Chapter Summaries

Fang Han identified the faint trail of the Grandmaster-level demon beast and pursued it west, while the other trackers returned to the valley having been deceived by scales the beast had scattered as bait. As the gathered trackers lost hope in Fang Han, three sect Supreme Elders watched and concluded that the pursuit would likely fail.

• Fang Han used Thousand-Mile Soul Lock to distinguish the demon beast’s faint aura and set off due west.
• Tang Jun, the gray-robed old man, and the blind woman returned to Su Wan with black scales, reporting that the beast had led them astray.
• More trackers returned with identical scales, and even Luo Qi admitted that she had failed to track the beast.
• Su Wan continued to wait for Fang Han, while Luo Qi argued that his youth made success unlikely.
• Gu Changqing, Huiming, and Chen Mo watched from a ridge as the trackers returned empty-handed.
• Chen Mo said that the pursuit would likely end in failure after even Luo Qi had been deceived.

Fang Han tracked a Grandmaster-level demon beast to a mountain hollow and sent its location to the others by messenger bird. As he waited in hiding for the Grandmasters to arrive, the search party in the valley remained unaware that he had found the beast.

• Gu Changqing told Silence and Huiming that Fang Han had not returned and might be able to track the demon beast.
• Fang Han followed the faint aura through the forest, using Thousand-Mile Soul Lock to keep from losing the trail.
• Fang Han located the living Grandmaster-level demon beast in a concealed mountain hollow and hid his presence with Return to Ruin Essence Concealment Art.
• Fang Han wrote the beast's location on a slip of paper, tied it to a messenger bird, and sent it toward the search party.
• Su Wanbai and the other trackers discussed how the demon beast had misled them with scales carrying scattered traces of its aura.
• A messenger bird's wings sounded at the valley entrance.

Fang Han reported finding a likely Grandmaster-level demon, prompting Supreme Elders Gu Changqing, Huiming, and Chen Mo to investigate. After Fang Han detected the three masters arriving, he greeted them and confirmed the demon remained in a nearby mountain hollow.

• A messenger bird delivered Fang Han’s report that he had found a Grandmaster-level demon northwest of Green Cliff Mountain, leaving the trackers astonished and Luo Qi doubtful.
• Gu Changqing, Huiming, and Chen Mo arrived, read Fang Han’s message, and decided to inspect the reported location.
• The three Supreme Elders reached the mountain ridge, and Fang Han detected their concealed auras and approached them.
• Fang Han greeted the three elders, and Chen Mo became more inclined to believe Fang Han had found the demon after seeing his perceptiveness.
• Fang Han told Gu Changqing that the demon was several li away in a mountain hollow and had not moved.

Gu Changqing, Huiming, and Silence cornered the Black-Scaled Demon Tiger and battered it with their combined strength. Fang Han watched from a safe distance as the Grandmaster-level battle devastated the mountain hollow, while the wounded tiger launched a desperate assault on Gu Changqing.

• Fang Han fled after Gu Changqing warned him to find somewhere safe, and Gu Changqing, Huiming, and Silence went to confront the Black-Scaled Demon Tiger.
• The three Grandmasters sealed the tiger's escape routes and wounded it with sword strikes and Huiming's Demon-Subduing Pestle.
• Fang Han watched from several miles away and realized that even the battle's aftermath could kill him.
• The Black-Scaled Demon Tiger repeatedly failed to break through and accumulated wounds as the Grandmasters drove it back.
• The tiger gave up trying to escape and launched a desperate attack on Gu Changqing, while Huiming and Silence struck it from both sides.

Fang Han joined the three Grandmasters after they killed the Black-Scaled Demon Tiger, and they praised his tracking skills before dividing the demon creature’s remains. He returned to the waiting trackers with news of the beast’s death, while Nether Pavilion Elder Luo Qi watched with a dark expression.

• Gu Changqing, Huiming, and Chen Mo killed the Black-Scaled Demon Tiger, ending its attacks on Qingyang Prefecture.
• Fang Han arrived at the mountain hollow and explained how he had distinguished the tiger’s true trail from its false traces, earning the Grandmasters’ praise.
• The three Grandmasters divided the tiger’s remains into three shares and gave Fang Han a smaller portion before leaving for their sects.
• Fang Han returned to the valley and told Su Wanbai and the other trackers that the Grandmasters had eliminated the demon creature.
• The trackers praised Fang Han’s tracking ability, while Nether Pavilion Elder Luo Qi stood nearby with a dark expression.

After Fang Han helped eliminate the Grandmaster monster, he returned to the Azure Profound Sect and invited Yun Qianyue and his friends to share its meat. The gathering began with everyone marveling at the extraordinary dish.

• Fang Han reminded Luo Qi of her failed tracking claim, and she left the valley in anger.
• Fang Han returned to the Azure Profound Sect, reported the mission, and received a major merit from the Sect Master.
• Fang Han gave Qui Lan several hundred jin of Grandmaster monster meat and instructed a servant to invite Yun Qianyue, Li Feng, Huang Ling'er, Shi Meng, and Xiao Chen to dinner.
• Fang Han welcomed Yun Qianyue and recounted the hunt and the Grandmasters' battle with the monster.
• Li Feng, Huang Ling'er, Shi Meng, and Xiao Chen joined Fang Han and Yun Qianyue for dinner, where they reacted with amazement to the meat's potent vitality.

Fang Han hosted Yun Qianyue and the others on Grandmaster monster meat, whose potent vitality quickly overwhelmed the guests while he ate the rest. He refined the meat with Black Tortoise True Art and realized his supply could accelerate his training toward minor mastery within a month.

• Fang Han served Grandmaster monster meat, astonishing Li Feng, Xiao Chen, Shi Meng, and Huang Ling'er with its potency.
• Xiao Chen, Shi Meng, Huang Ling'er, Li Feng, and Yun Qianyue stopped eating after the meat’s vital essence strained their bodies, while Fang Han finished the basin.
• After Yun Qianyue and the others left, Fang Han entered the Quiet Room and circulated Black Tortoise True Art to refine the meat’s abundant vitality.
• Fang Han felt his body-tempering progress greatly exceed what Vajra Pills provided and estimated his remaining meat could help him reach minor mastery within a month.

Fang Han chose to focus on swordsmanship and neared a breakthrough while preparing to explore the treasure site in Westview Prefecture. He accepted Lan Yuexin’s invitation to Hundred Treasures Pavilion’s opening, where local merchant leaders planning to undermine the new branch recognized him and grew apprehensive.

• Fang Han chose to pursue a swordsmanship breakthrough, judging it faster than reaching Minor Accomplishment in body tempering.
• After five days of intensive cultivation, Fang Han produced a deep sword mark in the obsidian ground and sensed that the Proficiency Realm bottleneck was nearly gone.
• Qui Lan delivered Lan Yuexin’s invitation, and Fang Han asked for a congratulatory gift and said he would attend the opening.
• Fang Han brought a three-hundred-year-old Snow Ginseng to Hundred Treasures Pavilion’s opening and entered after greeting Lan Yuexin.
• Sun Maocai, Qian Wanjin, Liu Shiyuan, and Feng Tie discussed spreading rumors and causing trouble for Hundred Treasures Pavilion.
• The merchant leaders recognized Fang Han at the pavilion entrance, and their confidence turned to apprehension.

Fang Han’s visit to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion discouraged Sun Maocai and the other local merchants from targeting Lan Yuexin. After several days of intensive training, Fang Han advanced the Void-Sundering Sword Manual to the Proficiency Realm and prepared to travel to Westview Prefecture to investigate the treasure map.

• Fang Han visited Lan Yuexin at the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, explaining that he had come to repay her past kindness and show his support.
• Sun Maocai decided to set aside his plans after Fang Han’s visit made the consequences of opposing Lan Yuexin clear.
• Fang Han returned to his residence and spent the next several days practicing the Void-Sundering Sword Manual in the Cultivation Ground.
• Fang Han broke through to the Proficiency Realm, cutting a lasting crack through the air and increasing his swordsmanship’s power tenfold.
• Fang Han concluded that he could now rival a First Grade martial artist and set his sights on the treasure-map location in Westview Prefecture.

Fang Han chose cultivation manuals and medicines for the Fang Clan, then returned to Liangshui City. He brought a bundle to Fang Lingyuan and asked what was troubling the clan.

• Fang Han selected three top-tier techniques and ten High Grade techniques at the Library Pavilion, then redeemed a large assortment of pills.
• Fang Han left the Azure Profound Sect and used the Wind God Step to reach Liangshui City in half a day.
• Fang Han entered the Fang Mansion, where clan members and guards welcomed him warmly.
• Fang Han visited Fang Lingyuan at Pine Wave Pavilion and placed his bundle on the desk.
• Fang Han noticed Fang Lingyuan's weariness and asked whether something had happened to the clan.

Fang Han returned to the Fang Clan and gave Fang Lingyuan cultivation arts and medicinal pills to strengthen the clan. He then reunited with his mother and little sister at the Rain-Listening Pavilion, leaving his father away overseeing the clan’s businesses.

• Fang Lingyuan explained that the Fang Clan’s business had expanded faster than its martial strength and that its foundations remained shallow.
• Fang Han gave Fang Lingyuan ten high-grade cultivation arts, three top-tier cultivation arts, and a bundle of medicinal pills for the clan.
• Fang Lingyuan thanked Fang Han and said he would keep the manuals and choose suitable clansmen to learn them.
• Fang Han went to the Rain-Listening Pavilion, where Fang Ying greeted him, and he gave her osmanthus cakes and jade bracelets.
• Fang Han gave Lin Wan Beauty-Nourishing Pills and health-nourishing pills for his father, and Lin Wan told him his father was away checking a shop as the clan’s chief manager.

Fang Han returned home and told his family he liked Yun Qianyue, then set off toward Westview Prefecture by a safer route. Yun Qianyue received an invitation from Lan Yuexin and decided to visit the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.

• Fang Han reunited with Fang Zheng, Lin Wan, and Fang Ying, and learned that his father enjoyed overseeing the family’s shops.
• Lin Wan urged Fang Han to consider marriage, and he admitted that he liked Yun Qianyue and hoped to bring her home if she agreed.
• Fang Han chose to travel through Songquan Prefecture to avoid the Crimson Flame Sect and Thunderlight Pavilion, then headed toward Westview Prefecture.
• Yun Qianyue received Lan Yuexin’s invitation to meet at the Hundred Treasures Pavilion at noon and decided to go.

Yun Qianyue met Lan Yuexin, who asked to join Fang Han’s side and promised to support him with the Hundred Treasures Pavilion’s resources; Yun agreed. Meanwhile, Fang Han reached Songbridge City in Songquan Prefecture, where Zhao Jun spotted him and reported his presence to the resentful Meng Zhao, who ordered him watched.

• Yun Qianyue met Lan Yuexin at the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, where Lan confessed her admiration for Fang Han and asked Yun to allow her a place at his side.
• Lan Yuexin offered to use the Hundred Treasures Pavilion’s business network to help Fang Han obtain cultivation resources, and Yun Qianyue agreed.
• Fang Han entered Songbridge City after traveling through Songquan Prefecture and stopped at a restaurant to eat.
• Zhao Jun recognized Fang Han as an Azure Profound Sect core disciple and hurried to report him to Meng Zhao.
• Meng Zhao, resentful of Fang Han and suspecting he might carry treasures from the Ancient Ruins, ordered Zhao Jun to follow him.

Fang Han detected Meng Zhao and three Crimson Flame Sect disciples following him, then chose to face Meng Zhao rather than spend his precious Divine Speed Jade Talisman. Fang Han held his own against Meng Zhao, who unleashed his full power, and their fierce battle continued amid widespread destruction.

• Fang Han sensed Meng Zhao and three disciples trailing him after he left Songbridge City and accelerated to escape.
• Meng Zhao ordered the disciples to follow and pursued Fang Han at full speed, keeping the distance between them steady during nearly half an hour of flight.
• Fang Han stopped on the official road and drew the Cloudsplitter Sword to confront Meng Zhao.
• Fang Han blocked Meng Zhao's first strike and pressed him with a rapid assault, matching the First Grade elder in combat.
• Meng Zhao recognized Fang Han's strength and unleashed his full power, while Fang Han dodged and counterattacked as their clash tore through the surrounding area.

Fang Han wounded Meng Zhao in their battle, then revealed the Windshock Sword and used its power to overwhelm him. The chapter left Meng Zhao gravely wounded after Fang Han slashed across his chest.

• Fang Han and Meng Zhao fought across the ravaged battlefield, and Fang Han's sword strike cut Meng Zhao's right arm.
• Fang Han refused to let Meng Zhao withdraw and explained that he feared Meng Zhao would join nearby Crimson Flame Sect elders to hunt him.
• Fang Han used his Storage Treasure to replace the Cloudsplitter Sword with the Windshock Sword, shocking Meng Zhao.
• Fang Han drew the Windshock Sword and channeled the Azure Profound Art through it, greatly increasing his combat power.
• Fang Han struck Meng Zhao with a mental attack and a powerful sword thrust, disarming him and cutting a deep wound across his chest.

Fang Han killed Meng Zhao, looted and recharged his belongings to raise his Possessed Wealth to five hundred thousand gold, then burned the corpse to erase the evidence. When he intercepted three Crimson Flame Sect disciples, he swiftly disarmed and knocked one unconscious.

• Fang Han killed the badly wounded Meng Zhao with the Windshock Sword after refusing his plea for mercy.
• Fang Han took Meng Zhao’s Red Scale Sword, damaged soft armor, Danyao, and silver notes, then recharged the armor, Danyao, and sword into the System Panel, raising his Possessed Wealth to five hundred thousand gold.
• Fang Han poured fire oil over Meng Zhao’s corpse and set it alight to destroy the body and erase the traces.
• Fang Han sensed three Crimson Flame Sect disciples approaching and moved to intercept them.
• Zhao Jun asked Fang Han where Elder Meng was, while the sturdy disciple attacked with a Mountain Splitting Axe; Fang Han broke his wrist and struck him unconscious.

Fang Han interrogated and killed Meng Zhao’s three disciples, then fled Songquan Prefecture rather than risk staying to search for the Grandmaster’s Tomb. The Crimson Flame Sect blamed Dragon Spring Manor for the deaths, setting off a dispute that drew factions across Songquan Prefecture toward Songbridge City.

• Fang Han subdued Zhao Jun and the two other disciples, learned they had been searching for a Grandmaster’s Tomb, and discovered Meng Zhao had kept their mission secret from the Crimson Flame Sect.
• Fang Han killed the three disciples, burned the bodies, concealed evidence, changed out of his Azure Profound Sect uniform, and fled through the mountains.
• Yan Chong, Zheng Kuan, and a steward found the four charred corpses and identified sword wounds as the cause of death.
• The Crimson Flame Sect accused Dragon Spring Manor of killing Meng Zhao, and the two powers’ dispute escalated into small-scale conflicts.
• Rumors of a valuable secret spread through Songquan Prefecture, drawing factions and their forces to Songbridge City.

Fang Han reached a hidden treasure site in Westview Prefecture, discovered that someone had entered it before him, and searched its empty underground hall for anything left behind. A ball of golden light suddenly flared from his body as he examined the hall’s innermost wall.

• Fang Han arrived in Peace City after ten days of travel and rested until the next morning.
• Fang Han followed the treasure map to a lake and found a concealed stone entrance in a remote valley.
• Fang Han activated a hidden mechanism, opened the passage, and memorized how to release the sealed entrance from inside.
• Fang Han found recent footprints in the passage and realized someone had reached the treasure site ahead of him.
• Fang Han entered an empty subterranean hall and searched its walls for hidden compartments.
• A ball of golden light suddenly flared from Fang Han’s body near the innermost wall.

Fang Han entered an ancient secret realm using the Treasure Map and learned he could remain for only three days each year. Exploring its eerily lifeless forest, he found valuable Redscale Ore and then discovered the jade-colored skeleton of what appeared to be a Grandmaster-level demonic creature.

• The Treasure Map activated golden runes on a wall, which drew Fang Han into the secret realm.
• Fang Han received information that the secret realm had been opened by an ancient cultivator and would expel him after three days.
• Fang Han found no living creatures within the forest and continued cautiously with his Thousand-Mile Soul Lock and hand on the Cloudsplitter Sword.
• Fang Han uncovered Redscale Ore and recharged his System with it, increasing his wealth from 520,000 gold to 550,000 gold.
• Fang Han found a massive jade-colored skeleton and recognized it as likely belonging to a Grandmaster-level demonic creature.

Fang Han explored the secret realm, collected a Star Orchid, and narrowly avoided a Grandmaster-level demon beast. He then discovered an enormous silver ore deposit and stopped in astonishment.

• Fang Han found that a Grandmaster demon beast's skeleton had been violently broken and recharged it into the System Panel for seventy thousand gold.
• Fang Han followed a medicinal fragrance into a hidden valley, identified a Star Orchid, and stored it in his Storage Ring for its antidotal properties.
• Fang Han sensed a Grandmaster-level demon beast, concealed his aura, and retreated more than ten li until he had left its territory.
• Fang Han spotted a brilliant silver light from a hilltop, sensed no danger nearby, and hurried toward it.
• Fang Han discovered a huge silver ore formation in a rocky clearing and stared at its vast quantity of metal.