Chapter Summaries

Fang Han returned to the Azure Profound Sect and ordered an investigation into rumors accusing him of destroying the Gong Clan and targeting the Lin Family, naming Myriad Treasures Tower’s Wan Yuntian as a suspect. He received his monthly rewards and chose five martial arts manuals to exchange for his family before the year-end break.

• Fang Han returned to the sect and heard disciples defending him against rumors that he had bullied others and destroyed the Gong Clan for wealth.
• Fang Han told Qui Lan to ask Rain Listening Hall to investigate the rumors, focusing on Myriad Treasures Tower and Wan Yuntian.
• Deacon Zhou Heng delivered Fang Han’s monthly reward of three bottles of Spirit-Condensing Pills and credited twenty-three thousand contribution points to his token.
• Fang Han went to the Library Pavilion to exchange manuals for his family, accepting the hundredfold contribution cost.
• Fang Han selected Evergreen Art and Blazing Sun Art, along with Flowing Cloud Swordsmanship, Wind-Breaking Blade Art, and Mountain-Splitting Palm.

Fang Han reached the proficiency realm in Windcloud Escape, greatly improving his mobility, and resolved to keep strengthening himself against the Nether Pavilion. After learning that Wan Yuntian had directed the rumors against him, Fang Han left his annex to confront the Myriad Treasures Tower's young master.

• Fang Han exchanged fifty thousand contribution points for five medium-grade martial arts manuals intended for members of the Fang Clan, then focused on cultivating Windcloud Escape.
• As heavy snow fell, Fang Han broke through to the proficiency realm in Windcloud Escape and demonstrated that he could move across fresh snow without leaving footprints.
• Fang Han reflected on his improved strength but remained wary of the Nether Pavilion's powerful true disciples, especially its sixth-ranked prodigy.
• Fang Han received Deacon Liu Song, who reported that the Myriad Treasures Tower's covert network had spread the rumors against him on orders from its young master, Wan Yuntian.
• Fang Han decided not to let Wan Yuntian continue targeting him and left his annex.

After Fang Han reported Wan Yuntian’s smear campaign to Elder Zhou Jin, the Azure Profound Sect pressured Myriad Treasures Tower to apologize and compensate him. Fang Han accepted the gifts but warned Wan Yuntian against further schemes, leaving Wan Yuntian furious and humiliated.

• Fang Han told Elder Zhou Jin that Wan Yuntian had spread rumors about him after Fang Han disrupted Wan Yuntian’s scheme against Lan Yuexin, and Zhou Jin promised the sect would seek justice.
• Wan Chongshan rebuked Wan Yuntian after receiving the Azure Profound Sect’s complaint and ordered him to clarify the rumors publicly and send Fang Han gifts worth at least ten million taels.
• Wan Yuntian refused to apologize in person, so his steward Wan Fu brought gifts to Fang Han and apologized on his behalf.
• Fang Han accepted the compensation but warned Wan Yuntian that he would respond ruthlessly if Wan Yuntian troubled him again.
• Wan Fu relayed Fang Han’s warning, and Wan Yuntian became enraged at what he considered a humiliating insult.

After Wan Yuntian’s rebuke by Fang Han, he bribed Nether Pavilion true disciple Duan Wuya with a five-hundred-year Blood Jade Coral to persuade him to target Fang Han. As the Azure Profound Sect began its New Year holiday, Fang Han prepared to leave for home.

• Wan Yuntian decided to seek revenge on Fang Han by recruiting Duan Wuya, who had a grudge against Fang Han’s Azure Profound Sect.
• Wan Yuntian and Wan Fu brought the Blood Jade Coral to the Nether Pavilion and met Duan Wuya.
• Duan Wuya accepted the treasure and agreed to deal with Fang Han.
• On the twenty-fifth day of the twelfth lunar month, Fang Han gave New Year rewards to Qui Lan and the annex servants.
• Fang Han collected his travel bundle and left No. 35 Annex to begin his journey home.

Fang Han left the Azure Profound Sect with Xiao Chen and traveled home to Liangshui City for the new year. He arrived at the greatly expanded Fang Clan residence and headed to Rain-Listening Pavilion, where his family lived.

• Fang Han greeted Yun Muyao and Yun Qianyue at the sect's mountain gate before boarding his carriage with Xiao Chen.
• Yun Qianyue watched Fang Han's carriage depart and privately reflected on how far he had risen before Yun Muyao called her to their carriage.
• Fang Han and Xiao Chen traveled together for several days, discussing home and cultivation along the way.
• Xiao Chen left the carriage when they reached Tianfeng City, and Fang Han continued alone toward Liangshui City.
• Fang Han arrived at the Fang Clan's enlarged residence, where the clan members welcomed him warmly.
• Fang Han crossed the residence to Rain-Listening Pavilion, his parents' and younger sister's home.

Fang Han returned to the Fang Clan, reunited with his family, and gave the clan five Medium Grade cultivation arts. After learning that a powerful demon beast was terrorizing villages near Black Cloud Ridge, he offered to investigate if the Demon-Quelling Bureau could not stop it.

• Fang Han reunited with Fang Zheng, Lin Wan, and Fang Ying, then gave them jade pendants and Ginseng Pills.
• Fang Han presented Clan Head Fang Lingyuan with five Medium Grade cultivation arts and urged him to keep the manuals secure.
• Fang Lingyuan told Fang Han that the Fang Clan had prospered, but a demon beast near Black Cloud Ridge had killed villagers and a Seventh Rank chief constable.
• Fang Han said he would go to Black Cloud Ridge if the Demon-Quelling Bureau's demon-hunting team failed to resolve the threat.
• At the prefectural office, five members of the Demon-Quelling Bureau sat in a tense gathering in their temporary quarters.

Fang Han prepared to help hunt the dangerous Shadow Leopard near Liangshui City while spending the New Year with his family, and his Prodigy Ranking rose to fifty-fifth. Wan Yuntian grew alarmed by Fang Han’s rapid rise and pressed Duan Wuya to kill him soon, while Fang Han believed his true strength already exceeded his ranking.

• Tie Zhan’s demon-hunting squad identified the beast near Black Cloud Ridge as a powerful Shadow Leopard, but Qing Man, Ye Xiao, and Tie Zhan rejected Yan Ling’s suggestion to enlist Fang Han.
• Fang Han trained the Spirit Sniffing Art in case the squad failed to deal with the Shadow Leopard, then celebrated New Year’s Eve with Fang Zheng, Lin Wan, and Fang Ying.
• Wan Fu told Wan Yuntian that Fang Han had climbed to fifty-fifth on the Prodigy Ranking, prompting Wan Yuntian to visit Duan Wuya and urge him to act quickly.
• Duan Wuya acknowledged Fang Han’s rise and said he would act soon, while Wan Yuntian left hoping he would not delay.
• Fang Han saw that his ranking had risen to fifty-fifth and reflected that his improved Windcloud Escape and overall strength far exceeded what the ranking suggested.

Fang Han mastered the Spirit Sniffing Art, improving his ability to detect the hidden Shadow Leopard. The demon-hunting team encountered the beast in Black Cloud Ridge, suffered severe injuries, and retreated to Liangshui City without killing it.

• Fang Han mastered the Spirit Sniffing Art and sensed that Fang Lingyuan had the strongest scent in Fang Mansion.
• Ye Xiao led Tie Zhan, Qing Man, Shi Feng, and Yan Ling through Black Cloud Ridge to the Shadow Leopard’s cave.
• Tie Zhan provoked the Shadow Leopard, and the five hunters attacked, but only Ye Xiao’s strike wounded it significantly.
• The Shadow Leopard injured Ye Xiao, Shi Feng, Yan Ling, and Tie Zhan as the hunters struggled against its speed and strength.
• Tie Zhan ordered a retreat, and Qing Man used medicinal powder to cover their escape from the Shadow Leopard.
• The wounded hunters reached Liangshui City, where the guards reported their condition and news of the failed hunt spread among the families.

Fang Han went to Black Cloud Ridge to confront the wounded Shadow Leopard before it could threaten Liangshui City. He tracked the beast to its lair and began fighting it, leaving both combatants testing each other’s strength.

• Fang Lingyuan told Fang Han that the demon-hunting squad had suffered a crushing defeat and that reinforcements would take seven or eight days to arrive.
• Fang Han took the Cloudsplitter Sword and Lan Yuexin’s Thunderbolt Pellet, then left Liangshui City for Black Cloud Ridge.
• Fang Han used the Spirit Sniffing Art to follow the Shadow Leopard’s scent deep into the forest and find its cave.
• Fang Han lured the Shadow Leopard out of its cave and wounded its paw with a surprise sword strike.
• The Shadow Leopard attacked with claw strikes and a sweeping tail, while Fang Han dodged and countered, grazing its right forelimb.

Fang Han fought the Shadow Leopard through a brutal battle, using his swordsmanship and Windcloud Escape to overcome its formidable defenses and deadly breath attack. He killed the beast after pursuing it through the forest, leaving the battlefield devastated.

• The Shadow Leopard unleashed a fierce assault, but Fang Han dodged its attacks and wounded it with the Cloudsplitter Sword.
• The Shadow Leopard fired a destructive black beam, and Fang Han avoided its direct impact before striking its shoulder with a powerful sword move.
• The wounded Shadow Leopard fled, but Fang Han caught up and pierced its heart with the Cloudsplitter Sword.
• Fang Han cautiously confirmed that the Shadow Leopard was dead and surveyed the wreckage left by their battle.

Fang Han killed the Shadow Leopard and carried its corpse back to Liangshui City, where the people and Fang Clan celebrated his achievement. The wounded demon-hunting team learned that Fang Han had slain the beast.

• Fang Han inspected the Shadow Leopard's tough corpse, then hoisted the beast, weighing over three thousand jin, onto his shoulder and carried it out of Black Cloud Ridge.
• Fang Han's arrival at Liangshui City with the Shadow Leopard's corpse stunned the gate guards and townspeople, who recognized him and spread the news of the beast's death.
• Fang Han carried the corpse to Fang Mansion, where Fang Lingyuan and the clan elders welcomed him and praised his victory.
• The wounded members of the Demon-Quelling Bureau's demon-hunting team heard that Fang Han, a true disciple prodigy of the Azure Profound Sect, had slain the Shadow Leopard.

After the Demon-Quelling Bureau team confirmed Fang Han had slain the Shadow Leopard alone, they left Liangshui City in shame. Fang Han used the beast’s flesh to cultivate the Black Tortoise True Art, then prepared with his family to visit his grandfather for the New Year.

• Tie Zhan sent a constable to verify the report, and the constable confirmed Fang Han had killed the same Shadow Leopard the team had fought.
• Tie Zhan, Qing Man, and Shi Feng felt ashamed of their earlier doubts, and the injured team departed Liangshui City to return to Prefecture City.
• Fang Han agreed to take most of the Shadow Leopard’s flesh and blood while Fang Lingyuan arranged for the clan to process the remaining materials.
• Fang Han’s family tasted the potent meat soup, but Fang Han ate most of it and refined its energy by practicing the Black Tortoise True Art.
• On the fifth day of the New Year, Fang Zheng and Lin Wan loaded gifts onto a carriage as Fang Han and Fang Ying prepared to visit their grandfather.

Fang Han’s family visited his maternal grandfather, Lin Chengde, for New Year greetings and saw how Fang Han’s rising fame had transformed the Lin family’s fortunes. After returning home, Fang Han focused on cultivation, bringing his Taichong Acupoint close to being filled as he prepared to advance to the late stage of the fourth rank.

• Lin Hai welcomed Fang Han’s family to the lavish New Year gathering at Lin Chengde’s home, where guests praised Fang Han’s achievements.
• Lin Chengde introduced Fang Han to his honored guests, and Fang Han met his younger aunt, He Wanjun, who had married Lin Hai.
• He Wanjun’s relatives gathered around Lin Wan, while Fang Zheng joined the He Clan’s men and Fang Han calmly received the guests’ attention.
• Fang Han’s family left that evening, and the Fang Clan continued receiving visitors during the New Year festivities.
• Fang Han cultivated in seclusion, swallowed two True Spirit Pills, and circulated the Mystic Wind Art as his Taichong Acupoint neared full capacity.

Fang Han broke through to the late fourth grade and discovered that his new Divine Treasury let him walk on walls and ceilings. After leaving home for the sect, he encountered Duan Wuya, a Nether Pavilion True Disciple who had been waiting for him.

• Fang Han used True Spirit Pills and the Mystic Wind Art to break through the bottleneck and reach the late fourth grade.
• Fang Han tested his new Divine Treasury and learned to adhere to walls and ceilings with his feet.
• Fang Han said goodbye to Fang Zheng, Lin Wan, and Fang Ying before leaving Liangshui City for the sect.
• Fang Han traveled along the official road until Duan Wuya, ranked forty-fifth on the Prodigy Ranking, stopped him and said he had been waiting.

Fang Han confronted Duan Wuya, who admitted Nether Pavilion had ordered the attack and Wan Yuntian had paid for Fang Han’s life. Their duel escalated after Duan Wuya revealed his near-third-rank strength, and the chapter ended amid the aftermath of their devastating sword-and-saber collision.

• Fang Han questioned Duan Wuya, who confirmed Nether Pavilion’s order and revealed that Wan Yuntian had offered a price for Fang Han’s life.
• Duan Wuya attacked Fang Han, but Fang Han met his saber with the Cloudsplitter Sword, and their first clash sent both fighters reeling.
• Fang Han and Duan Wuya exchanged more than fifty moves, destroying trees, rocks, and ground around them without either gaining an advantage.
• Duan Wuya revealed that Wan Yuntian’s five-hundred-year-old Blood Jade Coral had raised his strength to the limit of the late fourth rank, near the third rank.
• Duan Wuya launched a faster, more powerful saber strike, and Fang Han answered with Void Sundering, triggering an enormous collision that devastated the surrounding forest.

Fang Han overwhelmed Duan Wuya in a duel, forcing him to use a blood-burning escape art and flee. Fang Han tracked him to Abyssfront City, where Duan Wuya hoped to find safety.

• Fang Han overpowered Duan Wuya in their head-on clash and drove him back with relentless sword strikes.
• Fang Han wounded Duan Wuya with Void Sundering and continued attacking until Duan Wuya was badly injured.
• Duan Wuya used the Blood Shadow Escape Art to burn his blood essence and flee at tremendous speed.
• Fang Han tracked Duan Wuya's scent with the perfected Spirit Sniffing Art and pursued him through the winter wilderness.
• Duan Wuya's escape speed faded, and he ran toward Abyssfront City as Fang Han closed in behind him.

Fang Han tracked the wounded Duan Wuya to a Nether Pavilion residence but abandoned the pursuit after sensing the powerful elder Li Hanshan inside. After returning to the Azure Profound Sect, Fang Han reported Duan Wuya’s assassination attempt and its connection to Wan Yuntian to Elder Zhou Jin.

• Fang Han found Duan Wuya’s aura at the Secluded Residence and sensed the presence of an elder-level expert, so he left without entering.
• Li Hanshan examined Duan Wuya’s injuries and learned that Fang Han had defeated him despite Duan Wuya’s boosted strength.
• Duan Wuya told Li Hanshan that Fang Han was only twenty, prompting Li Hanshan to resolve to eliminate the rising threat.
• Fang Han returned to the Azure Profound Sect and went to the Law Enforcement Hall to report Duan Wuya’s attack to Elder Zhou Jin.
• Fang Han recounted how Wan Yuntian had ordered the assassination attempt and how Duan Wuya escaped into the Nether Pavilion stronghold.

Elder Zhou Jin reported that Wan Yuntian had hired Duan Wuya to kill Fang Han, and Sect Master Chen Tianyuan sent Zhou to demand an explanation from Myriad Treasures Tower. Zhou confronted Wan Chongshan with Duan Wuya’s confession, leaving Wan Chongshan facing the accusation.

• Fang Han told Elder Zhou Jin that Wan Yuntian had bribed Duan Wuya with a five-hundred-year-old Blood Jade Coral to assassinate him, and that Fang Han had defeated Duan Wuya.
• Elder Zhou Jin reported the attack to Sect Master Chen Tianyuan, who ordered him to visit Myriad Treasures Tower and demand that Wan Chongshan answer for his son’s actions.
• Zhou Jin arrived at Myriad Treasures Tower and presented his Azure Profound Sect Elder Token to the steward.
• Wan Chongshan learned Zhou Jin had come, went to greet him, and received him in the Reception Hall.
• Zhou Jin told Wan Chongshan that Duan Wuya had confessed to being hired by Wan Yuntian to kill Fang Han, challenging Wan Chongshan’s claim that he had disciplined his son.

Zhou Jin confronted Wan Chongshan with evidence that Wan Yuntian had hired Duan Wuya to kill Fang Han, an Azure Profound Sect true disciple. After the Blood Jade Coral was found missing, Wan Chongshan punished and stripped his son of his position, then offered Fang Han fifty million taels in compensation.

• Zhou Jin told Wan Chongshan that Wan Yuntian had hired Duan Wuya to assassinate Fang Han, and Wan Chongshan summoned his son to answer for it.
• Wan Yuntian denied the accusation, but Zhou Jin pointed out that Duan Wuya named a five-hundred-year-old Blood Jade Coral as payment.
• Wan Chongshan ordered a search of Wan Yuntian's courtyard, and Wan Fu reported that the Blood Jade Coral was gone.
• Wan Chongshan broke Wan Yuntian's legs, removed him as young tower master, and confined him to his courtyard.
• Wan Chongshan offered Fang Han fifty million taels in compensation, and a manager brought the silver notes for Zhou Jin.

Fang Han received fifty million taels in compensation from Myriad Treasures Tower after Wan Chongshan punished Wan Yuntian, and Elder Zhou Jin warned him to beware of lingering resentment. Fang Han then advanced the Black Tortoise True Art to Beginner stage, dramatically strengthening his body and leaving him confident he could defeat Duan Wuya.

• Zhou Jin told Wan Chongshan he would return to the sect, and Wan Chongshan watched him leave in anger and helplessness.
• Zhou Jin delivered Myriad Treasures Tower's fifty-million-tael compensation to Fang Han and warned him that Wan Chongshan might hold a grudge.
• Fang Han stored the banknotes and returned to cultivating, prioritizing strength over his unexpected fortune.
• Fang Han reached Beginner stage in the Black Tortoise True Art, strengthening his muscles, bones, skin, and organs.
• Fang Han tested his new power by denting Spirit Iron with a bare-handed punch and found that a short sword could not pierce his skin.
• Fang Han estimated his physical strength at roughly one hundred thousand jin and believed he could kill Duan Wuya before he used his life-saving secret technique.