Chapter Summaries

Li Bufan left Songhe Gate for Cangwu City and bought a detailed map to plan his journey back to Qi State. Zheng Haonan and Wang Mingxuan resolved to become strong enough to help him when he returned, while Li Bufan began asking where to find the city's Teleportation Formation.

• Li Bufan bade farewell to Zheng Haonan and Wang Mingxuan and teleported from Songhe Gate to Cangwu City.
• Zheng Haonan and Wang Mingxuan vowed to grow strong enough to help Li Bufan rise to the rank of true disciple.
• Li Bufan bought a detailed map of the Eastern Domain from Curio Pavilion for ten thousand taels of silver.
• Li Bufan studied the map and planned a route from Cangwu City through the Great Chu Dynasty and Great Yan Dynasty to Qi State.
• Li Bufan asked an eatery proprietor where he could take a Teleportation Formation, and the proprietor recognized him as a Songhe Gate disciple.

Li Bufan arranged a discounted Teleportation Formation journey from Cangwu City to the capital of Great Chu Dynasty and spent the night examining Li Tianying’s Storage Ring and studying Windfire Wandering Step. He left the Curio Pavilion courtyard without practicing the powerful footwork, planning to avoid damaging the city.

• Li Bufan presented his Songhe Gate Core Disciple token at the Curio Pavilion and booked a Teleportation Formation journey to the capital of Great Chu Dynasty for the next morning at half price.
• Li Bufan paid fifty thousand taels and was escorted to a secluded courtyard to rest for the night.
• Li Bufan inspected Li Tianying’s Storage Ring and found spiritual medicines, Formation Discs, cultivation manuals, origin stones, gold, and silver.
• Li Bufan sorted the treasures and felt grateful that Li Tianying had prepared resources for his travels and training.
• Li Bufan studied Windfire Wandering Step and recognized that his understanding of wind and fire would help him master it.
• Li Bufan decided not to practice Windfire Wandering Step in the courtyard because its wind and flames could harm people or damage the city.

Li Bufan studied the Dragon Tiger Fist and planned to sell his Cloud Pattern pills to fund his journey. After seven days of teleportation, he reached Flame Capital in the Great Yan Dynasty, where he learned the formation to his next destination was under repair.

• Li Bufan found that the Dragon Tiger Fist suited his powerful physique and decided to practice it along with the Windfire Wandering Step when he had time.
• Li Bufan counted his Cloud Pattern Great Qi and Blood Pills and other pills, intending to sell them to cover his travel expenses.
• Li Bufan boarded the Teleportation Formation and traveled for seven days before arriving in Flame Capital.
• Li Bufan went to Ten Thousand Spirits District and asked to travel to Flame Desert City, the border city on his route back to Qi State.
• The steward told Li Bufan that the formation to Flame Desert City was being repaired and arranged a room for him to wait.

Li Bufan discovered that Zhao Mengdong had delayed the Teleportation Formation to recruit him for a contest over a Sixth-Grade Spirit Lake. Li Bufan agreed to compete for Ten Thousand Spirits District in exchange for a place in the lake, but Zhao Mengdong hesitated over granting him one of the five spots.

• After waiting three days for the Teleportation Formation to be repaired, Li Bufan decided to leave, but Zhao Mengdong arrived and asked for his help.
• Zhao Mengdong admitted he had deliberately delayed the formation and explained that Ten Thousand Spirits District, Treasure Pavilion, and Mystic Commerce Guild would settle their claim to a Sixth-Grade Spirit Lake through a contest between young cultivators.
• Li Bufan learned the contest was three days away and agreed to take part for Ten Thousand Spirits District.
• Zhao Mengdong offered Li Bufan a mid-grade Spirit-tier martial skill, but Li Bufan asked instead for a spot in the Spirit Lake if he helped win it.
• Zhao Mengdong explained that the lake had only five spots reserved for his family and began to voice a concern about Li Bufan receiving one.

Li Bufan secured Zhao Mengdong’s agreement to let him enter the spirit lake, then trained the Windfire Wandering Step and Dragon Tiger Fist in a practice room. He reached beginner proficiency in both skills as he prepared for the match in three days.

• Li Bufan assured Zhao Mengdong that he would not claim the spirit lake, and Zhao Mengdong agreed to give him one spot and ordered the staff to attend to him.
• Li Bufan followed an attendant to a secluded practice room in the Ten Thousand Spirits District and meditated to calm himself.
• Li Bufan practiced the Windfire Wandering Step with the True Meanings of Wind and Fire, reaching Beginner (14/5000).
• Li Bufan studied and practiced the Dragon Tiger Fist until his strike formed the intent of a roaring dragon and howling tiger, reaching Beginner (1/5000).
• Li Bufan circulated the Five Elements Heaven Skill to restore his true qi and strength.

After three days of training, Li Bufan joined the Zhao Family at the Sixth-Grade Spirit Lake to compete against the Treasure Pavilion and Mystic Commerce Guild for access to its Essence Fluid. The first round began with Zhao Jingran, Jia Yingdong, and Wang Jiucōng entering the free-for-all.

• Li Bufan refined Dragon Tiger Fist, Windfire Wandering Step, and Greedy Wolf Saber Technique for three days, improving his skills and conserving true qi with his understanding of true meaning.
• Zhao Mengdong led Li Bufan and Zhao Family disciples out of Flame Capital to the Spirit Lake, where guards from all three merchant houses had gathered.
• Wang Xuantong, Jia Fushan, and Zhao Mengdong confirmed the best-of-three contest rules, with each round decided by a free-for-all among one contestant from each house.
• Li Bufan sensed that two opposing women were dangerous, and Zhao Mengdong suspected one was a disciple of Lingshui Pavilion before asking Li Bufan to watch them.
• Wang Xuantong named Zhao Jingran, Jia Yingdong, and Wang Jiucōng for the first round; after the contestants took their positions, the free-for-all began.

Zhao Jingran won the first match for the Zhao Family, but Jia Yingwu defeated Zhao Jingchuan and then beat Wang Jiuxiao, leaving the contest tied between Zhao and Jia. As the third match began, Li Bufan faced Ling Miaoyin and Ruan Hongxiu, whose aura seemed familiar to him, and the two women launched their first attacks.

• Zhao Jingran defeated Jia Yingdong and Wang Jiucōng, giving the Zhao Family the first match.
• Jia Yingwu defeated Zhao Jingchuan, then won a spar against Wang Jiuxiao, giving the Jia Family one victory and leaving the Wang Family without one.
• Zhao Mengdong privately told Li Bufan that Wang Xuantong had proposed joining forces against the Jia Family, but warned him to remain vigilant.
• Li Bufan entered the third match against Ling Miaoyin and Ruan Hongxiu, and sensed that Ruan Hongxiu's aura was familiar.
• Ling Miaoyin attacked Li Bufan with her flexible sword while Ruan Hongxiu lashed her whip toward Ling Miaoyin.

Li Bufan broke Ling Miaoyin and Ruan Hongxiu’s formation and defeated them, securing Spirit Lake for the Zhao Family. After the rival groups departed, he suspected Red Sleeve Fragrance concealed a deeper connection to Tianxiang Tower and the Tianxiang Cult, and resolved to return to Qi State soon.

• Li Bufan swiftly wounded Ling Miaoyin, but she reappeared with Ruan Hongxiu and trapped him in a fog formation.
• Ling Miaoyin and Ruan Hongxiu attacked Li Bufan repeatedly while the formation slowed his movements, and Ruan Hongxiu offered to let him go if he withdrew from the Spirit Lake contest.
• Li Bufan mentioned Tianxiang Tower’s Red Sleeve Fragrance event, prompting the women to launch a sudden attack, but he used two strikes to break their formation.
• Ling Miaoyin and Ruan Hongxiu conceded, and Li Bufan’s victory gave the Zhao Family two of the three matches and secured Spirit Lake.
• Wang Xuantong and Jia Fushan led their groups away, while Li Bufan suspected the women’s killing intent was tied to Red Sleeve Fragrance and decided to return to Qi State soon.

Li Bufan cultivated in Spirit Lake for ten days, then used Essence Fluid to break through to the Qi Sea Third Stage. After leaving Flame Capital through the Teleportation Formation, he left the Zhao Family behind.

• Zhao Mengdong named Li Bufan and four Zhao Family disciples as the first to enter Spirit Lake, and the Zhao Family members thanked Li Bufan for helping them win it.
• Li Bufan absorbed Spirit Lake’s essence far faster than Zhao Jingran, Zhao Jingchuan, Zhao Jingming, and Zhao Jingyao, forcing them to cultivate at the lake’s edge.
• After ten days, Li Bufan swallowed Essence Fluid and combined its power with Spirit Lake’s essence to break through to the Qi Sea Third Stage.
• Zhao Mengdong congratulated Li Bufan and brought him to the Teleportation Formation, refusing his offer to pay the fee.
• Li Bufan departed through the Teleportation Formation, and Zhao Mengdong urged Zhao Jingran to follow Li Bufan’s example.

Li Bufan left Flame Desert City and crossed the Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain Range, Yan State, and Zhao State on his way home. He finally reached Qi State as a Qi Sea Third Stage Core Disciple of Songhe Gate, wondering how his old acquaintances were doing.

• Li Bufan examined his cultivation at the Ten Thousand Spirits District branch and confirmed his strength and spiritual sense had grown.
• Li Bufan left Flame Desert City and practiced Windfire Wandering Step as he raced toward the Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain Range.
• Li Bufan crossed the mountain range over five days, avoiding dangerous areas and collecting materials from Demon Beasts he killed.
• Li Bufan traveled through Yan State and Zhao State without stopping and reached Qi State.
• Li Bufan entered Youzhou and thought of Ping'an, his Master, and Lin Zhiyan as he continued toward home.

Li Bufan returned to Yingtian Prefecture and reunited with Doctor Liu and Li Ping'an, sharing stories of his time away and seeing how much they had grown. The chapter ended with the three heading out together to celebrate his return.

• Li Bufan entered Yingtian Prefecture and went straight to his home.
• Li Ping'an rushed into Li Bufan's arms, and Doctor Liu welcomed his disciple back inside.
• Li Bufan told Doctor Liu and Li Ping'an about his cultivation and friends while leaving out the dangers he had faced.
• Li Ping'an showed Li Bufan his Mighty Ox Fist and revealed that he had reached the Muscle Tempering realm.
• Li Bufan noticed Doctor Liu had advanced to the Tendon Tempering Realm.
• Doctor Liu took Li Bufan and Li Ping'an out to celebrate with food and drink.

Li Bufan spent a warm day in Yingtian Prefecture with Li Ping'an and Doctor Liu, finding peace with his family after a year of cultivation and conflict. That evening, Li Ping'an asked to spar, and Li Bufan showed them how true qi could carry people through the air.

• Li Bufan followed Li Ping'an around Yingtian Prefecture, buying treats, toys, and martial arts manuals before the three ate at Drunken Immortal Tower.
• Li Ping'an told Li Bufan about the past year as they strolled home, then he, Doctor Liu, and Li Bufan slept on the heated brick bed.
• Doctor Liu prepared medicinal bath water and dinner while Li Bufan and Li Ping'an rested, and the three shared a cheerful meal.
• Li Ping'an asked Li Bufan to exchange moves in the courtyard and said he had cultivated diligently to catch up with him.
• Li Bufan used outwardly released true qi to carry himself, Li Ping'an, and Doctor Liu into the courtyard, then explained that Li Ping'an could do the same after reaching the Qi Condensation Realm.

Li Bufan spent a peaceful night at home with Li Ping'an and Doctor Liu, then set out for Tianxiang Tower to fulfill a promise. The chapter ended when a maid recognized him as Young Hero Bufan.

• Li Bufan sparred with Li Ping'an, corrected his Mighty Ox Fist, and praised the boy's comprehension.
• Li Bufan carried the sleepy Li Ping'an to bed after their medicinal baths, and Doctor Liu watched over them fondly.
• Doctor Liu quietly took Li Ping'an to Lin Manor the next morning while Li Bufan pretended to sleep, then left food warming for him.
• Li Bufan woke late, ate the food Doctor Liu had left, practiced boxing beneath the old tree, and decided it was time to leave.
• Li Bufan went to Tianxiang Tower, where a maid recognized him as Young Hero Bufan.

Li Bufan visited Tianxiang Tower to fulfill his promise concerning Red Sleeve Fragrance, but kept his distance from Yun Niang and He Wanxing. Yun Niang explained that the Tianxiang Cult had changed the competition, leaving Li Bufan to consider what the new requirements meant.

• He Wanxing attacked Li Bufan, who easily caught her wrist and revealed that he had reached the Qi Sea Realm.
• Li Bufan told He Wanxing and Yun Niang that he had come to settle his promise about Red Sleeve Fragrance and wanted to end his ties to Tianxiang Tower.
• Yun Niang led Li Bufan and He Wanxing through the places where he had fought at Tianxiang Tower and into the courtyard where He Wanxing had once taught him fist techniques.
• He Wanxing noticed the strained atmosphere between Li Bufan and Yun Niang and asked them to explain it, but Li Bufan said the past should be left behind.
• Yun Niang told Li Bufan that the Tianxiang Cult had skipped Red Sleeve Fragrance's opening battles and that participating Courtesan Queens now needed to reach the Dantian Realm.

Li Bufan agreed to compete in Red Sleeve Fragrance to help He Wanxing, then visited Elder Chen, who recognized his rapid cultivation and passed two techniques into his mind. The chapter ended as Li Bufan received the torrent of knowledge.

• Yun Niang explained that Courtesan Queens who lost Red Sleeve Fragrance would be made to receive guests, and Li Bufan promised to give the contest his all.
• Yun Niang told Li Bufan to meet her at Tianxiang Tower the night after tomorrow, while He Wanxing worried that he had left angry.
• Li Bufan set out for Songhe Martial Arts School to see Elder Chen, who summoned him through Spiritual Sense.
• Elder Chen praised Li Bufan's progress, accused him of seeking more techniques, and agreed to teach him while warning him not to reveal the source.
• Elder Chen touched Li Bufan's brow and sent two torrents of cultivation knowledge into his mind.

After awakening from a two-day enlightenment, Li Bufan examined the Fetal Breath Spirit Refining Art and Dragon-Tiger Golden Body Art Elder Chen had given him, but decided to master his current techniques before starting new ones. He accompanied Yun Niang and He Wanxing to Qingzhou for Red Sleeve Fragrance, and the participants entered a formation that transported them away.

• Li Bufan awoke at Tianxiang Tower after two days and one night of enlightenment and studied the two cultivation arts stored in his Spirit Sea.
• Li Bufan resolved to repay Elder Chen's kindness and postpone cultivating the new arts until he had completed his current techniques.
• Yun Niang and He Wanxing joined Li Bufan, and the three flew overnight to Qingzhou to participate in Red Sleeve Fragrance.
• At Qingzhou's Tianxiang Tower, Li Bufan assessed the gathered participants, while Yun Niang exchanged sharp words with Wang Baoyu.
• The woman in purple activated a formation, and Li Bufan and He Wanxing entered it with the other Red Sleeve Fragrance participants before everyone vanished in a flash of light.

Li Bufan and He Wanxing entered the Sea of Hatred, Sky of Love, a trial that tested lust and required them to find the Forget Love Stone and Crossing Hatred Water. Li Bufan plunged into the dangerous Sea of Hatred to investigate, but its Delusion Water overwhelmed his defenses and awakened his strongest memories and desires for Lin Zhiyan.

• He Wanxing explained the trial and said they needed to find the Forget Love Stone and Crossing Hatred Water to pass.
• Li Bufan and He Wanxing searched the pink realm and reached the Sea of Hatred, where He Wanxing warned that its Delusion Water could drain a person’s essence and spirit.
• Li Bufan protected himself with true qi and martial techniques, then dove into the sea while He Wanxing stayed on shore.
• The water eroded Li Bufan’s true qi and filled his mind with visions of Lin Zhiyan, which he tried to suppress with the Constant Stillness One Scripture and his saber intent.
• When Li Bufan spread his Spiritual Sense through the water, the Delusion Water flooded his mind with memories from both lives and stirred his suppressed desire for Lin Zhiyan.

Li Bufan resisted the Sea of Hatred’s lust-inducing power with the Small Cauldron’s help and found the Forget Love Stone. He returned it to He Wanxing, then set out to investigate the streams feeding the sea in search of the Crossing Hatred Water.

• The Small Cauldron rang in Li Bufan’s Spirit Sea, dispelling the desire that had nearly overwhelmed him.
• Li Bufan walked deeper into the Sea of Hatred and found a glowing green stone on the seafloor.
• The Forget Love Stone’s coolness suppressed the Delusion Water’s effects, and Li Bufan stored it in his storage ring.
• Li Bufan searched the seabed for the Crossing Hatred Water, found none, and rose above the sea to trace its source to countless converging streams.
• Li Bufan gave the Forget Love Stone to He Wanxing and told her he planned to investigate the streams.
• He Wanxing asked to accompany Li Bufan, and he agreed to go with her.

Li Bufan carried He Wanxing to the source of the streams, where they searched for Crossing Hatred Water but found nothing unusual. Three strangers arrived, and Li Bufan learned they had the water and wanted the Forget Love Stone he carried, prompting him to form a plan.

• He Wanxing admitted she had neglected martial arts training, so Li Bufan tied a rope around her and carried her across the Sea of Hatred.
• Li Bufan and He Wanxing reached the streams’ meeting point and searched the water for signs of Crossing Hatred Water.
• They found nothing unusual and wondered whether the Crossing Hatred Water was somewhere other than the Sea of Hatred’s source.
• Two men and a woman approached, and the woman whispered that they had Crossing Hatred Water and sensed the Forget Love Stone on Li Bufan.
• Li Bufan called He Wanxing to his side and devised a plan as the three strangers drew closer.

Li Bufan tricked Wang Tianfeng, Wang Tianyun, and Liu Ruyan into revealing their Crossing Hatred Water, then took both trial items and defeated their attack with his Qi Sea Third Stage strength. He asked He Wanxing whether killing was allowed and summoned Liu Ruyan, while the two Wang brothers tried to appease him by offering her.

• Wang Tianfeng offered to combine his Crossing Hatred Water with Li Bufan’s Forget Love Stone, and Li Bufan agreed after inspecting the water.
• Li Bufan waited until the two trial items began shining, then snatched them and returned to He Wanxing’s side.
• Wang Tianfeng, Wang Tianyun, and Liu Ruyan attacked Li Bufan and He Wanxing, but Li Bufan’s Qi Sea Third Stage aura broke their attacks.
• He Wanxing confirmed that killing was allowed in Sea of Hatred, Sky of Love, and Wang Tianfeng and Wang Tianyun begged Li Bufan to spare them.
• Wang Tianfeng ordered Liu Ruyan to serve Li Bufan and slapped her when she refused to move.