Chapter Summaries

Li Bufan fought Xiong Ju, a Qi Condensation Realm warrior, and defeated him by advancing his Po Jun Saber Technique during their battle. Badly wounded after killing Xiong Ju, Li Bufan left the arena and was caught by Lin Zhentian, while warning Zhang Ze that he would be next.

• Xiong Ju revealed his Qi Condensation Realm cultivation and overwhelmed Li Bufan with scorching true qi, forcing him onto the defensive.
• Li Bufan drew his saber and used qi-and-blood saber beams, Guanshan Yue, and Po Qian Jun to break Xiong Ju's Blazing Fire Palm and counterattack.
• Under Xiong Ju's pressure, Li Bufan's Po Jun Saber Technique advanced as he grasped how its five moves could unite into a single attack.
• Li Bufan broke Xiong Ju's Water and Fire are Ruthless with a fused saber slash, then severed Xiong Ju's right arm with a follow-up strike.
• Li Bufan stabbed Xiong Ju through the heart and killed him by driving the five layers of force into his body.
• Li Bufan warned Zhang Ze that he was next, then staggered off the arena and collapsed into Lin Zhentian's arms.

After Li Bufan defeated Xiong Ju, Xiong Quan attacked him but was stopped by Lin Zhentian and Zhao Pojun, then swore vengeance against the Lin Family and Songhe Martial Arts School. Despite his grave injuries, Li Bufan used a golden needle to revive his strength and watched Zhao Zhiqing win the second semifinal, leaving him set to face her in the final.

• Xiong Quan charged at Lin Zhentian and Li Bufan, but Lin Zhentian blocked his attack until Zhao Pojun intervened and ordered him to obey the competition rules.
• Xiong Quan apologized to Zhao Pojun, gathered Xiong Ju's corpse, and vowed that the Xiong Family and Lin Family would fight until one was destroyed; Lin Zhennan accepted the threat.
• Lin Zhentian treated Li Bufan with healing pills and true qi as the referee declared him the winner of the first semifinal.
• Li Bufan woke and insisted that Lin Gong help him sit up, then pierced the Shanzhong acupoint with a golden needle to awaken his body's potential and observe his next opponent.
• Zhao Zhiqing defeated Zhao Zhichen in the second semifinal after he jokingly tried to surrender and then lost the match.
• The referee announced the final between Zhao Zhiqing and Li Bufan.

Li Bufan faced Zhao Zhiqing despite his devastating injuries, and his perfected Po Jun Saber Technique triggered a breakthrough in her cultivation. After crawling toward her and nearly striking her with a golden needle, he was stopped by Zhao Pojun, who declared him the winner and carried him away for urgent treatment.

• Li Bufan forced himself into the arena and faced Zhao Zhiqing, who launched her full-strength Surging Waves Palm.
• Li Bufan perfected the Po Jun Saber Technique and countered Zhao Zhiqing's attack, but his weakened body failed; the clash stirred her true qi and began a breakthrough.
• Li Bufan removed the Spring Autumn Needle, collapsed, and crawled toward Zhao Zhiqing while the crowd and Lin Gong urged him onward.
• Li Bufan reached Zhao Zhiqing and thrust the golden needle toward her heart, but Zhao Pojun caught his wrist before it struck.
• Zhao Pojun declared Li Bufan the winner, stabilized Zhao Zhiqing's qi, and carried the unconscious Li Bufan to the City Lord's Mansion for treatment.

Li Bufan woke from his injuries in the City Lord's Mansion and learned that his wounds had healed rapidly with Physician Zhou's care. After discovering that his martial skills had advanced during the Prefectural Competition, he went to meet City Lord Zhao Pojun.

• Li Bufan woke five days after his battle, and Physician Zhou examined him and explained that his injuries were healing with the help of medicine and foreign true qi.
• A'Fu removed Li Bufan's bandages and cared for him as he rested for two more days and nights.
• Li Bufan woke feeling stronger, learned that Zhao Pojun wanted to see him, and bathed while keeping water away from his healing wounds.
• Li Bufan checked his progress and found that his Pine Crane Overflowing Qi Skill, Stacking Waves Palm, Tiger Crane Twin Forms Fist, Iron Wall Skill, and Po Jun Saber Technique had advanced.
• A'Fu escorted Li Bufan to Zhao Pojun's study, where the City Lord invited him inside.

After awarding Li Bufan his Prefectural Competition prize, Zhao Pojun explained martial-world ranks and the road of cultivation ahead. Li Bufan left the City Lord’s Mansion with new knowledge, his rewards, and renewed determination to find a Pulse Mending Pill for his friend.

• Zhao Pojun praised Li Bufan for winning the competition and surviving a battle against a stronger opponent, then offered him the customary first-place rewards.
• Li Bufan admitted he knew little about martial-world classifications, so Zhao Pojun explained the grades of techniques, martial skills, and pills.
• Li Bufan asked about the Pulse Mending Pill for his injured friend, and Zhao Pojun said it was a rare Third-Rank pill and suggested looking for it in a provincial city.
• Zhao Pojun outlined the realms beyond Qi Condensation, from Acupoint and Jade Liquid through Three Flowers, Golden Core, and Cave Heaven.
• Zhao Pojun gave Li Bufan the Surging Waves Palm, Layered Essence Technique, and a bottle of First-Rank Qi Condensation Pills, then sent him out of the mansion.

Li Bufan learned that the Zhang Family had defected from the Songhe Martial Arts School to the Xiong Family, but that the Lin Family had also gained new support and opportunities after his victory. Lin Gong presented him with the Lin Family's core token, and Li Bufan hurried to reassure Ping'an and Doctor Liu after learning they had worried about him.

• Li Bufan found the Songhe Martial Arts School largely empty and learned that Zhang Zhen and Zhang Yue had led many instructors and disciples away.
• Lin Gong told Li Bufan that the Zhang Family had joined the Xiong Family, while the Songhe Martial Arts School had gained new students and Yang Qi had broken through to the qi sea realm.
• Lin Gong reported that Yang Kai had awakened but seemed lonely because his damaged meridians might have ended his martial arts path.
• Lin Gong bowed to Li Bufan on behalf of the Lin Family and gave him the family's core token, granting him the standing and resources of a core member.
• Li Bufan learned that Ping'an and Doctor Liu had worried about him during his seven or eight days unconscious, so he and Lin Gong hurried to the training grounds to see them.

Li Bufan visited Li Ping'an at Lin Manor and saw how much his younger brother had improved in martial training. He took Li Ping'an out to enjoy the Prefectural City, and the brothers began strolling through its busy streets.

• Li Bufan and Lin Gong watched Li Ping'an practice, and Li Bufan saw that he had entered the Body Nourishment Realm.
• Li Ping'an joyfully reunited with Li Bufan and told the youths that his brother had won first place in the Prefectural Competition.
• Instructor Lin praised Li Ping'an's progress, granted him half a day off, and exchanged greetings with Li Bufan.
• Li Bufan and Li Ping'an left Lin Manor, while Li Gong returned to attend to the manor's affairs.
• Li Bufan promised to take Li Ping'an around the city, and the brothers set off to eat, shop, and see the sights.

After winning the Prefectural Competition, Li Bufan took Li Ping'an around Yingtian Prefectural City, then returned home to reassure Doctor Liu and share a warm meal with him and Li Ping'an. He ended the day resting peacefully at home.

• Li Bufan treated Li Ping'an to a meal, street performances, and shopping around the city, while several shopkeepers recognized him as the Prefectural Competition champion and tried to give him gifts.
• Li Bufan passed Tianxiang Tower but decided not to visit Yun Niang because he feared encountering Lie Jiaoyang while still recovering and caring for Li Ping'an.
• Li Bufan and Li Ping'an returned home with their purchases, where Doctor Liu welcomed Li Bufan and checked that his injuries had healed.
• Li Bufan, Li Ping'an, and Doctor Liu cooked and ate dinner together, and Li Bufan recounted the competition and shared what he had learned at the City Lord's Mansion.
• Li Bufan went to bed without cultivating or planning, slept deeply, and woke the following day after the sun had risen high.

After recovering from his injuries, Li Bufan discovered that the ordeal had strengthened his Iron Wall Skill and began studying pill refinement while continuing to cultivate. He mastered two introductory texts and left himself better prepared to pursue pill making and help Yang Kai.

• Li Bufan woke refreshed, treated his remaining wounds with Golden Spirit Ointment, and found that his Iron Wall Skill proficiency had surged after recovering from Xiong Ju's attacks.
• Li Bufan refrained from boxing because his injuries still hurt, then swallowed a Great Qi and Blood Pill and cultivated the Pine Crane Overflowing Qi Skill for over two hours.
• Li Bufan decided to study pill refinement and borrowed Introduction to Pill Dao and Compendium of Spirit Herbs from the Songhe Martial Arts School's Library Pavilion.
• Li Bufan returned home with food and pastries, where he found Doctor Liu and Li Ping'an; they ate together before Doctor Liu reviewed Ping'an's lessons.
• Li Bufan read both books in two hours and reached Minor Mastery in Introduction to Pill Dao and Compendium of Spirit Herbs.

Li Bufan perfected the Iron Wall Skill and broke through to Blood Tempering Perfection after a night of cultivation. He returned to his master and younger brother in good health and promised to teach Li Ping'an martial arts once his foundation was ready.

• Li Bufan spent nine days cultivating, studying medicine and herbs, and improving his skills while recovering from his injuries.
• Li Bufan pushed the Iron Wall Skill to Perfection Realm, greatly strengthening his defense and physical power.
• The Iron Wall breakthrough stirred Li Bufan's qi and blood, so he swallowed another Great Qi and Blood Pill and began breaking through to Blood Tempering Perfection.
• Li Ping'an and Doctor Liu waited beneath the eaves as Li Bufan cultivated through the night.
• Li Bufan completed the breakthrough, and his Pine Crane Overflowing Qi Skill and Tiger Crane Twin Forms Fist proficiencies increased.
• Li Bufan thanked Doctor Liu and Li Ping'an, reassured them he was well, and promised to teach Li Ping'an martial arts after his foundation was solid.

After reaching Blood Tempering Completion and perfecting Iron Wall Skill, Li Bufan took Li Ping'an to Lin Manor in time for training, then went to Songhe Martial Arts School to check on Lin Gong and Yang Kai. He found Lin Gong teaching a crowd of new disciples and greeted him after the lesson.

• Li Ping'an panicked about being late, so Li Bufan carried him swiftly to Lin Manor and got him to Instructor Lin’s roll call on time.
• Li Bufan left Lin Manor and learned from the steward that Lin Gong was helping at Songhe Martial Arts School.
• Li Bufan saw that Songhe Martial Arts School had drawn hundreds of new disciples, many of whom recognized him as the Prefectural Competition champion.
• Lin Gong demonstrated the Savage Bull Charge and carefully corrected the new disciples’ stances and qi-and-blood circulation.
• After Lin Gong dismissed the disciples, he spotted Li Bufan and greeted him.

Li Bufan reunited with Yang Kai and Lin Gong after recovering from his injuries and reaching Blood Tempering Realm Perfection. After promising to help Yang Kai find a Pulse Mending Pill, Li Bufan sparred with him and narrowly landed a strike, while Yang Kai pushed Lin Gong through a punishing training session.

• Li Bufan met Lin Gong, learned how the Lin Family and martial hall had grown busier, and discovered that Yang Kai was teaching disciples nearby.
• Li Bufan reunited with Yang Kai, thanked him for his past help, and promised with Lin Gong to find a Pulse Mending Pill for him.
• Yang Kai told Li Bufan to keep training for the upcoming State Competition and advised him to seek guidance from the senior Guardian of the Pavilion.
• Li Bufan sparred with Yang Kai and broke through his defense with a punch infused with the intent of four Po Jun Saber Technique forms.
• Yang Kai praised Li Bufan's progress, then sparred with Lin Gong and corrected his technique until Lin Gong was exhausted but resolved to train harder.

Li Bufan trained with the new disciples and sparred with Yang Kai and Lin Gong, then perfected the Tiger Crane Twin Forms Fist and advanced his other techniques. After half a month of further cultivation, he sensed his blood qi nearing a transformation, before an unidentified voice praised him in the moonlit courtyard.

• Li Bufan spent his mornings helping Lin Gong and Yang Kai guide the new disciples, then sparred with them to sharpen his skills.
• During a clash with Yang Kai on the tenth day, Li Bufan unified the Tiger and Crane forms and perfected the Tiger Crane Twin Forms Fist.
• Li Bufan focused on cultivating the Pine Crane Overflowing Qi Skill and absorbing insights from his past battles, supported by the Lin Family core token's resource privileges.
• After half a month, Li Bufan had advanced the Pine Crane Overflowing Qi Skill and Stacking Waves Palm, and his blood qi showed signs of approaching a transformation.
• As Li Bufan stood beneath the moon, an unidentified voice said, "Not bad."

Elder Chen visited Li Bufan in place of Lin Zhentian and showed him the Divine Contemplation Diagram. Li Bufan studied it through the night before fainting, and Elder Chen left him with a faint golden glimmer in his brow.

• Elder Chen appeared in Li Bufan's courtyard and explained that Lin Zhentian had asked him to provide guidance.
• Elder Chen summoned a strange gray scroll and told Li Bufan to sense it with his heart, blood, and force rather than his eyes.
• Li Bufan focused on the Divine Contemplation Diagram and perceived intricate patterns that revealed martial arts insights and artistic realms.
• Li Bufan studied the diagram through the night, then fainted from the strain as dawn broke.
• Elder Chen praised Li Bufan's willpower, touched his brow with a finger, and sent a faint golden glimmer into him before vanishing.

After suffering severe spiritual damage, Li Bufan used the Hibernating Dragon Sleeping Pill Skill Elder Chen had imprinted in his mind to recover through deep sleep. Elder Chen praised his aptitude and ordered him to cultivate the skill for two hours daily, and Li Bufan made it a regular part of his training.

• Li Bufan awoke with a splitting headache and discovered the Hibernating Dragon Sleeping Pill Skill in his mind.
• He practiced its breathing and qi-blood circulation until the skill reached Beginner, then fell into a deep sleep that lasted three days and three nights.
• Doctor Liu and Li Ping'an visited Li Bufan twice and left him undisturbed when they found him sleeping steadily.
• Li Bufan awoke refreshed, with abundant qi and blood and improved control over his strength.
• Elder Chen appeared, praised Li Bufan's aptitude, and instructed him to cultivate the Hibernating Dragon Sleeping Pill Skill for two hours each day.
• Li Bufan added the skill to his daily routine, and his spirit and martial arts training steadily improved.

Li Bufan perfected the Pine Crane Overflowing Qi Skill, generated his first wisp of true qi, and established the initial foundation of his Five Elements Cultivation Body. He concluded that his next goal was to perfect the cultivation body before seeking a suitable Qi Condensation Realm technique.

• After five days of diligent cultivation, Li Bufan used the last of a Great Qi and Blood Pill's medicinal power to perfect the Pine Crane Overflowing Qi Skill and generate true qi.
• Li Bufan guided the new true qi through his body, beginning the method he had devised to temper and condense a cultivation body.
• After three hours of practice, Li Bufan established the initial foundation of the Five Elements Cultivation Body.
• Li Bufan practiced the Tiger Crane Twin Forms Fist and recognized how his stronger essence, qi, and spirit had enabled his breakthrough.
• Li Bufan decided to perfect his cultivation body and control of true qi before seeking a Qi Condensation Realm cultivation technique, then returned to his room to meditate.

After condensing True Qi and establishing the beginnings of his Five Elements Cultivation Body, Li Bufan tested his improved strength against Yang Kai and won their sparring match. The three celebrated by heading to Tianxiang Tower, where Lin Gong requested a private room and the Four Little Flower Girls.

• Li Bufan cultivated overnight with the Hibernating Dragon Sleeping Pill Skill and arrived at the training ground refreshed.
• Yang Kai recognized that Li Bufan had condensed True Qi, and the two began sparring to test his progress.
• Li Bufan used his Five Elements Cultivation Body and Tiger Crane United Heart to overpower Yang Kai's Fire Fang Knocking Gate, winning the match.
• Yang Kai and Lin Gong agreed to celebrate Li Bufan's breakthrough and visit Yun Niang at Tianxiang Tower.
• Lin Gong led Li Bufan and Yang Kai into Tianxiang Tower and asked for a private room and the Four Little Flower Girls.

Li Bufan celebrated his martial-cultivation breakthrough at Tianxiang Tower while Yun Niang negotiated with Lin Zhennan to have him represent her faction in the Red Sleeve Fragrance battle. The chapter ended with Lin Zhennan overhearing Lin Gong’s rowdy drinking challenge and turning back in a fury.

• Li Bufan, Yang Kai, and Lin Gong celebrated Li Bufan’s breakthrough in a private room, where Lin Gong eagerly ordered food, wine, and performances.
• Yun Niang told Lin Zhennan that her support for the Lin Family was partly because of Li Bufan, and Lin Zhennan promised the family would back his cultivation.
• Yun Niang revealed her connection to the Tianxiang Cult and asked Lin Zhennan to help kill Lie Jiaoyang in exchange for the Xiong and Zhang Families and Li Bufan’s participation in the Red Sleeve Fragrance battle.
• Lin Zhennan accepted the gamble, and Yun Niang promised to help Li Bufan grow stronger before the battle in a year and a half.
• After learning Li Bufan had arrived, Yun Niang went to see him, while Lin Zhennan and Lin Zhentian headed downstairs.
• Lin Zhennan overheard Lin Gong urging the others to drink and turned around, livid, ordering Lin Zhentian to come with him.

Yun Niang and Lin Zhennan interrupted Li Bufan, Yang Kai, and Lin Gong’s drunken celebration at Tianxiang Tower after Li Bufan’s breakthrough. Lin Zhennan took Lin Gong and Yang Kai away, while Yun Niang kept Li Bufan behind to speak with him, leaving the reason unstated.

• Yun Niang entered the private room and found Lin Gong drunk and bare-chested, while Li Bufan and Yang Kai hurried to greet her.
• Lin Zhennan arrived, seized Lin Gong, knocked him unconscious, and asked why the young men had come to Tianxiang Tower.
• Yang Kai explained that they had gathered to celebrate Li Bufan condensing true qi and to thank Yun Niang for helping him after the Prefectural Competition.
• Lin Zhentian checked Li Bufan’s cultivation and praised his solid foundation, while Lin Zhennan warned the young men against drinking and indulging.
• Lin Zhennan left with Lin Gong, Lin Zhentian, and Yang Kai after Yun Niang asked Li Bufan to stay behind.
• Yun Niang dismissed the Four Little Flower Girls and led Li Bufan to a quiet private room, where she stood by the window without yet explaining what she wanted to say.

Yun Niang gave Li Bufan a Storage Bag and explained the Tianxiang Cult’s struggle over Red Sleeve Fragrance, making him a candidate for Flower Guardian. She then arranged for him to serve as bait to lure the injured Lie Jiaoyang into an ambush during his trip to Qingzhou City.

• Yun Niang gave Li Bufan a Storage Bag containing the Green Scale Saber, books, jade slips, and chests, and he tested how to use it.
• Yun Niang explained the Tianxiang Cult’s factional conflict, the battle for Red Sleeve Fragrance, and Li Bufan’s candidacy for Flower Guardian; she urged him to pass the Songhe Gate selection before the coming contest.
• Li Bufan asked about Lie Jiaoyang, and Yun Niang revealed that the injured woman would soon leave Tianxiang Tower.
• Yun Niang asked Li Bufan to act as bait so they could kill Lie Jiaoyang, who might attack him after he left the prefectural city for Qingzhou City.
• Li Bufan agreed to Yun Niang’s plan after learning that the Lin Family’s eldest young lady would accompany him and help deal with Lie Jiaoyang.