Chapter Summaries

Zhang Qingyuan reported his trip to Headmaster Liu and realized that his extensive reading in his previous life could explain his unusually strong comprehension. After further cultivation guidance and preparation, the Cloud Water Sect Outer Sect Grand Competition began.

• Zhang Qingyuan revealed his Water Intent to Headmaster Liu, who was astonished by his progress.
• Zhang Qingyuan recounted his dealings with the Jiang Family, his fight against the pursuers, and how he comprehended Intent at the waterfall.
• Headmaster Liu told Zhang Qingyuan to keep the Jade Talisman, which contained a strike with roughly thirty percent of his power.
• Headmaster Liu attributed Zhang Qingyuan's comprehension to reading and a stronger-than-average divine soul, prompting Zhang Qingyuan to recognize the value of the novels he had read before transmigrating.
• Headmaster Liu advised Zhang Qingyuan on cultivation and told him to prepare for the Outer Sect Grand Competition.
• Zhang Qingyuan cultivated with Spirit Stones and practiced incorporating Water Intent into the Nine Refinements Bone Forging Fist before the competition began three days later.

The Cloud Water Sect held its Outer Sect Grand Competition, gathering disciples and spectators at the sect’s central plaza. Zhang Qingyuan prepared with the other contestants as officials announced the rules and began drawing matchups.

• Crowds from across the region filled the Cloud Water Sect plaza to watch the competition.
• The disciples from more than a hundred branches arrived, with thirty contestants selected from each branch.
• Zhang Qingyuan stood inconspicuously in the seventeenth formation and quietly prepared for battle.
• A green-robed middle-aged cultivator announced that the competition would use twenty groups, with winners advancing and the top ten from each arena reaching the semifinals.
• Outer Sect Deacons assigned group numbers to the contestants and began drawing their matchups.

Zhang Qingyuan entered his first match in the outer sect grand competition against Wang Chong, who tried to overwhelm him with a sudden saber attack. Zhang Qingyuan dodged the first two strikes and stood still as Wang Chong unleashed the third.

• The deacons called Zhang Qingyuan and Wang Chong to compete on the eleventh arena.
• Wang Chong boasted that Zhang Qingyuan should surrender, then launched a surprise Crimson Flame Three Waves attack when the match began.
• Zhang Qingyuan used Cloud Smoke Steps to evade the first two saber strikes.
• Wang Chong angrily demanded that Zhang Qingyuan stop dodging, and Zhang Qingyuan stood in place as Wang Chong unleashed the third strike.

Zhang Qingyuan defeated Wang Chong in the Grand Competition by using Water Intent with Cloud Smoke Steps to evade his attacks and exploit his opening. He advanced into Group Eleven’s top eighty, then studied the other contestants as the first day ended.

• Zhang Qingyuan used Water Intent with Cloud Smoke Steps to evade Wang Chong’s third Crimson Flame Three Waves slash and countered with Collapsing Mountain, knocking Wang Chong off the platform.
• The Deacon referee declared Zhang Qingyuan the winner, placing him among Group Eleven’s top eighty.
• Spectators praised Zhang Qingyuan’s movement technique, while other Outer Sect Disciples took note of his strength.
• Zhang Qingyuan reflected on how battle had helped him apply Water Intent and improve his Cloud Smoke Steps.
• Zhang Qingyuan recovered and observed the other matches, estimating the strength of Group Eleven’s remaining contestants.
• The first day of the Grand Competition ended after the groups determined their top eighty contestants.

After the first day of the Outer Sect Grand Competition, Zhang Qingyuan rested while the family powers gathered information on likely threats. At a Huainan Zhang Family gathering, Zhang Changyang asked why Zhang Qingyuan was absent, and Zhang Huaiyu and the other juniors reacted uneasily.

• More than half the Outer Sect Disciples were eliminated on the first day, and the sect’s Revival Match offered another path into the Inner Sect for some defeated competitors.
• Zhang Qingyuan returned to his quarters, meditated, and slept to prepare for the next day’s matches.
• Family representatives supplied their juniors with resources and circulated informal rankings of the Grand Competition’s promising competitors.
• Zhang Changyang gathered about twenty Huainan Zhang Family juniors, praised Zhang Huaiyu for winning his first match, and encouraged the group.
• Zhang Changyang asked why Zhang Qingyuan had not attended, recalling how he had sold his family’s Spirit Fields to enter the sect examination and had succeeded.
• Zhang Huaiyu’s expression turned unpleasant at Zhang Qingyuan’s name, and the other Zhang Family juniors fell silent.

Zhang Changyang learned that Zhang Huaiyu had excluded Zhang Qingyuan from family gatherings, admonished him, and mistakenly assumed Zhang Qingyuan was ashamed of his low cultivation. The second round of the Outer Sect Grand Competition began, and Zhang Qingyuan faced Chen Qirui, whose cultivation realm startled him.

• Zhang Changyang questioned Zhang Huaiyu and learned that Zhang Qingyuan had stopped attending the Zhang Family's gatherings, leading the others to exclude him.
• Zhang Changyang determined that Zhang Huaiyu had not withheld Zhang Qingyuan's family benefits and warned him to treat clan cultivators fairly.
• Zhang Huaiyu accepted Zhang Changyang's admonition and promised to unite the family's cultivators.
• Zhang Changyang assumed Zhang Qingyuan had withdrawn because his cultivation was low and planned to comfort him after the preliminary rounds.
• Zhang Qingyuan recovered overnight and returned for the second round, observing the stronger competitors before his match was called.
• Zhang Qingyuan entered the arena to face Chen Qirui and was startled when he sensed his opponent's cultivation realm.

Zhang Qingyuan easily defeated Chen Qirui and continued advancing through the Outer Sect Grand Competition, reaching the top twenty after another effortless victory. He prepared for the fourth day's match, which would decide whether he reached the top ten and secured a chance to enter the Inner Sect.

• Zhang Qingyuan blocked Chen Qirui's strongest attack, then defeated him with a swift strike from behind; Chen Qirui conceded.
• Zhang Qingyuan advanced into the top forty of Group Eleven and watched the second day of preliminary matches conclude.
• Zhang Qingyuan cultivated after gaining little insight from his easy victory over Chen Qirui.
• On the third day, Zhang Qingyuan easily defeated a Spirit Essence Realm Seventh Level Mid Stage spellcaster and advanced into the top twenty.
• On the fourth day, Zhang Qingyuan faced the final preliminary match, which would determine whether he entered the top ten and advanced to the semifinals.

Zhang Qingyuan advanced to the fourth round of the Cloud Water Sect Outer Sect Grand Competition, where he faced the talisman cultivator Yang Wenqian. He opened with a rapid attack, but Yang Wenqian blocked it and unleashed several talisman arts, leaving the battle ongoing.

• Zhang Qingyuan worried about drawing one of the Spirit Essence Realm Ninth Level cultivators before the fourth-round matchups were announced.
• The referee paired Zhang Qingyuan with Yang Wenqian, an Eighth Layer of Spirit Essence Realm perfection talisman cultivator.
• Zhang Qingyuan rushed Yang Wenqian with Cloud Smoke Steps and struck her with Collapsing Mountain.
• Yang Wenqian shielded herself with a talisman barrier that barely dimmed under Zhang Qingyuan's punch.
• Yang Wenqian released Vine Art, Water Rush Art, and Fire Flame Art talismans, sending vines across the arena toward Zhang Qingyuan.

Yang Wenqian used a carefully layered barrage of talisman arts to trap Zhang Qingyuan in midair and bombard him, forcing him to consider revealing his hidden techniques. As the smoke cleared, Zhang Qingyuan sensed a terrifying fluctuation from Yang Wenqian and realized the fight was far from over.

• Yang Wenqian used Vine Art, water, and fire talismans to drive Zhang Qingyuan away from close range.
• Yang Wenqian trapped Zhang Qingyuan in midair with successive talisman arts, then unleashed dozens upon hundreds of attack talismans.
• Zhang Qingyuan shielded himself with Golden Bell Shield talismans, a Spirit Essence shield, and his Profound Origin Bodyguard Armor, but the barrage left his robes torn and him bedraggled.
• Zhang Qingyuan decided he might have to reveal his Sword Drawing Technique and Sword Intent to defeat Yang Wenqian.
• Zhang Qingyuan sensed a terrifying fluctuation coming from Yang Wenqian through the smoke and dust.

Yang Wenqian used Void Talisman Drawing to unleash the Four-Phase Heavenly Thunder against Zhang Qingyuan, but he cut through the attack with his Sword Drawing Technique. Zhang Qingyuan then charged at Yang Wenqian and drew his sword again, leaving their fight unresolved.

• Yang Wenqian drew four talismans in the Void and formed the Four-Phase Heavenly Thunder, trapping Zhang Qingyuan beneath a storm of dark clouds.
• The sect master and others on the high platform noticed the battle, and a cold-faced youth revealed that Zhang Qingyuan belonged to his Heaven-Piercing Sword Peak.
• Zhang Qingyuan broke free from Yang Wenqian's barrage and used the Sword Drawing Technique to sever and neutralize the descending thunderbolt.
• Yang Wenqian was shocked that her killing move had been defeated, and Zhang Qingyuan charged at her and drew his sword once more.

Zhang Qingyuan defeated Yang Wenqian in a difficult arena battle, securing a place in the Inner Sect. After the fight, a Mystic Water Lineage disciple argued that Zhang should join his lineage.

• Yang Wenqian’s defensive talisman blocked Zhang Qingyuan’s Sword Drawing Technique, but the attack shattered her barrier.
• Zhang Qingyuan used the hidden Qi Breaking Needle to pierce Yang Wenqian’s shoulder and disrupt her attempt to activate two more talismans.
• Zhang Qingyuan pressed his advantage and held Silver Shadow at Yang Wenqian’s neck, prompting the referee to declare him the winner.
• Zhang Qingyuan collected Yang Wenqian’s dropped talismans and celebrated earning a place in the Inner Sect.
• Spectators and fellow competitors praised Zhang Qingyuan and Yang Wenqian’s strength, while a disciple in a Black Daoist Robe proposed that Zhang join the Mystic Water Lineage.

Zhang Changyang watched Zhang Qingyuan’s arena battle and was stunned to recognize the junior he had brought to the sect three years earlier. The chapter ended with Zhang Changyang confirming that the seemingly unremarkable clan member was indeed competing in the Grand Competition.

• Peak leaders Jiang and Ouyang exchanged selection slots, while a veiled female cultivator observed the arenas for promising disciples.
• Spectators marveled at Zhang Qingyuan and Yang Wenqian’s exceptional techniques despite their Spirit Essence Realm Eighth Level cultivation.
• After Zhang Huaiyu lost his duel and was sent away injured, Zhang Changyang wandered around the competition grounds.
• Zhang Changyang heard the announcement for Zhang Qingyuan’s match and went to see whether the competitor shared the clan junior’s name.
• Zhang Changyang recognized Zhang Qingyuan on the arena and repeatedly checked that he was seeing the same young man he had brought to the sect.

Zhang Qingyuan defeated Yang Wenqian and secured a place in the Inner Sect, astonishing Zhang Changyang. Zhang Changyang left without approaching him, deciding to report the victory to the Huainan Zhang Family and leave further steps to them.

• Zhang Changyang watched Zhang Qingyuan withstand Yang Wenqian’s talismans and thunder attack, anxiously tearing out his beard as the fight unfolded.
• Zhang Qingyuan broke Yang Wenqian’s shield, wounded her with a Qi Breaking Needle, and won by placing his sword at her neck.
• Zhang Changyang realized Zhang Qingyuan had achieved what Zhang Huaiyu could not and reconsidered his plan to comfort him.
• Zhang Changyang reflected on Zhang Qingyuan’s hardships and the family’s lack of support, then decided not to approach him.
• Zhang Changyang left the crowd to send a Messaging Talisman reporting Zhang Qingyuan’s victory to the Huainan Zhang Family.

During the five-day break before the semifinals, Zhang Qingyuan sold the spoils from his earlier killings and bought pills and a concealment technique. He spent the intermission cultivating and refining his martial arts, ending with the Nine Refinements Bone Forging Fist reaching perfection.

• After the Outer Sect Grand Competition's first stage ended, Zhang Qingyuan went to the Marketplace in disguise and sold the materials from his defeated attackers for over two hundred Spirit Stones.
• Zhang Qingyuan bought twelve Qi-Benefiting Pills at the Hundred Treasures Pavilion to improve his cultivation before the semifinals.
• Zhang Qingyuan bought the Breath Concealment Technique from a Marketplace stall.
• During the five-day intermission, Zhang Qingyuan used the pills to cultivate and practiced his techniques and martial arts.
• Zhang Qingyuan integrated Water Intent into the Nine Refinements Bone Forging Fist, bringing it to perfection.

After mastering the Nine Refinements Bone Forging Fist and integrating Water Intent into it, Zhang Qingyuan entered the semifinals expecting to gain experience rather than reach the finals. He drew into the seventh group, where thirteen Spirit Essence Realm Ninth Level cultivators made his prospects even bleaker.

• Zhang Qingyuan perfected the Nine Refinements Bone Forging Fist, fused Water Intent into it, and strengthened his Collapsing Mountain technique.
• Headmaster Liu guided Zhang Qingyuan and told him that only Wang Weifeng and Shen Hongzhou had joined him from the Seventeenth Branch, while Zhao Yuanyang had been eliminated but was expected to advance through the Revival Match.
• The Yunshui Sect Master announced a round-robin semifinal format for two hundred disciples, with the top five from each group advancing to the finals.
• Zhang Qingyuan drew into the seventh group and found that thirteen of its twenty cultivators had reached Spirit Essence Realm Ninth Level.

Zhang Qingyuan defeated Liao Yuanxing in the semifinals, revealing the formidable power of his perfected Nine Refinements Bone Forging Fist and its Fist Intent. He advanced after stopping his Heavenly Eagle Hand just short of Liao Yuanxing’s throat.

• Zhang Qingyuan and Liao Yuanxing faced off in the seventh semifinal match.
• Liao Yuanxing attacked with Wind Cloud Leg and initially appeared to overpower Zhang Qingyuan.
• Zhang Qingyuan used Peacock Tail Sweep to pull Liao Yuanxing into a swirling force and slam him into the arena, breaking several of his ribs.
• Spectators recognized Zhang Qingyuan’s Fist Intent and realized he had perfected the basic Nine Refinements Bone Forging Fist.
• Zhang Qingyuan stopped his Heavenly Eagle Hand an inch from Liao Yuanxing’s throat, and the referee declared him the winner.

Zhang Qingyuan won four of his ten first-day semifinal matches, including a victory over a Spirit Essence Realm Ninth Level Early-phase cultivator, and lost the other six. He ended the day around the middle of the seventh group’s rankings, having gained valuable combat experience as the semifinals continued over two days.

• Zhang Qingyuan defeated a lower-ranked opponent in the second round with his perfected Nine Refinements Bone Forging Fist.
• Zhang Qingyuan lost three consecutive matches against Spirit Essence Realm Ninth Level cultivators despite using his strongest techniques.
• Zhang Qingyuan finished the first day with four wins and six defeats, beating three Spirit Essence Realm Eighth Level cultivators and one Spirit Essence Realm Ninth Level Early-phase cultivator.
• Zhang Qingyuan outlasted the exhausted Ninth Level opponent, then defeated him with his Sword Drawing Technique after three hundred moves.
• Zhang Qingyuan finished the day in the middle of the seventh group’s standings, and the first day of semifinal matches concluded.

The Zhang Family’s Elders discussed how to approach Zhang Qingyuan, hoping to win him over as a future pillar of the family. Meanwhile, Zhang Qingyuan finished his semifinal matches and faced Fu Hongtian, the opponent who had once defeated him in one move.

• The Zhang Family’s Elders debated whether to recruit Zhang Qingyuan through the family’s ties to him or cultivate him as an external ally.
• The Elders sent a message through Zhang Changyang, who received it and began to ponder its contents.
• Zhang Qingyuan prepared for the semifinal’s final day, determined to face a Spirit Essence Realm Ninth Level opponent he did not want to lose to again.
• Zhang Qingyuan won three and lost five of his first eight matches, earning seven points and placing in the middle of the rankings.
• The referee announced Zhang Qingyuan’s final match against Fu Hongtian, and Zhang Qingyuan leaped onto the arena, ready to challenge the man who had once defeated him.

Zhang Qingyuan faced Fu Hongtian in the arena, determined to test how much stronger he had become since their last encounter. Their opening clash was evenly matched, and the chapter ended as they continued fighting at close range.

• Zhang Qingyuan challenged Fu Hongtian, who did not recognize him from the Ten Branch Competition.
• Zhang Qingyuan launched a fully prepared Sword Drawing Technique attack infused with Sword Intent.
• Fu Hongtian countered with the Heavenly Thunder Hand, empowered by his grasp of the True Meaning of Thunder, and the two attacks collided evenly.
• Fu Hongtian charged through the clash, while Zhang Qingyuan retreated with Cloud Smoke Steps and countered with the Cloud Water Thirteen Sword Styles.
• Fu Hongtian struck Zhang Qingyuan's blade, and thunder power clashed against Zhang Qingyuan's Sword Intent as their close-range battle continued.

Zhang Qingyuan lost to Fu Hongtian after fighting him for more than a hundred moves, but the battle showed how much he had improved and ended with his Cloud Smoke Steps reaching perfection. He left the arena determined to surpass Fu Hongtian.

• Zhang Qingyuan and Fu Hongtian exchanged blows, with Zhang initially keeping pace despite their difference in cultivation.
• Fu Hongtian gradually suppressed Zhang, who struggled to defend against his swift and powerful lightning attacks.
• After Zhang revealed an opening, Fu Hongtian struck him out of the arena, and the referee declared Fu the winner.
• Zhang compared the battle with their previous encounter and resolved to surpass Fu the next time they met.
• Zhang's Cloud Smoke Steps broke through to perfection after the battle.