Chapter Summaries

Jiang Yuanfan rebuked Zhang Shuyao and left, while two powerful figures discussed the Huang Family Massacre, the investigation, and a mysterious key. At the Blood Saber Sect, Tang Xiao learned that Huang Yu had secretly watched the Moon Worshipping Sect, leaving his hidden plans unexplained.

• Jiang Yuanfan accused Zhang Shuyao of taking her anger at Zhao Tianxing out on Chu Fan, then walked away; Lishan also left to shovel horse manure.
• A robed man questioned the Black Robe Man about the Huang Family Massacre, and the Black Robe Man denied that his sect had carried it out.
• The robed man warned the Black Robe Man not to provoke Lu Tao or attack the Blood Saber Sect, insisting that finding the “key” came first.
• The Black Robe Man departed as smoke, and the robed man remained alone in the revealed hall.
• A subordinate told Tang Xiao that Huang Yu had hidden money and medicinal ingredients, seized three West City residences, and likely acted against the Moon Worshipping Sect.

Tang Xiao learned that Huang Yu had searched for an extraordinary key sought by the Moon Worshipping Sect, then ordered the surviving Huang Family servants killed to keep the secret. Meanwhile, Chu Fan used Cao Feng’s medicinal bath to accelerate his cultivation and hoped to draw both sects into a search for the key.

• Chang Gen told Tang Xiao that Huang Yu had watched the Moon Worshipping Sect and searched for ancient objects because he believed one might contain a key that could let him leave the Blood Saber Sect.
• Tang Xiao paid Chang Gen for the information, but his lean subordinate strangled Chang Gen after learning that other surviving servants could spread the secret.
• Tang Xiao ordered the lean man to bury Chang Gen beneath a peach tree and kill the other surviving Huang Family servants.
• Chu Fan entered a medicinal bath prepared from Cao Feng’s prescription and felt its power rapidly temper his Blood Qi, bringing him closer to Tendon Tempering.
• Chu Fan thought about the Moon Worshipping Sect and the Blood Saber Sect, hoping they would join the search for the key.

Chu Fan broke the limit of his Running Technique and gained a major increase in speed, then focused on advancing his Literacy Technique. He learned that Zhao Tianxing and Ling Feng were fighting over a conflict tied to him, and that his own business had spread throughout the Seven Star Gang's branch.

• Chu Fan trained until his Running Technique reached Perfection, then spent 10 Spiritual Essence to trigger its first Break Limit.
• Chu Fan gained the Wind Beneath the Feet trait and tested his newfound speed, which let him move like he was riding the wind.
• Chu Fan reviewed his cultivation and skill progress, then began reading to raise his Literacy Technique experience.
• The Short Fat Youth told Chu Fan that Zhao Tianxing and Ling Feng were fighting, but Chu Fan initially refused to leave his room.
• The Short Fat Youth revealed that the dispute had started because of Chu Fan and that Chu Fan's business had spread through the Seven Star Gang's branch.

Chu Fan learned that Ling Feng had challenged Zhao Tianxing after rumors spread about Chu Fan's fight with the Blood Saber Sect, and he arrived at the Training Ground as Zhao Tianxing lost their spar. Ling Feng dismissed Chu Fan and Zhao Tianxing as outsiders, leaving Chu Fan facing him before the gathered crowd.

• A short, fat youth told Chu Fan that Ling Feng had demanded a spar after hearing rumors that Chu Fan had seriously wounded three Blood Saber Sect disciples, and that Zhao Tianxing had intercepted Ling Feng outside the dining hall.
• Chu Fan rushed to the Training Ground and found Zhao Tianxing injured after losing to Ling Feng, though Zhao Tianxing claimed he could have killed Ling Feng in a fight to the death.
• Chu Fan helped Zhao Tianxing up and questioned Ling Feng for using such a heavy hand, but Ling Feng said Zhao Tianxing had to accept the consequences of challenging him.
• Ling Feng declared that Chu Fan and Zhao Tianxing were not Seven Star Gang disciples because they had not reached Blood Nourishment, and said he was not their brother.
• Jiang Yuanfan privately acknowledged that he had exaggerated Chu Fan's fight with the Blood Saber Sect, while Zhang Shuyao urged Ling Feng to beat Chu Fan and warned him that Chu Fan fought dirty.
• Chu Fan glared at Zhang Shuyao, silencing her, while Ling Feng focused on Chu Fan with growing battle intent.

Chu Fan fought Ling Feng after Ling Feng injured Zhao Tianxing, and overwhelmed him with a swift series of strikes. As Chu Fan moved to finish the fallen Ling Feng, Zhou Ye attacked him from behind, but Li Qingxue intercepted the sword and confronted Zhou Ye.

• Chu Fan warned Ling Feng to accept the consequences if he was hurt, while Zhao Tianxing explained that Ling Feng had attacked him viciously during their spar.
• Ling Feng challenged Chu Fan, and Li Qingxue warned Chu Fan that Ling Feng had reached Blood Nourishment; Cao Feng wagered that Chu Fan would win, while Li Qingxue predicted Chu Fan would lose within five moves.
• Ling Feng charged Chu Fan with a Tiger Form Crushing Fist, but Chu Fan dodged and countered with Bear Form Mountain Crash, Horse Form Leg Kick, and Green Dragon Wagging Tail Turning Elbow.
• Chu Fan knocked Ling Feng down and prepared to stomp on his chest, stunning the spectators with his decisive victory.
• Zhou Ye hurled a sword at Chu Fan from behind, but Li Qingxue knocked it aside with the Cold Moon Solitary Shadow Saber and threatened Zhou Ye.

Chu Fan defeated Ling Feng, while Li Qingxue disarmed Zhou Ye and forced him to retreat. Cao Feng urged Chu Fan to remember his enemies and grow strong enough to eliminate future threats, then revealed that Chu Fan had wiped out the Huang Family, shocking Zhao Tianxing and Li Qingxue.

• Zhou Ye arrived to confront Chu Fan over Ling Feng, but Li Qingxue claimed the Green Rainbow Sword and sent Zhou Ye away.
• The crowd marveled at Chu Fan's strength after he had defeated Ling Feng, and Zhang Shuyao trembled with fear.
• Cao Feng reminded Li Qingxue about their three-hundred-tael wager and suggested she sell Zhou Ye's sword.
• Chu Fan thanked Li Qingxue for helping him, and Cao Feng praised his resolve while advising him to remember his enemies and kill them when strong enough.
• Cao Feng dismissed Zhao Tianxing's appeal to the Seven Star Gang's rules and revealed that Chu Fan had destroyed the Huang Family, startling Zhao Tianxing and Li Qingxue.

Cao Feng revealed that Chu Fan had killed Huang Yu and destroyed the Huang Clan, then explained how Chu Fan’s plan had drawn the Blood Saber Sect into conflict with the Moon Worshipping Sect. He warned Chu Fan to stay out of the hunt for the mysterious key, while Chu Fan kept his real reason for stirring up Qingyang Ancient City to himself.

• Cao Feng told Chu Fan that he had monitored the Huang Clan and praised Chu Fan for killing Huang Yu and wiping out the clan alone.
• Cao Feng instructed Chu Fan and Zhao Tianxing to register at the Hall of Elders as Nourishing Blood Realm disciples of the Seven Star Gang.
• Chu Fan asked to postpone going to Seven Star Fort because of private matters, and Cao Feng identified the Moon Worshipping Sect’s sought-after key as the reason.
• Cao Feng explained that Chu Fan had left Huang Clan servants alive to lure the Blood Saber Sect into conflict with the Moon Worshipping Sect, but Tang Xiao’s men had killed the servants.
• Cao Feng warned Chu Fan that the Moon Worshipping Sect was dangerous and urged him to let other forces pursue the key; Chu Fan agreed while privately resolving to protect the Demon Suppression Stele at home.

Chu Fan learned that the Moon Worshipping Sect had narrowed its search to the area around his home, while his Blood Refining cultivation neared a breakthrough. That night, he attacked two Blood Saber Sect men at Zhao Hu’s old residence and recognized the second man’s Blood Fiend Qi.

• Cao Feng arranged for Chu Fan and Zhao Tianxing to remain at the Seven Star Gang branch and continue their cultivation under his instruction.
• Zhao Hu told Chu Fan that Moon Worshipping Sect members had recently passed through the neighborhood and tried to recruit Zhang Laoliu, making Chu Fan suspect they were narrowing their search area.
• Chu Fan checked the Demon Suppression Stele, then used a Blood Refining Pill and Twelve Forms Boxing to advance his cultivation to Blood Refining 92%.
• Chu Fan crept into Zhao Hu’s old residence at night and found two Blood Saber Sect men drinking there, whom he suspected Tang Xiao had sent.
• Chu Fan lured the sharp-featured man outside, blinded the bearded man with quicklime, and killed him with a saber strike.
• The sharp-featured man returned, fled the room, and stabbed his curved knife into the ground, releasing Blood Fiend Qi that Chu Fan recognized.

Chu Fan fought and killed a Blood Saber Sect man who attacked him with the Blood Soul Nine Swords, then discovered the technique’s Killing Intent had raised his Pollution Level to one. He planned to ask Cao Shi about the Pollution Level while considering learning the Blood Soul Nine Swords himself.

• Chu Fan remembered Cao Shi’s warning about the Blood Soul Nine Swords and leapt through a window to escape an ambush by a Blood Saber Sect man.
• Chu Fan countered the man’s Blood Fiend Qi and defeated him with successive strikes from the Ninefold Thunderclap Saber, then searched the corpses and took their money pouches.
• Chu Fan practiced Twelve Forms Boxing and found that the remaining Medicinal Power of Tianxing’s Wild Ginseng dissolved the Killing Intent inside him.
• Chu Fan considered practicing the Blood Soul Nine Swords at home and decided to ask Cao Shi about the technique and its risks.
• Chu Fan checked the Mountains and Rivers Map panel, saw that his Pollution Level had risen from zero to one, and wondered whether the Killing Intent had caused it.
• Chu Fan began absorbing the scattered memories of Huang Yu’s cultivation.

Chu Fan rapidly cultivated the Blood Soul Nine Swords and copied a martial arts manual, while Zhao Tianxing arrived with a powerful new bow and demonstrated his Moon Eclipse Arrow. The chapter left Chu Fan stunned by Zhao Tianxing’s arrow curving around obstacles and piercing a massive tree.

• Chu Fan practiced the Blood Soul Nine Swords through the night and reached Entry with progress of 19/100.
• Chu Fan copied the Mountain Splitting Fist manual to improve his Literacy Technique and planned to sell copied manuals for silver.
• Zhao Tianxing visited Chu Fan with a Bēngyuè Bow from his archery teacher and said he had reached Major Accomplishment in the Moon Eclipse Arrow.
• Zhao Tianxing took Chu Fan to the woods, where Li Qingxue was practicing her saber.
• Zhao Tianxing fired Moon Eclipse · Crush, sending a curving arrow through a century-old Iron Fir Tree and leaving Chu Fan astonished.

Chu Fan copied the Moon Eclipse Arrow technique from Zhao Tianxing’s Bēngyuè Bow and then refined Zhao’s old hunting bow to gain his archery experience. His first shot missed a strange bird and accidentally struck the Short Fat Youth, while Zhao Tianxing prepared to shoot the bird.

• Zhao Tianxing demonstrated the power of the Moon Eclipse Arrow by felling an Iron Fir Tree with one shot.
• Chu Fan refined the Bēngyuè Bow and gained the Moon Eclipse Arrow technique and its former master’s experience.
• Zhao Tianxing gave Chu Fan his old hunting bow and offered to teach him basic archery, explaining that Chu Fan would need Master Cao’s help to seek formal instruction from Master Chen.
• Chu Fan refined the Iron Sinking Wood Bow and gained Zhao Tianxing’s archery experience.
• Chu Fan missed a strange bird with his first shot and accidentally hit the Short Fat Youth in the shoulder.
• Zhao Tianxing took aim at the mocking bird with his Bēngyuè Bow.

Cao Feng arrived after Zhao Tianxing accidentally shot his treasured pheasant, then explained its value and shared it with Zhao Tianxing and Chu Fan. He agreed to provide Chu Fan with firewood for his self-developed saber practice and offered to teach both disciples, while believing Chu Fan would eventually rise beyond Qingyang Ancient City.

• Cao Feng confronted Zhao Tianxing over shooting his pheasant, while Chu Fan caught the bird and hot oil splashed onto Zhao Tianxing’s face.
• Cao Feng pulled an arrow from the Short Fat Youth’s shoulder and treated the wound.
• Cao Feng explained that the pheasant was a Great Pill and let Chu Fan and Zhao Tianxing eat half of it to help their Blood Refining.
• Chu Fan gave the Short Fat Youth a chicken wing, then learned he and two others had chopped up Chu Fan’s firewood; Chu Fan angrily ordered them not to do it again.
• Chu Fan explained that chopping wood helped him temper his Ninefold Thunderclap Saber, so Cao Feng offered to have firewood delivered and said he would teach Chu Fan and Zhao Tianxing saber practice.

Chu Fan demonstrated astonishing mastery of the Ninefold Thunderclap Saber after eating the Great Pill, shocking Cao Feng with his Fourthfold Blade Force. Cao Feng explained that the pill’s spiritual energy could strengthen the body and, after Transformation into Quality, be used as Primordial Qi, which he demonstrated with Dragon Catching Hand.

• Cao Feng urged Zhao Tianxing to practice the Ninefold Thunderclap Saber while the Great Pill’s medicinal power coursed through him.
• Chu Fan performed the saber technique with exceptional speed and precision, releasing Blade Light and displaying Fourthfold Blade Force.
• Cao Feng praised Chu Fan’s rare saber talent and said he had mastered the technique’s level in less than a month.
• Chu Fan and Zhao Tianxing learned that Li Qingxue and Cao Yan had already Transformed into Quality.
• Cao Feng explained that spiritual energy strengthened blood Qi, sinews, and bones, but transformed into Primordial Qi only after Transformation into Quality.
• Cao Feng used Dragon Catching Hand to lift a stone lock from two zhang away with Primordial Qi.

Cao Feng explained that transforming Spiritual Energy into Primordial Qi inevitably caused Pollution, which could corrode reason and turn cultivators into Devils, though he knew no way to prevent it. Chu Fan reflected on his own Pollution Level, then absorbed the Bēngyuè Bow’s insights and Break Limited his Literacy Technique, gaining a trait that greatly improved his ability to comprehend skills.

• Cao Feng crushed a stone lock with Primordial Qi and explained that Foundation Establishment prepared the body to absorb Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy.
• Cao Feng described how transforming Spiritual Energy into Primordial Qi caused Pollution and recounted an enemy who rose as a blood-draining Devil after Cao Feng killed him.
• Chu Fan wondered whether his own Pollution Level came from rapid cultivation, Wild Ginseng, or killing, and considered that others might have hidden Pollution Levels.
• Chu Fan absorbed the Bēngyuè Bow’s refined memories and learned the Moon Eclipse Arrow’s principles through a vision of Chen Xuan’s father teaching archery.
• Chu Fan read the Ninefold Thunderclap Saber manual until his Literacy Technique reached Perfection, then Break Limited it and gained the ability to comprehend skills more efficiently.

Chu Fan registered as an official disciple of the Seven Star Gang after reaching Blood Nourishment and learned more about Zhou Ye and Ling Feng’s hostility toward him. Back home, he broke through to the Tempering Blood Realm, leaving Twelve Forms Boxing close to a Break Limit.

• Chu Fan registered his Blood Nourishment breakthrough, accepted the Seven Star Gang’s rules, and received his identity token and uniform.
• Chu Fan passed Zhou Ye and Ling Feng at the Hall of Elders, while the Short Fat Youth warned him that Zhou Ye had tried to kill him and that Ling Feng resented his achievements.
• The Short Fat Youth explained Zhou Ye’s connections and Ling Feng’s jealousy, and Chu Fan decided he would strike at his enemies when the opportunity arose.
• Chu Fan returned home, reviewed his cultivation panel, and practiced Perfection-level Twelve Forms Boxing.
• Chu Fan fused the Blood Qi strands in his body and broke through to the Tempering Blood Realm.

After breaking through to Tempering Blood, Chu Fan pushed Twelve Forms Boxing beyond its limit and gained the Adamantine Iron Wrist trait, which greatly strengthened his arms and could be combined with his other techniques. When he left the Seven Star Gang branch to train, Ling Feng, Xia Huanhuan, and Sun Zixuan tried to recruit him into Zhou Ye’s faction, but Chu Fan refused.

• Chu Fan tested his increased Tempering Blood strength by punching a Black Iron Wood Pile and then resumed practicing Twelve Forms Boxing.
• Chu Fan spent 20 points of Spiritual Essence to break Twelve Forms Boxing’s limit and gained the Adamantine Iron Wrist trait.
• Chu Fan activated Adamantine Iron Wrist, snapped a kitchen knife, pierced a Black Iron Wood Pile with his hand, and used it alongside Ninefold Thunderclap Saber to cleave the pile.
• Chu Fan prepared to leave the Seven Star Gang branch to practice Moon Eclipse Arrow, but Ling Feng, Xia Huanhuan, and Sun Zixuan blocked his way.
• Xia Huanhuan invited Chu Fan to join Zhou Ye’s faction and touched his chest, but Chu Fan rejected her offer and tried to leave.
• Sun Zixuan blocked Chu Fan and warned him about the powerful connections of Zhou Ye’s faction, while Xia Huanhuan’s smile froze at Chu Fan’s refusal.

Chu Fan rapidly improved his archery and running by applying Zhao Tianxing and Chen Xuan’s insights, bringing Hundred Steps Pierce Willow Archery close to Major Accomplishment. He then went to Chasing Moon Tower and watched the Seven Star Gang’s branch hall entrance while waiting for an opportunity to handle another matter.

• Xia Huanhuan stopped Sun Zixuan from pursuing Chu Fan and ordered him to ask her Second Uncle to bring Chu Fan to her.
• Chu Fan practiced Moon Eclipse Arrow and Hundred Steps Pierce Willow Archery in the forest, striking a target fifty steps away and gaining skill experience.
• Chu Fan trained by running and shooting until dusk, raising his archery skill to 273/300 and his Running Technique to 1490/3000.
• Chu Fan returned to his residence, wrote a note, and put it away in his clothes.
• Chu Fan went to Chasing Moon Tower, ordered tea and food, and watched the entrance to the Seven Star Gang’s branch hall.

Chu Fan secretly warned Zhou Ye and Xia Huanhuan that the Moon Worshipping Sect was searching Qingyang for treasure and Tang Xiao was plotting, hoping to draw the factions into conflict. After returning home, Chu Fan learned that Blood Saber Sect members had recently been dying mysteriously near the Huang Family residences.

• Chu Fan followed Zhou Ye and Xia Huanhuan from the Seven Star Gang's branch hall and threw them a paper-wrapped stone bearing a warning about the Moon Worshipping Sect, Tang Xiao, and a treasure.
• Zhou Ye wanted to pursue the treasure and use the rival sects' conflict to his advantage, while Xia Huanhuan suspected the warning was a trap and urged caution.
• Chu Fan observed that Zhou Ye ignored Xia Huanhuan's advice, then returned home intending to further stir up Qingyang's factions if needed.
• Zhao Hu told Chu Fan that Blood Saber Sect members had moved into residences once seized by Huang Yu and were now dying mysteriously, prompting rumors of Huang Yu's vengeful ghost or an internal conflict.

Chu Fan trained the Blood Soul Nine Swords, using the Wild Ginseng’s medicinal power to withstand its baleful intent and recognizing how the art could complement the Ninefold Thunderclap Saber. After reaching Minor Accomplishment, he set out toward Zhao Hu’s old residence, where a black shadow appeared ahead.

• Zhao Hu told Chu Fan that the Blood Saber Sect and Moon Worshipping Sect had begun clashing after several Jianghu deaths.
• Chu Fan practiced the Blood Soul Nine Swords and realized the Wild Ginseng’s medicinal power was dissolving the baleful intent entering his body.
• Chu Fan compared the Blood Soul Nine Swords with the Ninefold Thunderclap Saber and saw that their opposing strengths could be combined into his own Way of the Blade.
• Chu Fan advanced the Blood Soul Nine Swords to Minor Accomplishment and considered how using it against Zhou Ye and Xia Huanhuan might escalate the conflict.
• Chu Fan changed into a black outfit, left through his window, and headed toward Zhao Hu’s old residence, where a black shadow flashed past the alley.

Chu Fan watched Zhou Ye and Xia Huanhuan fight Blood Saber Sect guards and learned that the sect was searching for a key tied to the Moon Worshipping Sect. After they left, Chu Fan saw the Moon Worshipping Sect arrive and discovered a young constable secretly following them.

• Chu Fan followed a shadow to Zhao Hu's old residence and recognized the intruder as Zhou Ye when he fought two Blood Saber Sect men.
• Xia Huanhuan arrived and turned the fight around, helping Zhou Ye capture the two guards.
• The guards revealed that the Moon Worshipping Sect was searching for a key and that Tang Incense Master had reported the matter to the gang leader and hall masters.
• Zhou Ye killed the guards, then left with Xia Huanhuan, while Chu Fan stayed hidden and decided to wait for the conflict to draw in more forces.
• A White-robed person led a group of corpse-like followers through the area, and Chu Fan watched them pass without intervening.
• Chu Fan saw a young constable in official attire secretly follow the Moon Worshipping Sect group.