Chapter Summaries

Wei Niu and Wei Ma persuaded Wen Boyuan to help them ambush Li Chuan, while Li Chuan arrived in Prefecture City to visit the Xiao family. Xiao Yuan treated Li Chuan warmly, but his father and older brother slighted him; the chapter ended with Li Chuan asking about the Mystic Origin Twin Art after bringing three thousand taels.

• Wei Niu and Wei Ma told Wen Boyuan they planned to kill Li Chuan, and Wen agreed to help them conceal the ambush from the Thousand Peaks Sect.
• Li Chuan reached Prefecture City and went to the Xiao Family Auction House, where Xiao Yuan welcomed him warmly.
• Xiao Yuan invited Li Chuan to a banquet, but Xiao Sinan and Xiao Tingxuan served him an unimpressive meal and treated him according to his Transforming Force cultivation.
• After the banquet, Xiao Sinan and Xiao Tingxuan reprimanded Xiao Yuan for showing Li Chuan excessive courtesy, and Xiao Yuan later apologized to Li Chuan.
• Li Chuan told Xiao Yuan he had brought three thousand taels in silver notes and asked about the Mystic Origin Twin Art.

Li Chuan practiced the Mystic Origin Twin Art in the Xiao Family’s Medicinal Marrow Quiet Room and broke through to Core Formation, transforming his force into Geng Metal True Qi. Xiao Sinan and Xiao Yuan waited outside, and Xiao Sinan recognized Li Chuan’s breakthrough.

• Xiao Yuan sold Li Chuan the Mystic Origin Twin Art, returned five hundred taels as an apology, and arranged for him to cultivate in the Medicinal Marrow Quiet Room.
• Xiao Yuan and Xiao Sinan discussed Li Chuan’s rapid progress and prepared to welcome him if he reached Core Formation.
• Li Chuan used the Primordial Jade Seal to understand and initiate the Mystic Origin Twin Art, splitting a strand of secondary force from his inner force.
• Li Chuan tempered his primary and secondary forces with the Martial Fire Seed until both transformed into Geng Metal True Qi.
• Li Chuan’s body and meridians were transformed, and he reached Embrace Dan Force as Xiao Sinan’s eyes gleamed outside the quiet room.

Li Chuan adapted to his new Core Formation strength and received a warmer welcome from the Xiao Family, who offered him access to rare goods and mentioned a Marrow Cleansing Fruit. As he returned to the Heavenly Blade Sect, a sudden disturbance erupted in the forest.

• Li Chuan mastered the Xuanlan Blade with Geng Metal True Qi, spent the night stabilizing his new body, and paid Xiao Yuan for using the Medicinal Marrow Quiet Room.
• Xiao Sinan and Xiao Tingxuan welcomed Li Chuan as a Core Formation cultivator and hosted him at a lavish banquet.
• Xiao Yuan showed Li Chuan the Xiao Family's private selection of auction goods, and Li Chuan asked him to reserve twelve Black Iron Willow Leaf Darts.
• Xiao Yuan told Li Chuan that the Xiao Family had once obtained a Marrow Cleansing Fruit, while Xiao Sinan explained that Li Chuan's potential justified access to the family’s secret chamber.
• As Li Chuan traveled back to the Heavenly Blade Sect, a sudden change erupted in the dense forest.

Li Chuan ambushed the Thousand Peaks Sect assassins who had been waiting for him and killed Wei Niu, Wei Ma, and their sect master, Wen Boyuan. He erased his traces and fled before an approaching witness found the three headless corpses.

• Wei Niu attacked Li Chuan's empty carriage, but Li Chuan beheaded him as Wei Ma watched.
• Wen Boyuan intervened to save Wei Ma, and Li Chuan revealed that he had reached Core Formation as they fought.
• Wei Ma harried Li Chuan with poisoned needles while Wen Boyuan pressed the attack, but they decided to flee when someone approached.
• Li Chuan used a burst of speed to bypass Wen Boyuan and kill Wei Ma, then used his hidden strength to behead Wen Boyuan.
• Li Chuan searched the bodies, erased his traces, and escaped before the approaching person arrived.

Li Chuan concealed his role in the destruction of Thousand Peaks Sect, profited from the ambush, and waited to reveal his Core Formation strength until Heavenly Blade Sect’s assessment. At the Four Peaks assessment, Yu Jing and the Core Disciples were examined first, and the inner disciples’ evaluations began.

• A Transforming Force disciple found Wen Boyuan’s severed head at the ambush site, fled in terror, and Li Chuan left after making sure he had covered his traces.
• Li Chuan counted two thousand taels in the stolen banknotes and decided to wait until after the assessment to reveal his Embrace Dan Force cultivation.
• Rumors blamed the Yaoguang Demon Sect for Thousand Peaks Sect’s destruction, and the Demon Sect’s looting of the sect made the accusations seem more convincing.
• Liu Peiran told Li Chuan that he had perfected his Martial Fire Seed and planned to attempt Embrace Dan Force; the two then went to the Four Peaks assessment.
• At the Martial Arts Arena, Yu Jing and the thirty-two Core Disciples were assessed before the inner disciples, and the Four Peaks Master noted Yu Jing’s progress toward the Eighth Main Meridian.

During the Heavenly Blade Sect’s assessment, Li Chuan shocked the inner disciples by revealing that he had reached Early Core Formation despite having a Third Grade Root. Zhao Ciyuan confirmed his advancement and asked whether he wanted to become a core disciple or a steward, while Lu Yue left resolved to pursue Core Formation himself.

• Lu Yue celebrated his Peak Transforming Force assessment and taunted Dong Yu and Yuan Beichen after they were ordered to leave the sect.
• When Zhao Ciyuan assessed Li Chuan, he announced that Li Chuan had reached Early Core Formation without opening his Main Meridians.
• Yu Jing asked Zhao Ciyuan to check Li Chuan’s bones, and Zhao confirmed that he had a Third Grade Root.
• Zhao Ciyuan asked Li Chuan whether he wanted to become a core disciple or a steward, while the other disciples crowded around to congratulate him.
• Lu Yue withdrew from the crowd and resolved to earn more money at Xuanyuan Mine and devote himself to reaching Core Formation.

After breaking through to Core Formation, Li Chuan chose to become a Core Disciple while considering how to secure a deacon’s income as well. He collected his new privileges and encountered Su Yang at the Medicine Hall, where Su Yang did not recognize him.

• Liu Peiran learned Li Chuan had reached Core Formation and vowed to catch up by reaching the same realm.
• Yu Jing explained the benefits and risks of becoming a deacon or Core Disciple, and Li Chuan chose the Core Disciple path.
• Yu Jing gave Li Chuan his Core Disciple token, while Zhao Ciyuan speculated that Li Chuan’s Third Grade Root might be improved.
• Li Chuan collected Core Disciple clothes, changed into them, and received respectful greetings from Inner Disciples.
• At the Medicine Hall, Li Chuan approached the separate line for Core Disciples and found Su Yang ahead of him; Su Yang did not recognize Li Chuan.

Li Chuan moved into the Upper Courtyard after becoming a Core Disciple and met several of his new neighbors. Zhou Yan tried to recruit him, but Li Chuan declined, leaving their relationship uncertain.

• Li Chuan learned how Golden Marrow Soup could refine True Qi, then collected ingredients and instructions from the Medicine Hall steward.
• Li Chuan moved into a private Upper Courtyard home and admired its comfortable rooms and facilities.
• Su Yang introduced Li Chuan to Yin Taohua and Zhou Yan, who reacted with surprise when Li Chuan revealed his Third Grade Root and connection to Lu Yuan.
• Zhou Yan recognized Li Chuan for defeating Ghost Blade Liu Kun and offered him protection and information in exchange for joining his group.
• Li Chuan declined Zhou Yan's offer, and Zhou Yan asked him to reconsider and give a definite answer in a month.

Li Chuan refused Zhou Yan's invitation to join his group and left, then met Chen Dengke, a fellow core disciple who shared his modest background. Chen Dengke explained the Upper Courtyard's social hierarchy, cultivation levels, and the costs of medicinal supplements, and Li Chuan left to search the Scripture Pavilion for a hidden-weapon technique.

• Li Chuan plainly refused Zhou Yan's invitation, explaining that he wanted to focus on training, and Zhou Yan dismissed him after warning that the invitation might not remain open.
• After Li Chuan left, Yin Taohua and Su Yang criticized his decision while Zhou Yan's mood improved under their flattery.
• Li Chuan met Chen Dengke, who explained that they shared similar backgrounds and asked to become closer; Li Chuan agreed to let him call him A-Chuan.
• Chen Dengke invited Li Chuan to his courtyard and described Four Peaks' disciples, their Main Meridians, and how family wealth affected access to Golden Marrow Soup and other supplements.
• Li Chuan left Chen Dengke's courtyard to visit the Scripture Pavilion's third floor and look for a suitable hidden-weapon technique.

Li Chuan visited the Scripture Pavilion as a Core Disciple, collected the third volume of the Geng Metal Art, and bought the Green Snake Dart Art. He began practicing the dart technique with cheap Willow Leaf Darts, quickly reached Initiation, and stopped when the darts proved too flimsy; Xiao Yuan arrived the next day with a visit.

• Li Chuan gained insight into the Heavenly River Blade Technique from the Scripture Pavilion sign and received permission to enter the third floor.
• Li Chuan searched the third floor, chose the Sinking Edge Eight Strikes as a technique to consider for later, and bought the third volume of the Geng Metal Art and the Green Snake Dart Art.
• Li Chuan returned to his courtyard, recorded both manuals, and began practicing the Green Snake Dart Art with cheap Willow Leaf Darts.
• Li Chuan's dart technique reached Initiation, but his throws crushed the darts against a refined-iron-covered stake.
• Li Chuan stopped practicing with the cheap darts and switched to the Shadow Sha Step until he could get Black Iron Willow Leaf Darts from Xiao Yuan.
• Xiao Yuan arrived at Li Chuan's courtyard the following day and called to him at the gate.

Li Chuan bought Black Iron Willow Leaf Darts, tested their power, and used Golden Marrow Soup to advance his Geng Metal Art and meridian training. At the Four Peaks, Zhao Ciyuan chose a Marrow Cleansing Fruit as the prize for the next tournament.

• Li Chuan bought twelve Black Iron Willow Leaf Darts from Xiao Yuan and learned that Marrow Cleansing Fruits were rare, costly treasures.
• Li Chuan practiced the Green Snake Dart Art and discovered that his infused darts could pierce nearly through a layer of refined iron.
• Li Chuan drank Golden Marrow Soup and circulated Geng Metal Art through the night, making progress toward opening his First Main Meridian.
• Yu Jing ignored Zhou Yan before meeting Zhao Ciyuan in the main hall.
• Zhao Ciyuan revealed a Marrow Cleansing Fruit and announced that it would be the prize for the next tournament.

Zhao Ciyuan announced that the Marrow Cleansing Fruit would go to the winner of the Four Peaks tournament’s four-Main-Meridian division, while Li Chuan learned the tournament’s hidden requirements and planned how to compete. Li Chuan set his sights on opening four Main Meridians and securing enough Golden Marrow Soup, while Zhou Yan also resolved to claim first place.

• Zhao Ciyuan refused Yu Jing’s attempt to dissuade him from offering the Marrow Cleansing Fruit as a tournament prize, leaving her to wonder whether he had prepared it for Li Chuan.
• Chen Dengke told Li Chuan that the prize was for disciples who had opened four Main Meridians and that competitors also needed a recommendation from an outside Gang Force master.
• Chen Dengke suspected Zhao Ciyuan had Zhou Yan and Jiang Ran in mind as likely contenders because of their powerful connections and imminent progress.
• Li Chuan decided he had to win the Marrow Cleansing Fruit, calculated that he could open four Main Meridians in time if he drank Golden Marrow Soup daily, and planned to seek better work with the Mountain Search Squad.
• Zhou Yan heard about the prize, believed Zhao Ciyuan favored him, and vowed to crush his rivals and take first place.

Li Chuan went to the Mountain Search Squad seeking a way to earn the silver he needed, only to find Zhao Qinghan challenging his right to lead because she was a Core Formation cultivator. After revealing he had also reached Core Formation, Li Chuan struck down Wu Junze and faced Zhao Qinghan, ending with his blade at her throat before she could draw her saber.

• Li Chuan counted his remaining savings and resolved to earn enough silver for the Marrow Cleansing Fruit.
• Ren Ping introduced Zhao Qinghan, a Core Formation disciple sent from First Peak, who demanded the Mountain Search Squad leadership from Li Chuan.
• Li Chuan revealed his Core Formation strength by kicking Wu Junze through a wall after Wu Junze mocked him.
• Zhao Qinghan challenged Li Chuan to fight, and Li Chuan said he would need only one move.
• Zhao Qinghan began to draw her saber, but Li Chuan's blade was already at her throat before she could unsheathe it.

Li Chuan defeated Zhao Qinghan and kept his position as Mountain Search Squad leader, then joined her on separate Inner Mountain assignments. After killing a Shadow Ox and finding its inner core, Li Chuan completed his Earth Jade Nectar task and met Zhao Qinghan back at the entrance.

• Li Chuan defeated Zhao Qinghan with a single strike, and she accepted him as squad leader; Ren Ping offered them tasks without taking a share of their rewards.
• Li Chuan chose to collect Earth Jade Nectar while Zhao Qinghan chose to gather Gold Belt Stone, and the two traveled together into North Wild Mountain’s Inner Mountain.
• Li Chuan identified Phantom Snake tracks, and Zhao Qinghan sensed a powerful monster beast nearby before a Shadow Ox charged them.
• Li Chuan killed the Shadow Ox with one strike, suffered only a minor cut, and retrieved its inner core from its body.
• Li Chuan collected a bottle of Earth Jade Nectar and returned to the Inner Mountain entrance, where Zhao Qinghan also arrived.

Li Chuan returned from North Wild Mountain with Zhao Qinghan, collected his reward, and learned the Purple Gold Heavenly Bamboo mission would be available in five months. He left Zhao Qinghan with a wager: if she could not beat him to the deacon position, she would work for him willingly.

• Li Chuan praised Zhao Qinghan for defeating a Fire-Eating Wolf, then told her she could not measure up to him as they finished their mission and headed down the mountain.
• At the Mountain Search Squad hall, Li Chuan ordered Zhao Qinghan to handle the Spirit Turtle Jade gathering mission and assigned Wu Junze to collect horse manure, which Wu Junze accepted with a forced smile.
• Li Chuan told Ren Ping he had gathered the sap and obtained a Shadow Ox core, and Ren Ping paid him 2,100 taels of silver notes.
• Ren Ping explained that the Purple Gold Heavenly Bamboo would be ready to gather in five months, and Li Chuan planned to complete the mission and earn the vacant deacon position.
• Zhao Qinghan declared she would beat Li Chuan to the deacon position, and Li Chuan proposed that she work for him willingly if she failed to beat him within five months, making her blush.

Li Chuan steadily trained with Golden Marrow Soup and opened his First Main Meridian before the New Year. After learning that the new County Magistrate was pressuring his family’s protector, Liang Hangzhou, Li Chuan prepared to return home.

• Zhao Qinghan resolved to train hard and defeat Li Chuan after he left the Four Peaks.
• Li Chuan rebuffed Su Yang’s mocking remarks, then used Golden Marrow Soup to advance his Geng Metal Art and strengthen his meridian.
• Li Chuan trained daily, using a private stone wall at the Martial Arts Arena to improve his Heavenly River Blade Technique while taking Mountain Search Squad assignments to fund his practice.
• Li Chuan received a letter from his grandfather, Li Nian, explaining that the new County Magistrate demanded protection fees from Liang Hangzhou and was making it difficult for him to recruit disciples.
• Li Chuan drank his last bowl of Golden Marrow Soup and broke through the blockage in his First Main Meridian, solidifying his foundation in the Core Formation stage.

Li Chuan left the Heavenly Blade Sect for Anning County, but the Yaoguang Demon Sect sent Wang Wenchi and two accomplices to ambush him and seize the Golden Bell Shield. Li Chuan killed Zhang Tao and Meng Lang and caught Wang Wenchi, leaving the Demon Sect’s mission unfinished.

• Li Chuan watched Yin Taohua, Su Yang, and their group set out to explore the Xuanyuan Mine, then warned Chen Dengke that some opportunities were dangerous.
• Li Chuan left the city in disguise while the Demon Envoy ordered Wang Wenchi, Zhang Tao, and Meng Lang to capture him and retrieve the Golden Bell Shield.
• Li Chuan sensed the ambush and escaped a sword strike as the three men surrounded him on the road.
• Li Chuan used his blade and a Willow Leaf Dart to kill Zhang Tao and Meng Lang.
• Li Chuan stopped Wang Wenchi from fleeing by pinning him with darts and greeted him as Head Wang.

Li Chuan interrogated and killed Wang Wenchi, learning that the Yaoguang Demon Sect planned to use Human Pills and was targeting the Jade Skin Madman's tomb. After returning to Anning County, he discovered the Pine Wind Martial Hall was being extorted, then entered the tomb, obtained the Golden Bell Shield and began mastering it.

• Wang Wenchi told Li Chuan that Qian Liang had tracked him for the Yaoguang Demon Sect, which lured Heavenly Blade Sect disciples to make Human Pills, and that Cheng Beiwang planned to reach Middle Core Formation.
• Wang Wenchi asked Li Chuan to give Wang Nuanyu some silver if she was alive, then died after a black insect emerged from his chest; Li Chuan killed the insect and searched the three attackers for valuables.
• Li Chuan entered Anning County and learned Magistrate Shen was demanding thirty percent of the Pine Wind Martial Hall's earnings through Zhu Hui, so he decided to reveal his cultivation if the pressure continued.
• Li Chuan quietly entered the Ancient Tomb beneath the West Wind Pavilion, opened its wrought-iron door with the Jade Skin Technique, and found the Jade Skin Madman's remains, Sarira, Rainbow Jade, and Golden Bell Shield manual.
• Li Chuan recorded the Golden Bell Shield in the Primordial Jade Seal, respectfully buried the remains, and practiced until the technique reached Initiation.

Li Chuan returned to Anning County after advancing his Golden Bell Shield and revealed that he had reached Core Formation when Zhu Hui threatened the Pine Wind Martial Hall. Magistrate Shen pledged to protect Li Chuan’s family, and Li Chuan celebrated New Year’s Eve with his family before meeting Jiang Ting by Qin Lake.

• Li Chuan discovered that his Golden Bell Shield had transformed his jade skin into a True Qi Membrane, then left the West Wind Pavilion and followed the crowd to the Pine Wind Martial Hall.
• Zhu Hui demanded thirty percent of the Pine Wind Martial Hall’s profits and threatened Liang Hangzhou, while Jiang Ting warned that Li Chuan might not reach Core Formation in time to help.
• Li Chuan stepped forward and revealed his Geng Metal True Qi, frightening Zhu Hui into backing down; Magistrate Shen arrived, made Zhu Hui apologize, and promised to promote the martial hall and protect Li Chuan’s family.
• Li Chuan reunited with Liang Hangzhou and the disciples, then joined his family for New Year’s Eve dinner; Magistrate Shen visited and left gifts, while Zhu Hui was made to wash the dishes.
• Li Chuan reflected on his life by Qin Lake and resolved to face the Four Peaks Grand Competition, Zhou Yan, and the Demon Envoy; Jiang Ting appeared behind him.

Li Chuan returned from Anning County to the Heavenly Blade Sect after helping his family and securing the magistrate and county commandant’s support. He learned a disastrous expedition had killed Senior Brother Sun and many disciples, then prepared for the Four Peaks’ monthly assessment and the Mountain Search Squad’s mission.

• Li Chuan rejected Jiang Ting’s drunken attempt to embrace him and left a hundred-tael banknote for the impoverished Wang Nuanyu, interrupting her suicide attempt.
• Li Chuan gave Wang Xiumei a thousand taels and received assurances from Magistrate Shen and Zhu Hui that they would protect his family.
• After returning to the Heavenly Blade Sect, Li Chuan learned that Senior Brother Sun had died covering the Xuanyuan Mine expedition’s retreat, while Lu Yue and many other disciples were also killed.
• Zhao Qinghan told Li Chuan that the Purple Gold Heavenly Bamboo would be harvested in ten days and wagered her officer position and twenty percent of her mission earnings against his.
• Li Chuan trained for three days, and Chen Dengke arrived to call him to the monthly assessment.