Chapter Summaries

After Yan Wuji slaughtered the Seven Sects’ branches in White Glow City, Chen Tianyuan told Fang Han about the massacre and asked him to track the killer. Fang Han set out with a Message Jade Talisman, beginning to search for Yan Wuji while traveling toward White Glow City.

• Yan Wuji killed the people at the Nether Pavilion branch and left White Glow City after slaughtering nearly three hundred martial artists from the Seven Sects across six branches.
• Chen Tianyuan visited Fang Han and learned that he had cultivated Nether Guide to the Beginner stage and was nearing Minor Accomplishment.
• Chen Tianyuan told Fang Han that Yan Wuji had wiped out all seven sect branches in White Glow City, including fifty-three Azure Profound Sect members and Elder Zhao Mai.
• Fang Han agreed to attempt to track Yan Wuji, and Chen Tianyuan gave him a Message Jade Talisman and warned him not to approach the grandmaster alone.
• Fang Han gathered provisions and supplies, left the Azure Profound Sect, and traveled toward White Glow City while activating Nether Guide.

Fang Han mastered the Nether Guide enough to track Yan Wuji across cities and discover his hiding place in a mountain forest. He sent the location to Chen Tianyuan, who learned that Yan Wuji had been found.

• Fang Han reached minor mastery of the Nether Guide while traveling, greatly sharpening his ability to sense traces.
• Fang Han followed Yan Wuji's trail from White Glow City to another devastated Azure Profound Sect branch, then continued north after finding the courtyard empty.
• Fang Han pursued Yan Wuji's trace through the wilderness and found his living presence in a mountain forest roughly five hundred li north of Green Pine City.
• Fang Han sent the hiding place's location to Chen Tianyuan with a Message Jade Talisman.
• Chen Tianyuan received Fang Han's message and rose excitedly after learning Yan Wuji had been found.

Fang Han located Yan Wuji’s hideout, prompting the Seven Sects to send seven Grandmasters to encircle him. As Yan Wuji tried to escape their trap, the Grandmasters struck and wounded him, leaving the battle underway.

• Chen Tianyuan informed the Seven Sects that Fang Han had found Yan Wuji near Green Pine City, and the sect leaders dispatched Grandmasters.
• Fang Han tracked Yan Wuji as he meditated and wondered whether the Iron River Gang had acquired its demonic arts from a greater hidden force.
• Seven Grandmasters arrived, and Fang Han pointed them toward Yan Wuji’s location.
• The Grandmasters spread out to surround Yan Wuji, who sensed the danger and charged through the forest to escape.
• Lei Lie blocked Yan Wuji with a palm strike, Gu Changqing cut his ribs with a sword, and Huiming followed with a golden palm attack.

Bai Yujing and six other Grandmasters battered Yan Wuji, who was driven to the brink of death despite reaching the fourth level of Grandmaster. Fang Han sensed a stronger, unknown Grandmaster approaching, warned the others, and hid as a masked woman arrived; Yan Wuji then used a demonic secret art to unleash a dangerous burst of power.

• Bai Yujing, Liu Meiniang, Li Hanjiang, and the silent fighter wounded Yan Wuji while the seven Grandmasters kept him trapped.
• Fang Han sensed an overwhelmingly powerful Grandmaster approaching, warned the battlefield, and concealed himself in the forest.
• A blood-clad woman wearing a silver mask arrived and charged toward Yan Wuji after briefly noticing Fang Han.
• The seven Grandmasters intensified their attacks, and Yan Wuji began to lose hope of surviving the siege.
• Yan Wuji activated a demonic secret art that damaged his body and foundation in exchange for a surge of power, then met Gu Changqing's sword strike with a massive blood-red palm.

Gu Changqing and the other Grandmasters killed Yan Wuji just as a mysterious masked woman arrived to save him. The woman proved to be a Grandmaster Late-Stage fighter, wounded the group during their clash, and fled as they pursued her.

• Gu Changqing and four other Grandmasters broke Yan Wuji’s protective qi barrier and wounded him while he waited for an approaching ally.
• Lei Lie killed Yan Wuji with a charged saber strike before the blood-robed masked woman could reach him.
• Gu Changqing and the other six Grandmasters attacked the woman, but her blood-colored claw light shattered their combined assault and revealed her Grandmaster Late-Stage strength.
• The woman traded another blow with the seven Grandmasters, suffered a minor shoulder wound, and retreated through the dust.
• Lei Lie, Gu Changqing, Huiming, Bai Yujing, Liu Meiniang, the silent man, and Li Hanjiang chased after the fleeing woman.

Fang Han tracked a mysterious female Grandmaster from Qingyang Prefecture into Songquan Prefecture, then returned to Azure Profound Sect and received two Major Merits. The chapter ended by revealing the underground headquarters of the Dark Sacred Cult.

• The seven Grandmasters failed to catch the blood-red woman, and Huiming suspected her demonic arts came from the force behind Yan Wuji.
• Fang Han used the Nether Guide to track the woman across the boundary river into Songquan Prefecture, where the Grandmasters ended their pursuit.
• After the Grandmasters divided the items from Yan Wuji, Fang Han rested at an inn and then traveled back to Azure Profound Sect.
• Chen Tianyuan awarded Fang Han two Major Merits for discovering Qi Zhen and tracking down Yan Wuji.
• The story revealed the Dark Sacred Cult's headquarters in a vast underground palace.

Blood Butterfly reported the Iron River Gang’s destruction and Yan Wuji’s death to the Dark Sacred Cult Leader, who postponed retaliation against the Seven Sects until the cult emerged from hiding. At the Azure Profound Sect, Fang Han continued cultivating, used his last Vajra Pill to advance the Black Tortoise True Art, and sent Qui Lan to exchange a Great Merit for more pills.

• Blood Butterfly told the Cult Leader that the Seven Sects had destroyed the Iron River Gang and killed Yan Wuji, and that her attempt to rescue him had failed.
• The Cult Leader refused to attack the Seven Sects while the Dark Sacred Cult remained concealed and recorded the debt for later.
• Fang Han maintained his daily cultivation routine through December and used his final Vajra Pill to strengthen his body with the Black Tortoise True Art.
• Fang Han assessed that he could reach the Proficient realm in a few months if he continued using Vajra Pills.
• Fang Han sent Qui Lan to the sect treasury, where she exchanged one Great Merit for fifteen bottles of Vajra Pills.
• Fang Han reflected that Qingyang Prefecture had returned to peace and decided that the lack of missions would let him focus on cultivation.

Fang Han and Luo Yuntian received invitations to the Great Chu Dynasty’s Imperial Capital tournament, whose rewards made participation tempting. While training in the snow, Fang Han advanced the Wind God Step to mastery, then welcomed Yun Qianyue when she came to visit.

• Chen Tianyuan invited Fang Han and Luo Yuntian to consider entering the five-yearly martial arts tournament in the Imperial Capital, explaining that even participants who failed the first round would receive a heavenly treasure.
• Fang Han considered the tournament’s rewards as he practiced the Wind God Step in the snow, then gained insight into merging wind intent with his movement and reached mastery.
• Fang Han tested his new speed and concluded that few barrier-breaking martial artists could match him, while his movement skills could help him retreat from stronger opponents.
• Qui Lan told Fang Han that Yun Qianyue had arrived, and Fang Han hurried to greet her at the courtyard gate.

Fang Han brought Yun Qianyue and Lan Yuexin to meet his parents in Liangshui City, where he told them he intended to marry both women. During their visit, the three grew closer, and Yun Qianyue learned Fang Han planned to attend the Martial Arts Tournament in the imperial capital.

• Fang Han and Yun Qianyue agreed to leave the sect early for his home and invite Lan Yuexin to join them.
• Fang Han traveled to Liangshui City with Yun Qianyue and Lan Yuexin, and introduced both women to his parents and younger sister, Fang Ying.
• Fang Han told Fang Zheng and Lin Wan that both Yun Qianyue and Lan Yuexin were his future wives, and his parents approved.
• Fang Han showed the women his childhood home and Liangshui City, then took them to the hills and streams outside the city.
• Fang Han told Yun Qianyue he planned to attend the Martial Arts Tournament in the imperial capital, and he took her hand while Lan Yuexin watched from the stream.

Fang Han settled betrothals with Yun Qianyue’s father and Lan Yuexin’s father, then returned to Liangshui City to celebrate the New Year with his family. On the first day of the new year, he resumed cultivation and sword training, sensing that his Void-Sundering Sword Manual was close to perfection.

• Fang Han traveled with Yun Qianyue and Lan Yuexin to Blue Moon City, where Yun Yue Shan agreed to his proposal to seek Yun Qianyue’s hand in marriage in the latter half of the next year.
• Fang Han visited the Hundred Treasures Pavilion and secured Lan Daoxing’s agreement to his betrothal to Lan Yuexin, with the details settled alongside Lan Yuewen.
• Fang Han returned to Liangshui City on the final day of the year and reunited with Fang Zheng, Lin Wan, and Fang Ying before celebrating the New Year with the Fang Clan.
• Fang Han began cultivating again on New Year’s Day, absorbing an Earth Spirit Pill and training with the Cloudsplitter Sword.
• Fang Han practiced the Void-Sundering Sword Manual and sensed that he would soon advance it from major mastery to perfection.

Fang Han reached the Perfection Realm in the Void-Sundering Sword Manual, greatly increasing his combat strength, then spent the New Year with his family. During Elder Fang Yuan’s visit, Fang Han offered the talented Fang Yingxue a chance to cultivate at the Azure Profound Sect, and she accepted.

• Fang Han cultivated the Void-Sundering Sword Manual until it reached the Perfection Realm, leaving lingering fissures in the air with each sword stroke.
• Fang Han judged that his strengthened combat ability could rival martial artists who had broken through two barriers, then decided to make time for his family before pursuing the Great Void Wind God Sword.
• Fang Han told Fang Zheng and Lin Wan that he planned to formally propose to the Yun Clan and the Lan Clan in the second half of the year, delighting them and Fang Ying.
• Elder Fang Yuan visited Fang Han with Fang Yingxue, an eighteen-year-old Martial Hall disciple who had reached the Bone Forging stage.
• Fang Han gave Fang Yingxue five bottles of Blood Qi Pills and offered to take her to cultivate at the Azure Profound Sect.
• Fang Yingxue accepted Fang Han’s offer and promised to train hard at the Azure Profound Sect.

Fang Han began learning the Great Void Wind God Sword, discovering that mastering its moves was much easier than merging Wind Sword Intent into them. After returning to Azure Profound Sect with Fang Yingxue, he asked Qui Lan to find out how to apply for an internal disciple slot for her.

• Fang Han reread the Great Void Wind God Sword manual and practiced its forms, but struggled to merge Wind Sword Intent into the moves.
• Fang Han judged that he would need at least two months to reach the Beginner stage, then continued training for two hours.
• Fang Han and Fang Yingxue left Fang Mansion and arrived at Azure Profound Mountain a little over a day later.
• Fang Han brought Fang Yingxue to No. 35 Annex and arranged for a maidservant to settle her in a guest room.
• Fang Han learned that the new Beginner-stage disciples would enter You Courtyard and told Qui Lan to investigate the requirements for an internal disciple slot.

Fang Han secured an internal disciple slot for Fang Yingxue and pondered the Great Chu Dynasty Imperial Family’s motives for holding martial arts tournaments. On February 1, he and Luo Yuntian departed for the Imperial Capital aboard the Sect Master’s White Tiger mount.

• Fang Han learned that an internal disciple slot cost one hundred thousand contribution points.
• Fang Han brought Fang Yingxue to the You Courtyard, where Xu An arranged her enrollment and Yang Lin issued her an Identity Jade Token.
• Fang Han decided Fang Yingxue would stay with him until the new disciples officially entered the sect.
• Fang Han considered why the Great Chu Dynasty Imperial Family distributed treasures through martial arts tournaments and allowed sects to grow stronger.
• Fang Han and Luo Yuntian left Azure Profound Mountain on the White Tiger mount, cultivating during their journey to the Imperial Capital.

Fang Han, Luo Yuntian, and their steward traveled through Skywind Prefecture and stopped at an inn for the night. There, they encountered Lei Zheng and two Thunderlight Pavilion companions, who did not recognize them, and the group kept their identities concealed.

• The steward told Fang Han and Luo Yuntian that they had entered Skywind Prefecture and still had about twenty days to reach the Imperial Capital.
• As night fell, Fang Han and Luo Yuntian agreed to stay at Fortune Inn, where the steward settled the White Tiger in the stable.
• Fang Han paid for three upper rooms and a meal, and the travelers ate in the inn's main hall.
• Lei Zheng entered the inn with a young Thunderlight Pavilion disciple and a steward, prompting Fang Han, Luo Yuntian, and their steward to recognize the rival sect's insignia.
• Lei Zheng failed to recognize Fang Han's group, while he warned the young disciple to conserve his strength for the Imperial Capital Martial Arts Tournament.

Lei Zheng recognized Fang Han and Luo Yuntian as Azure Profound Sect disciples and pursued them with the intent of revenge. When Lei Zheng attacked, Fang Han cut apart his fist Astral Qi and wounded him, leaving Lei Zheng shocked by Fang Han's strength.

• Fang Han, Luo Yuntian, and the Azure Profound Sect deacon left the inn on the White Tiger while Lei Zheng realized they were likely from the Azure Profound Sect.
• Lei Zheng and his companions pursued the group out of the city, and Fang Han sensed them closing in.
• Lei Zheng stopped the White Tiger's carriage and exposed the group's identities after rejecting the deacon's claim that they were Lingyun Sword Sect disciples.
• Lei Zheng declared that he would avenge Thunderlight Pavilion's losses and launched a powerful fist Astral Qi attack at the carriage.
• Fang Han drew the Cloudsplitter Sword, split Lei Zheng's attack, and slashed his robe and soft armor, stunning Lei Zheng.

Fang Han killed Lei Zheng and the Thunderlight Pavilion companions who attacked him, then continued north with Luo Yuntian and the Azure Profound Sect steward. Several days later, he reached familiar Westview Prefecture and realized the secret realm should be open to him again.

• Fang Han identified himself as a disciple of Azure Profound Sect and wounded Lei Zheng with two rapid sword strikes.
• Fang Han killed Lei Zheng with his third strike, then split the fleeing silver-gray giant wolf and its riders with sword qi.
• Fang Han searched the bodies and collected banknotes, Danyao, and weapons worth around twenty million taels.
• Luo Yuntian and the Azure Profound Sect steward joined Fang Han in feeding the wolf meat to White Tiger before they resumed their journey north.
• Several days later, Fang Han recognized Westview Prefecture and realized he could enter the secret realm again because a new year had begun.

Fang Han and Luo Yuntian traveled toward the Imperial Capital and learned that the Central Thirty-Six Prefectures were rich in resources and experts. After entering Central Prefecture, Fang Han detected the fragrance of a maturing Heavenly Treasure.

• Fang Han decided to postpone exploring the secret realm until after the Martial Arts Tournament and considered whether he could enter it twice using different keys.
• The Azure Profound Sect deacon explained that the Central Thirty-Six Prefectures had abundant essence qi, could produce Mid-Grade Heavenly Treasures, and drew experts seeking breakthroughs.
• After several days of travel, Fang Han and Luo Yuntian entered Central Prefecture and noticed how lush its vegetation was.
• Fang Han sensed the faint fragrance of a maturing Heavenly Treasure just after entering Central Prefecture.

Fang Han found and claimed a Purple-Pattern Spirit Flower, then ate it and strengthened his aptitude for secret arts. Ten days later, he and his companions arrived at the Imperial Capital.

• Fang Han left Luo Yuntian and the Azure Profound Sect deacon to investigate a fragrance in the forest and found a Purple-Pattern Spirit Flower guarded by two third-rank martial artists.
• Fang Han drove off the two martial artists with a powerful sword strike and took the flower.
• Fang Han returned to the carriage and ate the flower, improving his secret-art comprehension and shortening the time needed to master Nether Guide.
• Ten days later, Fang Han saw the towering walls and gate of the Imperial Capital from the carriage.

Fang Han and Luo Yuntian arrived in the Imperial Capital and were struck by its scale, prosperity, and abundance of powerful martial artists. After eating at Moonwatch Tower, they registered for the Martial Arts Tournament at the Royal Annex and received accommodations based on their rankings.

• Fang Han, Luo Yuntian, and the Azure Profound Sect steward entered the Imperial Capital, where Fang Han sensed more than ten first-rank martial artists along the streets.
• The three ate a meal at Moonwatch Tower before continuing to the Royal Annex.
• Fang Han and Luo Yuntian presented their gilded invitations and registered for the Martial Arts Tournament.
• The Royal Annex registrar gave Fang Han an independent courtyard, Luo Yuntian a suite, and the steward an ordinary single room.
• Three servants led Fang Han, Luo Yuntian, and the steward deeper into the annex toward their accommodations.

Fang Han hosted Luo Yuntian and five chief disciples, who discussed the Imperial Capital’s powerful figures and the formidable contestants in the upcoming Martial Arts Tournament. After learning that three favored contenders had reached First Grade and others might have as well, Fang Han resolved to improve his strength before the tournament.

• Luo Yuntian brought Liu Bai, Mad Blade, Wuxiang, Xu Qing, and Hua Jieyu to visit Fang Han’s private courtyard.
• The visitors discussed an auction featuring five Heavenly Treasures, including one Mid-Grade treasure, and Mad Blade recounted meeting a Grandmaster who ran a small restaurant.
• Hua Jieyu named Qin Yuan, Lin Qingyin, and Chu Jinghong as the three leading favorites to win the Martial Arts Tournament because they had reached First Grade before thirty.
• Liu Bai noted that the favorites benefited from the richer resources of the Central Thirty-Six Prefectures and their Overlord-Level Factions, while Hua Jieyu said other contestants might also be First Grade.
• After the visitors left, Fang Han considered the tournament’s strength and resolved to train harder so he could earn a high ranking and valuable Heavenly Treasures.