Chapter Summaries

The Seven Sects and other major forces received invitations to the Iron River Gang’s Grandmaster Banquet, raising fears that the Gang had produced a Grandmaster and broken the Seven Sects’ monopoly. Chen Tianyuan decided to investigate in person and departed with Fang Han, Luo Yuntian, and Yun Muyao; their journey toward the Iron River Gang began.

• Yun Muyao, Fang Han, and Luo Yuntian questioned how the Iron River Gang could produce a Grandmaster, and Chen Tianyuan admitted that the Azure Profound Sect did not know how it had obtained a Grandmaster cultivation method.
• Chen Tianyuan announced that he would personally verify the Iron River Gang’s claim and ordered Fang Han, Luo Yuntian, and Yun Muyao to depart with him at dawn.
• The leaders of Nether Pavilion, Vajra Temple, Hundred Flower Valley, and the other Seven Sects decided to attend the banquet personally, while invitations stirred the major powers across Qingyang Prefecture.
• At dawn, Fang Han, Luo Yuntian, and Yun Muyao met Chen Tianyuan at the Azure Profound Mountain gate and saw his First Grade White Tiger mount, which carried a carriage compartment.
• Chen Tianyuan and the three disciples mounted the White Tiger, which raced northwest along the official road toward the Iron River Gang.

Fang Han and the Azure Profound Sect arrived at the Iron River Gang’s headquarters for the Grandmaster Banquet, where the Iron River Gang revealed its newly emerged Grandmaster. The chapter ended with Qi Zhen introducing the powerful elder as Grandmaster Yan Wuji.

• Chen Tianyuan and Ling Wuyuan arrived at the Iron River Gang with their disciples, and Fang Han recognized Ling Wuyuan as a Gate-Breaking martial artist.
• Qi Zhen welcomed the two sects and arranged separate courtyard accommodations for them.
• Three days later, Fang Han attended the Grandmaster Banquet with Chen Tianyuan as martial artists debated whether the Iron River Gang had truly produced a Grandmaster.
• Grandmaster Yan Wuji entered the hall and released an overwhelming aura that stunned Fang Han and the gathered leaders.
• Qi Zhen introduced the elder as the Iron River Gang’s Supreme Elder, Grandmaster Yan Wuji.

Yan Wuji’s emergence as a grandmaster forced Qingyang Prefecture’s major powers to recognize the Iron River Gang’s new standing. At Qi Zhen’s banquet, Yang Yuan demonstrated the Gang’s younger generation’s strength by swiftly defeating Han Wei.

• Yan Wuji took the seat of honor, and the assembled leaders realized his grandmaster status had changed the balance among Qingyang Prefecture’s forces.
• Lei Pojun asked where the Iron River Gang had obtained its grandmaster cultivation method, and Qi Zhen said it came from the Grandmaster’s Tomb in Songquan Prefecture.
• Qi Zhen proposed that the juniors spar, and leaders from the major forces agreed.
• Yang Yuan entered the fighting platform and invited the young talents to challenge her.
• Han Wei attacked Yang Yuan with a series of palm strikes, but she seized his wrist, disrupted his balance, and lightly struck his chest to send him off the platform.

Yang Yuan defeated a series of challengers at the Grandmaster Banquet, including Meng Xian and Mad Blade, revealing strength far beyond her Prodigy Ranking. Fang Han stepped forward to face her, and she unleashed her true Third Grade Late Stage cultivation in a sudden attack.

• Yang Yuan defeated Han Wei and several other disciples with ease, prompting the Seven Sects to answer her challenge.
• Meng Xian fought Yang Yuan with his Third Grade Nether Palm, but she caught both his wrists and forced him to concede.
• Mad Blade attacked Yang Yuan with his massive saber, but she outmaneuvered him with her silver-white claws and knocked him from the arena.
• Yang Yuan used an Origin Recovery Pill and challenged the Seven Sects again as the gathered powers recognized her strength.
• Fang Han rose to defend the Seven Sects' reputation and faced Yang Yuan in the arena.
• Yang Yuan revealed her Third Grade Late Stage cultivation and launched a rapid claw strike that sealed off Fang Han's escape routes.

Fang Han defeated Yang Yuan with one sword at the Grandmaster Banquet, while Yan Wuji’s emergence as a Grandmaster shifted the balance of power in Qingyang Prefecture. As the factions departed, Yan Wuji ordered the Iron River Gang to expand and prepare to annex surrounding factions.

• Fang Han evaded Yang Yuan’s fierce claw attacks, then shattered her final strike with one sword and forced her to admit defeat.
• Yan Wuji praised Fang Han at the banquet, while Fang Han remained wary of the Iron River Gang’s Supreme Elder.
• The factions departed the next day, and Fang Han told Luo Yuntian that one Grandmaster could change Qingyang Prefecture’s balance of power.
• Yan Wuji told Qi Zhen that the Iron River Gang should expand by annexing nearby factions, arguing that the Seven Sects would not dare oppose them.
• Qi Zhen asked which faction the Iron River Gang should target first.

Fang Han returned to the Azure Profound Sect and advanced Shadowveil to the Beginner stage, gaining the Shadow Intent Domain and an aura that was nearly impossible to sense. The chapter ended with four battered Iron Fist Sect elders chained in an underground prison.

• Yan Wuji named the Iron Fist Sect as the Iron River Gang’s target, and Qi Zhen agreed it was suitable.
• Fang Han returned to the Azure Profound Sect and worried that Yan Wuji’s sudden appearance concealed a danger he could not yet confront.
• Fang Han cultivated Shadowveil and, after several days, comprehended the Shadow Intent Domain and reached the Beginner stage.
• Fang Han tested his new concealment in the courtyard, where Qui Lan saw him but could not sense his presence.
• Four wounded Iron Fist Sect elders remained chained to iron frames in a damp underground prison.

Yang Yuan drained four Iron Fist Sect elders to break through to early second grade, while the Iron River Gang’s destruction of the sect alarmed Fang Han. As Fang Han continued investigating the gang’s rise, Lan Yuexin arrived to see him, leaving their meeting about to begin.

• Yang Yuan absorbed the essence of four Iron Fist Sect elders and broke through to early second grade.
• Yan Wuji told Yang Yuan to defeat Fang Han, take first place on the Prodigy Ranking, and bring glory to the Iron River Gang.
• Qui Lan reported that the Iron River Gang had destroyed the Iron Fist Sect and was nearing the strength of the Seven Sects, while the sects remained silent.
• Fang Han asked Qui Lan to keep watching the Iron River Gang and practiced swordsmanship in the rear courtyard.
• Lan Yuexin arrived at the sect to see Fang Han, and he greeted her and led her inside.

Lan Yuexin asked Fang Han to help the Hundred Treasures Pavilion seek the Azure Profound Sect’s protection as the Iron River Gang expanded. Sect Master Chen Tianyuan agreed to the attachment, leaving the Pavilion Master to negotiate the details in person.

• Lan Yuexin told Fang Han that the Hundred Treasures Pavilion feared becoming a target of the Iron River Gang and asked him to recommend its attachment to the Azure Profound Sect.
• Fang Han presented Lan Yuexin’s request to Chen Tianyuan and argued that the Pavilion’s wealth and commercial channels would benefit the sect.
• Chen Tianyuan agreed to accept the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, pending an in-person discussion with its Pavilion Master.
• Fang Han relayed the decision to Lan Yuexin, who thanked him and left to inform her father.
• Fang Han considered how the Pavilion’s resources could help him obtain treasures in the future, then went to the training grounds.

Fang Han continued cultivating as reports of the Iron River Gang’s expanding power deepened his unease, while his swordsmanship neared another breakthrough. At the Iron River Gang’s headquarters, Yan Wuji ordered Hundred Treasures Pavilion eliminated before it could seek the Azure Profound Sect’s protection, treating the move as a test of the sect’s response.

• Fang Han maintained his daily cultivation routine while his Wind Sword Intent and swordsmanship advanced rapidly.
• Qui Lan told Fang Han that the Iron River Gang had annihilated the Copper Elephant Sect and five other factions, leaving almost no survivors.
• Qui Lan reported that the Crimson Flame Sect had confronted the Iron River Gang over Meng Zhao’s death but failed to gain an advantage.
• Fang Han practiced the Void-Sundering Sword Manual until he sensed that he was close to reaching the Mastery Realm.
• Qi Zhen told Yan Wuji that Hundred Treasures Pavilion planned to seek the Azure Profound Sect’s protection, and Yan Wuji ordered it destroyed before it could attach itself to the sect.

Yan Wuji ordered Qi Zhen to destroy the Hundred Treasures Pavilion before it pledged allegiance to the Azure Profound Sect, intending to test the sect’s response. After learning of the threat, Chen Tianyuan sent five powerful disciples and elders to rescue the pavilion, and Fang Han raced ahead toward the Prefecture City.

• Yan Wuji told Qi Zhen to destroy the Hundred Treasures Pavilion before it could pledge allegiance to the Azure Profound Sect.
• Chen Tianyuan summoned Fang Han and four elders and revealed that the Iron River Gang planned to attack the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.
• Chen Tianyuan ordered the group to hurry to the Prefecture City and stop the Iron River Gang, showing no mercy if they encountered its members.
• Fang Han offered to race ahead, revealing that he had killed Meng Zhao, a first-rank elder of the Crimson Flame Sect.
• Chen Wanjun agreed to let Fang Han go ahead, and Fang Han sped toward the Prefecture City using the Wind God Step.

The Iron River Gang launched a devastating assault on the Hundred Treasures Pavilion headquarters, and Qi Zhen overwhelmed Lan Daoxing in their duel. Lan Daoxing remained badly wounded as the Pavilion’s defenders fell and Shen Cangsong struggled against Han Kui.

• Qi Zhen led more than a hundred Iron River Gang elites in a surprise attack on the Hundred Treasures Pavilion headquarters and ordered them to leave no one alive.
• Shen Cangsong urged Lan Daoxing to escape through the secret passage, but Lan Daoxing believed the Iron River Gang had already sealed it.
• Qi Zhen demanded that Lan Daoxing surrender the Pavilion’s properties, and Lan Daoxing drew his sword to resist.
• Qi Zhen shattered Lan Daoxing’s Sword Qi, hurled him through walls, and injured him despite his protective soft armor.
• Lan Daoxing saw that the Pavilion’s guards were being slaughtered while Shen Cangsong fought Han Kui, who had the advantage in cultivation.
• Qi Zhen struck Lan Daoxing again, cutting his left shoulder as he staggered backward bleeding.

As the Iron River Gang besieged the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, Prefecture City’s leaders and factions watched, unwilling to challenge the gang’s grandmaster. Fang Han arrived at the ruined headquarters and stepped between the wounded Lan Daoxing and Qi Zhen as Qi Zhen’s blade came down on him.

• Zhang Yuanshan and other faction leaders watched the battle and feared the Iron River Gang’s growing power.
• Prefecture Governor Zhou Huaian and Yue Zhan learned that Qi Zhen had led more than a hundred Iron River Gang members against the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, but they hesitated to intervene because the gang had a grandmaster.
• Fang Han raced toward the headquarters, and onlookers recognized him but doubted he could save the pavilion alone.
• Fang Han arrived to find the Hundred Treasures Pavilion’s guards overwhelmed, Lan Daoxing badly wounded, and Shen Cangsong struggling against Han Kui.
• Qi Zhen struck Lan Daoxing down, but Fang Han appeared in front of him and blocked his path.
• Qi Zhen immediately swung his Internal Qi-coated longsaber at Fang Han.

Fang Han intervened when the Iron River Gang attacked the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, drove Qi Zhen back, and wounded him with his master-level Wind Sword Intent. Qi Zhen unleashed his full power for a decisive strike, leaving their confrontation poised to escalate.

• Fang Han drew the Cloudsplitter Sword and repelled Qi Zhen’s Mountain-Splitting Stone-Cracking slash, forcing him back seven steps.
• Fang Han told the wounded Lan Daoxing to retreat and warned Qi Zhen that the Hundred Treasures Pavilion had chosen to submit to the Azure Profound Sect.
• Qi Zhen refused to withdraw and tried to kill Lan Daoxing, but Fang Han intercepted his attack and wounded him through his inner armor.
• Qi Zhen questioned Fang Han’s powerful mental assault, then erupted with his full Internal Qi and raised his saber for a peak strike.

Fang Han used the Void-Sundering Sword Manual and Wind Sword Intent to break Qi Zhen’s powerful attack, then overwhelmed him in a fierce duel. As Qi Zhen was driven back and badly hurt, Lan Daoxing saw that the Hundred Treasures Pavilion could be saved and rushed to help its guards.

• Qi Zhen unleashed a devastating Saber Aura, but Fang Han shattered it with a precise sword strike and wounded him with the remaining force.
• Fang Han attacked at high speed, using the Wind God Step and sword techniques to pressure Qi Zhen and disrupt his focus.
• Fang Han cut Qi Zhen’s right arm, then nearly struck his throat before their weapons collided and sent Qi Zhen crashing into a courtyard wall.
• Qi Zhen dropped to one knee, bleeding and shaken, while Fang Han remained composed and standing.
• Lan Daoxing realized Qi Zhen was at a disadvantage and rushed to rescue two Hundred Treasures Pavilion guards from an Iron River Gang steward.

Fang Han defeated Qi Zhen in the battle at the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, forcing the Iron River Gang to retreat. Observers recognized Fang Han’s extraordinary strength, while Qi Zhen left vowing to remember the defeat.

• Lan Daoxing arrived and rescued a fallen guard, helping the Hundred Treasures Pavilion’s defenders stabilize their line.
• Fang Han overwhelmed Qi Zhen with the Cloudsplitter Sword, inflicting multiple wounds before sending him flying with a powerful clash.
• Han Kui reached the injured Qi Zhen, and Qi Zhen ordered the Iron River Gang to withdraw rather than risk losing its forces.
• Qi Zhen paused at the Pavilion gates to threaten Fang Han, then led the Iron River Gang away; Fang Han let him go to avoid escalating the conflict between their factions.
• Zhang Yuanshan, Zhou Huaian, Yue Zhan, and other onlookers discussed Fang Han’s victory and his potential to become a Grandmaster.

Fang Han drove off the Iron River Gang after severely injuring Qi Zhen, then traveled with Lan Daoxing and the Azure Profound Sect elders toward the sect. After hearing Qi Zhen’s account, Yan Wuji recognized Fang Han as a major threat and was urged to kill him personally.

• Fang Han checked on the wounded Lan Daoxing, who accepted that his daughter Lan Yuexin could be with Fang Han despite his existing attachment to another woman.
• Chen Wanjun, Han Qing, Chen Tie, and Jin Han arrived at the ruined Hundred Treasures Pavilion, where Fang Han revealed that he had injured Qi Zhen and forced the Iron River Gang to retreat.
• The Azure Profound Sect elders guarded the Pavilion for several days while its people repaired the damage, then Lan Daoxing set out with them to visit Sect Master Chen.
• Qi Zhen returned to the secret chamber and told Yan Wuji that Fang Han had defeated and severely wounded him.
• Qi Zhen urged Yan Wuji to personally eliminate Fang Han before his growing strength made him a grave threat to the Iron River Gang.

Yan Wuji decided the Iron River Gang would avoid provoking forces tied to the Seven Sects, while Fang Han returned to Azure Profound Sect after rescuing the Hundred Treasures Pavilion. After receiving six major merits, Fang Han devoted himself to sword training and came close to reaching Greater Mastery.

• Yan Wuji refused Qi Zhen's suggestion to personally target Fang Han and ordered the Iron River Gang to avoid forces connected to the Seven Sects.
• Lan Yuexin welcomed Lan Daoxing and thanked Fang Han for saving her father from Qi Zhen.
• Fang Han reported the rescue to Chen Tianyuan, who awarded one major merit to each of the five mission participants.
• Fang Han resumed cultivation at Azure Profound Sect and practiced the Void-Sundering Sword Manual, nearing the Greater Mastery realm.

Fang Han advanced the Void-Sundering Sword Manual to Greater Accomplishment, gaining enough confidence to contend with a First Barrier Breakthrough martial artist. Half a month later, Qui Lan reported that the Iron River Gang’s failed expansion had driven Qingyang Prefecture’s major powers to seek protection from the Seven Sects, and Fang Han asked how the gang had reacted.

• Fang Han’s sword breakthrough released a mental shockwave that shattered the souls of nearby birds and left Qui Lan and two maidservants shaken before he restrained it.
• Fang Han told Qui Lan that his swordsmanship had advanced and warned her group to stay away from the Cultivation Ground while he trained.
• Fang Han assessed that his Greater Accomplishment swordsmanship might let him fight a First Barrier Breakthrough martial artist and resolved not to miss the sect’s Earth Heart Stone Milk.
• Fang Han continued practicing until noon, then ate lunch while Qui Lan attended him.
• Half a month later, Qui Lan reported that the Iron River Gang’s setback at the Hundred Treasures Pavilion had prompted major powers to seek protection from the Seven Sects, and Fang Han asked how the gang had responded.

Fang Han learned that the Iron River Gang had shifted to targeting smaller factions, while Yan Wuji secretly planned to capture martial artists from major powers using a formula that concealed their traces. Fang Han then went to the treasury, learned his sect had placed fourth in the Seven Sects Competition, and exchanged three major merits for three drops of Earth Heart Stone Milk.

• Qui Lan told Fang Han that the Iron River Gang had stopped targeting major powers and had annexed several smaller factions, so he ordered her to keep watching them.
• Yan Wuji told Qi Zhen to secretly capture martial artists from major powers and gave him a medicinal formula from the Grandmaster's Tomb to hide their traces.
• A treasury disciple informed Fang Han that this year's Earth Heart Stone Milk had arrived, and Fang Han went with him to see Han Qing.
• Han Qing told Fang Han that the sect ranked fourth in the Seven Sects Competition and received ten drops of Earth Heart Stone Milk, while the Iron River Gang had been excluded.
• Fang Han exchanged three major merits for three drops of Earth Heart Stone Milk and handed Han Qing his identity token.

Fang Han exchanged merits for three drops of earth heart stone milk and fifteen bottles of Earth Spirit Pills, then consumed the stone milk in seclusion to transform his body. He began testing whether his innate aptitude had improved by cultivating with an Earth Spirit Pill, but the result remained unknown.

• Han Qing deducted three major merits from Fang Han's token for three drops of earth heart stone milk.
• Fang Han exchanged one major merit for fifteen bottles of Earth Spirit Pills and returned to the No. 35 Annex.
• Fang Han entered secluded cultivation and consumed all three drops of earth heart stone milk, undergoing three bodily transformations that expelled impurities.
• Fang Han bathed, then took an Earth Spirit Pill and circulated the Azure Profound Art to measure how quickly his internal qi increased.