Chapter Summaries

Jiang Ning entered the final contests for the martial examination’s top three after Zhang Ming defeated Wang Jiadi and Wan Jianyi defeated Xu Sansheng. Jiang Ning received a saber and prepared to face Zhang Ming, with victory securing a first-rank finish and the Martial Jinshi degree.

• Wan Jianyi defeated Xu Sansheng with his sword qi, while the Second Princess and Ji Mingyuan debated Wan Jianyi’s potential.
• Zhang Ming defeated Wang Jiadi by overwhelming him with saber strikes and stopping short of a fatal blow.
• Wang Hong announced that Jiang Ning would face Zhang Ming and Wan Jianyi would face Mingxin, with the winners competing for Martial Champion and Martial Second.
• Jiang Ning encouraged Wang Jiadi after his loss, then accepted a saber from Wang Hong as he entered the grounds.
• Jiang Ning and Zhang Ming saluted each other and prepared to fight for a place in the first rank and the Martial Jinshi degree.

Jiang Ning defeated Zhang Ming, then watched Mingxin overcome Wan Jianyi in the battle for the military top scholar. Mingxin called Jiang Ning into the arena, where Jiang Ning requested a sword, setting up their final battle.

• Jiang Ning overwhelmed Zhang Ming with a powerful slash, shattering his hand and forcing him to concede.
• Wan Jianyi unleashed his sword qi against Mingxin, but Mingxin’s Immortal Golden Body withstood the attack and Mingxin defeated him with a series of palms.
• Mingxin invited Jiang Ning to fight, and Wang Hong called Jiang Ning into the arena.
• Jiang Ning asked Wang Hong for a sword, and Wang Hong threw him a sheathed longsword.

Jiang Ning tested his newly mastered sword techniques against Mingxin, overwhelming the monk and winning their duel. The chapter ended with Mingxin acknowledging Jiang Ning’s superior swordsmanship and Jiang Ning recognizing Mingxin’s extraordinary potential.

• Jiang Ning used the Grand Void Yin-Yang Sword to strike Mingxin before he could react, then surrounded him with sword-created figures and repeated attacks.
• Mingxin realized Jiang Ning was using him to hone his swordsmanship, unleashed his wrathful Buddha form, and countered with a golden palm.
• Jiang Ning activated the Indestructible Vajra Body and met Mingxin’s palm strike, shaking the training ground with their collision.
• When the dust cleared, Jiang Ning’s sword had pierced Mingxin’s right shoulder, deciding the duel in Jiang Ning’s favor.
• Mingxin praised Jiang Ning’s swordsmanship, and Jiang Ning withdrew his sword while assessing Mingxin’s strength and the power of his own Void-Returning Sword.

Jiang Ning became the youngest martial champion in Great Xia’s history, while Wan Jianyi struggled with his fall from the top of the Heavenly Rankings. After Jiang Ning glimpsed the gravely ill Emperor Changning and unknown intruders were driven away, the emperor ordered the ceremony to continue with Jiang Ning striking the Kui Ox Drum.

• Mingxin conceded to Jiang Ning, and the crowd celebrated Jiang Ning’s unprecedented victory as a martial champion under twenty.
• Zhang Ming conceded his bout with Wan Jianyi because his injuries from fighting Jiang Ning were too severe, and Wan Jianyi bitterly accepted third place.
• Wang Hong summoned Jiang Ning, Mingxin, and Wan Jianyi to the dais, where Emperor Changning acknowledged Jiang Ning as Ji Mingyue’s chosen husband.
• A burst of force lifted the curtain before the dragon throne, letting Jiang Ning glimpse Emperor Changning’s grave illness.
• Unknown figures appeared to clash with Emperor Changning, and Ninth Sir arrived, identifying them as the same group that had intruded before.
• Emperor Changning ordered the ceremony to proceed and told Jiang Ning to strike the Kui Ox Drum to announce his victory.

Jiang Ning struck the Kui Ox Drum as the new martial champion, stirring storms and drawing heavenly lightning that tempered his body. As witnesses recognized him as a second-rank Grandmaster, Emperor Ning considered how Jiang Ning might one day challenge the power that had overshadowed the Ji Clan for centuries.

• Sixteen sixth-rank martial artists carried the Kui Ox Drum onto the parade ground, and Wang Hong called for Jiang Ning to strike it.
• Jiang Ning swung the heavy drumsticks, causing his qi and blood to surge as the drumbeats grew louder and the sky darkened with storm clouds.
• The Kui Ox Drum’s thunder spread across the Royal Capital, while Jiang Li and Liu Wanwan recognized the new champion’s spectacle from the National Preceptor’s Residence.
• Heavenly lightning struck the parade ground and poured over Jiang Ning, astonishing the witnesses and prompting Sir Ninth and General Shen to confirm that Jiang Ning was a second-rank Grandmaster.
• Emperor Ning reflected on the power the Ji Clan had lost under the influence of the Martial Saint Manor, while Mingxin, Wan Jianyi, and the martial students watched Jiang Ning’s lightning-tempered ascent.

Jiang Ning used the Kui Ox Drum to summon lightning that tempered his body, drawing awe from the observers as his blood-and-qi dragon grew to ninety-nine feet. After becoming champion, he was presented to Emperor Changning, who ordered him, Mingxin, and Wan Jianyi to attend the next day’s court assembly.

• Jiang Ning struck the Kui Ox Drum as lightning coursed through him, strengthening his body and awakening its latent potential.
• Mingxin and Wan Jianyi watched Jiang Ning’s blood-and-qi dragon grow from ninety-six to ninety-seven feet, and Wan Jianyi confronted the gulf between his strength and that of Jiang Ning and Mingxin.
• The lightning ceased, the Kui Ox Drum shone purple, and Jiang Ning’s crimson dragon reached ninety-nine feet before dissipating.
• The man on the dragon throne and Xiao Wuque recognized Jiang Ning’s near-innate physique, while Ji Mingya took the champion’s robe from the maid and draped it over him.
• Jiang Ning, Mingxin, and Wan Jianyi greeted Human Emperor Emperor Changning, who praised them and commanded them to attend the next day’s court assembly.

After Ji Mingyue and Ji Minghao left, Ji Mingya warned Jiang Ning that his extraordinary talent and near-innate physique had made him a danger to powerful figures who feared another Martial Saint. Jiang Ning resolved to reach the first rank quickly, then returned inside with Qinghe to share the news of his martial top scholar honor.

• Ji Mingyue told Jiang Ning that Ji Mingya had changed after her husband died in the Northern Desert and her infant son died under mysterious circumstances, and Jiang Ning warned her to be careful.
• After Ji Minghao's carriage departed, Ji Mingya emerged from hiding and told Jiang Ning that experts had recognized him as a second-rank Grandmaster with a near-innate physique.
• Ji Mingya warned that Grandmasters, immortal-path experts, and even the imperial family would unite against the possibility of another person rising above them, and she urged Jiang Ning not to meet her husband's fate.
• Jiang Ning thanked Ji Mingya and resolved to reach the first rank before danger arrived; Ji Mingya departed after asking him to become her retainer.
• Qinghe came out through the gate, admired Jiang Ning's top scholar's robe, and helped him dress before he said they should go congratulate his elder brother and sister-in-law.

After becoming the martial champion, Jiang Ning received his imperial robes, waist token, and plaque, then considered the dangers facing the dynasty and his own path to greater strength. He began cultivating with Dragon Hibernation Spirit Liquid in the Inner Landscape Grounds, intent on advancing his spiritual method and eventually becoming a titled grandmaster.

• Jiang Ning reunited with Jiang Li and Liu Wanwan, confirmed he had won the martial championship, and waited with his family for the imperial procession.
• Zhou Qian delivered Jiang Ning’s champion’s robes, gilded waist token, and Emperor Ning’s plaque, and arranged to escort him into the palace the next morning.
• Jiang Ning told Jiang Li they should wait until peace and prosperity returned before taking the plaque to their old home in Luoshui County.
• Jiang Ning assessed the threats surrounding the Great Xia Dynasty and reflected on the danger of challenging the Martial Saint, while resolving to grow stronger and protect himself.
• Jiang Ning examined his powerful body and reviewed his abilities, then saw that his Spiritual Altar Illumination of the True Self Method was nearing its next breakthrough.
• Jiang Ning drank in the mist formed from Dragon Hibernation Spirit Liquid, entered the Inner Landscape Grounds, and began cultivating the method in stillness.

Jiang Ning cultivated the Spiritual Altar Illumination of the True Self Method with the Inner Landscape Grounds and Dragon Hibernation Spirit Liquid, making rapid progress while recovering from the strain. After sharing a meal with Su Qingying, he agreed to sleep in her room so she would not try to become pregnant before understanding what it entailed, while she prepared for his visit.

• Jiang Ning cultivated in the Inner Landscape Grounds, discovered that the Dragon Hibernation Spirit Liquid helped there too, and returned to reality after the distorted passage of time unsettled him.
• Jiang Ning restored himself with the spirit liquid and continued cultivating, raising his method’s progress toward major mastery.
• Su Qingying brought Jiang Ning braised beef noodles and dumplings made with Liu Wanwan, and he praised the food and shared bites with her.
• Su Qingying asked Jiang Ning to sleep with her because she thought she was not pregnant yet; he agreed while deciding not to explain the process and risk her forcing the issue.
• Jiang Ning resumed cultivating, while Su Qingying prepared two quilts, put on lipstick, and practiced smiling in her mirror.

Jiang Ning prepared for his first court assembly as the newly appointed Martial Top Scholar, then entered the palace with Zhou Qian. In the side hall, Mingxin questioned him about his training, and Jiang Ning named Jin Chan as the source of his Indestructible Vajra Body mastery.

• Jiang Ning spent the night beside Su Qingying, then rose early to prepare for the court assembly and discovered his Source Energy had reached 233177.
• Liu Wanwan prepared Jiang Ning a large breakfast before Zhou Qian arrived to escort him to court.
• Jiang Ning and Zhou Qian passed through Vermilion Bird Gate after the guards checked Jiang Ning's Top Scholar token.
• Jiang Ning joined Wan Jianyi and Mingxin in a side hall while Emperor Changning appeared before the assembled officials.
• Mingxin asked where Jiang Ning had studied and how he mastered the Indestructible Vajra Body, and Jiang Ning answered that he knew Jin Chan.

Jiang Ning was named Marquis of Dongling and appointed Inspector of Zeshan Prefecture after Emperor Changning revealed that he was a second-rank Grandmaster. Though the appointment placed him in danger near the Yellow Heaven Cult uprising, Xiao Wuque gave him a Dao Ancestor talisman to protect his life as he prepared to take up the post.

• Emperor Changning rewarded Wan Jianyi with command of the Imperial Guard Sword Guards and appointed Mingxin Dharma Master Protector of the Nation.
• Emperor Changning named Jiang Ning Marquis of Dongling, granting him all four counties of Dongling Commandery, and revealed that he was a second-rank Grandmaster.
• Emperor Changning also appointed Jiang Ning Inspector of Zeshan Prefecture, a decision Xiao Wuque said came from Martial Saint Manor because the prefecture needed an inspector amid the Yellow Heaven Cult uprising.
• Jiang Ning recognized that Xiao Wuque’s decision heightened tensions between Martial Saint Manor and Emperor Changning, while the court accepted the decree and dismissed court.
• After the officials congratulated him, Jiang Ning admitted his concern about being attacked like the previous inspectors, and Xiao Wuque gave him a Dao Ancestor talisman that could restore and protect him in a crisis.

Jiang Ning received two life-saving treasures from Xiao Wuque and rode through the Royal Capital as the martial examination’s top scholar. Xiao Wuque then brought him to meet the Martial Saint, who revealed that he was nearing the end of his life despite the life-extending tea in his Grotto-Heaven.

• Xiao Wuque gave Jiang Ning a Dao Ancestor Talisman Paper that could restore him to his peak during a crisis and a Small Teleportation Talisman that could send him a thousand miles away.
• Xiao Wuque told Jiang Ning that the Martial Saint wanted to meet him, and Jiang Ning agreed after learning the Northern Azure King’s son planned to pursue Ji Mingyue and expected Jiang Ning to eventually fall from power.
• Jiang Ning rode through the Royal Capital in a ceremonial procession as the new martial examination top scholar, while Wan Jianyi recognized how far Jiang Ning had surpassed him.
• Jiang Ning met Xiao Wuque at Martial Saint Manor, and they traveled to a sealed Grotto-Heaven where the Martial Saint drew them in.
• The Martial Saint served Jiang Ning and Xiao Wuque tea that could add three to five years to their lives, then explained that he had reached the limits of his lifespan and could only use the Grotto-Heaven and tea to cling to life.

Jiang Ning learned from the Martial Saint how to keep advancing toward the first rank and was warned that powerful factions would try to kill him before he could grow stronger. Xiao Wuque then revealed that the Martial Saint was dying after a failed attempt to absorb his Grotto-Heaven, leaving Jiang Ning fearful of the chaos his death would unleash.

• The Martial Saint explained to Jiang Ning and Xiao Wuque that breaking through required endless accumulation and growth, and Jiang Ning realized his ability to retain every attainment gave him an advantage.
• The Martial Saint judged that Jiang Ning could reach the first rank within a year or two, but warned that rival powers would not allow him to approach the Martial Saint’s level unchallenged.
• The Martial Saint gave Jiang Ning talismans and urged him to rely on himself, then let him drink life-giving tea before he and Xiao Wuque returned to the mountaintop.
• Xiao Wuque told Jiang Ning that the Martial Saint’s failed attempt to absorb a Grotto-Heaven had depleted his vitality, and that he had sent a spirit body to defeat Lord Fuyuan without revealing his true condition.
• Jiang Ning realized the Martial Saint’s death could shatter Great Xia’s order and expose him to the full force of his enemies.

After learning that growing stronger would inevitably put him in conflict with hidden powers, Jiang Ning focused on cultivating the Spiritual Altar Illumination of the True Self Method with Dragon Hibernation Spirit Liquid. He left the palace banquet determined to keep improving, while Ji Mingyue withheld her father’s demand that Jiang Ning seek a betrothal.

• Jiang Ning received an invitation to a palace banquet for the newly successful examination candidates and used Dragon Hibernation Spirit Liquid to cultivate in the Inner Landscape Grounds, raising his method’s progress.
• Jiang Ning recognized the danger of prolonged cultivation in the Inner Landscape Grounds and steadied himself by reconnecting with his family and the world around him.
• Jiang Ning cultivated again, raising the Spiritual Altar Illumination of the True Self Method to minor mastery 3361/5000.
• Jiang Ning attended the palace banquet, then told Ji Mingyue that he intended to focus on cultivation because growing stronger would bring him into conflict with powerful figures.
• Ji Mingyue told Ji Minghao she would not pressure Jiang Ning to propose, despite their father’s impatience and possible plans to choose differently.
• Jiang Ning returned home and resumed cultivating with Dragon Hibernation Spirit Liquid as his method’s experience continued to increase.

Jiang Ning cultivated the Spiritual Altar Illumination of the True Self Method throughout a snowy day, using Dragon Hibernation Spirit Liquid until his supply ran out. He reached major mastery and ended the chapter continuing to cultivate in his Inner Landscape Grounds.

• Jiang Ning saw that the tea from the previous day had raised his source energy to 301733 and began cultivating with Dragon Hibernation Spirit Liquid.
• Jiang Ning increased his method’s progress to 4011 and later received his Zeshan Prefecture inspector’s seal and robes, his marquis’s insignia, and the deed to his Royal Capital residence from Zhou Qian.
• Jiang Ning gave the residence deed to Jiang Li for safekeeping and reflected that his growing strength made it dangerous to let others become closely tied to him.
• Jiang Ning spent the day cultivating, used up his remaining Dragon Hibernation Spirit Liquid, and raised his method’s progress to 4833 before taking a hot bath.
• Jiang Ning returned to cultivating in his Inner Landscape Grounds and advanced the Spiritual Altar Illumination of the True Self Method to major mastery, reaching 77/10000.

Jiang Ning advanced his Spiritual Altar Illumination of the True Self Method, sensed the Heavenly Dao, and entered the Shangyang Inner Landscape with his disciple token. There, Shen Yue Ru shared her Grand Void Yin-Yang Sword insights with him, then began cultivating at the Dao Lecture Platform as Jiang Ning watched her sword energy surge.

• Jiang Ning reached major mastery in the Spiritual Altar Illumination of the True Self Method and sensed the Heavenly Dao Will, realizing he had taken another step beyond the second rank.
• Jiang Ning cultivated further, then used his Shangyang Immortal Sect token to enter the Shangyang Inner Landscape.
• Shen Yue Ru met Jiang Ning in the Upper Yang Grotto-Heaven and led him to the Yang Pool to share her understanding of the Grand Void Yin-Yang Sword through an intertwining of their souls.
• Shen Yue Ru took Jiang Ning to the Dao Lecture Platform, where they meditated and she became surrounded by fierce sword energy.

Jiang Ning witnessed a reflection of the Primordial Era, learned about the realms beyond immortality, and received the Ninefold Nether Tribulation Fire True Formula from the Nine-Nether Tribulation Flame Grand Celestial Venerable. After returning to the present, he found his Immortal Seedling had grown to seven leaves and discussed the experience with Shen Yue Ru.

• Jiang Ning spoke with a Heavenly Immortal woman, who explained the Human Immortal, Heavenly Immortal, and True Immortal realms and the growth of Dao Flowers and Dao Fruits.
• The Nine-Nether Tribulation Flame Grand Celestial Venerable arrived and taught the three chapters of the Ninefold Nether Tribulation Fire True Formula, causing crimson and black Dao leaves to appear on Jiang Ning's Immortal Seedling.
• Jiang Ning awoke from the reflection with seven leaves on his Immortal Seedling and found the first chapter of the formula had replaced Water-Fire True Force on his panel.
• Jiang Ning waited as Shen Yue Ru awoke, then told her he had received the teachings of the Nine-Nether Tribulation Flame Grand Celestial Venerable.
• Shen Yue Ru explained that Grand Celestial Venerables surpassed Celestial Venerables and that people who saw them could not retain their appearance in memory.
• Shen Yue Ru urged Jiang Ning to pursue the immortal Dao, and Jiang Ning said he would remember her words.

Jiang Ning climbed the Celestial Ladder to gauge his spiritual strength, then absorbed the tempered spiritual body and found his strength had increased. He advanced the Ninefold Nether Tribulation Fire True Formula twice, evolving both of its traits to purple grade.

• Shen Yue Ru and Jiang Ning climbed the Celestial Ladder, and Jiang Ning passed the hundredth step with ease.
• Jiang Ning reached the 187th step, where he judged his spiritual strength to be close to that of a Primordial Spirit Immortal, then returned before reaching his limit.
• Jiang Ning absorbed his tempered spiritual body, increasing his spiritual strength by about five percent, and confirmed his existing powers remained intact.
• Jiang Ning spent 10,000 source energy to break through the Ninefold Nether Tribulation Fire True Formula, evolving Water-Fire Immortal Robe to light purple.
• Jiang Ning spent another 20,000 source energy to break through the formula again, evolving Fiery Spirit Sight to light purple.

Jiang Ning strengthened his Fiery Spirit Sight and mastered Heart Tribulation Fire, a powerful divine ability that burned his life force to multiply his strength. As he considered pursuing another breakthrough, Yun Shanhe and a cloaked ally prepared a formation in Dongling City to ambush him when he returned.

• Jiang Ning spent source energy to advance the Ninefold Nether Tribulation Fire True Formula and gained the Heart Tribulation Fire trait, a divine ability containing the power of the Dao's origin.
• Jiang Ning tested Heart Tribulation Fire and found that it greatly multiplied his physical power, spirit, and inner energy, while consuming his essence, qi, and spirit if sustained.
• Jiang Ning cultivated the formula further, saw a branch grow on the Immortal Seedling, and used Kan Water and Li Fire to cleanse his body and quiet his desires.
• Jiang Ning decided that grinding for the next breakthrough would take too long and chose to sleep rather than continue cultivating.
• Yun Shanhe and a cloaked man in black found Jiang Ning's residence in Dongling City and agreed to wait for his return while the cloaked man laid a formation to trap and kill him.

Jiang Ning continued cultivating in the snow until Shen Mengyun visited and revealed that the Grotto-Heavens had cursed Emperor Changning, who was close to death. She asked Jiang Ning to help the Eighth Prince, Ji Minghao, inherit the throne, and Jiang Ning decided to consider Ji Mingyue’s ties to her brother before returning to cultivation.

• Jiang Ning spent several days cultivating the Spiritual Altar Illumination of the True Self Method and advanced it to 3877/10000 while refusing the princes’ attempts to recruit him.
• Qinghe told Jiang Ning that Shen Mengyun had come to see him, and he agreed to meet her.
• Shen Mengyun revealed that the Grotto-Heavens had joined forces to curse Emperor Changning and that the emperor would soon die without having named an heir.
• Shen Mengyun admitted she served Ji Minghao and asked Jiang Ning to help him become emperor, arguing that Ji Mingyue’s devotion gave Jiang Ning reason to help her brother.
• Jiang Ning considered Ji Mingyue’s bond with Ji Minghao, decided to help the Eighth Prince, returned home, and resumed cultivating.