Recaps

Jiang Ning found that channeling his essence, qi, and spirit doubled the speed at which he could improve the Indestructible Vajra Body, then learned that Jing Wuming had been defeated by Chen Canghai, the Black Flood Dragon King. He planned to take in Immortal Crossing Sect’s surrendered members and go with Jing Wuming to meet Chen Canghai at Tidal Pavilion.

• Jiang Ning found that practicing the Four Seasons Cycle Scripture yielded experience too slowly, so he resumed training the Indestructible Vajra Body and gained experience rapidly.
• Jiang Ning used the three flowers of essence, qi, and spirit to double his training efficiency, estimating that his next breakthrough would take seven to ten days.
• Jing Wuming arrived wounded and reported that Chen Canghai, the Black Flood Dragon King, had survived in seclusion after losing his first-rank cultivation.
• Jing Wuming explained that Chen Canghai had defeated him in ten exchanges, shattered three ribs, and poisoned his shoulder before sending a message summoning Jiang Ning to Tidal Pavilion.
• Jiang Ning examined Jing Wuming’s wound and ordered him to recover, then take in Immortal Crossing Sect’s surrendered members and accompany him to Tidal Pavilion the next day.
• Jiang Ning closed the mansion gates and went to dinner, where Ji Mingyue was waiting.

Jiang Ning cultivated through the night, then used two hundred thousand source energy points to break through Literacy and gain Causal Sight, which revealed his karmic connections and the source of his curse. After ordering the reorganized Immortal Crossing Sect members to move against Tidal Pavilion, he told Jing Wuming to accompany him the next morning.

• Jiang Ning tempered his body through the night, raising his Indestructible Vajra Body experience by more than three thousand points before turning to breakfast and records about Tidal Pavilion.
• Jiang Ning told Ji Mingyue he intended to meet Chen Canghai and sweep away the sects entrenched in Guangning City.
• Jiang Ning read the Immortal Crossing Sect's collected texts, spent two hundred thousand source energy points to break through Literacy, and gained the Causal Sight trait.
• Jiang Ning used Causal Sight to trace the curse to an altar and a doll resembling himself, then glimpsed the Great Xia Martial Saint along a golden karmic thread.
• Jiang Ning asked Jing Wuming about his recovery and the reorganization of the Immortal Crossing Sect's surrendered members, then ordered them to set out for Tidal Pavilion.
• Jiang Ning told Jing Wuming to come the next morning and accompany him to Tidal Pavilion.

Jiang Ning entered Tidal Pavilion to meet Black Flood Dragon King Chen Canghai, who had threatened to drive out the prefectural garrison if Jiang Ning did not appear. After Jiang Ning offered Chen Canghai the choice of surrendering the pavilion or leaving Guangning Prefecture, Chen Canghai tested his strength and recognized that Jiang Ning was more formidable than expected.

• Chen Canghai told Chen Wang that he would wait two days for Jiang Ning before driving the garrison away himself.
• Jiang Ning reached Liu Teng’s camp and ordered the soldiers to hold their position and not join a possible fight with Chen Canghai.
• Jiang Ning and Jing Wuming entered Tidal Pavilion, where the disciples and residents recognized Jiang Ning but did not block his path.
• Jiang Ning met Chen Canghai on the cliff platform and offered him the choice of surrendering Tidal Pavilion or leading its disciples out of Guangning Prefecture.
• Chen Canghai released a powerful aura to test Jiang Ning, then realized Jiang Ning’s strength exceeded his reputation.

Jiang Ning challenged Chen Canghai at Tidal Pavilion and overcame his Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Technique with his physical strength, a Buddhist divine ability, and his newly comprehended power of withering and flourishing. Chen Canghai aged rapidly and begged Jiang Ning to spare Tidal Pavilion’s disciples, leaving their fate in Jiang Ning’s hands.

• Chen Canghai warned Jiang Ning of his strength and offered him a chance to withdraw, but Jiang Ning demanded that he abandon Tidal Pavilion and leave Guangning Prefecture.
• Chen Canghai attacked Jiang Ning with the Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Technique, and Jiang Ning endured its chilling force and neutralized it with his powerful body.
• Chen Canghai summoned a towering wave, but Jiang Ning’s sixteen-foot golden form punched through it and withstood the remaining force.
• Jiang Ning struck Chen Canghai with a gray ray embodying withering and flourishing, rapidly aging him and draining his blood, qi, and strength.
• Chen Canghai admitted defeat and pleaded with Jiang Ning to spare Tidal Pavilion’s disciples.

Jiang Ning spared Tidal Pavilion after Chen Canghai agreed to serve him for ten years, then used his heartblood to restore Chen Canghai’s vitality and bind him. After taking the Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Technique, Jiang Ning rapidly comprehended its first two illustrations and began to understand the third, while Chen Canghai and Jing Wuming watched his power unfold.

• Chen Canghai agreed to serve Jiang Ning for ten years, and Jiang Ning gave him a drop of heartblood that restored his vitality and controlled him.
• Chen Canghai ordered Chen Wang to evacuate Tidal Pavilion and inventory its possessions for Jiang Ning, warning him to prevent anyone from concealing anything.
• Chen Canghai handed Jiang Ning the Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Technique, and Jiang Ning quickly read the scroll and experienced its ravenous hunger.
• Jiang Ning studied the first illustration, circulated the technique, and consumed Essence Pills to ease his hunger.
• Jiang Ning comprehended the second illustration and briefly produced the airflow threads of Chen Canghai’s killing move, shocking Chen Canghai and Jing Wuming.
• Jiang Ning studied the final illustration and realized that Chen Canghai had mastered only the technique’s first half, not its ultimate whale-like power to swallow heaven and earth.

Jiang Ning rapidly mastered the Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Technique, demonstrating its power and using it to consume pills and rare materials while cultivating at Tideborn Cliffs. After a day of training supplied by Tidal Pavilion’s resources, he reached Mastery and saw his Source Energy rise above 730,000.

• Jiang Ning grasped the third illustration’s mystery and demonstrated Black Flood Dragon Overturns the River, leaving Chen Canghai and Jing Wuming astonished by his rapid progress.
• Jiang Ning returned the technique’s hide scroll to Chen Canghai and began repeatedly circulating the art to build experience.
• Jiang Ning used the power to swallow whales to digest Chen Canghai’s Essence Origin Pills and asked Jing Wuming to bring more cultivation resources from Tidal Pavilion.
• Jing Wuming returned with Tidal Pavilion disciples and three iron chests of resources, which Jiang Ning ate and refined as he continued cultivating.
• After training through the night with Tidal Pavilion’s resources, Jiang Ning reached Mastery in the Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Technique and saw his Source Energy climb to 737,788.

Jiang Ning mastered the Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Technique and organized the takeover of Tidal Pavilion, directing his allies to secure the region and eliminate rival gangs. He returned to Guangning Prefecture, where Xie Xiaojiu, Feng Ji, and Zhou Xing arrived to meet him.

• Jiang Ning demonstrated the Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Technique at great mastery, then confirmed that Tidal Pavilion’s disciples had evacuated and its resources had been inventoried.
• Jiang Ning sent Jing Wuming to bring in the troops and assigned Liu Teng to take control of Tidal Pavilion, while he ordered Chen Wang to transport the pavilion’s manuals and resources.
• Jiang Ning rewarded Liu Teng’s soldiers with silver and ordered Jing Wuming to lead troops against the Red Sand Gang and Iron Bone Sect, while Chen Canghai oversaw Tidal Pavilion’s inventory.
• Jiang Ning left the others to manage the operations and swiftly returned to his residence in Guangning Prefecture.
• Xie Xiaojiu, Feng Ji, and Zhou Xing arrived from Dongling City and saluted Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning assigned Zhou Xing, Feng Ji, and Xie Xiaoj iu duties to investigate and secure the conquered sects in Guangning Prefecture, then gave them cultivation-boosting tea and money. After they left, he told Ji Mingyue that the Black Flood Dragon King had pledged ten years of service, then went to practice while she went to buy ingredients for lunch.

• Jiang Ning welcomed Zhou Xing, Feng Ji, and Xie Xiaoj iu at his residence and learned their current martial ranks.
• Jiang Ning appointed Feng Ji to audit sect records, Zhou Xing to investigate and punish corrupt personnel, and Xie Xiaoj iu to escort sect resources.
• Jiang Ning gave the three golden cultivation tea and banknotes, telling Zhou Xing and Feng Ji they could reach fourth rank after a day of cultivation.
• Jiang Ning told Ji Mingyue that the Black Flood Dragon King had agreed to serve him for ten years in exchange for Tidal Pavilion's survival.
• Jiang Ning asked Ji Mingyue to make braised beef noodles with fried eggs, then headed to the rear courtyard to practice.

Jiang Ning discovered that major completion of the Unity Realm required 8,788 strands of divine power and sold valuables from the Immortal Crossing Sect and Tidal Pavilion to buy cultivation resources. He cultivated the Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Technique until it reached perfection, leaving him poised to break through.

• Jiang Ning saw the panel display his divine power as 10/8788 and concluded he needed 8,788 strands to reach major completion of the Unity Realm.
• Jiang Ning sold cultivation manuals and other valuables at Myriad Splendor Tower and exchanged them for ten chests of cultivation resources.
• Jiang Ning ate braised beef noodles prepared by Ji Mingyue, then returned to the backyard to cultivate.
• Jiang Ning swallowed Blazing Sun Iron and used the Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Technique to rapidly increase its experience.
• Jiang Ning cultivated through the evening until the Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Technique reached Perfect 10000/10000, then prepared to break through.

Jiang Ning broke through the Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Technique, gaining the Deep Purple Whale Swallowing trait and discovering it could devour spiritual jade and other resources to strengthen him. After two days of training through a sudden snowfall, his technique reached full progress again and his Source Energy approached one million, leaving him close to another breakthrough.

• Jiang Ning spent ten thousand Source Energy to break through the Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Technique and gained the Whale Swallowing trait.
• Jiang Ning tested the trait on Spirit Crystal Jade, then swallowed the remaining jade to replenish his energy and strengthen his body.
• Jiang Ning resumed cultivation, increased his Divine Power, and continued working toward major completion in the Unity Realm.
• Jiang Ning saw snow falling the next morning and suspected the violent change in weather was another man-made natural disaster.
• Jiang Ning trained for two days and used resources to restore himself, while the Whale Swallowing trait improved his absorption efficiency.
• Jiang Ning filled the Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Technique's progress to 20,000/20,000, with 987,633 Source Energy points remaining.

Jiang Ning broke through the Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Technique and gained the Elixir Sea trait, greatly expanding his true essence and strengthening his body. Later, Shen Wenyuan brought him most of the Immortal Crossing Sect’s remaining treasures, leaving Jiang Ning curious about their value.

• Jiang Ning spent 20,000 source energy to advance the Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Technique, causing a citywide vortex as his dantian expanded tenfold.
• Jiang Ning discovered the Elixir Sea trait and found that his physique and strength had increased by roughly twenty-five percent in the latest breakthrough.
• Jiang Ning calculated that his growing essence, qi, and spirit were accelerating his divine power condensation, then ate purple fruits and continued cultivating.
• Shen Wenyuan arrived with Ye Zhengqi and Zhuge Qingsong, bringing five chests containing ninety percent of the Immortal Crossing Sect’s sorted gains.
• Jiang Ning questioned Shen Wenyuan’s decision to give him the treasures, and Shen Wenyuan offered to explain their value inside.

Jiang Ning divided the Immortal Crossing Sect’s wealth fairly with Shen Wenyuan and prepared to cultivate while concealing his curse-ridden state from the immortal factions. The next morning, he learned that his panel came from the Hunyuan Foundation, a blessing that could lead to supreme Hunyuan but offered no guarantee of survival, and resolved to grow carefully and determine his own fate.

• Jiang Ning rejected Shen Wenyuan’s offer of a larger share of the Immortal Crossing Sect’s assets and asked him to exchange his portion for cultivation resources.
• Jiang Ning confirmed that Black Flood Dragon King Chen Canghai had agreed to serve him for ten years, then said he planned to enter seclusion and strengthen his physique against curse-killing arts.
• After Shen Wenyuan and the others left, Jiang Ning cultivated through the night and watched his Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Technique progress.
• The next morning, Jiang Ning saw a vision of purple light piercing worlds and learned that his panel was a manifestation of the Hunyuan Foundation, a higher-dimensional providence that had passed through previous owners.
• Jiang Ning realized that the Hunyuan Foundation could help him pursue supreme Hunyuan but would not protect him from death, and he resolved to lie low, build strength, and control his own destiny.

Jiang Ning discovered that Source Points could directly raise the grades of his traits, then invested heavily in Exceptional Comprehension to improve his cultivation efficiency. He considered spending another 20 Source Points to raise it again, convinced the broad gains might justify the cost.

• Jiang Ning continued cultivating the Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Technique through the night and ate heavenly treasures, gaining 0.6 Source Points.
• Jiang Ning spent 0.3 Source Points to raise Photographic Memory twice, but found its description and practical effect largely unchanged.
• Jiang Ning spent 1 Source Point to raise Exceptional Comprehension, then confirmed that his Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Technique cultivation became more efficient.
• Jiang Ning spent another 2 Source Points and raised Exceptional Comprehension again, increasing his technique experience gain to 177.
• Jiang Ning spent 10 Source Points to raise Exceptional Comprehension to Light Purple and saw his technique experience gain reach 203.
• Jiang Ning considered the prompt to spend 20 more Source Points, weighing the cost against the trait's broad boost to cultivation and training efficiency.

Jiang Ning upgraded Exceptional Comprehension, broke through the Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Technique to gain the Dragon Sinew trait, and received the Red Sand Gang and Iron Bone Sect’s accumulated wealth. With resources plentiful, he also raised Unity of Knowledge and Action to deep purple and found that it improved his cultivation experience gains.

• Jiang Ning raised Exceptional Comprehension to deep purple and found that his cultivation experience gains increased by around ten percent.
• After three days of cultivation, Jiang Ning completed the Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Technique’s second limit break, spent five Source Points, and reached its third limit break with the Dragon Sinew trait.
• Jiang Ning tested Dragon Sinew’s effects and found that his physical strength and explosive power had roughly doubled.
• Chen Canghai and Xie Xiaoj iu delivered the Red Sand Gang and Iron Bone Sect’s assets and treasures, and Jiang Ning assigned their property registers to Marquis Wenyuan.
• Jiang Ning estimated the five chests could provide around thirty source points, then spent points to raise Unity of Knowledge and Action to deep purple.
• Jiang Ning tested the upgraded trait and saw his Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Technique experience increase, leaving him with 61.6 Source points.

After more than half a month of cultivation and sweeping Guangning Prefecture’s allied sects, Jiang Ning had greatly increased his strength but still suffered from the curse. Xia Xuanyan visited him and revealed that Great Xia’s emperor was unconscious and might soon die, leaving Jiang Ning to face the coming upheaval as the chapter ended with Xia Xuanyan serving rare tea.

• Jiang Ning accumulated 213.1 Source Points as Chen Canghai and Jing Wuming purged Guangning Prefecture’s major sects and delivered their resources for his cultivation.
• Jiang Ning advanced the Black Dragon Swallowing Whale Technique by two breakthroughs, gained the Dragon Body trait, and increased his divine power to 127 strands.
• Xia Xuanyan entered Guangning Prefecture unseen by its guards and went to Jiang Ning’s residence, believing the curse had weakened him enough to reconsider his position.
• Jiang Ning disguised his poor condition and welcomed Xia Xuanyan, who praised his courtyard and discussed the curse-killing techniques.
• Xia Xuanyan told Jiang Ning that the emperor was unconscious and might not survive much longer, and Jiang Ning worried about how Ji Mingyue would take the news.
• Xia Xuanyan brought out spirit charcoal, rare spirit fruits, and Mystic Yellow Mother-Qi Tea as he and Jiang Ning sat in the rear garden.

Jiang Ning drank Xia Xuanyan’s Mystic Yellow Mother-Qi Tea, which temporarily suppressed his curse and increased his source points, while Xia Xuanyan tried to recruit him through marriage. Jiang Ning refused but took the offered treasures, then learned the curse could grow stronger and that Emperor Changning was near death, leaving Great Xia at risk of a succession struggle.

• Xia Xuanyan served Jiang Ning Mystic Yellow Mother-Qi Tea, and Jiang Ning discovered it suppressed his curse and yielded source points.
• Xia Xuanyan urged Jiang Ning to marry his daughter and join the Mystic Yellow Grotto-Heaven, promising help against the curse; he warned that curse-killing arts could grow stronger.
• Xia Xuanyan explained that the Soaring Immortal Sect’s supposed immortals inherited the legacies of ancient immortals buried within Grotto-Heavens.
• Jiang Ning refused the marriage proposal after consuming the tea and its leaf, then gathered the fruits and treasures before Xia Xuanyan left in anger.
• Jiang Ning considered the threat of the strengthening curse and learned Emperor Changning was comatose and nearing death, raising the prospect of a struggle for Great Xia’s throne.

Jiang Ning decided to return to the Royal Capital with Ji Mingyue after learning that Emperor Changning had fallen unconscious, but first used his Source Points to strengthen his golden-body divine ability. In a deserted wilderness, he tested his Ten-Zhang Golden Body and shattered a stone mountain with a single punch.

• Jiang Ning learned from Xia Xuanyan that Emperor Changning was unconscious and decided to tell Ji Mingyue and travel with her to the Royal Capital.
• Jiang Ning reviewed his abilities and spent 120 Source Points upgrading Six-Foot Golden Body into Ten-Zhang Golden Body.
• Jiang Ning left Guangning City and manifested his Ten-Zhang Golden Body in a remote mountain forest.
• Jiang Ning punched a distant stone mountain, leaving a massive fist imprint and splitting the mountain apart.

Jiang Ning tested his Ten-Zhang Golden Body and upgraded Dragon-Elephant Strength to light gold, greatly increasing his physical power. After returning to Guangning City, he learned Emperor Changning was gravely ill and told Ji Mingyue, who chose not to return to the dangerous Royal Capital.

• Jiang Ning tested the Ten-Zhang Golden Body in the mountain forest, then spent 100 Source Points to upgrade Dragon-Elephant Strength to light gold.
• The upgrade gave Jiang Ning the strength of ten dragons and ten elephants and strengthened his physique and blood and qi.
• Jiang Ning returned to Guangning City and read Ji Minghao's letter warning that Emperor Changning was gravely ill and asking him to keep Ji Mingyue away from the Royal Capital.
• Jiang Ning decided Ji Mingyue had a right to know and told her that her father had coughed up blood, fallen unconscious, and not awakened.
• Ji Mingyue said she would not return to the Royal Capital, explaining that she had already seen her father for the last time and did not want Jiang Ning to risk himself.

Jiang Ning agreed to return to the Royal Capital with Ji Mingyue and trained the Indestructible Vajra Body while waiting for his aides. At Heaven-Crying Mountain, Xia Xuanyan arranged for the Heaven-Crying Cult leader and her holy maiden to strengthen the death curse on Jiang Ning.

• Ji Mingyue admitted she wanted to return to see her father and brother, and Jiang Ning agreed to take her to the Royal Capital the next day.
• Jiang Ning sent for Jing Wuming and Chen Canghai, entrusted Guangning Prefecture's affairs to his subordinates, and began cultivating the Indestructible Vajra Body.
• Jiang Ning gained nearly ten thousand experience in less than four hours as his vital blood and physique boosted his training efficiency.
• Chen Canghai returned to the city, received Jiang Ning's voice transmission, and went to an inn to wait until morning.
• Xia Xuanyan asked the Heaven-Crying Cult leader to strengthen Jiang Ning's death curse and offered two strands of primordial yellow mother qi.
• The Heaven-Crying Cult leader accepted the payment and summoned the Heaven-Crying Cult's holy maiden to assist with the curse.

At Heaven-Crying Mountain, Saintess Xiyan strengthened the death curse on Jiang Ning, who traced its causal thread and discovered Xia Xuanyan’s involvement. After Jiang Ning sensed the Heaven-Crying Cult Leader noticing his spying, she decided to travel to the Royal Capital using Xiyan’s body, while Jiang Ning focused on growing stronger.

• The Heaven-Crying Cult Leader brought Xia Xuanyan and Saintess Xiyan to the altar, where the overseer reported that the death curse remained in its first stage.
• The Heaven-Crying Cult Leader assigned Xiyan to strengthen the curse, and Xiyan drove the needle deeper into the doll with a blood ritual.
• Jiang Ning felt the curse pierce his heart, followed its causal thread, and saw Xiyan and Xia Xuanyan at the altar, realizing Xia Xuanyan was among the masterminds.
• The Heaven-Crying Cult Leader sensed someone spying, and Jiang Ning withdrew his awareness before she could identify him.
• The Heaven-Crying Cult Leader decided to visit the Royal Capital in Xiyan’s body, and Xiyan agreed to let her borrow it.
• Jiang Ning assessed his growing divine power and planned to strengthen his Indestructible Vajra Body.

Jiang Ning completed the current stage of the Indestructible Vajra Body and traveled with Ji Mingyue, Chen Canghai, and Jing Wuming to the Royal Capital. After strengthening his Inner Elixir Life-Nourishing Technique above the clouds, he entered the city with Ji Mingyue, drawing attention as rumors of upheaval spread.

• Jiang Ning completed the Indestructible Vajra Body's current stage but lacked the source points needed for another breakthrough.
• Jiang Ning summoned Chen Canghai and Jing Wuming to accompany him to the Royal Capital, then entrusted the remaining Guangning Prefecture affairs to Shen Wenyuan.
• As they traveled above the clouds, Jiang Ning absorbed solar essence and rapidly advanced the Inner Elixir Life-Nourishing Technique while building up divine power.
• After two days, Jiang Ning and Ji Mingyue reached the Royal Capital and entered through its central gate with the royal immortal crane.
• Gate onlookers speculated about rumors of someone collapsing, and news of Jiang Ning's return spread through the city as undercurrents surged.

Jiang Ning visited the National Preceptor's Residence with Ji Mingyue and reunited with his family, while Zhong Ling struggled with her feelings and Su Qingying revealed her mistaken ideas about intimacy. The chapter ended as Jiang Ning went to see Linglong and considered whether continuing to nurture her was worthwhile.

• Jiang Ning and Ji Mingyue arrived at the National Preceptor's Residence, where Jiang Li welcomed them and Little Doubao embraced Jiang Ning.
• Ji Mingyue gave Little Doubao a scented sachet and joined Liu Wanwan in the kitchen to learn how to make Jiang Ning's favorite noodles.
• Jiang Ning sparred with Jiang Yiming and advised him to find his inner motivation for training.
• Zhong Ling told Jiang Ning she missed home, and he offered to take her back to Five Peaks Prefecture after his affairs in the Royal Capital settled.
• Su Qingying told Jiang Ning she thought they needed to undress and hold each other to conceive, leaving Zhong Ling startled.
• Little Doubao led Jiang Ning toward Linglong, and he reflected on the danger and cost of continuing to nurture her.

Ji Mingyu visited Jiang Ning and Ji Mingyue after returning to the Royal Capital, then revealed that the emperor was gravely ill and the princes were contending for the throne. He asked Jiang Ning to support his claim, but Jiang Ning declined, leaving the succession struggle unresolved.

• Jiang Li brought Ji Mingyu to breakfast at Jiang Ning's home, where the Third Prince joined the family for braised beef noodles.
• Ji Mingyu told Ji Mingyue that their father was unwell and warned Jiang Ning that the Royal Capital was full of political danger.
• Ji Mingyu admitted that he believed himself fit to rule Great Xia and offered to use the imperial treasury to cure Jiang Ning's curse and arrange his wedding to Ji Mingyue if Jiang Ning supported him.
• Jiang Ning thanked Ji Mingyu but declined to join his cause, and Ji Mingyu warned him that backing Ji Minghao would be a death trap because the Eighth Prince lacked powerful support.
• Ji Mingyu argued that Great Xia needed a mighty ruler to end the princes' conflict and restore stability.

Ji Mingyue returned to the palace with Jiang Ning and Su Qingying to see Emperor Changning, whose condition proved to be near death from a curse. Jiang Ning used his power of Withering and Flourishing to briefly suppress the curse and awaken the emperor, leaving the royal succession struggle unresolved.

• Ji Mingyu tried to recruit Jiang Ning to support his claim to the throne, but Jiang Ning refused and chose to accompany Ji Mingyue to the palace.
• Jiang Ning and Su Qingying accompanied Ji Mingyue into the imperial palace, where Su Qingying forced Chief Steward Fu to let them see Emperor Changning.
• Fifth Prince Ji Mingyuan tried to keep Ji Mingyue from seeing their father, but she entered the emperor’s chamber with Jiang Ning and Su Qingying.
• Jiang Ning examined Emperor Changning and sensed that a curse had deeply corroded his body and soul, leaving him close to death.
• Jiang Ning used the power of Withering and Flourishing to suppress the curse briefly, and Emperor Changning regained consciousness and recognized Ji Mingyue.
• Ji Mingyuan brought out thousand-year Shouyang Ginseng to sustain Emperor Changning after Jiang Ning warned that his life force was nearly exhausted.

Emperor Changning regained enough strength to receive visitors and gave Jiang Ning the Dragon Soaring Token, asking him to protect Ji Mingyue while the imperial succession remained unsettled. The Northern Azure King then arrived at the palace, challenged the circumstances surrounding the emperor’s isolation, and announced he would stay in the Royal Capital.

• Emperor Changning ate the Shouyang Ginseng and told Ji Mingyuan to guard the door while he spoke with Jiang Ning and Ji Mingyue.
• Emperor Changning said he would leave the succession to a struggle among his sons and gave Jiang Ning the Dragon Soaring Token to protect Ji Mingyue.
• Emperor Changning ordered Lu Jiu to deal with Fu Dayu and sent a Shadow Guard to find Hai Dahe and bring three Saint King Pills for Jiang Ning.
• Ji Mingyuan announced that the Northern Azure King had arrived, and the king entered with a companion and accused Ji Mingyuan of keeping Emperor Changning under house arrest.
• Emperor Changning rejected the Northern Azure King’s offer to examine him, while the king said he would remain in the Royal Capital and urged the emperor to settle the succession soon.
• Chief Steward Hai arrived with a wooden box and refused to reveal its contents, after which the Northern Azure King left with his companion.