Chapter Summaries

Shi Lan fought You Hong and a black-robed elder while Wu Lingkong’s forces were attacked by a group of Xiantian Realm martial artists. The attackers became distracted by the spirit crystals, and as the Demon Suppression Army withdrew, the elder fled while You Hong prepared to fight Shi Lan to the death.

• Shi Lan pierced You Hong’s giant True Qi palms, but the black-robed elder’s Seven-Fragrance Powder left her dizzy and let You Hong strike her shoulder.
• The elder’s flying swords slashed Shi Lan’s armor, but her body resisted their blades, and she quickly recovered from the powder’s effects.
• Wu Lingkong struggled against several Xiantian Realm martial artists until they spotted spirit crystals in a torn bundle and rushed toward them.
• Wu Lingkong ordered the Demon Suppression Army to abandon the bundles and withdraw, while Shi Lan realized the attackers did not all belong to one faction.
• The black-robed elder fled with several maids, and You Hong stayed behind, resolved to fight Shi Lan rather than retreat.

Shi Lan fought You Hong and his remaining Xiantian Realm warriors, breaking through to the seventh level of the Xiantian Realm during the battle. With Wu Lingkong's help, she defeated You Hong and killed the four remaining warriors, while the Demon-Suppressing Army suffered few casualties.

• You Hong ordered his four remaining Xiantian Realm warriors to attack Shi Lan from a distance, but she blocked their barrage and endured his palm strikes.
• Shi Lan countered You Hong's crimson palm print, broke through to the seventh level of the Xiantian Realm, and advanced on him.
• Wu Lingkong arrived after escorting the Demon-Suppressing Army members to safety and kept You Hong's warriors from coming to his aid.
• Shi Lan knocked You Hong aside, shattered his bones and tendons while leaving him alive, then killed the four warriors fighting Wu Lingkong.
• Wu Lingkong and Shi Lan found that most spirit crystals and dragon horses had been taken, while the army had only two seriously injured men and several lightly injured men.

After learning who had taken part in the ambush, Shi Lan led the Demon-Slaying Army to Yanshan City to retrieve their stolen goods. She and Wu Lingkong confronted Zhang Pingsheng, while the Qianyun Sect remained a more difficult target for later.

• Shi Lan questioned the dying You Hong, who named Zhang Pingsheng, Sikong Qian, and Yang Kun as accomplices and pleaded for mercy for the Huoyun Escort Agency’s uninvolved escorts.
• Shi Lan killed You Hong and found her map intact, then discussed the factions with Wu Lingkong and decided to visit Yanshan City before the Qianyun Sect.
• Shi Lan led her group to Yanshan City, knocked down its gate, and rode toward the city lord’s residence.
• Zhang Pingsheng tried to flee when Shi Lan’s cavalry arrived at his residence, but he froze when he realized he could not escape.
• Wu Lingkong prepared to fight Zhang Pingsheng, but Shi Lan stopped her and summoned her halberd so they could defeat him together.

Shi Lan led the Zhenyao Army to recover stolen supplies from the factions involved in the ambush, then confronted the Qianyun Sect over its elder Sikong Qian. Qiu Hongxin arrived to protect Sikong Qian, and Shi Lan identified herself and demanded the return of the army’s stolen military supplies.

• Wu Lingkong killed Zhang Pingsheng while Shi Lan and the Zhenyao Army subdued the warriors at the City Lord's estate, recovering spirit crystals and Flood Dragon Horses but not Shi Lan's share or the Divine Cloud Bow.
• Shi Lan led the army across the region, crushing most of the factions involved in the ambush, then abandoned her search for Yang Kun and headed for the Qianyun Sect.
• Shi Lan politely asked the Qianyun Sect disciples to summon Sikong Qian and the sect master, explaining that she had come to reclaim stolen property.
• Sikong Qian tried to flee when he saw Shi Lan, but she stopped him and attacked with her Vajra Divine Fist.
• Qiu Hongxin appeared and dispersed Shi Lan's fist aura; Shi Lan introduced herself as a Zhenyao Army centurion and demanded the return of its stolen military supplies.

Shi Lan accused Sikong Qian of stealing spirit crystals from the Demon Suppression Army, and Qiu Hongxin investigated the claim before deciding to expel him from the Thousand Cloud Sect. When elders and disciples objected, Qiu Hongxin called for the Old Sect Master to emerge from seclusion.

• Shi Lan showed Qiu Hongxin her Demon Suppression Token and accused Sikong Qian of colluding with bandits to steal spirit crystals.
• Qiu Hongxin ordered Fu Hong and Zhang Ci to search Sikong Qian's residence, where they found several thousand spirit crystals.
• Qiu Hongxin told Shi Lan to take Sikong Qian, but several elders and disciples defended him and demanded further investigation.
• Qiu Hongxin brought Sikong Qian outside and declared that he was expelling him from the sect.
• After elders and disciples objected, Qiu Hongxin called for the Old Sect Master to emerge from seclusion, startling Sikong Qian.

Shi Lan confronted the Thousand Cloud Sect over Sikong Qian’s attempt to rob the Demon Suppression Army, then left him to the sect’s judgment and continued her journey. Her reputation rose sharply, unlocking rewards and a new three-year quest to accumulate 100,000 reputation points.

• Liu Huaxing arrived, struck Sikong Qian down, and allowed Shi Lan to decide his fate after learning he had tried to rob the Demon Suppression Army.
• Shi Lan questioned Sikong Qian about her missing Divine Cloud Bow, then left him with the Thousand Cloud Sect and accepted the returned spirit crystals.
• Liu Huaxing escorted Shi Lan’s party down the mountain, thanked her, and told Qiu Hongxin to gather news from the west before he entered life-or-death seclusion.
• Wu Lingkong realized Shi Lan had spared Sikong Qian to avoid needlessly antagonizing the Thousand Cloud Sect.
• Shi Lan received three basic draws and one draw reset after reaching the Somewhat Well-Known reputation achievement, along with a quest to gain 100,000 reputation points within three years.

Shi Lan used her beginner lottery draws and received the Yuchang Sword, a Beginner Formation Disk, and a Yulong Fruit, then cultivated with the fruit overnight. By morning, she had strengthened her Xiantian True Qi and continued toward the Shengwu Immortal Sect with her companions, leaving the Huoyun Escort Agency behind.

• Shi Lan counted the ten thousand spirit crystals Qiu Hongxin had given her and noted her lost spirit crystals and missing Shenyun Bow.
• Shi Lan drew a one-star Yuchang Sword and a two-star Beginner Formation Disk, but found both items of limited use.
• Shi Lan used her final beginner draw to obtain a Yulong Fruit, learned from the system that it was non-toxic and could help hidden injuries, then ate it.
• Samsara grew wary after hearing that the lottery wheel connected to the three thousand great thousand worlds.
• Shi Lan cultivated with the Yulong Fruit overnight, then set out with Wu Lingkong and the others toward the Shengwu Immortal Sect without returning to Panshi City.

Shi Lan realized that helping scattered travelers was too slow to raise her prestige and began gaining fame by challenging powerful martial artists. After reaching Ancient Phoenix City, she arranged to buy ironwood for another challenge stage and continued preparing for her journey.

• Shi Lan concluded that prestige did not have to come from a good reputation and chose to build her name by defeating established fighters.
• Shi Lan and Wu Lingkong led their disguised caravan to Ancient Phoenix City after traveling for seven or eight days, during which Shi Lan's prestige climbed to nearly three thousand.
• Shi Lan entered the city's largest lumber shop and ordered two hundred cubic zhang of ironwood planks for twelve thousand taels of silver.
• Shi Lan arranged for the lumber to be delivered near a marketplace, exchanged one spirit crystal for gold and silver, and returned to the inn.

Shi Lan and Wu Lingkong visited Nishang Pavilion before Shi Lan set up a challenge arena in Ancient Phoenix City’s market. Shi Lan waited for her first opponent, but market administrators arrived to demand a fine for the unauthorized arena.

• Shi Lan and Wu Lingkong entered Nishang Pavilion, where Wu Lingkong recalled visiting its branches in the Central Heaven Domain.
• Shi Lan and Wu Lingkong browsed the expensive magical artifacts and left without buying anything.
• Wang Ning and the others built an arena, and Wu Lingkong posted rules banning magical artifacts and limiting challengers to the ninth level of the Xiantian Realm or below.
• Shi Lan raised the challenge reward to four thousand spirit crystals and climbed onto the arena to wait for an opponent.
• Several black-robed market administrators arrived, and an elderly white-faced man demanded a fine of three hundred spirit crystals for occupying public space without permission.

Shi Lan set up a challenge ring in Ancient Phoenix City, drew challengers, and defeated a series of Xiantian Realm martial artists, boosting her reputation. As she prepared to leave at sunset, the Young City Lord invited her to his home and revealed that he already knew her reputation.

• Shi Lan paid a fine to keep her ring in place for the day, then kicked the massive ironwood structure closer to the roadside.
• The Young City Lord waived the ring's rent but insisted that Shi Lan still pay the fine, and she accepted his hospitality.
• A short-haired eighth-level Xiantian Realm martial artist challenged Shi Lan, but she defeated him with a single punch and gained reputation.
• Several more renowned Xiantian Realm martial artists challenged Shi Lan that afternoon, and she defeated them all as her reputation climbed by nearly two thousand.
• With no more challengers at sunset, Shi Lan began dismantling the damaged ring and declined the Young City Lord's invitation to his home.
• The Young City Lord told Shi Lan that he was over seventy and had no improper intentions, then said he knew of her reputation from her victories along the way.

Gu Deyuan asked Shi Lan to compete in the Skythunder Hall martial gathering and win the Seven-Treasure Spirit-Opening Jade Dew to help his youngest son. Shi Lan agreed to stay for no more than three days in exchange for half the prize.

• Gu Deyuan introduced himself to Shi Lan and asked her to discuss a favor with him privately.
• Gu Deyuan explained that the Skythunder Hall was holding a martial gathering for fighters under thirty and asked Shi Lan to win its first-place prize.
• Gu Deyuan offered Shi Lan up to two hundred thousand spirit crystals and explained that he wanted the Spirit-Opening Jade Dew to help his youngest son’s damaged mind.
• Shi Lan considered the gathering’s benefits and asked Gu Deyuan to wait outside while she discussed his offer with Wu Lingkong.
• Shi Lan told Gu Deyuan she would compete for half the Spirit-Opening Jade Dew and stay no more than three days, and Gu Deyuan agreed.

Shi Lan received Gu Rentong’s recommendation and information on rival martial artists before traveling with him to the Heavenly Thunder Hall’s tournament. With the competition already in its third round, Gu Rentong arranged for Chu Chen to withdraw and make room for her, but Chu Chen questioned whether his spot could be transferred to anyone.

• Gu Rentong gave Shi Lan a letter of recommendation and records on young martial artists, and offered her an additional treasure in exchange for two-thirds of the Spirit-Opening Jade Nectar if she won first place.
• Shi Lan declined to make any promises about the Jade Nectar and said she already had a suitable treasure, the Violet Star Seven-Star Halberd.
• Gu Rentong carried Shi Lan to the Heavenly Thunder Hall, where they learned that the tournament had reached its third round and two of Gu Feng City’s three contestants had been eliminated.
• Gu Rentong told Chu Chen to withdraw and give up his tournament spot to Shi Lan, and Chu Chen agreed but asked whether the spot could be transferred to just anyone.

Gu Rentong replaced Chu Chen with Shi Lan for the third round of the martial contest, where she faced Yuan Guanhai. The crowd heavily favored Yuan Guanhai in the betting pool, while Gu Rentong secretly placed twenty thousand spirit crystals on Shi Lan to win.

• Gu Rentong presented a letter to Elder Xin and secured permission to replace Chu Chen with Shi Lan.
• Chu Chen stepped aside, relieved to avoid a difficult fight, as Shi Lan entered the arena to face Yuan Guanhai.
• The crowd reopened the betting pool and overwhelmingly wagered on Yuan Guanhai, giving Shi Lan odds of one to nine.
• A young scholar bet his spirit crystals on Shi Lan after catching her gaze.
• Gu Rentong quietly placed twenty thousand spirit crystals on Shi Lan to win as Elder Xin recited the rules.

Shi Lan overwhelmed Yuan Guanhai in their match, ignoring his attempts to fight back and preventing him from surrendering. After Yuan Shan tried to intervene, Shi Lan injured Yuan Guanhai further, and Elder Xin declared Shi Lan the winner and banned Lingfeng City from the martial gathering for ten years.

• Shi Lan struck Yuan Guanhai with a powerful fist before he could finish speaking, then crushed his chin and battered him across the arena.
• Yuan Guanhai could not fight back or call for surrender as Shi Lan repeatedly struck him, while Elder Xin allowed the match to continue.
• Yuan Shan charged onto the arena to protect his son, but Elder Xin intercepted him and knocked him off the platform.
• After Elder Xin warned her to stop, Shi Lan deliberately broke both of Yuan Guanhai's legs while Yuan Shan watched helplessly.
• Elder Xin declared Shi Lan the winner and banned Lingfeng City from participating in the martial gathering for ten years.

Shi Lan advanced through the martial gathering after defeating Yuan Shan and receiving repeated surrenders, while arranging with Gu Rentong to keep betting her winnings. She reached the top four at her arena, and the semifinals were postponed while she cultivated.

• The Heavenly Thunder Hall punished Yuan Shan for breaking the rules, and Shi Lan checked her increased reputation before asking Gu Rentong whether her actions had caused trouble.
• Zhao Lingfeng revealed that Gu Rentong had won twenty crystal tokens from the betting pool, and Shi Lan asked for half but told Gu Rentong to keep betting on her behalf.
• Shi Lan's next opponent, Tian Yu, surrendered immediately, allowing her to advance to the fifth round and gain more reputation.
• Shi Lan's fifth-round opponent also surrendered, advancing her to the top four as the other semifinalists recovered from their injuries.
• Shi Lan returned with Gu Rentong to the low peak, activated her Spirit Gathering Array, and began cultivating while the semifinals were delayed.

Shi Lan won the arena championship after defeating a ninth-level Xiantian cultivator, earning ten crystal tokens and a place at the main peak. After Gu Rentong warned her about the strong competitors at other arenas, Song Jue approached her with a painting he had made as an excuse to speak with her.

• Gu Rentong led Shi Lan to the arena, where she defeated her ninth-level opponent with her Seven-Star Ziwei Halberd.
• Shi Lan watched the other semifinalists fight, then won the championship when the final opponent conceded rather than face her.
• A Heavenly Thunder Hall elder rewarded Shi Lan with ten crystal tokens and told her to wait before going to the main peak.
• Shi Lan gave the tokens to Gu Rentong, who warned her that the other arenas had formidable contestants competing for the Spirit-Opening Jade Dew.
• Song Jue introduced himself to Shi Lan and gave her a painting of her holding a halberd, which she praised.

Shi Lan reached the Heavenly Thunder Hall’s main peak for the martial gathering and was matched against Gu Rongyue of the Wonderful Sound Valley. Shi Lan knocked Gu Rongyue off the arena with a single kick, leaving her unconscious as the valley’s elder rushed to her side.

• Shi Lan followed Gu Rentong and a Heavenly Thunder Hall elder to the main peak, where Gu Rentong identified potential opponents Hao Pojun and Zhao Jing'an.
• Two women from the Wonderful Sound Valley arrived, and Gu Rentong warned Shi Lan that the younger one, Gu Rongyue, was a famed zither prodigy.
• Elder Xin announced Shi Lan's first match against Gu Rongyue, and both women took their places on the arena.
• As soon as the match began, Shi Lan charged and kicked Gu Rongyue in the chest before she could draw her zither.
• Gu Rongyue flew off the arena and fell unconscious, and the Wonderful Sound Valley elder rushed to her.

Shi Lan defeated Gu Rongyue, who accepted the loss as a lesson, and the next match began between Hao Pojun and Zhao Jing'an. Hao Pojun attacked with a torrent of true qi while Zhao Jing'an prepared an array and gathered black mist around himself, leaving the clash unresolved.

• Shi Lan defeated Gu Rongyue with a swift kick, and Elder Xin declared her the winner.
• Gu Rongyue recovered, acknowledged Shi Lan's lesson, and left with the Miao Yin Valley elder.
• Elder Xin began the match between Hao Pojun and Zhao Jing'an.
• Hao Pojun summoned a jade bead and attacked through a mist with a massive stream of true qi, while Zhao Jing'an used a black hall and shadowy figures to defend himself.
• Zhao Jing'an completed an array, gathered the scattered black mist around himself as armor, and let the black hall fall as Hao Pojun's water crashed down.

Shi Lan defeated Zhao Jing'an after outlasting the borrowed power he gained from the arena formation. Just as she expected to claim the martial gathering championship, the Heavenly Thunder Hall revealed that she had to defeat Shen Tianlan as well.

• Zhao Jing'an used the formation to strengthen himself and defeated Hao Pojun, continuing to attack until Elder Xin stopped him after Hao Pojun conceded.
• Shi Lan asked to recover before facing Zhao Jing'an, but Elder Xin threatened to declare her the loser and ordered the match to begin.
• Shi Lan evaded Zhao Jing'an's relentless attacks until his enhanced power faded, then struck him down and forced him to concede.
• A middle-aged man and a younger man appeared on the arena, and the middle-aged man told Shi Lan she had to defeat another Heavenly Thunder Hall challenger to claim the championship.
• The crowd identified the younger man as Shen Tianlan, and Gu Rentong confirmed that the tournament rules required Shi Lan to face him.

Shi Lan faced Shen Tianlan in the martial tournament as he wielded the Thunderbolt Fan and summoned the power of the storm clouds. After Shi Lan withstood his lightning and struck back, something awakened within her as Shen Tianlan prepared a massive thunder attack.

• Shen Tianlan entered the tournament as the Heavenly Thunder Hall's prodigy, and the crowd realized the contest had been arranged to promote him and help him claim the Seven Treasures Spirit-Opening Jade Dew.
• Shi Lan refused Shen Tianlan's offer to concede and began their match without taking a break.
• Shen Tianlan struck Shi Lan with a bolt of lightning from the Thunderbolt Fan, but she braced it with her battle halberd and countered with Hidden Force.
• Shen Tianlan admitted he had underestimated Shi Lan, then rose into the air and drew lightning from the clouds to empower himself and the Thunderbolt Fan.
• Shi Lan felt her blood and true qi surge as a thirst for battle welled up, while Shen Tianlan commanded the gathered lightning to descend.