Chapter Summaries

Fang Yue learned more about the limits of Night's Breath and heard that a hand-bodied anomaly resembling him had entered the city. He claimed it had split from him after he went berserk, planned to draw it out at Chu Nuan City's Martial Competition, and left Dou Hongyi arranging a false identity for him.

• Fang Yue examined his improved attributes and realized Night's Breath could be overwhelmed by severe injuries, frequent attacks, or techniques that suppressed healing.
• Dou Hongyi reported that a hand-bodied anomaly with a black ring and a saber made of little hands had entered the city.
• Fang Yue told Dou Hongyi the anomaly had been born from him after he went berserk, and said he would lure it out by joining the Martial Competition as a Merchant Group's guest advisor.
• Fang Yue rejected Dou Hongyi's suggestion to choose a top-ten Merchant Group, then gave him a White Robe Token and ordered him to put another man's identity under Fang Yue's name.
• Dou Hongyi left in fear, passed Yang Hongxia without noticing her, and worried about the risk of forging Fang Yue's identity.

After discovering Night Dawn’s impressive record, Dou Hongyi mistakenly concluded that Fang Yue was impersonating the dead White Robe and panicked when he learned a Sacred Edict was coming to Chu Nuan City. He ordered Night Baiyi’s identity kept secret and began arranging for the supposed impostor to disappear before the edict arrived, while Yang Hongxia visited Fang Yue at the inn.

• Dou Hongyi reviewed Night Dawn’s record and suspected that the senior was using the identity of a dead White Robe.
• A subordinate reported that East Flow Mountain’s leading bandits had vanished and that a man with a ring above his head had caused the upheaval.
• Dou Hongyi learned that a Sacred Edict concerning a White Robe in Chu Nuan City was on its way from the Capital.
• Dou Hongyi decided to conceal Night Baiyi’s identity and arrange for him to leave Chu Nuan City before the edict arrived.
• Yang Hongxia visited Fang Yue at the inn, surprising him.

Fang Yue learned that a powerful anomaly was attacking Merchant Groups in Chu Nuan City and realized it was the Sticky Cotton Anomaly he had encountered before. The chapter ended with him urgently asking Yang Hongxia about his Blazing Red Horse, which she awkwardly said was fine.

• Yang Hongxia visited Fang Yue, worried about the Great Yang Merchant Group’s decline and asking when he would return to Great Yang Mansion.
• Fang Yue told Yang Hongxia he expected to return within two days and that she could postpone his registration.
• Yang Hongxia warned Fang Yue that an anomaly had attacked the Eagle Merchant Group and slaughtered a smaller Merchant Group.
• Fang Yue asked Yang Hongxia to recount what she knew, then recognized the anomaly as the Sticky Cotton Anomaly.
• Fang Yue asked about his Blazing Red Horse, and Yang Hongxia awkwardly assured him it was fine.

Fang Yue learned that his Blazing Red Horse had been killed, then discovered that his supposed death had cleared his name. He returned to Great Yang Mansion under his real appearance as Night Baiyi, while the authorities and the Heavenly Merchant Alliance scrambled to recruit after a deadly patrol against the Sticky Cotton Anomaly.

• Yang Hongxia confessed that Fang Yue's Blazing Red Horse had disappeared, leaving only a pool of blood, and that she had secretly replaced it.
• Yang Hongxia learned that the authorities had announced Ye Niu Niu's death at East Flow Mountain and withdrawn his charges and wanted notices.
• Yang Hongxia heard that the Qing Si had added many recruits after a deadly encounter with an anomaly.
• Fang Yue arrived at Great Yang Mansion as Night Baiyi and revealed his identity to Yang Hongxia, who welcomed him as an adviser for the Martial Competition.
• Fang Yue told Yang Hongxia that a joint night patrol by the authorities and the Heavenly Merchant Alliance had been wiped out by the Sticky Cotton Anomaly, prompting both groups to seek recruits.

Fang Yue studied Lord Han’s Ice Condensation Mind Method while Yang Hongxia strengthened Great Yang Mansion’s security amid the threat of the Sticky Cotton Anomaly. As night fell, the new recruit Wu Xiong felt uneasy while patrolling Chu Nuan City.

• Fang Yue concluded that the Heavenly Merchant Alliance’s recruited Martial Artists would be no match for the Sticky Cotton Anomaly, and trusted the Phoenix Organization to protect Chu Nuan City.
• Fang Yue began studying Lord Han’s inheritance and discovered that the Ice Condensation Mind Method required 10 points of Comprehension.
• Fang Yue estimated that he needed another day to understand the method, then shut himself away to study while Yang Hongxia arranged more recruits and patrols.
• Yang Hongxia allowed the Xiantian Realm Exotic Race member Wu Xiong to join Great Yang Mansion’s recruits at a reduced rate and ordered the guards to watch him closely.
• As the blood-tinged moon rose, Wu Xiong patrolled the city and felt deeply uncomfortable despite having an easy job.

Wu Xiong died after white worm anomalies burrowed out of his body, and Fang Yue discovered that smaller worms had infested the mansion’s guards. When Fang Yue found worms emerging from his own cheek, he realized he had encountered a Symbiotic Anomaly.

• Wu Xiong retched blood and fragments of his organs before his stomach exploded, releasing several thick white worms into tunnels beneath the courtyard.
• Fang Yue refused to contact the Green Bureau and ordered the guards to dig up the worms’ tunnels while he studied the Ice Condensation Mind Method.
• Yang Hongxia spotted a worm inside the hollowed-out head of the guard captain, who had been reporting that the digging revealed nothing.
• Fang Yue tore a smaller white worm from his cheek, crushed it, and watched two more worms emerge before recognizing the creature as a Symbiotic Anomaly.

Fang Yue discovered that Symbiotic Worm Anomalies had infested him and Yang Hongxia, then used his inner force to kill and expel the worms. As he began rescuing the infected residents of Chu Nuan City, the chief guard transformed into a worm-headed creature with worm arms.

• Fang Yue used vibrating inner force to kill five White Worms inside himself and cut them out of his arm.
• Fang Yue treated Yang Hongxia, expelling seven White Worms, and learned that Chu Nuan City's anomaly detection formation had stopped working.
• Fang Yue ordered uninfected residents onto rooftops and walls while infected people stayed below, then began killing worms inside them despite the bodily harm and inner force it cost.
• The chief guard's arms transformed into giant White Worms, his head exploded, and a worm emerged from his neck to replace it.
• Fang Yue and the crowd saw the chief guard become a symbiotic human, as the worms took over his head and both arms.

Fang Yue killed a Symbiotic Worm Anomaly during a night of attacks across Chu Nuan City, while the Heavenly Merchant Alliance discovered its formation could not detect the intruders. The Phoenix Organization revealed that it had released concealed experimental anomalies and planned to capture the Abnormal Spiritual Root after the Martial Competition, which began after the city restored order.

• Fang Yue killed the head guard after discovering the Symbiotic Worm Anomaly inside him, and he rescued the guards whose organs remained intact.
• An ape-like anomaly attacked people in Chu Nuan City before the Patrol Team killed it, while attacks struck more than a dozen mansions.
• Tian Wangchuan and the Heavenly Merchant Alliance found no damage to the detection formation and discussed the widespread casualties.
• The Ox Seat ordered the researchers to begin modifying his body to host the Yin Deficiency, despite their warnings about the risks.
• The Phoenix Organization explained that its experimental anomalies could evade detection and planned to capture the Abnormal Spiritual Root after the Martial Competition.
• Tian Wangchuan helped restore order as the Patrol Team subdued most of the anomalies, and the Martial Competition began.

As the Martial Competition approached, Fang Yue emerged from seclusion after making progress with the Ice Condensation Mind Method, whose growing power chilled his surroundings and made him emotionally detached. He returned to cultivation, confident he could master the technique before the competition and use it to fight with the Weird Curse.

• Yang Hongxia prepared Great Yang Mansion for the Martial Competition while Fang Yue focused on cultivation and the mansion regained stability.
• Blind Flow recovered enough to seek a place in the competition, hoping his performance might attract the attention of Tail or Mu Liu.
• Fang Yue emerged from seclusion, and Yang Hongxia and Blind Flow felt the intense cold he released.
• Fang Yue told Yang Hongxia his cultivation had paid off, then asked about the Martial Competition before returning to cultivation.
• Fang Yue recognized that the Ice Condensation Mind Method was changing his temperament and recalled Lord Han's warning that he had to master the technique rather than let it master him.
• Fang Yue resolved to master the Ice Condensation Mind Method before the competition and looked forward to using it to fight with the Weird Curse.

Fang Yue studied the Ice Condensation Mind Method and cultivated beneath the night rain until his room froze solid and his power grew strong enough to chill Yang Hongxia. When Yang Hongxia summoned him to the Heavenly Merchant Alliance's Martial Competition, she resolved to resume her own cultivation afterward.

• Fang Yue learned that advancing the Ice Condensation Mind Method required gathering eerie materials and consuming them to strengthen the [Eerie Curse] power he had imitated.
• Fang Yue endured increasingly frequent night rain that drained his Qi and Blood, relying on pills by day and Night's Breath to recover at night.
• Three days later, Yang Hongxia found Fang Yue's room frozen into a solid block of ice, with night rain still dripping onto him inside.
• Fang Yue melted the ice around himself and awakened, radiating a chill that briefly iced Yang Hongxia's skin.
• Yang Hongxia told Fang Yue that the Martial Competition had begun and that the sedan was ready, then resolved to return to cultivation after the competition.

Yang Hongxia brought Fang Yue to the Heavenly Merchant Alliance Martial Arts Exchange Tournament, confident that he could help the Great Yang Merchant Group recover its standing. At the crowded venue, Dou Hongyi worried about the anomalies entering Chu Nuan City, while Yang Diandian gloated that a Sacred Edict might cost Dou his position.

• Fang Yue's cold qi receded, and he accompanied Yang Hongxia to the Martial Competition as the Great Yang Merchant Group's guest advisor.
• Passersby mocked the Great Yang Merchant Group and speculated about Fang Yue and Yang Hongxia as they rode together to the tournament.
• Dou Hongyi searched the packed plaza for the Great Yang Merchant Group's insignia while worrying about the Rain-class senior staying at Great Yang Mansion.
• Dou Hongyi reflected that anomalies had been slipping into Chu Nuan City undetected, though their numbers had recently fallen and the Green Bureau had kept them under control.
• Yang Diandian told Dou Hongyi that a Sacred Edict had named the Chu Nuan City Green Bureau as its destination, and he celebrated the possibility that Dou would lose his position.

At the Martial Competition, Dou Hongyi secretly sought Fang Yue’s help against a strange entity, while Yang Hongxia represented the Great Yang Merchant Group among its rivals. Fang Yue cultivated Lord Han’s Ice Condensation Mind Method and advanced to its first layer.

• Dou Hongyi approached the Great Yang Merchant Group’s carriage and asked Fang Yue when he would deal with the strange entity at the Martial Competition.
• Fang Yue told Dou Hongyi to wait for the right time and keep his distance to protect his identity, leaving Yang Hongxia stunned by their exchange.
• Yang Hongxia mingled with other merchant groups at the competition, where she faced both potential allies and groups that might try to swallow her declining business.
• Fang Yue read his system notifications and learned Ice Condensation Mind Method, purifying his inner force and reaching its first layer.

Fang Yue successfully cultivated the Ice Condensation Mind Method, strengthening and refining his inner force as he resolved to master Lord Han’s full legacy and fulfill his vow. He joined the Great Yang Merchant Group for the Martial Competition’s opening speech, where the preliminary round began.

• Fang Yue assessed his improved strength and recognized that the Ice Condensation Mind Method could correct flaws in his cultivation.
• Fang Yue vowed to master Lord Han’s three martial arts, reach his strength, find the Other Shore Flower, and fulfill his promise.
• Blind Flow summoned Fang Yue to join the Great Yang Merchant Group for Tian Wangchuan’s speech.
• Tian Wangchuan explained that contestants would compete to defend one hundred arenas, and arena winners could challenge the Heavenly Merchant Alliance’s top hundred Merchant Groups.
• The rules left the weakened Great Yang Merchant Group needing to win an arena to advance, and Tian Wangchuan officially began the preliminary round.

Fang Yue waited for the right moment to claim an arena while Blind Flow jumped into a fight and won for the Great Yang Merchant Group. Yang Hongxia learned that Blind Flow had chosen an arena outside the group’s assigned range, drawing a confrontation with the Tian Luo Merchant Group Leader.

• Fang Yue judged the early competitors to be weak and decided to wait before claiming an arena.
• Blind Flow defeated several opponents on Arena Fifteen before Yang Hongxia could tell him the Great Yang Merchant Group’s assigned arenas were Seventy-Five through Eighty.
• Fang Yue said he would claim Arena Seventy-Five, but chose to wait until the deadline approached.
• Yang Hongxia saw other Merchant Groups competing outside their assigned ranges and relaxed about Blind Flow’s choice.
• The Tian Luo Merchant Group Leader accused Yang Hongxia of acting dishonorably, then angrily confronted his white-haired guest after the old man refused to act yet.

Fang Yue watched the Tian Luo Merchant Group’s white-haired fighter nearly kill the already injured Blind Flow, then stepped into the arena himself. Tian Wangchuan recognized Fang Yue as Ye Baiyi but dismissed him as doomed by the Night Rain curse.

• The white-haired old man attacked Blind Flow lethally, driving him off the arena and badly injuring him before choosing to spare his life.
• Yang Hongxia explained that the Tian Luo Merchant Group saw the Great Yang Merchant Group as vulnerable, and Fang Yue decided to pursue the Martial Competition championship.
• The white-haired old man defeated another challenger while holding back, and Fang Yue suggested preparing medicine for his injuries instead of a gift.
• Fang Yue leaped onto the arena, drawing the attention of Tian Wangchuan, who reflected on his alliance with the Phoenix Organization and his plans to control Chu Nuan City alone.
• Tian Wangchuan recognized Fang Yue as Ye Baiyi, noticed the Night Rain above him, and dismissed him as someone unlikely to live much longer.

Fang Yue dominated the martial competition arena, revealing strength that the crowd mistook for the Human Rank and securing the Great Yang Merchant Group’s position. As the matches continued, the crowd began stirring dormant anomalies throughout Chu Nuan City.

• Fang Yue defeated the white-haired elder in one move, and the elder recognized him as a Human Rank expert and withdrew.
• Fang Yue effortlessly sent more than a dozen challengers off his arena, then rested while Yang Hongxia watched with excitement.
• Blind Flow treated his injuries and reflected on how far his abilities fell short of Fang Yue’s.
• Yang Hongxia negotiated compensation from the Tian Luo Merchant Group’s leader after he approached her.
• Dou Hongyi dismissed the crowd’s reaction to Fang Yue, while Tai Yuema grew wary and planned to kill him when they faced each other.
• The competition drew a massive crowd, and dormant anomalies across Chu Nuan City began to awaken unnoticed.

The Sticky Cotton Anomaly gathered on Chu Nuan City’s walls and watched the crowds before slipping into the city. Guard Chu Dou spotted the hands covering the walls, collapsed and died before he could return to his wife and daughter, leaving Feng Yao and the other guards grieving and enraged.

• The Sticky Cotton Anomaly formed a human shape on Chu Nuan City’s walls, watched the people below, then melted into the wall and disappeared.
• Jun Shao and his friends headed to the Martial Competition, where Guard Chu Dou gently reassured them after Jun Shao ran into him.
• Chu Dou thought about his wife and daughter and planned to use his saved leave to visit them after the Martial Competition.
• Chu Dou saw countless little hands covering the city wall and collapsed from a sudden cramp in his heart.
• Feng Yao and the other guards found Chu Dou dead and grieved over his death, blaming the anomaly’s brutality.

After Chu Dou and the guards were killed by the [Sticky Cotton Anomaly], Jun Shao concealed signs of his connection to it while Chu Nuan City tightened security. Qing Chen, Jing Yan, and Lin Ling arrived near the closed city, hoping to find Fang Yue.

• Feng Yao opened Chu Dou’s corpse and found it hollowed out by the [Sticky Cotton Anomaly].
• The Anomaly killed Feng Yao and the other guards before they could send a distress signal.
• A second Patrol Team found the bodies, and Jun Shao concealed his black eyes and blood after questioning.
• Chu Nuan City increased patrols and barred outsiders from entering.
• Qing Chen, Jing Yan, and Lin Ling rode toward the city and planned to enter and look for Fang Yue.

Lin Ling, Jing Yan, and Qing Chen approached Chu Nuan City to find Fang Yue, but its gates were closed and they began looking for another way in. At the Martial Competition Plaza, Fang Yue remained unchallenged until a newcomer finally jumped onto his platform, leaving Fang Yue stunned.

• Lin Ling resolved to grow stronger, while Jing Yan said they would surprise Fang Yue when they met him.
• The three reached Chu Nuan City, found its gates shut under heavy guard, and started searching for a way inside after being turned away.
• Fang Yue saw that other competitors avoided his platform after witnessing his strength, while Yang Hongxia kept the Great Yang Merchant Group's circumstances hidden from probing leaders.
• The preliminary round's victors settled onto all one hundred platforms, including more than a dozen Human Rank experts and the young Houtian prodigy Ying.
• A challenger leaped onto Fang Yue's platform, and Fang Yue froze when he saw who it was.

Fang Yue finished the Martial Competition preliminary round by quickly defeating challengers, then refused Ying’s request for a private fight and left him shaken by the gulf between their strength. The Great Yang Merchant Group advanced to the top hundred, while Fang Yue wondered whether the next matches would last until night as Night Rain grew heavier.

• Jun Shao watched Fang Yue from the crowd before Dou Hongyi recognized him and led him away, wondering how the boy had entered the competition area.
• Fang Yue repeatedly sent challengers off the platform with a deft push, and the crowd gradually stopped trying to face him.
• After the preliminary round ended and Tian Wangchuan and other leaders had disappeared, Fang Yue left the platform intending to ask Yang Hongxia about the situation in Chu Nuan City.
• Ying challenged Fang Yue to a private fight, but Fang Yue refused and froze Ying’s feet with frost as he walked away.
• Ying realized how far he was from the Human Rank Realm, abandoned plans to challenge anyone else, and returned to cultivate.
• Yang Hongxia told Fang Yue that the Great Yang Merchant Group had advanced to the top hundred, while Fang Yue noticed the Night Rain was growing heavier and considered the possibility of fighting until night.