Chapter Summaries

Li Bufan struggled up Gale Cliff, using his defensive techniques against the worsening wind until he reached a breakthrough in Dragon Roaming Steps and learned to ride the gale. As he neared the summit, the winds intensified into solid pillars and blocked his path again.

• Li Bufan activated the fifth revolution of Nine Revolutions Golden Wall Art to withstand the wind pressure while evading wind spears with Dragon Roaming Steps.
• A torrent of wind blades overwhelmed the path, so Li Bufan activated Nine Yang Body Protection and replenished his True Qi with Hundred Rivers Return to Sea.
• With his True Qi running low, Li Bufan fused the three layers of Dragon Roaming Steps and drew on the gale to propel himself forward.
• Li Bufan reached Great Mastery in Dragon Roaming Steps and began guiding the wind around him instead of enduring its attacks head-on.
• As Li Bufan approached the summit, the gale became more violent, forming solid wind pillars that sealed the mountain path.

Li Bufan reached the summit of Gale Cliff and discovered a tiny whirlwind above nine Azure Jade Steps, protected by invisible blades. After the Constant Stillness One Scripture checked his reckless impulse, he devised a careful way to probe the steps with Chasing Wind Nine Arrows.

• Li Bufan smashed through the final cyan wind pillar, reached the summit platform, and recovered some of his true qi with a Qi Replenishing Pill.
• Li Bufan saw a vast tornado beyond the platform and a tiny pale-cyan whirlwind hovering above nine Azure Jade Steps.
• Li Bufan tested the steps by shooting an arrow at the whirlwind, and invisible blades sliced it apart.
• Li Bufan nearly charged onto the steps, but the Constant Stillness One Scripture calmed his agitation and made him reconsider his recklessness.
• Li Bufan realized he could use Chasing Wind Nine Arrows to investigate the invisible blades and shot an arrow toward the Azure Jade Steps.

Li Bufan discovered that striking the Azure Jade Steps temporarily disabled the strangling force above them, then practiced Chasing Wind Nine Arrows until he reached Minor Mastery. After finding that his six-arrow technique could not keep all nine steps disabled long enough, he wondered whether he could use something besides his bow and arrows.

• Li Bufan struck the steps with arrows and discovered that they turned gray, opening a brief safe passage while the strangling force above them vanished.
• Li Bufan tested the steps’ power requirements and recovery times, finding that higher steps needed stronger attacks and stayed disabled for less time.
• Li Bufan repeatedly practiced Chasing Wind Nine Arrows, exhausted and restored his true qi, and reached Minor Mastery.
• Li Bufan fired six arrows at once and disabled the first six steps for about two breaths, but realized he could not also strike the final three in time.
• Li Bufan noticed the scattered arrow fragments and wondered if he could use something besides his bow and arrows to overcome the trial.

Li Bufan crossed the nine Azure Jade Steps by striking the first six with arrows and the last three with saber auras, then reached the pale azure whirlwind at the summit. Touching it caused it to drain his true qi and create wind blades he could command, and it began transforming as its suction stopped.

• Li Bufan used six arrows to turn the first six steps white, rushed across them with Dragon Roaming Steps, and struck the final three steps with his Thunderclap Saber Technique.
• Li Bufan reached the ninth step before the steps returned to their dangerous azure state and found no attack waiting on the small platform.
• Li Bufan strengthened Nine Yang Body Protection and touched the pale azure whirlwind, which suddenly sucked at him and began draining his true qi.
• The whirlwind converted Li Bufan's true qi into wind blades that he could control with his thoughts.
• The whirlwind's suction faded, and it began a wondrous transformation before Li Bufan.

Li Bufan claimed the Wind Pattern, discovered that it let him pass safely through Gale Cliff’s defenses, and tested its ability to create wind blades. He left the summit with a new way to temper his body and raced down the mountain to find Zhao Zhiqing.

• The Wind Pattern merged into a mark on Li Bufan’s arm and formed a close mental connection with him.
• Li Bufan safely descended the Azure Jade Steps and crossed the gale-wind region, realizing the Wind Pattern had been the formation’s core.
• Li Bufan used his true qi to create and control up to three wind blades, but found they could not hurt him for body tempering.
• Li Bufan drew Vital Energy from a Low-grade Origin Stone into the Wind Pattern, producing eighteen ownerless wind blades that he dodged until they dispersed.
• Li Bufan decided to return to Zhao Zhiqing and raced down the mountain toward the mountainside platform.

Li Bufan returned to the mountainside platform after secretly mastering the Wind Pattern and found Zhao Zhiqing exhausted from waiting for him. He showed her that he could move freely through Gale Cliff’s winds, leaving her stunned and asking how he had done it.

• Li Bufan quietly approached Zhao Zhiqing while she recovered on the platform, and she was startled to find he had returned.
• Zhao Zhiqing admitted she had been worried about Li Bufan during his several days away and tearfully reproached him for making her wait.
• Li Bufan offered to fill Zhao Zhiqing’s Wind Settling Bottle, but she said she had only been joking and urged him not to risk himself again.
• Li Bufan ventured into the gale winds and evaded every wind blade with ease before returning to the platform unharmed.
• Li Bufan explained that mastery of a high-grade Human Tier movement technique and understanding the wind let him move freely through the gale, leaving Zhao Zhiqing amazed.

Li Bufan told Zhao Zhiqing what he had found at Gale Cliff’s summit and used the Wind Settling Bottle to collect enough wind blades to fill it. With their task complete, the two left the platform and began descending the mountain.

• Zhao Zhiqing explained how unusual it was for Li Bufan to master a Human Tier high-grade martial skill in the Meridian Connecting Realm.
• Li Bufan described the summit’s hidden Cave Heaven, enormous jade platform, nine Azure Jade Steps, and heaven-spanning tornado, while keeping Little Whirlwind’s transformation secret.
• Zhao Zhiqing gave Li Bufan the Wind Settling Bottle and warned him that it could hold around two hundred standard wind blades.
• Protected from the gale winds, Li Bufan rapidly collected more than a hundred wind blades and returned the nearly full bottle to Zhao Zhiqing.
• Li Bufan and Zhao Zhiqing left the platform together and headed down Gale Cliff.

Li Bufan persuaded Zhao Zhiqing to continue to Water Marsh Forest despite her lingering injuries, promising to protect her. They reached the forest at night and prepared to rest, while Li Bufan resolved to push his Yang Qiao Meridian cultivation to completion before exploring.

• Zhao Zhiqing voiced concern that her meridians had not fully recovered and that Water Marsh Forest might be dangerous, but Li Bufan convinced her to go.
• Zhao Zhiqing agreed to visit Water Marsh Forest on the condition that they retreat immediately if danger arose, and she led Li Bufan toward it.
• Li Bufan and Zhao Zhiqing traveled for two days and one night, with Li Bufan adjusting his pace and dealing with a few low-ranked demonic beasts.
• After reaching Water Marsh Forest near nightfall, Zhao Zhiqing suggested they rest until dawn, and Li Bufan agreed.
• Li Bufan cleared and dried a concealed rocky hollow for them to rest, then discovered that his Yang Qiao Meridian was nearly fully opened and resolved to complete it that night.

Li Bufan cultivated through the night and opened the Yang Qiao Meridian, then began opening the Dai Meridian. After Zhao Zhiqing congratulated him and he thanked her for keeping watch, they left their resting place and continued deeper into the Water Marsh Forest.

• Li Bufan used the Five Elements Heaven Skill and Hundred Rivers Return to Sea to gather Vital Energy and break through the final blockage in the Yang Qiao Meridian.
• Zhao Zhiqing woke, recognized that Li Bufan was breaking through, and stood guard while hiding her aura.
• After opening the Yang Qiao Meridian, Li Bufan began opening the Dai Meridian and cultivated until the new circulation had stabilized.
• Zhao Zhiqing congratulated Li Bufan, and he thanked her for keeping watch as they shared a lighthearted exchange.
• Li Bufan and Zhao Zhiqing ate and drank, then left their temporary resting place and ventured deeper into the Water Marsh Forest.

Li Bufan and Zhao Zhiqing entered the deep Water Marsh Forest and climbed into the canopy to avoid the dangers and qi cost of traveling across the water. Zhao Zhiqing explained that the forest’s rare Ze Sang Fruit aided alchemy, while the marsh held other treasures guarded by powerful demonic beasts, and Li Bufan decided they would search the trees first.

• Li Bufan and Zhao Zhiqing crossed the flooded forest and leaped onto the trees to travel through the canopy.
• Li Bufan asked Zhao Zhiqing what treasures Water Marsh Forest contained, and she explained that its opportunities came from the forest and the marsh.
• Zhao Zhiqing told Li Bufan that ancient trees could bear rare Ze Sang Fruit, which increased pill yields and improved pill quality.
• Zhao Zhiqing described the marsh’s herbs and ores and warned that Demonic Qi Realm beasts lurked in its dangerous waters.
• Li Bufan proposed searching for Ze Sang Fruit before considering an underwater expedition, and Zhao Zhiqing agreed.

Li Bufan and Zhao Zhiqing searched the marsh canopy for Ze Sang Fruits, found only two unripe ones, and decided to investigate underwater. Before they could descend, a Demonic Qi Realm green snake attacked, and after Li Bufan drove it back, it lunged after Zhao Zhiqing as she retreated.

• Li Bufan and Zhao Zhiqing searched the canopies for Ze Sang Fruits and found only two unripe fruits.
• Li Bufan suggested searching underwater, and Zhao Zhiqing agreed despite her concerns.
• A Demonic Qi Realm green snake emerged from the foliage and attacked the pair.
• Li Bufan pulled Zhao Zhiqing out of the snake’s first strike and countered with his Azure Scale Saber and Thunderclap Saber Technique.
• Zhao Zhiqing retreated into the branches, and the green snake bypassed Li Bufan to pursue her.

Li Bufan fought a Demonic Qi Realm green snake through the forest canopy and killed it with six arrows after exhausting his true qi. Zhao Zhiqing caught him as he fell and stood guard while he took pills and began recovering.

• Li Bufan intercepted the fleeing green snake, burned its tail with Crimson Fire Flowing Paste, and hurled it into a tree with Surging Waves Palm.
• Li Bufan pressed the injured snake with a rapid saber assault, but its resilience and his dwindling true qi made the prolonged fight dangerous.
• Li Bufan drew the snake into a full-force attack, then used Nine Revolutions Golden Wall Art and Nine Yang Body Protection to withstand its strike and leave it briefly stunned.
• Li Bufan fired six arrows with Chasing Wind Nine Arrows, tearing the green snake apart and killing it.
• Zhao Zhiqing caught the exhausted, falling Li Bufan and guarded him as he took Qi Replenishing Pills and circulated the Five Elements Heaven Skill to recover.

Li Bufan and Zhao Zhiqing ventured deeper into the Water Marsh Forest and dived into its dark, immense waters to investigate the strange mist. They found and collected a rare Water Nether Soul-Condensing Grass, but the growing pressure began to overwhelm Zhao Zhiqing as they continued onward.

• Li Bufan recovered his true qi, thanked Zhao Zhiqing, and persuaded her to keep exploring the Water Marsh Forest.
• When they encountered unusually dense mist containing water-attributed Vital Energy, Li Bufan and Zhao Zhiqing decided to investigate beneath the water.
• The pair descended through the dark forest, reached its deep bottom, and searched among the tangled roots despite the crushing water pressure.
• Li Bufan and Zhao Zhiqing discovered a Water Nether Soul-Condensing Grass, which Zhao Zhiqing carefully harvested and stored.
• As they continued onward, the water pressure grew stronger, and Zhao Zhiqing began struggling to endure it.

Li Bufan and Zhao Zhiqing escaped a swarm of Devouring Origin Fish, and Li Bufan decided to return underwater alone to search for Origin Fish. After suppressing his true qi and diving by relying on his body, he reached the area near the Water Nether Soul-Congealing Grass and sensed a strange fluctuation ahead.

• Li Bufan pulled Zhao Zhiqing upward when a swarm of Devouring Origin Fish chased them through the water.
• Li Bufan brought Zhao Zhiqing safely to a tree branch, and she said she could not risk going underwater again.
• Li Bufan decided to continue searching alone, reasoning that suppressing his true qi might keep the fish from sensing him.
• Li Bufan suppressed his true qi, entered the water, and used the Nine Revolutions Golden Wall Art to withstand the pressure.
• Li Bufan hid motionless against a tree root as Devouring Origin Fish passed, then continued diving toward the Water Nether Soul-Congealing Grass.
• Li Bufan reached the dark area where he had found the grass and sensed a special fluctuation ahead.

Li Bufan chased an Origin Fish through the deep waters and discovered it entered a white vortex surrounded by Devouring Origin Fish. After examining the vortex’s shredded victims, he noticed their teeth remained intact and began considering how to use them.

• Li Bufan spotted an Origin Fish and chased it through the deep waters without using true energy, relying on physical strength and Explosive Steps.
• As the water pressure increased, Li Bufan tempered his body with the Nine Revolutions Golden Wall Art and saw his cultivation progress rise.
• Li Bufan followed the Origin Fish to a glowing white vortex where thousands of Devouring Origin Fish gathered but could not enter without being shredded.
• Li Bufan concluded that the vortex was likely the Origin Fish’s habitat and contained a separate space with concentrated Vital Energy.
• Li Bufan examined the shredded Devouring Origin Fish and found their exceptionally hard teeth remained intact.

Li Bufan strengthened his body with the Nine Revolutions Golden Wall Art and forced his way through the vortex, using its shifting currents to reach an opening at its center. The opening pulled him down a vertical passage, and he landed in a pool below.

• Li Bufan tested his strengthened right hand against a Devouring Origin Fish tooth, then prepared to withstand the vortex’s Strangling Force.
• He drew true qi inward to reinforce his body, endured attacks from Devouring Origin Fish, and approached the vortex.
• Li Bufan entered the vortex and suffered cuts, then used Dragon Roaming Steps to move through weaker currents toward its center.
• He struck upward with Surging Waves Palm Stacking Forces and slipped through a three-foot-wide opening leading underground.
• A powerful suction dragged Li Bufan down the vertical passage, and he fell into a pool.

Li Bufan discovered a hidden pool of Essence Fluid and found a Small Cauldron at its bottom, whose pull dragged him inside. As the cauldron’s energy helped him advance his cultivation, it suddenly shot toward the center of his brow.

• Li Bufan recovered on the shore of a sealed underground space and discovered that its pool was filled with Essence Fluid and silver-white essence fish.
• Li Bufan collected about one-tenth of the Essence Fluid, then realized the opening would not let him escape.
• Li Bufan sensed the Great Sun Golden Yang Flame and whirlwind cloud pattern stirring within him and dived to investigate the pool’s bottom.
• Li Bufan found a Small Cauldron, and the two treasures flew from his body into it, triggering a vortex that pulled him inside.
• Li Bufan was engulfed by the cauldron’s energy, advanced the Five Elements Heaven Skill and Nine Revolutions Golden Wall Art, and watched the Small Cauldron shoot toward his brow.

Li Bufan emerged from the secret realm after opening his Sea of Consciousness and making major cultivation breakthroughs, then gave Zhao Zhiqing the two Origin Fish he had kept. As he and Zhao Zhiqing prepared to leave, ten aged figures suddenly appeared around them.

• The Small Cauldron’s transformation helped Li Bufan reach the Qi Sea Realm and open his Sea of Consciousness before he returned to the waterfall.
• Zhao Zhiqing told Li Bufan that the secret realm had expelled everyone seven or eight days earlier, and she had waited for him there.
• Li Bufan revealed that he had found multiple Origin Fish and showed Zhao Zhiqing the two remaining fish in his Jade Box.
• Li Bufan gave the two Origin Fish to Zhao Zhiqing and asked her to keep secret that he had swallowed one and to hear his other secrets later.
• As Li Bufan and Zhao Zhiqing turned to leave, ten aged figures suddenly appeared around them.

The Xia Family elders interrogated Li Bufan about the secret realm’s collapse, searched his Storage Bags, and seized the treasures he had found. After the hooked-nosed elder ordered him to return to the Xia Family, Li Bufan stopped him before he could leave.

• Xia Yuanhong questioned Li Bufan about the secret realm, while Xia Chong'an vouched for him and explained that he had surrendered a Yuan Fish.
• The hooked-nosed elder tried to use the Soul Searching Technique on Li Bufan, but Xia Chong'an blocked him and persuaded him to inspect Li Bufan’s Storage Bags instead.
• Li Bufan handed over his Storage Bags, and the hooked-nosed elder accused him of killing Xia Family disciples and challenged his account of where he found the Essence Fluid.
• The hooked-nosed elder took the Yuan Fish, Essence Fluid, and other treasures, returned Li Bufan’s original Storage Bags, and told him to return to the Xia Family.
• Li Bufan called out to the hooked-nosed elder as he turned to leave.

After the hooked-nosed elder seized most of Li Bufan’s secret-realm gains, Li Bufan recovered the medicines meant for Zhao Zhiqing and returned to Jingzhou with the Xia Family. He remained distant from Zhao Zhiqing, then began healing and discovered his cultivation had advanced as the elders gathered to discuss the secret realm.

• Li Bufan asked the hooked-nosed elder to return the Life Flower and Pulse Mending Grass, and Xia Chong'an and Zhao Zhiqing confirmed the medicines were for Zhao Zhiqing’s injuries.
• The hooked-nosed elder returned the herbs, and Xia Chong'an comforted Li Bufan before they left for the Xia Family.
• During the journey to Jingzhou, Li Bufan resolved to grow stronger and reflected on the Small Cauldron hidden in his Sea of Consciousness.
• After arriving at the Xia Family, Li Bufan received Zhao Zhiqing’s tearful apology but asked her to leave so he could rest.
• Li Bufan took a healing pill and found that his Ren Meridian was opening and the Nine Revolutions Golden Wall Art had reached its sixth revolution.
• The Xia Family elders began discussing the secret realm in the Council Hall.