Chapter Summaries

The Xia Family Elders decided to let Li Bufan leave but kept him under observation, and the family continued to detain him for nearly ten more days. Li Bufan used the time to improve his martial techniques and cultivation while avoiding attention to the Small Cauldron and the powers fused into it.

• Xia Yuanhong and the other Elders judged Li Bufan’s account mostly credible, decided to let him leave, and arranged to watch him secretly.
• The Xia Family kept Li Bufan in the guest courtyard for nearly ten days under the pretext that its investigation was unfinished, and he focused on cultivation.
• Li Bufan advanced Surging Waves Palm to Great Mastery, improved Dragon Roaming Steps, and continued practicing Chasing Wind Nine Arrows and Thunderclap Saber Technique.
• Li Bufan made progress in the Five Elements Heaven Skill, Nine Revolutions Golden Wall Art, and Constant Stillness One Scripture as the Small Cauldron strengthened his spiritual power.
• Li Bufan avoided investigating the Small Cauldron, Great Sun Golden Yang Flame, and cyclone cloud patterns while he remained under the Xia Family’s surveillance.

After the Xia Family cleared Li Bufan of wrongdoing in the secret realm, he returned to Yingtian Prefecture City and reunited with Yang Kai and Lin Gong at the Songhe Martial Arts School. Li Bufan revealed that he had obtained the herbs needed to restore Yang Kai’s meridians, and the three hurried to Huichun Hall to seek Alchemist Sun’s help.

• Xia Jianlin told Li Bufan that the Xia Family had verified his account of the secret realm killings and would let him leave for Yingtian Prefecture City.
• Li Bufan traveled back with Xia Jianlin and Zhao Zhiqing, declined her invitation to visit the Zhao Family, and went straight to the Songhe Martial Arts School.
• Li Bufan reunited with Yang Kai and Lin Gong, discovering that Lin Gong had condensed his martial body and Yang Kai had strengthened himself with a Body Tempering Technique.
• Li Bufan told Yang Kai that he had obtained the Life Flower and Pulse Mending Grass needed to restore his meridians.
• Yang Kai, Lin Gong, and Li Bufan hurried to Huichun Hall’s main branch to ask Alchemist Sun to refine a Pulse Mending Pill.

Li Bufan brought rare herbs to Huichun Hall, where Alchemist Sun used them to heal Yang Kai’s meridians. After three days, Yang Kai recovered and broke through to the Meridian Connecting Realm; Li Bufan then returned to his courtyard, resolving to continue strengthening himself and go to the Songhe Gate.

• Li Bufan gave Alchemist Sun the life flower and pulse mending grass and asked him to refine a Pulse Mending Pill for Yang Kai.
• Yang Gang and Yang Qi arrived, and Yang Gang praised Li Bufan’s rapid cultivation after learning he had opened his Ren Meridian.
• Alchemist Sun spent three days refining the pill while Li Bufan, Lin Gong, and Yang Qi waited outside.
• Yang Kai emerged with healed meridians and broke through to the Meridian Connecting Realm, thanking Li Bufan for helping him recover.
• Li Bufan and his friends celebrated at a restaurant, where Yang Kai and Lin Gong drank heavily and Yang Qi escorted them home.
• Walking alone, Li Bufan reflected that he still lacked strength and decided to go to the Songhe Gate.

Li Bufan explored the Small Cauldron and discovered that it contained the five treasure lands from the secret realm, a vast storage space, and the Great Sun Golden Yang Flame and small whirlwind. After exploring too long, he suffered a sudden backlash in his Sea of Consciousness and collapsed unconscious in the courtyard.

• Li Bufan entered the Small Cauldron with his divine sense and found that its inner space perfectly replicated the secret realm’s five treasure lands.
• Li Bufan discovered that more than a dozen Essence Fish remained and that the cauldron could store items, including Storage Bags.
• Li Bufan confirmed that the Great Sun Golden Yang Flame and small whirlwind were still inside the cauldron and remained connected to him.
• Li Bufan was overcome by exhaustion and pain in his Sea of Consciousness, spat blood, and fell unconscious from the stone stool.

Li Bufan collapsed after exploring the Small Cauldron, leaving his Sea of Consciousness severely depleted. After recovering for two days, he realized the danger of probing it too deeply and resumed cultivating, determined to grow strong enough to protect Doctor Liu and Li Ping'an.

• Doctor Liu and Li Ping'an found Li Bufan unconscious and gravely weakened, then gave him Nourishing Spirit Pills and watched over him.
• Li Bufan woke with a splitting headache and told Doctor Liu and Li Ping'an that he had overexerted himself and needed quiet to recover.
• Li Bufan circulated the Constant Stillness One Scripture for two days and one night until his Sea of Consciousness stabilized and he regained more than half his strength.
• Li Bufan saw Doctor Liu and Li Ping'an asleep from keeping watch, moved them to bed, and thanked them quietly.
• Li Bufan returned to the courtyard to restore his spiritual power and resolved to open his Ren and Du Meridians before striking at the dantian.

After recovering his mental power, Li Bufan visited Lin Manor and learned about Songhe Gate’s harsh new disciple assessment and the four supreme sects of the Eastern Domain. Lin Zhennan said he, Li Bufan, Yang Kai, and Lin Gong would travel together to Songhe Gate, where Lin Zhiyan had secured a foothold.

• Li Bufan completed his recovery and found that his sea of consciousness had expanded slightly.
• At Lin Manor, Lin Zhennan and Lin Zhentian warned Li Bufan that Songhe Gate ranked incoming disciples and immediately expelled those in the bottom half.
• Lin Zhentian described the Eastern Domain and its four supreme sects: Songhe Gate, Danxuan Sect, Lingshui Pavilion, and Tianxiang Hall.
• Lin Zhennan said Lin Zhiyan had gained standing at Songhe Gate and could bring several people with her.
• Lin Zhennan announced that he, Li Bufan, Yang Kai, and Lin Gong would set out together for Songhe Gate.

Li Bufan arranged to leave for Songhe Gate with Lin Gong and Yang Kai in five days, then prepared Doctor Liu and Li Ping'an for his departure. On the night before the journey, he looked toward the wider cultivation world with both anticipation and reluctance.

• Li Zhennan and Lin Zhentian agreed with Li Bufan that they would depart for Songhe Gate in five days.
• Li Bufan told Yang Kai and Lin Gong they could join the journey, and they agreed to work hard at Songhe Gate.
• Li Bufan told Doctor Liu and Li Ping'an that he would leave in five days, and Li Ping'an promised to care for the household and follow him someday.
• Li Bufan gave Doctor Liu nearly half his savings and asked Alchemist Sun, Yang Qi, and Yang Gang to help look after him and Li Ping'an.
• On the night before departure, Li Bufan sat beneath the stars and murmured that he was coming to Songhe Gate and the Eastern Domain.

Elder Chen explained the realms and importance of spiritual cultivation to Li Bufan and gave him a jade slip containing techniques and pill-refining insights. Li Bufan left to prepare for entering the Songhe Gate, resolved to distinguish himself in the Pill Combat Tournament and win the rising sun soul grass for Elder Chen.

• Li Bufan went to the Library Pavilion after Elder Chen summoned him and revealed that he had opened his Sea of Consciousness.
• Elder Chen tested Li Bufan with spiritual pressure, then praised his progress and explained the spiritual cultivation realms and their uses.
• Elder Chen gave Li Bufan a jade slip containing his cultivation methods, spiritual techniques, and pill-refining insights.
• Elder Chen asked Li Bufan to win the rising sun soul grass at the Pill Combat Tournament, and Li Bufan promised to make his mark.
• Li Bufan left the Library Pavilion to prepare for entering the Songhe Gate.

Li Bufan studied three divine-sense techniques from Elder Chen’s jade slip and discovered its alchemy formulas, guidance, and twelve basic hand seals. After learning that the seals required real alchemy practice to master, he put the jade slip away and prepared to travel to Songhe Gate the next day.

• Li Bufan used the jade slip to learn Spirit Stab, Spirit Sense, and Spirit Control, then practiced them until his Sea of Consciousness grew fatigued.
• Li Bufan explored the jade slip further and found pill formulas, alchemy insights, and the Twelve Basic Alchemy Forms.
• Li Bufan practiced all twelve hand seals but saw no progress on his Heaven Rewards Diligence panel.
• Li Bufan learned that alchemy hand seals had to be practiced with true fire, medicinal herbs, and a pill furnace.
• Li Bufan put away the jade slip and returned to his room, planning to study alchemy after reaching Songhe Gate.

Li Bufan, Lin Gong, and Yang Kai traveled south aboard Lin Zhennan’s flying boat toward the Songhe Gate, cultivating and learning about the sect along the way. They reached Cangwu State and finally saw the vast Cangwu City, where they would head before entering the sect.

• Lin Zhennan brought Li Bufan, Lin Gong, and Yang Kai aboard his flying boat and explained the Songhe Gate’s peaks, formations, and disciples during their journey south.
• Li Bufan spent ten days cultivating the Five Elements Heaven Skill and Constant Stillness One Scripture, while Lin Gong and Yang Kai also practiced and studied alchemy methods.
• Lin Zhennan announced that they had entered Cangwu State and explained its ties to the Songhe Gate and how admission-token holders could use Cangwu City’s Teleportation Formations.
• Li Bufan continued cultivating as the flying boat passed increasingly prosperous settlements and spirit fields on its way south.
• The group saw the immense Cangwu City on the horizon, and Lin Zhennan announced their arrival.

Li Bufan arrived in Cangwu City with the Lin family and was settled in temporary lodging at the Songhe Martial Arts School while he awaited an escort to the Songhe Gate. After resting, he practiced his martial and saber techniques in the courtyard, where two unseen visitors called out in praise.

• Lin Zhennan paid the entry fee, and he and his companions entered Cangwu City and traveled to the Songhe Martial Arts School.
• Lin Zhentian presented a token at the school entrance, and the group entered its vast, formation-protected grounds.
• Lin Zhentian left Li Bufan in the Qi State courtyard to await the Songhe Gate's arrangements, while Lin Zhennan, Lin Gong, and Yang Kai went to visit Zhiyan.
• Li Bufan rested overnight, then practiced the Surging Waves Palm, the Po Jun Saber Technique, and the Thunderclap Saber Technique in the courtyard.
• Two voices beyond the courtyard praised Li Bufan's saber practice.

Li Bufan reunited with Zheng Haonan and Wang Mingxuan in Cangwu City, where they watched a public arena fight and learned its rules. Zheng Haonan challenged the arrogant Cao Bairui, and the chapter ended as he charged in with a punch.

• Li Bufan greeted Zheng Haonan and Wang Mingxuan, then surprised them with his rapid cultivation and physical strength.
• The three friends toured Cangwu City and found a crowded arena where young cultivators settled disputes for silver.
• A saber wielder defeated a swordsman, collected his payment, and challenged the crowd to face him.
• Zheng Haonan accepted Wang Mingxuan’s suggestion to challenge Cao Bairui and leaped onto the arena.
• After Cao Bairui mocked him, Zheng Haonan charged forward and punched at his face.

Zheng Haonan defeated Cao Bairui, and he, Li Bufan, and Wang Mingxuan visited Tianxiang Tower before hearing about a duel over an Extraterrestrial Meteorite. The three arrived at Tianjiao Pavilion as Leng Wuqing and Han Shan prepared to fight.

• Zheng Haonan knocked Cao Bairui off the platform, collected the wager, and returned to Li Bufan and Wang Mingxuan.
• Li Bufan suggested dining at Tianxiang Tower, where memories of Yun Niang and He Wanxing briefly troubled him.
• The three ate at Tianxiang Tower and discussed Songhe Gate’s upcoming entrance examination.
• After overhearing news of a duel over an Extraterrestrial Meteorite, Li Bufan, Zheng Haonan, and Wang Mingxuan went to Tianjiao Pavilion.
• The three saw Leng Wuqing of Wei State and Han Shan of Han State facing each other on the largest platform.

Li Bufan watched Leng Wuqing defeat Han Shan with ice swordsmanship, then agreed with Wang Mingxuan and Zheng Haonan to enter the Tianjiao Pavilion bouts. After registering, the three were told to wait in the main hall for opponents, leaving their fights still ahead.

• Leng Wuqing used his icy, evasive swordsmanship to slow Han Shan and win their bout, stopping his sword three inches from Han Shan's throat.
• Li Bufan, Wang Mingxuan, and Zheng Haonan decided to ask about the Tianjiao Pavilion and take part in its bouts.
• Wang Mingxuan learned that young talents competed there before entering the Songhe Gate, and that the pavilion was rumored to hold a master's legacy.
• The three waited in line for two hours, then registered their names, Qi State nationality, and cultivation levels with the steward.
• The steward gave them numbered iron tokens and told them to wait in the main hall for suitable opponents.

Li Bufan, Zheng Haonan, and Wang Mingxuan waited inside Tianjiao Pavilion as the young geniuses were matched for duels. Zheng Haonan defeated Sun Yu, and Li Bufan accepted a challenge from Lin Shuian of Yan State.

• Li Bufan contemplated the rumored opportunity at Tianjiao Pavilion, then set the matter aside and resumed cultivating.
• An attendant matched Zheng Haonan with Sun Yu of Shi State, and Zheng Haonan accepted the challenge.
• Zheng Haonan and Sun Yu exchanged powerful blows until Zheng Haonan used his Iron Mountain Lean and defeated him.
• Li Bufan explained how Zheng Haonan had exploited Sun Yu's straightforward fighting style, impressing Zheng Haonan and Wang Mingxuan.
• An attendant matched Li Bufan with Lin Shuian of Yan State, and Li Bufan accepted the challenge.

Li Bufan defeated Lin Shuian with his saber after Lin Shuian countered his Stacking Force palm, then spent several days training and studying opponents at Tianjiao Pavilion. The chapter ended with Zheng Haonan losing to a powerful body-tempering fighter and being knocked from the arena.

• Li Bufan's Fifteen Layers of Stacking Force were neutralized by Lin Shuian's Stacking Waves Flowing River Technique, but Li Bufan defeated him with the Thunderclap Saber Technique and Dragon Roaming Steps.
• Wang Mingxuan narrowly won a match against a middle-stage Meridian Connecting Realm sword cultivator, and Li Bufan stayed at Tianjiao Pavilion overnight to cultivate and ponder its inheritance.
• Li Bufan, Zheng Haonan, and Wang Mingxuan continued sparring over the next three days, while Li Bufan studied opponents and improved his combat experience.
• Zheng Haonan fought a powerful body-tempering opponent, endured more than twenty exchanges, and was knocked off the arena by a blow to the chest.

Li Bufan faced Bai Zixuan, a renowned fighter whose uncanny evasions came from divine sense, and adjusted his approach after seeing through the secret. Their true duel began with Li Bufan landing a saber strike that drew blood from Bai Zixuan’s fist, while both revealed their strength.

• Zheng Haonan and Wang Mingxuan returned from their defeats and urged Li Bufan to win his next match.
• Li Bufan entered the arena and faced Bai Zixuan, whose reputation for speed drew a large crowd.
• Bai Zixuan evaded Li Bufan’s five Thunderclap Saber Technique slashes, and Li Bufan realized he was using divine sense.
• Li Bufan expanded his own divine sense and used Dragon Roaming Steps to track Bai Zixuan through his evasive movements.
• Li Bufan struck with Thunderclap Slash, and Bai Zixuan blocked it with a punch that left his knuckles bleeding.

Li Bufan fought Bai Zixuan in the Songhe Gate selection and defeated him with Spirit Stab after their battle pushed both of them to reveal their full strength. He left the arena satisfied, though still eager for a longer fight.

• Li Bufan trapped Bai Zixuan with Surging Waves Palm, but Bai Zixuan broke through and retreated from the follow-up saber strike.
• Li Bufan and Bai Zixuan traded rapid attacks as Li Bufan's Thunderclap Saber Technique grew more proficient.
• Bai Zixuan praised Li Bufan and then increased his speed, leaving Li Bufan unable to evade his approaching fist.
• Li Bufan used Spirit Stab to freeze Bai Zixuan, then pressed his saber to Bai Zixuan's throat and declared him defeated.
• Li Bufan knocked Bai Zixuan unconscious, drew a stunned roar from the spectators, and left the arena still wanting to fight more.

After defeating Bai Zixuan, Li Bufan told Wang Mingxuan and Zheng Haonan that he had opened six extraordinary meridians, and the two prepared to leave Tianjiao Pavilion after their losses. Li Bufan entered the inner hall reserved for fighters with ten consecutive victories and began refining his Thunderclap Saber Technique through practice.

• Li Bufan revealed to Wang Mingxuan and Zheng Haonan that he had opened six extraordinary meridians, astonishing them.
• Wang Mingxuan and Zheng Haonan said they would return to the martial hall after losing, though they planned to watch Li Bufan's future battles.
• An attendant explained that ten consecutive victories earned access to Tianjiao Pavilion's inner hall, then escorted Li Bufan there.
• Li Bufan entered a roofless bamboo house whose interior was expanded by a formation and contained a Spirit-Gathering Formation.
• Li Bufan reflected on his fight with Bai Zixuan, practiced the Thunderclap Saber Technique, and gained further insights.

Li Bufan advanced the Thunderclap Saber Technique and created Thunderclap Flash by combining it with Dragon Roaming Steps. After restoring his strength, he sensed a mysterious fluctuation above his room in Tianjiao Pavilion and returned to cultivation, unaware that something had briefly noticed him.

• Li Bufan comprehended the Thunderclap Saber Technique’s intent and advanced it to Minor Mastery, deriving the move Thunderclap Flash.
• He tested Thunderclap Flash while using Dragon Roaming Steps and found the slash at least fifty percent faster than Thunderclap Slash.
• Li Bufan replenished his true qi and Spirit Sense, then sensed an unusual spiritual fluctuation coming from above his room.
• He suspected the fluctuation might be linked to the inheritance rumored to be hidden within Tianjiao Pavilion, but chose not to pursue it and resumed cultivating.
• As Li Bufan entered meditation, the fluctuation grew clearer briefly, as though an unknown presence opened its eyes and glanced at him before vanishing.