Chapter Summaries

Fang Han learned that Nether Pavilion had sought peace and accepted the sect’s decision to end the conflict for now. Chen Tianyuan gave him a Divine Speed Jade Talisman for escape, and Fang Han left determined to use the calm to grow stronger as he neared Minor Mastery in the Void-Sundering Sword Manual.

• Chen Tianyuan told Fang Han that Nether Pavilion’s Pavilion Master, Ling Wuyuan, had offered compensation and promised to restrain his subordinates, and that Azure Profound Sect had agreed to peace.
• Fang Han accepted the sect’s decision, while vowing to settle his personal enmity with Nether Pavilion when he was strong enough.
• Chen Tianyuan gave Fang Han a Divine Speed Jade Talisman that could briefly grant enough speed to evade even a First Grade martial artist.
• Fang Han returned to No. 35 Annex, ate breakfast, and resolved to use the ceasefire to improve his strength.
• Fang Han practiced the Void-Sundering Sword Manual until noon, refining his Wind Sword Intent and nearing Minor Mastery.

Fang Han advanced the Void-Sundering Sword Manual to Minor Accomplishment, greatly increasing its power and damaging his courtyard. He realized that his improved understanding of the Wind Concept was helping him master the Wind God Step, which he expected to reach Minor Accomplishment within a month.

• Fang Han reached Minor Accomplishment in the Void-Sundering Sword Manual and unleashed a slash that wrecked much of the courtyard.
• Qui Lan and two maidservants rushed to check on Fang Han, congratulated him on his progress, and cleaned up the damage.
• Fang Han practiced the Black Tortoise True Art in the Quiet Room, strengthening his body.
• Fang Han practiced the Wind God Step and found that his movements flowed more smoothly after his sword-art breakthrough deepened his understanding of the Wind Concept.
• Fang Han continued training and estimated that the Wind God Step would reach Minor Accomplishment within a month.

Chen Tianyuan summoned Azure Profound Sect’s nine Prodigy Ranking disciples to explain that an ancient ruin in East Foothills Prefecture would soon open and admit only those on the ranking. Fang Han recognized the region as a place he had visited before, where he had offended several factions.

• A Sect Master's Hall disciple summoned Fang Han, who found the other Prodigy Ranking members gathered with Chen Tianyuan and Chen Wanjun.
• Yun Muyao arrived, completing the gathering of all nine Azure Profound Sect disciples on the Prodigy Ranking.
• Chen Tianyuan asked about ancient ruins, and Luo Yuntian explained that they were ancient sites said to contain mysterious powers and valuable treasures.
• Chen Tianyuan revealed that a previously discovered ancient ruin would soon open and that it selected entrants, allowing only those on the Prodigy Ranking to enter.
• Chen Tianyuan located the ruin in East Foothills Prefecture, and Fang Han realized it was a place where he had previously offended several factions.

Fang Han and the other eight True Disciples agreed to explore an Ancient Ruins in East Foothills Prefecture and traveled there with Chen Wanjun. After fighting their way through the mountains, they encountered a powerful Tiger Demon, and Luo Yuntian revealed his recent breakthrough to Third Grade as he faced it.

• Fang Han and the other eight True Disciples volunteered to explore the Ancient Ruins, and Chen Wanjun told them to gather at the mountain gate in three days.
• Fang Han packed supplies and joined the other disciples at the mountain gate, where Chen Wanjun led them east toward East Foothills Prefecture.
• The group crossed the mountains, taking turns killing demon beasts as they grew stronger; Fang Han sensed an approaching Third Grade demon beast.
• Luo Yuntian stepped forward to fight the Tiger Demon, revealing that he had reached Third Grade Early Stage.
• Luo Yuntian held his own against the Tiger Demon's fierce attacks, but its size and tough defenses made a quick victory unlikely.

Luo Yuntian broke through to Third Grade and killed a Tiger Demon, while Fang Han effortlessly slew a comparable Bear Demon in three strikes. The group reached the Ancient Ruins, where Fang Han drew attention from gathered prodigies and heard someone disparage Qingyang Prefecture’s ranking.

• Luo Yuntian killed the Tiger Demon after a fierce battle, and Wang Miao and Chen Wuhen congratulated him on breaking through to Third Grade.
• Fang Han killed a Third Grade Bear Demon with three sword strikes after Luo Yuntian admitted he was too exhausted to fight.
• Chen Wanjun led the group onward, and the next day they arrived at the Ancient Ruins, an underground structure made from material like the Martial Dao Stele.
• Fang Han’s arrival drew curious, reverent, skeptical, and wary looks from prodigies gathered around the ruins.
• Fang Han overheard someone claim Qingyang Prefecture’s younger generation was useless for letting a twenty-year-old take first place on its Prodigy Ranking.

Fang Han and the others learned that Heavenly Origin Sect, an Overlord-Level Faction from Heavenly Origin Prefecture, had joined the Ancient Ruins expedition. The chapter left the elders of Songquan Prefecture fearing that Heavenly Origin Sect’s disciples would outclass the younger generation of the five neighboring prefectures and claim the best treasures.

• Xue Wu and Thunderlight Pavilion’s disciples mocked Qingyang Prefecture’s younger generation, and Mad Blade challenged them before Elder Xue stopped the confrontation.
• Heavenly Origin Sect’s moon-white-robed group arrived at the basin, leaving the gathered martial artists unable to identify them.
• Chen Wanjun explained to Fang Han and Luo Yuntian that Heavenly Origin Sect was an Overlord-Level Faction led by a Great Grandmaster and based in Heavenly Origin Prefecture.
• Shi Jing recognized Heavenly Origin Sect and warned the Songquan Prefecture elders that its disciples were likely far stronger than those of the five neighboring prefectures.
• Wei Song and another elder worried that Heavenly Origin Sect would take the best treasures, but Shi Jing said their forces could not afford to provoke it.

The ancient ruins opened, and the entrants faced a first trial in which they had to cross a passage guarded by two powerful puppet beasts. Fang Han and five other Azure Profound Sect disciples passed, while Liu Ruyan and Wang Miao were expelled; the survivors continued deeper into the ruins.

• The jade gate opened, and only those on the Prodigy Ranking entered the ancient ruins.
• The entrants discovered two puppet beasts guarding the first trial’s passage, which they had to cross without destroying the puppets.
• Bai Yan led the twelve Heavenly Origin Sect disciples through the passage with ease, and other entrants followed with mixed success.
• Fang Han struck both puppets aside with a single sword draw and crossed the passage, followed by Luo Yuntian, Yun Muyao, Mad Butcher, Chen Wuhen, Su Yuwei, and Mo Chen.
• Liu Ruyan and Wang Miao failed the trial and were sent out of the ruins, leaving seven of the Azure Profound Sect’s nine disciples to pass.
• The first trial reduced the several hundred entrants to just over two hundred survivors.

Fang Han and the other challengers faced the second trial, where three metal puppets guarded the passage and failures were expelled with Heaven Origin Pills. After the trial ended, a third passage appeared guarded by four stronger puppets.

• Bai Yan and the other eleven Heavenly Origin Sect disciples crossed the passage easily, while other challengers passed or were expelled with Heaven Origin Pills.
• Fang Han sent the three puppets flying with one sword strike and crossed the passage without stopping.
• Luo Yuntian, Yun Muyao, Mad Butcher, and Chen Wuhen passed the trial, while Su Yuwei and Mo Chen failed and were expelled.
• After an hour, the remaining challengers finished the second trial, leaving a little over a hundred people in the hall.
• The next passage appeared with four metal puppets, which the challengers learned were each as strong as a late-stage fourth-grade martial artist.

Fang Han and several other prodigies faced the four puppets in the third trial, while Mad Blade defeated Xue Wu after mocking Thunderlight Pavilion. Lie Yunting intervened, and the younger generations of Qingyang and East Foothills Prefectures confronted each other.

• All twelve Heavenly Origin Sect disciples passed through the passage, while other challengers were eliminated or emerged injured.
• Fang Han easily knocked aside the four puppets and passed, followed by Luo Yuntian and, with difficulty, Yun Muyao; Mad Butcher and Chen Wuhen failed.
• After the third trial ended, fewer than a hundred prodigies remained, including all twelve Heavenly Origin Sect disciples and three members of the Azure Profound Sect.
• Mad Blade mocked Xue Wu for Thunderlight Pavilion's losses, and Xue Wu attacked him but was disarmed and badly injured.
• Lie Yunting and several East Foothills Prefecture prodigies stepped in to stop Mad Blade, prompting the Qingyang Prefecture prodigies, including Liu Bai, to confront them.

Fang Han confronted Lie Yunting over Xue Wu’s insult and forced East Foothills Prefecture to let the matter rest. The fourth trial began with five powerful metal puppets; Bai Yan passed with one sword strike, and nine of the twelve Heavenly Origin Sect disciples ultimately succeeded.

• Fang Han challenged Lie Yunting to fight if he wanted to defend Xue Wu, and Lie Yunting yielded after acknowledging Xue Wu had been at fault.
• Mad Butcher thanked Fang Han and returned to Qingyang Prefecture’s group as Xue Wu was helped away in disgrace.
• The revealed passage contained five metal puppets, each as strong as an early third-grade martial artist, and the crowd learned they faced the fourth trial.
• Bai Yan entered the passage and knocked back all five puppets with one sword strike before crossing through; Xu Qing and other Heavenly Origin Sect disciples followed.
• Nine of the twelve Heavenly Origin Sect disciples passed the trial, while three failed, received heavenly treasures, and were sent out of the ancient ruins.

Xue Wu and most of the other challengers failed the fourth trial, while Fang Han, Luo Yuntian, and a few others cleared it. The fifth trial began with six mid-third-grade puppets, and several Heavenly Origin Sect disciples managed to pass as the remaining challengers faced the formation.

• Xue Wu entered the fourth-trial passage while injured, was defeated by the five puppets, and received a heavenly treasure before being expelled.
• Fang Han swept the five puppets aside and cleared the fourth trial, while Luo Yuntian also passed despite suffering serious injuries; Yun Muyao failed and received a heavenly treasure.
• Most challengers failed the fourth trial, leaving fewer than fifty people in the hall before a new passage revealed six puppets, including a dangerous dark-gold mantis puppet.
• Bai Yan passed the fifth trial by striking back all six puppets, and Xu Qing followed by exploiting an opening.
• Three more Heavenly Origin Sect disciples forced their way through the fifth-trial passage, several of them badly wounded.

Fang Han cleared the fifth stage with a single display of Sword Intent, astonishing the nearby prefectures’ prodigies and the Heavenly Origin Sect disciples. Luo Yuntian then failed his own attempt and was sent out of the ancient ruins, while Lie Yunting stepped forward to challenge the puppets.

• The remaining Heavenly Origin Sect disciples failed to clear the fifth stage, and other prefecture prodigies also fell short.
• Shi Chong and another Heavenly Origin Sect disciple dismissed Fang Han’s chances, while Luo Yuntian asked Fang Han whether he was confident.
• Fang Han entered the passage and used six rapid sword strikes imbued with Wind Sword Intent to knock back all six puppets and clear the stage.
• Lie Yunting, Bai Yan, Xu Qing, Shi Chong, and Luo Yuntian reacted with shock as they recognized Fang Han’s Sword Intent and strength.
• Luo Yuntian challenged the puppets, was wounded and defeated after thirty exchanges, and was sent out of the ruins with three jade boxes.
• Lie Yunting took a deep breath and stepped into the passage to try the fifth stage.

The first-ranked prodigies and the remaining challengers from the various prefectures failed the fifth trial, revealing a seventh, more dangerous puppet in the sixth trial. Bai Yan entered and overwhelmed all seven puppets with his Sword Intent of Wood, while Xu Qing struggled against them.

• Lie Yunting, Lu Qingyun, Su Wanqing, and Zhou Fang each fought the six puppets but were defeated and sent out of the ancient ruin.
• The other prefectural prodigies entered the passage in turn and were also defeated, leaving only Fang Han and the five Heavenly Origin Sect disciples to continue.
• The sixth trial's wall vanished, revealing a passage guarded by seven puppets, including a dangerous spider puppet that Fang Han judged to be late-stage third-grade.
• Bai Yan entered the passage and used his Sword Intent of Wood to strike back all seven puppets before walking through.
• Xu Qing entered next but was wounded by the tiger puppet and struck by the giant python puppet as she struggled to endure.

Xu Qing and Bai Yan watched Fang Han attempt the sixth trial, where seven coordinated puppets pressed him with relentless attacks. Fang Han used Wind God Step to evade them with ease, and Bai Yan recognized that Fang Han had mastered an Artistic Conception-level Body Movement technique.

• Xu Qing passed the sixth trial after using a costly secret technique, while three other Heavenly Origin Sect disciples failed and received Superior Dharma Weapons.
• Xu Qing and Bai Yan discussed Fang Han's Sword Intent and doubted that his cultivation would be enough to overcome the seven puppets.
• Fang Han entered the sixth-trial passage and used his sword to knock all seven puppets back, but their indestructible bodies and coordinated attacks kept him from advancing.
• Fang Han unleashed Wind God Step and began slipping through the puppets' attacks, striking only when he could not evade.
• Bai Yan recognized Fang Han's movement as an Artistic Conception-level Body Movement technique, surprising both him and Xu Qing.

Fang Han passed the sixth trial using his Beginner-stage Wind God Step and reached the seventh trial, where Xu Qing went first to scout the eight Second Grade early-stage puppets for Bai Yan. Xu Qing was badly wounded but received the Azurewood Sword Art before the trial’s barrier removed her; Bai Yan then entered the passageway to face the puppets.

• Fang Han evaded and defeated the seven puppets in the sixth trial by combining his swordsmanship with his Beginner-stage Wind God Step.
• Fang Han, Xu Qing, and Bai Yan saw eight puppets—including a dark-red Scorpion Puppet—waiting in the seventh trial passageway.
• Xu Qing volunteered to test the puppets so Bai Yan could learn their attacks and weaknesses, despite her injuries.
• The puppets overwhelmed Xu Qing, and their attacks left her severely wounded before a golden barrier protected her.
• Xu Qing received the Azurewood Sword Art and disappeared from the passageway, leaving Fang Han and Bai Yan in the hall.
• Bai Yan entered the passageway, and all eight puppets moved to attack him.

Bai Yan and Fang Han faced the eighth trial’s eight metal puppets in turn, fighting through the passageway. Fang Han passed without injury, and Bai Yan recognized that he had mastered the Void-Sundering Sword Manual to Minor Mastery at only twenty years old.

• Bai Yan used the Sword Intent of Wood to hold off all eight puppets, but their attacks wounded him repeatedly.
• Bai Yan drove the puppets back and forced his way through the passageway, sustaining more wounds before reaching the other end.
• Fang Han entered the passageway and revealed the Minor Mastery realm of the Void-Sundering Sword Manual with a single strike that knocked back all eight puppets.
• Fang Han used the Wind God Step and his sword to evade the puppets, then passed through the corridor without injury.
• Bai Yan quietly recognized Fang Han’s exceptional swordsmanship and reflected on how he had achieved it despite his modest origins.

Fang Han passed the eighth trial but was defeated in the ninth, earning an ancient black ring before the ruins sent him outside. His return as the last person to emerge stunned the gathered factions, while Chen Wanjun treated his wounds.

• Bai Yan failed to break through the ninth puppets of the eighth trial and was transported away with a jade-box reward.
• Fang Han defeated the nine puppets and passed the eighth trial, then entered the ninth trial against ten stronger puppets.
• After thirty exchanges, Fang Han was defeated and received an ancient black ring before the ruins sent him outside.
• Chen Wanjun gave Fang Han a Creation Pill, which eased his injuries.
• The gathered factions realized Fang Han had emerged after Bai Yan and speculated that he had cleared at least as many trials.

After Fang Han emerged from the ancient ruin, the gathered elders marveled that he might have surpassed Bai Yan, and the other prefectures departed. Xue Yuanlang and Meng Zhao secretly agreed to ambush Azure Profound Sect for Fang Han’s rewards, while Fang Han’s companions asked how many stages he had cleared.

• The elders from several prefectures were shocked that Fang Han had remained in the ancient ruin longer than Bai Yan, and Qingyang Prefecture’s forces left the basin.
• Xue Wu brooded over his defeat by Mad Blade as Xue Yuanlang led Thunderlight Pavilion away.
• Meng Zhao proposed that Xue Yuanlang help him intercept Fang Han, arguing that East Foothills Prefecture’s location would make the attackers hard to identify.
• Xue Yuanlang agreed to split the gains from Fang Han’s rewards with Meng Zhao.
• Yun Muyao asked Fang Han how many stages he had cleared as Azure Profound Sect traveled through the mountain forest.

After revealing that he had cleared the Ancient Ruins’ eighth trial, Fang Han detected more than ten pursuers approaching, including two likely First Grade martial artists. Chen Wanjun decided to ambush them, and Fang Han joined him using his perfected concealment technique as the others continued onward.

• Fang Han told Yun Muyao and the others that he had passed the eighth trial and failed at the ninth, astonishing them with how far he had surpassed their records.
• Fang Han sensed more than ten people approaching from several miles away, including two auras likely belonging to First Grade martial artists.
• Chen Wanjun concluded that evasion was impossible and ordered the group to keep moving while he concealed himself and prepared an ambush.
• Fang Han offered to join the ambush and demonstrated that his perfected Return to Ruin Essence Concealment Art could nearly hide his aura from Chen Wanjun.
• Chen Wanjun accepted Fang Han’s help, and the two hid beside the path while Luo Yuntian and the others continued through the forest.

Fang Han and Chen Wanjun ambushed the Thunderlight Pavilion and Crimson Flame Sect party, badly wounding Xue Yuanlang and engaging Meng Zhao. Fang Han fought off the disciples, and the chapter ended with them charging him again.

• Chen Wanjun emerged from hiding and struck Xue Yuanlang with a saber, nearly cleaving him in two.
• Fang Han attacked Xue Yuanlang and severed his right arm before Chen Wanjun blocked Meng Zhao’s strike.
• Chen Wanjun and Meng Zhao fought fiercely, while Xue Yuanlang attacked Fang Han with a palm seal that Fang Han managed to block.
• Xue Wu and the other disciples charged Fang Han, who dodged their attacks and killed one Thunderlight Pavilion disciple with a single sword strike.
• Xue Wu urged the frightened disciples to charge again, and they rushed toward Fang Han.