Qingtong tried to evade.

• Gu Qingtong gathered the surrounding energy and transformed into a massive fish phantom with his Four Transformations of Fish and Dragon technique.
• Zhang Qingyuan summoned his Sword Pellet and sent it crashing into Gu Qingtong’s giant fish phantom.
• The collision tore open space, but Zhang Qingyuan’s Sword Pellet gained the upper hand and shattered the phantom.
• Gu Qingtong spat blood from the backlash and stared in disbelief as Zhang Qingyuan charged through the smoke.
• Gu Qingtong tried to dodge Zhang Qingyuan’s meteor-like punch, but Zhang Qingyuan’s fist struck him before he could escape.

Zhang Qingyuan defeated Gu Qingtong and secured a place in the top ten of the Inner Sect Grand Competition. He set his sights on reaching the top three, then left the arena unaware that a mysterious figure was watching him from the crowd.

• Zhang Qingyuan's final punch shattered Gu Qingtong's defenses and left him too injured to continue fighting.
• The referee declared Zhang Qingyuan the winner, and the crowd cheered as he advanced into the top ten.
• Zhang Qingyuan reflected on fulfilling Daoist Ming Shui's goal for him and resolved to reach the top three for more opportunities in the Hall of Enlightenment.
• Spectators praised both fighters and discussed Zhang Qingyuan's rise, while a cultivator who had mocked him earlier was left embarrassed.
• Zhang Qingyuan sensed a mysterious gaze and a faint stir from his Sword Pellet, but found no source before leaving the arena.
• After Zhang Qingyuan departed, an emotionless figure hidden in the crowd watched the direction he had gone.

After sensing a mysterious presence connected to his Sword Pellet, Zhang Qingyuan returned to his Cave Dwelling to recover and reflect. Lin Yan came to say farewell before leaving to cultivate elsewhere, warning Zhang Qingyuan about Yuwen Shaohuan and giving him notes on their fight.

• Zhang Qingyuan sensed an unseen presence watching him and felt his Sword Pellet tremble, but he found no clues about what had happened.
• Zhang Qingyuan considered whether the Spirit Sea Sword Sect’s destruction had hidden causes, then returned to his Cave Dwelling to restore his True Essence.
• Lin Yan visited Zhang Qingyuan and explained that he was leaving the sect to improve his strength outside, possibly not returning until he reached the Cave True Realm.
• Zhang Qingyuan and Lin Yan exchanged farewells and expressed confidence that they would meet again.
• Lin Yan warned Zhang Qingyuan that Yuwen Shaohuan was extremely powerful and gave him a Jade Slip with notes from their battle.

After Lin Yan left, Zhang Qingyuan learned that Yan Kuangtu would be his opponent in the next round of the Inner Sect Grand Competition and began devising a plan. Yan Kuangtu eagerly anticipated their fight, and the third round arrived ten days later.

• Lin Yan shared important news with Zhang Qingyuan, then left Cloud Water Sect to pursue his own path.
• Zhang Qingyuan reflected on how his growing strength had distanced him from old friends and resolved to focus on cultivation.
• Zhang Qingyuan kept Lin Yan’s jade slip about Yuwen Shaohuan’s fighting methods and went to the Arena Plaza the next day.
• Zhang Qingyuan learned that Yan Kuangtu would be his next opponent and thought of a plan for their match.
• Yan Kuangtu received the same matchup news and vowed to defeat Zhang Qingyuan and claim first place.
• Ten days later, the third round of the finals began.