Chapter Summaries

After defeating Zhang Siyuan, Lu Li stopped the remaining warriors from betraying the Huang Family and heard Huang He’s final request to look after Huang Rongyue. Huang He died, and after burying him, Lu Li was left wondering about the secrets behind Hu Niu’s green light.

• Lu Li overheard a burly warrior plotting to kill the injured Huang He and take Huang Rongyue, while Du Ying and Shen Fei refused to betray the family.
• As Huang Rongyue awoke, Lu Li killed the warrior threatening her and then snapped the burly man’s neck.
• Huang He apologized to Huang Rongyue, entrusted her care to Lu Li, and died after asking him to keep an eye on her.
• Lu Li buried Huang He, and Hu Niu and the Cloud-Turning Wolf woke up.
• Lu Li reassured Hu Niu about Huang Rongyue’s grief and wondered what secrets Hu Niu’s green light concealed.

Lu Li took Zhang Siyuan’s secret manual and resolved to use his proficiency panel to master its difficult fourth level. Meanwhile, Zhang Siyuan fled in defeat, realized the manual was gone, and collapsed before reaching the city wall.

• Lu Li found Zhang Siyuan’s secret manual, learned that its fourth level could multiply combat power fivefold without side effects, and put it away.
• Lu Li checked his proficiency panel and began cultivating the Golden Muscle and Jade Vessel Method.
• Zhang Siyuan fled through the wilderness, discovered his secret manual was missing, and cursed Lu Li before fainting.
• The officers on the city wall saw Zhang Siyuan plunge from the air and ordered the city gate opened to rescue him.

After Zhang Siyuan admitted that Lu Li had defeated him, Lu Li mastered the Golden Muscle and Jade Vessel Method and tested its power. He planned to lead the group toward Qingfeng Prefecture the next morning while Zhang Siyuan recovered.

• Zhang Siyuan told his commanders that Lu Li had driven him back and that his cultivation would take at least a month to recover.
• Lu Li reached the beginner level of the Golden Muscle and Jade Vessel Method and used it to unleash immense strength, though the technique left him weakened afterward.
• Du Ying, Shen Fei, Hu Niu, and the Cloud-Turning Wolf watched Lu Li's demonstration, while Huang Rongyue supported him back to the cave.
• Huang Rongyue had recovered from her injuries and broken through to the Blood-Exchange Realm after Huang He was buried.
• Lu Li reasoned that Zhang Siyuan would not pursue them immediately and told the group to leave for Qingfeng Prefecture at the hour of the Dragon the next day.

Lu Li and Huang Rongyue reached Qingfeng Prefecture after a perilous journey and entered the city with the help of her Broken Mountain Sect status. They headed to the sect, where a gatekeeper named Uncle Fu recognized Huang Rongyue and asked who Lu Li was.

• Lu Li heard that Zhang Siyuan had been badly injured and that the rebels still held Changfeng County despite a month of government attacks.
• Lu Li left Hu Niu and the Cloud-Turning Wolf in a mountain cave, then reached Qingfeng Prefecture with Huang Rongyue, Shen Fei, and Du Ying.
• Huang Rongyue used her Broken Mountain Sect status to get the group past the city entrance without identity papers.
• Shen Fei and Du Ying left to seek work, and Huang Rongyue encouraged them to keep their pride and resolve.
• Lu Li and Huang Rongyue went to the Broken Mountain Sect, where Uncle Fu greeted Huang Rongyue and asked about Lu Li.

Huang Rongyue tried to get Lu Li into the Broken Mountain Sect, but its gatekeeper Uncle Fu rejected her bribe and demanded further payments. Disgusted by the sect and unwilling to expose his talent, Lu Li turned and left.

• Huang Rongyue introduced Lu Li as a distant relative, but Uncle Fu told them the Broken Mountain Sect's entrance examinations had ended half a month earlier.
• Uncle Fu rejected Huang Rongyue's three thousand taels and publicly accused her of bribery, then offered Lu Li a menial position after accepting her Slumber Heart-Protecting Mirror.
• Uncle Fu demanded that Huang Rongyue pay debts and compensation for Kuang Mingyun and Zhang Da, making her realize her friends had used her for money.
• Huang Rongyue offered to pay Uncle Fu more or reveal Lu Li's talent, but Lu Li lost hope in the Broken Mountain Sect and left.

After the Broken Mountain Sect rejected him, Lu Li decided to seek admission to the declining Evergreen Sect, whose vast martial arts collection suited his plan to master many techniques and create one of his own. As Huang Rongyue discussed the sect with him, she asked what he honestly thought of her.

• Lu Li reassured Huang Rongyue after the Broken Mountain Sect's people humiliated her and said he no longer wanted to join them.
• Huang Rongyue explained her uncertain status as a nominal disciple and told Lu Li that the Evergreen Sect's examination would be held in three days.
• Huang Rongyue described the Evergreen Sect's Endless Life Technique, its decline, and its extensive collection of martial arts manuals.
• Lu Li decided to enter the Evergreen Sect so he could study its techniques and potentially create a martial art of his own.
• Huang Rongyue praised Lu Li's prospects at the Evergreen Sect, then asked what he honestly thought of her.

Lu Li helped Huang Rongyue make sense of her family’s destruction and the betrayal she had endured, and she emerged with renewed resolve. As he left Broken Mountain Sect, she promised she would make the sect a gift for him, while he set his sights on his own path to power.

• Lu Li praised Huang Rongyue’s kindness and told her that her actions had earned his admiration, while cautioning that people were shaped by the times around them.
• Huang Rongyue accepted that her former friends had failed her and concluded that her convictions were not wrong, though she had taken the wrong path.
• Huang Rongyue reached a state of clarity that promised rapid progress in her cultivation, then asked Lu Li to call her Rongyue.
• Huang Rongyue told Lu Li she would make Broken Mountain Sect a gift for him, and he left believing she might fulfill that promise.
• Lu Li departed with renewed confidence in his own ambitions, while Huang Rongyue ignored the whispers around her and strode resolutely into Broken Mountain Sect.

Lu Li arrived in Qingfeng Prefecture and saw that Evergreen Sect remained prosperous despite its decline. At a restaurant, he learned that Evergreen Sect was offering lavish recruitment prizes to attract powerful fighters, leaving him uncertain whether he could rank highly.

• Lu Li reached Evergreen Sect's territory at dusk and was surprised by its imposing, brightly lit buildings.
• Lu Li saw members of the Incense Fragrance Sect collecting incense money and vowed to deal with them if they caused trouble, while promising to avenge Hero Zhao after establishing himself.
• Lu Li went to a restaurant to gather information and heard that Evergreen Sect's recruitment judged candidates only by strength, regardless of age or background.
• Lu Li learned that Gao Yulou and numerous experienced martial artists had come to compete for the rewards, including a rumored Life-Breath Pill for third place.
• Lu Li worried that the gathered experts might outmatch him, then left the restaurant to return to his room and cultivate.

Lu Li completed the Metal-Stone Body and gained the formidable Diamond Body, then looked to the Evergreen Sect for further martial arts knowledge. Meanwhile, Huang Rongyue received a stern reprimand from Elder Qiu at the Broken Mountain Sect.

• Lu Li practiced the Metal-Stone Body until his proficiency reached three thousand, leaving two hundred points before its final level.
• Lu Li broke through to Diamond Body, completing the Metal-Stone Body and gaining three times the defense of Rock Body.
• Lu Li tested his ability to shift into and out of the golden form, then recognized that he needed subsequent methods to progress further.
• Lu Li resolved to seek martial arts classics at the Evergreen Sect and hoped its collection would help him advance.
• Elder Qiu reprimanded Huang Rongyue for bringing outsiders into the Broken Mountain Sect, and Huang Rongyue bowed and left.

Huang Rongyue resolved to grow stronger and build Lu Li a sect, while Lu Li attended the Evergreen Sect’s disciple examination and assessed the notable candidates. The chapter left Lu Li and Gao Yulou aware of each other, with Gao wondering who the unlisted man was.

• Huang Rongyue admitted her feelings for Lu Li were mixed with admiration, then vowed to grow strong enough to give him a sect and went into seclusion.
• Three days later, Lu Li arrived at the Evergreen Sect for its disciple examination and listened to other candidates discuss their intelligence reports.
• Lu Li judged Ji Guang, the Returning Dragon Spear, to be a strong Inner-Qi Realm fighter but no match for him.
• Lu Li heard that Gao Yulou was ranked second among Qingfeng Prefecture’s young talents and observed the courteous young master among his companions.
• Gao Yulou sensed Lu Li watching him, felt that Lu Li was dangerous, and asked who he was, but his companions found no information about him.

At the Evergreen Sect recruitment event, Lu Li and Gao Yulou learned that Zuo Cangyun was considered the chief contender, then watched him arrive and reveal his formidable presence. Lu Li resolved that he would claim first place, while two elders began wagering over whether Zuo Cangyun or Gao Yulou would win.

• Gao Yulou dismissed Lu Li as a lesser threat and focused on intelligence naming Zuo Cangyun as his main rival.
• Zuo Cangyun entered the square with a renowned sword, intimidating the crowd and drawing Lu Li’s wary attention.
• Lu Li judged Zuo Cangyun stronger than Gao Yulou but believed his own perfected martial arts, Metal-Stone Body, and Golden Muscle and Jade Vessel Method could overcome him.
• In the highest pavilion, the red-haired man predicted Zuo Cangyun would win, while the Third Elder argued that Gao Yulou might prevail because of his family’s resources.
• The red-haired man challenged the Third Elder to wager on the champion, and the Third Elder accepted.

At the martial competition, the elders favored Zuo Cangyun, while Li Qingfeng dismissed Lu Li as a nobody from Changfeng County. Lu Li was matched against Ji Yun, the spear expert, and faced him on the ring.

• The First Elder predicted Zuo Cangyun would beat Gao Yulou, prompting the Second and Third Elders to trade jokes over their wager.
• Lu Li watched the opening fights and believed he could defeat most contestants with counterattacks alone.
• Li Qingfeng approached Lu Li, learned he was a herb gatherer from Changfeng County, and returned to tell Gao Yulou he was a peasant.
• Gao Yulou remained uneasy about Lu Li despite Li Qingfeng's dismissal, then turned his attention back to the competition.
• A steward called Lu Li to fight Ji Yun, and Lu Li stepped onto the ring opposite the spear-wielding expert.

Lu Li faced Ji Yun in the Evergreen Sect selection bout, where spectators had mocked Lu Li for his humble origins. Lu Li overwhelmed Ji Yun with his skill and strength, and Ji Yun surrendered at the edge of the platform.

• Lu Li introduced himself as being from Changfeng County, prompting nobles to mock his humble background and sparking an argument among the spectators.
• The steward silenced the crowd, while Gao Yulou predicted that Lu Li would win.
• Lu Li and Ji Yun began their bout, and Lu Li realized Ji Yun's spear was a supernatural treasure weapon that shook his mind with dragon roars.
• Lu Li struck Ji Yun with overwhelming force, drove him to the platform's edge, and continued pressing his attack.
• Unable to dodge or block Lu Li's next strike, Ji Yun closed his eyes and surrendered.

Lu Li defeated Ji Yun with ease, shocking the gathered young masters and drawing the attention of Gao Yulou, Zuo Cangyun, and the Evergreen Sect elders. The elders agreed to watch Lu Li longer before deciding who would take him as a disciple.

• Lu Li stopped his saber inches from Ji Yun's forehead, forcing Ji Yun to admit defeat and leaving the spectators stunned.
• Gao Yulou rebuked the young masters for looking down on common-born people and urged them to correct their attitudes.
• Gao Yulou and Zuo Cangyun recognized Lu Li as a formidable rival and watched him with wary interest.
• The Evergreen Sect elders praised Lu Li's talent and discussed giving him more resources, but decided to observe him further before choosing a mentor.
• Ji Yun recovered from the fight, asked whether Lu Li's saber was a treasured weapon, then blushed and hurried away after admitting he had meant to let Lu Li leave with dignity.

Lu Li rose to fame by defeating the aristocratic contestants and watched Zuo Cangyun defeat Gao Yulou with a slender sword. As the final match between Lu Li and Zuo Cangyun began, Gao Yulou warned Lu Li that Zuo Cangyun's strength and killing power were difficult to control.

• Lu Li watched Gao Yulou win quickly and saw Zuo Cangyun defeat his opponent with graceful, relentless swordplay.
• Lu Li won ten matches with ease, earning the commoners' admiration and becoming a celebrated dark horse.
• With four contestants left, Lu Li defeated a capable opponent while Zuo Cangyun knocked Gao Yulou off the platform and won their match.
• Gao Yulou conceded to Zuo Cangyun, then warned Lu Li that Zuo Cangyun was immensely strong and might not be able to control his grip.
• The steward announced Lu Li's match against Zuo Cangyun, and Lu Li wondered what Gao Yulou meant.

Lu Li faced Zuo Cangyun in the tournament’s final match, while the elders discussed the likely winner and competed to take Lu Li as a disciple. Zuo Cangyun revealed his shy nature, and Lu Li opened the fight with a dazzling, powerful blade strike.

• Lu Li entered the arena and waited as Zuo Cangyun recovered, while spectators debated whether a commoner could defeat a noble scion.
• The Second Elder demanded the jade pendant from the Third Elder, but the Third Elder pointed out that their wager concerned the champion, not who defeated whom.
• The First Elder predicted Zuo Cangyun would win because of his immense strength and advised Lu Li to concede, then the elders discussed taking Lu Li as a disciple.
• Zuo Cangyun struggled to speak, and Lu Li realized he had social anxiety after Zuo Cangyun complimented his blade.
• Lu Li attacked first with a powerful descending strike that lit up the dim arena.

Lu Li and Zuo Cangyun fought to a draw through hundreds of exchanges, impressing the spectators and elders. After Lu Li activated a secret technique and renewed their head-on clash, Zuo Cangyun changed to a softer style and forced Lu Li onto the defensive.

• Lu Li and Zuo Cangyun traded attacks and remained evenly matched through more than a hundred exchanges.
• As Lu Li began to tire, Zuo Cangyun used his superior strength to press him, and Lu Li prepared to use a secret technique.
• Lu Li activated the technique, his aura surged, and he charged back into battle against Zuo Cangyun.
• Gao Yulou and the spectators watched the fight, while the elders praised the two combatants and debated who should train them.
• After another hundred forceful exchanges, Zuo Cangyun shifted to a gentle, yielding sword style and forced Lu Li onto the defensive.

Lu Li adapted Zuo Cangyun’s swordsmanship into a saber art during their duel, then matched his opponent’s external hardening technique in a head-on clash. The fighters were both sent flying, leaving the outcome undecided.

• Lu Li studied Zuo Cangyun’s soft, yielding sword moves and created a saber style that let him hold his own.
• The spectators marveled at Lu Li’s rapid progress, while Gao Yulou recognized the techniques that had defeated him.
• The Second, Third, and Fourth Elders argued over who would recruit Lu Li, and the Fifth Elder was rebuffed when she tried to join in.
• Zuo Cangyun changed tactics and charged at Lu Li using an external hardening technique, but Lu Li activated one of his own.
• Lu Li and Zuo Cangyun exchanged powerful blows, then both were sent flying.

Lu Li defeated Zuo Cangyun in the final match and became the tournament champion, winning recognition despite complaints that he had used poison. After the disciples received their placements, Lu Li was led to a courtyard reserved for true disciples, where he would stay temporarily.

• Lu Li overwhelmed Zuo Cangyun with a relentless barrage of punches, then watched him collapse after the poison took effect and gave him the antidote.
• The referee declared Lu Li the winner, and the crowd celebrated as the Lineage scions protested that he had poisoned Zuo Cangyun.
• Gao Yulou silenced the scions and pointed out Lu Li's many martial skills, warning them that birth did not determine a martial artist's worth.
• Zuo Cangyun woke, understood his defeat, nodded to Lu Li, and left without arguing.
• The referee led the disciples to their temporary lodgings and showed Lu Li the detached courtyard reserved for true disciples.

After winning the top spot, Lu Li settled into the Evergreen Sect and looked forward to choosing a master. The elders fought over who would teach him, and the next morning he shared a meal with Gao Yulou and Zuo Cangyun.

• Lu Li reflected on joining the Evergreen Sect, then went to sleep excited about choosing a master.
• The Second Elder, Third Elder, Fourth Elder, and Fifth Elder argued over who would take Lu Li as a disciple.
• The First Elder announced that he would teach Lu Li, but the other four elders carried him out by force.
• Lu Li woke refreshed and found a warm meat pie made with precious Three-Crowned Plum Deer meat hanging on his door.
• Gao Yulou and Zuo Cangyun joined Lu Li, and the three top disciples chatted as others gathered around them.