Chapter Summaries

Chu Feng learned that Wang Miao had intervened on Fang Han’s behalf, but vowed to confront Fang Han after breaking through to the fifth grade. The next day, Fang Han accepted a well-paid mission to collect tribute in Baishan City and departed with his four teammates.

• Chu Feng compensated Jiang He with an easy storeroom post worth eighty contribution points a month.
• Song Xiang told Chu Feng that Wang Miao had helped Fang Han because of ties between their clans and Fang Han’s talent; Chu Feng refused to abandon his plans.
• Chu Feng predicted that he would soon reach the fifth grade and compete for the Prodigy Ranking, then decided to let Fang Han enjoy a few peaceful days before settling accounts.
• Fang Han visited the Mission Hall, where a steward offered him several high-paying, low-risk assignments, and he chose the Baishan City tribute-collection mission.
• Fang Han met his teammates Liu Ye, Sun Ming, Bai Feng, and Wang Meng in the waiting room before the five joined the departing convoy.

Fang Han arrived at the west market and found Liu Ye, Wang Meng, Sun Ming, and Bai Feng losing a fight against Nether Pavilion disciples. After rescuing Wang Meng, he clashed with the Black-Clad Youth, whose skill matched his own, leaving the battle unresolved.

• Fang Han reached Baishan City with the Azure Profound Sect envoys, and Clan Head Xu Rong welcomed them and arranged their lodging and tribute handover.
• Fang Han went to the west market after a Xu Clan servant reported that Sun Ming and Bai Feng had fought someone there.
• Fang Han found Liu Ye, Wang Meng, Sun Ming, and Bai Feng struggling against four Nether Pavilion disciples while the Black-Clad Youth watched.
• Fang Han struck the Nether Pavilion woman attacking Wang Meng and sent her crashing to the ground with an internal injury.
• The Black-Clad Youth attacked Fang Han from behind, but Fang Han evaded the blow and met him in a fierce sword-and-fist exchange.
• Liu Ye, Sun Ming, Bai Feng, and Wang Meng regrouped nearby and watched anxiously as Fang Han fought the Black-Clad Youth.

Fang Han fought Mo Yuan, a powerful Nether Pavilion disciple, and wounded him before Mo Yuan withdrew with his companions. After returning to Xu Mansion, Fang Han received a late-night visit from Xu Yan, who delivered an envelope on Xu Rong’s behalf.

• Mo Yuan introduced himself as the Nether Pavilion’s fifth-ranked new Beginner stage disciple and challenged Fang Han to continue fighting.
• Fang Han and Mo Yuan fought fiercely until Fang Han used Startling Swan Flash to wound Mo Yuan’s left shoulder.
• Mo Yuan withdrew with the other four Nether Pavilion disciples after an older companion reminded him that their mission was urgent.
• Fang Han and his companions arranged compensation for the damaged marketplace, then returned to Xu Mansion for the evening banquet.
• Xu Yan visited Fang Han at night and presented him with an envelope as a token of regard from Xu Rong.

Fang Han completed the tribute-collection mission, earning 120 contribution points and five thousand taels from the Xu Clan, which had invested in his potential. After safely returning to the Azure Profound Sect, he decided to focus on perfecting his movement technique.

• Fang Han accepted an envelope containing five thousand taels, and Xu Rong explained that he had offered Fang Han more than the others to build ties with a promising disciple.
• Fang Han and the other four disciples checked and loaded the tribute materials, then took a winding route back to the Azure Profound Sect to avoid a possible ambush.
• The convoy traveled without incident and reached the sect, where the materials passed inspection and the five disciples received their contribution points.
• Fang Han returned to Room C-7 and calculated that his mission had earned him 120 contribution points and five thousand taels from the Xu Clan.
• Fang Han decided to cultivate in seclusion and perfect his Greater Mastery-level Startling Swan Step.

Fang Han brought the Startling Swan Step to the Perfection Realm and mastered its Wind Momentum, then exchanged for the Wind Shadow Step at the Library Pavilion. After studying the manual overnight, he began cultivating the new technique the next morning.

• Fang Han practiced the Startling Swan Step for more than ten days and reached the Perfection Realm, integrating Wind Momentum into his footwork.
• Fang Han compared footwork momentum with sword momentum and concluded that each was bound to its own martial skill and could not be directly transferred.
• Fang Han visited the Library Pavilion and exchanged 120 contribution points for the Wind Shadow Step.
• Fang Han read the Wind Shadow Step manual in Room C-7, studying its twelve foundational forms and Internal Qi circulation routes.
• Fang Han cultivated the Wind-Following Art the next morning and headed to the Forest Clearing to begin practicing the Wind Shadow Step.

Fang Han reached the Beginner stage in Wind Shadow Step and accepted a month-long guard mission at the Spirit Iron Mine to earn contribution points. At the mountain gate, he noticed an unfamiliar disciple among the team who seemed to harbor hostility toward him.

• Fang Han used his sixteenfold Footwork Talent to master the twelve stances of Wind Shadow Step and reached the Beginner stage after two days of practice.
• Song Xiang delivered Chu Feng 120,000 taels from affiliated shops and learned that Chu Feng had advanced to the fifth-rank realm.
• Chu Feng planned to defeat a Nether Pavilion True Disciple in an open battle to build his standing and draw attention from the Prodigy Ranking.
• Fang Han exchanged the Xu Clan's five thousand taels in silver notes for gold, recharged it into the System Panel, and saw his wealth reach 5,230 silver.
• Fang Han accepted a one-month Spirit Iron Mine guard duty mission as a team member and gathered at the mountain gate two days later.
• Fang Han noticed an unfamiliar young man in the assembled team looking at him with cold hostility.

Fang Han settled into guard duty at the Spirit Iron Mine, where Chu Chong’s hostility led to a sparring match. After Chu Chong initially suppressed him with stronger Internal Qi, Fang Han prepared to counter with the perfected Startling Swan Step, which he had kept hidden.

• Lei Lie led Fang Han and the other disciples to the Spirit Iron Mine, where Fang Han joined the patrols and devoted his free time to cultivation.
• Fang Han noticed Chu Chong watching him with increasing hostility and suspected Chu Chong was connected to Chu Feng.
• Chu Chong provoked Fang Han by criticizing his solitary sword practice, and Fang Han challenged him to demonstrate his combat experience in a spar.
• Lei Lie agreed to supervise the spar and intervene if either disciple risked serious injury.
• Chu Chong attacked with his short spear, and his mid-Eighth Rank cultivation forced Fang Han back despite Fang Han’s refined sword technique.
• Chu Chong mocked Fang Han’s ranking, while Fang Han prepared to exploit Chu Chong’s rigid spear technique with the perfected Startling Swan Step he had concealed.

Fang Han used his Perfection Realm Startling Swan Step and Wind Splitting Sword Technique to defeat Chu Chong in a spar, then trained until his sword technique reached the Proficiency Realm. He remained at the mine, determined to consolidate his gains before returning to the Azure Profound Sect and challenging the Zi Courtyard rankings.

• Fang Han overwhelmed Chu Chong with his speed and repeated shallow cuts until Lei Lie stopped the spar, and Lei Lie praised Fang Han’s swordplay and potential.
• Chu Chong avoided Fang Han afterward, while Fang Han suppressed his lingering killing intent and focused on patrols and training.
• Fang Han reviewed the fight and practiced the Wind Splitting Sword Technique, gradually correcting flaws in his movements and control of Internal Qi.
• Fang Han mastered Wind Whirl Splitting Sky and sliced a bluestone cleanly, advancing the Wind Splitting Sword Technique to the Proficiency Realm.
• Fang Han resolved to consolidate his new skill during the rest of his mine assignment before returning to the Azure Profound Sect and facing the next Zi Courtyard ranking shift.

After returning from a month at the Spirit Iron Mine, Fang Han learned that Han Yi and Zhao Lin had pushed him down to ninth place in the Zi Courtyard rankings. He recovered overnight and went to the Martial Dao Stele to reclaim his position, drawing a crowd as he unsheathed his sword.

• Fang Han finished his mine assignment, collected his contribution points, and returned to Room C-7 in the Zi Courtyard.
• Xiao Chen told Fang Han that Han Yi had risen to seventh and Zhao Lin to eighth, dropping Fang Han to ninth.
• Fang Han decided to test his ranking the next morning after resting from the journey.
• Han Yi, Zhao Lin, Liu Suifeng, Yan Hongyu, and other disciples joined the crowd gathering at the Martial Dao Stele.
• Fang Han confirmed that he ranked ninth, adjusted his breathing, and drew the Azure Edge Sword.

Fang Han’s sword strike raised his Martial Dao Stele rank from ninth to fourth, and he collected his monthly contribution points before exchanging them for pills. Back in his room, he charged four bottles of True Spirit Pills into the System Panel, bringing his wealth to 13,230 taels.

• Fang Han unleashed his Wind Splitting Sword Technique on the Martial Dao Stele and climbed from ninth place to fourth, leaving the watching disciples stunned.
• Deacon Wu Hao awarded Fang Han 350 contribution points for his fourth-place rank, bringing his balance to 490 points.
• Fang Han exchanged 420 contribution points for four bottles of True Spirit Pills and two bottles of Foundation Cultivation Pills at the Pill Hall.
• Fang Han charged the four bottles of True Spirit Pills into the System Panel, increasing his wealth from 5,230 to 13,230 taels.

After Chu Feng reached the Prodigy Ranking, Fang Han’s fellow disciples distanced themselves from him because of his feud with Chu Feng. With Xiao Chen’s support, Fang Han resolved to turn the pressure into motivation and intensified his cultivation.

• Fang Han noticed that disciples in Zi Courtyard, including Chen Ying and Zhao Li, avoided him.
• Xiao Chen told Fang Han that Chu Feng had ranked one hundredth on the Prodigy Ranking, giving him greater standing in Azure Profound Sect.
• Xiao Chen refused to distance himself from Fang Han and said he believed Fang Han could make the ranking too.
• Fang Han resolved to become stronger and spent the following days devoting nearly all his time to cultivation.

Fang Han achieved Minor Mastery in the Wind Shadow Step, then focused on breaking through to the eighth rank but failed to overcome the Central Mansion Aperture. While practicing swordsmanship in the Forest Clearing, he drew the attention of Yun Muyao, who approached him with Yun Qianyue.

• Fang Han reached Minor Mastery in the Wind Shadow Step and gained a new trump card for speed and survival.
• Fang Han decided to prioritize breaking through to the eighth rank over accepting another mission, and he focused his cultivation on the Wind-Following Art.
• Fang Han filled his Life Gate aperture and used a Foundation Cultivation Pill to attack the Central Mansion Aperture, but the barrier held firm.
• Fang Han went to the Forest Clearing to practice the Wind Splitting Sword Technique and ease his fatigue.
• Yun Qianyue and her elder sister Yun Muyao saw Fang Han practicing; Yun Muyao recognized his swordsmanship and walked over to him.

Fang Han met Yun Muyao, who encouraged him to surpass Chu Feng and offered help if he faced trouble in the sect. After struggling with the eighth-grade bottleneck, Fang Han broke through and gained the Divine Strength ability, then chose to stabilize his realm before testing his ranking.

• Yun Qianyue introduced her elder sister Yun Muyao to Fang Han, who praised his sword skill and talent.
• Yun Muyao revealed her dislike of Chu Feng and urged Fang Han to blunt his arrogance, offering him help within the sect.
• Fang Han spent two days attacking the eighth-grade bottleneck without breaking through, then resumed his cultivation on the third morning.
• Fang Han shattered the barrier to the eighth grade, opened the Central Mansion Aperture, and gained the Divine Strength ability.
• Fang Han considered challenging the Martial Dao Stele but decided to stabilize his realm and master his new strength first.

Fang Han broke through to Early Eighth Grade and rose to third on the Martial Dao Stele, prompting Huang Ling'er, Yun Qianyue, and Li Feng to intensify their training. Later, needing money for his talent upgrade, he went to the Mission Hall and found a grim-looking mission plaque.

• Fang Han demonstrated his Eighth Grade strength at the Martial Dao Stele and surpassed Huang Ling'er to claim third place.
• Huang Ling'er resolved to reclaim third place, while Yun Qianyue and Li Feng responded to Fang Han's rise by training harder.
• Fang Han reflected that Yun Qianyue and Li Feng were stronger and more experienced, then left the plaza without reacting to the crowd.
• After improving his movement technique and cultivation, Fang Han decided to accept a mission to earn money toward Level Five Talent Amplification.
• At the Mission Hall, Li avoided Fang Han, who calmly searched the mission plaques and settled on one with a grim, slaughter-filled description.

Fang Han accepted the mission to exterminate the Ferocious Tiger Mountain bandits and spent five days searching before finding their hidden stronghold. He killed many bandits and drove their middle Eighth Grade leader, Ba Xiong, to flee into the forest.

• Fang Han accepted the Ferocious Tiger Mountain bandit mission and left the sect with a map.
• Fang Han searched Ferocious Tiger Mountain for five days before discovering Ferocious Tiger Stronghold in a secluded valley.
• Fang Han studied the stronghold, then sneaked in at night and silently killed more than ten bandits.
• A bandit discovered a corpse and raised the alarm, forcing Fang Han to fight the remaining bandits openly.
• Fang Han defeated Ba Xiong in combat and wounded his shoulder, but Ba Xiong fled toward the forest.

Fang Han defeated Ba Xiong and his bandits, collected their hidden treasure, and increased his wealth toward his 100,000-tael goal. On his journey back to the sect, Nether Pavilion disciples followed him out of Black Stone City, where Fang Han ambushed and killed Han You.

• Fang Han crippled Ba Xiong and killed the fleeing bandits, then forced Ba Xiong to reveal a hidden cellar containing treasure worth over thirty thousand taels.
• Fang Han killed Ba Xiong, added the bandits' valuables to his System wealth, and raised his total to 51,975 silver.
• Fang Han rested at the stronghold, then traveled to Black Stone City and ate at the Drunken Immortal Restaurant.
• Chen Xiao, Lei Bao, and Han You of the Nether Pavilion spotted Fang Han and secretly followed him out of the city after sending word to Senior Brother Shen You.
• Fang Han sensed the three pursuers, hid beside the road, and ambushed Han You, killing him with a single sword strike.

Fang Han killed Han You, Chen Xiao, and Lei Bao, but Shen You arrived and badly wounded him. Fang Han fled from Shen You, who pursued him with long-range palm attacks.

• Fang Han evaded Chen Xiao and Lei Bao’s attacks and killed Chen Xiao with a swift sword strike.
• Fang Han took advantage of Lei Bao’s disordered assault and killed him with a cut to the throat.
• As Fang Han prepared to search the bodies, Shen You ambushed him with a powerful palm strike and sent him crashing into a tree.
• Fang Han dodged Shen You’s next attack and fled, while Shen You chased after him and launched dark palm force at his back.

Fang Han escaped Shen You, returned to Azure Profound Sect, and completed his mission. At a meeting of the Twelve Courtyards, Chen Xuan defended Fang Han against Tu Baichuan’s attempt to suspend his benefits, but the conflict surrounding Fang Han and Chu Feng remained unresolved.

• Fang Han used the dense forest and his Wind Shadow Step to escape Shen You, then hurried back to Azure Profound Sect.
• Fang Han submitted Ba Xiong’s head at the Mission Hall, received his mission reward, and reported the attack by four Nether Pavilion disciples near Musha City.
• Tu Baichuan urged the courtyard heads to suspend Fang Han’s basic benefits and ranking rewards because of his conflict with Chu Feng.
• Chen Xuan challenged Tu Baichuan, defended Fang Han’s record and rights, and refused to approve any punishment without a sect-rule violation.
• The meeting preserved Fang Han’s benefits, but the rift between Fang Han and Chu Feng remained, and Chen Xuan feared Fang Han’s path ahead would be difficult.

After recovering from his injuries, Fang Han collected his monthly rewards for placing third and spoke privately with Elder Chen Xuan. Chen reassured him about Chu Feng and urged him to prepare for an approaching stroke of fortune.

• Fang Han recovered from his fight, bought food, and attended the monthly rewards ceremony at the Instruction Hall.
• Deacon Wu Hao awarded Fang Han 240 contribution points for his monthly benefit and third-place ranking, bringing his balance to 380.
• Huang Ling'er silently challenged Fang Han to reclaim her ranking, but he did not take her challenge seriously.
• After the lectures, Elder Chen Xuan told Fang Han that the sect would protect him from pressure related to Chu Feng and encouraged him to reach the Prodigy Ranking.
• Elder Chen Xuan advised Fang Han to avoid outside missions and focus on cultivation because a considerable stroke of fortune would soon arrive.

Fang Han focused his training on the Wind Shadow Step and reached mastery, doubling his movement speed and strengthening his ability to escape danger. Elder Chen Xuan then summoned the top five of Zi Courtyard and revealed that they would represent Azure Profound Sect in a Seven Sects competition for Earth Heart Stone Milk.

• Fang Han realized that his Wind Shadow Step was close to advancing after relying on it throughout the mission to wipe out Ferocious Tiger Stronghold and his escape from Shen You.
• Fang Han shifted more training time to the Wind Shadow Step and, after more than ten days, advanced it to mastery, doubling his movement speed.
• A menial disciple summoned Fang Han to Elder Chen Xuan, where Yun Qianyue, Li Feng, Huang Ling'er, and Shi Meng had also gathered.
• Elder Chen Xuan explained that Earth Heart Stone Milk could transform meridians, cleanse the marrow, and alter Root Bone Talent.
• Elder Chen Xuan announced that the five disciples would represent Azure Profound Sect in the Seven Sects competition on the first day of November, with rewards including contribution points and possibly Earth Heart Stone Milk.