Chapter Summaries

Jiang Ning left the Royal Capital and returned to Dongling City, where he learned that Dongling Commandery had become his fief and found the city weathering the winter well. As he approached his home, he sensed something amiss in the East District.

• Jiang Ning received Wan Jianyi and Li Qing, heard Wan Jianyi would return to the Royal Capital after the New Year, and learned Li Qing planned to return to Luoshui County after her training.
• After seeing the eighth prince, Ji Minghao, Jiang Ning decided to leave for Dongling the next morning to escape the constant visitors and resume his cultivation.
• Jiang Ning said goodbye to his family, promised Little Doubao he would visit before the New Year, entrusted his family to Su Qingying, and gave Jiang Yiming a bottle to drink.
• Jiang Ning used his spatial mastery and speed to travel from the Royal Capital to Dongling City, where the gate guards greeted him as Marquis Dongling.
• Jiang Ning saw that the city had endured the winter without obvious signs of famine and recognized Wang Shouyi's efforts to secure grain.
• After crossing the Nu River into the East District, Jiang Ning sensed an unusual flow of energy near his home.

Jiang Ning discovered a hidden sword array around his residence and identified Yun Shanhe and an Immortal Dao cultivator as the men waiting to kill him. After sending Zhong Ling and Lü Yi away, he entered the trap; the array activated, cutting off the Heavenly Surveillance Bureau’s view as help raced to reach him.

• Jiang Ning detected the concealed array at his residence, used his Heavenly Eye to inspect it, and recognized Yun Shanhe and his companion at the Star-Picking Tower.
• Jiang Ning secretly warned Zhong Ling and Lü Yi to leave, and they went out shopping without alerting the two men.
• Jiang Ning waited until the women were safely away, then returned to his residence and entered through the open door.
• Yun Shanhe and the ordinary-looking man went to Jiang Ning’s roof and activated the sword array, trapping him inside.
• The Heavenly Surveillance Bureau detected the array but lost sight of Jiang Ning, and its long-browed figure ordered White Immortal Aunt to send help while warning that she would need thirty breaths.
• Yun Shanhe urged his companion to finish Jiang Ning within ten breaths.

Jiang Ning killed Yun Shanhe and another attacker with the Six-Foot Golden Body and Heart Tribulation Fire, then joined Granny Bai in dismantling the sword formation. After deciding to leave for the Royal Capital to grow stronger and avoid further attacks, he remained wary of the greater threats ahead.

• Jiang Ning transformed into a towering golden figure wreathed in crimson flames and killed Yun Shanhe and his companion with two punches.
• Granny Bai broke through the sword formation and found Jiang Ning safe, then warned him that his attackers could try again.
• Granny Bai explained that the Luo Heaven Disk could detect first-rank and Immortal Dao experts, while Jiang Ning admitted he still feared Primordial Spirit powerhouses.
• Jiang Ning said he planned to return to the Royal Capital for the year-end holidays and remain there until spring.
• Jiang Ning used his Fire Eye to find and consume the formation's spirit crystals, then removed the eight swords and gave the formation to Granny Bai.
• After seeing Granny Bai off, Jiang Ning decided to leave for the Royal Capital and continue strengthening himself rather than risk growing careless.

The Martial Saint traced the attack on Jiang Ning to the Mysterious Origin Blessed Land and destroyed it, killing the Xuan Yuan Patriarch and every other being within. His retaliation made Jiang Ning’s safety a warning to the realm, and the chapter left Jiang Ning back at his residence with Lü Yi and Zhong Ling, displaying his martial champion’s plaque.

• The Martial Saint arrived in Dongling City, questioned Jiang Ning about his attackers, and used his power to identify the Mysterious Origin Blessed Land as their origin.
• The Martial Saint declared that the blessed land would be destroyed for sending assassins after Jiang Ning, then shattered it with a punch.
• The Martial Saint killed the Xuan Yuan Patriarch and destroyed the Mysterious Origin Blessed Land, then warned that he would strike again if anyone attacked Jiang Ning.
• News of the Martial Saint’s retaliation spread across the Nine Provinces, while Jiang Ning decided not to remain long in Dongling City despite his new protection.
• Jiang Ning returned to his residence, confirmed that Lü Yi and Zhong Ling were safe, and had them hang up his champion’s plaque.

Jiang Ning welcomed Zhao Yulong and Bai Luoyu, then met Commandery Governor Wang and discussed how to handle his duties while staying safe after a Martial Saint intervened on his behalf. As Marquis Shen arrived, he confirmed that grandmasters across the Nine Provinces had witnessed the destruction of Mysterious Origin Blessed Land and warned Jiang Ning that his dazzling rise could bring danger.

• Jiang Ning told Zhao Yulong and Bai Luoyu that a Martial Saint had intervened and said he planned to return to the Royal Capital before coming back to Dongling City in spring.
• Wang Shouyi brought Wang Qingtan to visit Jiang Ning and proposed that Jiang Ning petition the court to manage Zeshan Prefecture from the Royal Capital during the dangerous period.
• Jiang Ning accepted Wang Shouyi's proposal, and Wang Shouyi offered to draft the memorials; Wang Qingtan volunteered to help prepare the meal.
• Jiang Ning sensed a grandmaster approaching and led Zhao Yulong, Wang Shouyi, and Bai Luoyu outside to greet Shen Wenyuan, Marquis Wenyuan.
• Shen Wenyuan told Jiang Ning that grandmasters throughout the Nine Provinces had witnessed the Martial Saint destroy Mysterious Origin Blessed Land and warned that Jiang Ning's rapid rise might not be good for him.

Jiang Ning prepared to leave Dongling City, warned that the Martial Saint’s protection had made him a target, and entrusted local affairs to his trusted followers. Wang Qingtan chose to pursue her own path despite her father’s warning that closeness to Jiang Ning could endanger her.

• Shen Wenyuan warned Jiang Ning that the Martial Saint’s support would draw greater danger, while Jiang Ning resolved to use the quiet after the destruction of Mysterious Origin Blessed Land to grow stronger.
• Wang Shouyi told Wang Qingtan that Jiang Ning’s enemies might use her against him, but she firmly said she would make her own choice.
• Jiang Ning summoned Lü Yi, Xie Xiaoj iu, Feng Ji, and Zhou Xing as he prepared to leave Dongling City and develop trusted subordinates to manage affairs there.
• Jiang Ning gave Xie Xiaoj iu, Feng Ji, and Zhou Xing golden wine that strengthened their cultivation and told them to digest it properly.
• Jiang Ning handed Xie Xiaoj iu his marquis’s seal and ordered the three to organize Dongling City’s affairs and use his authority when needed.

Jiang Ning spent the night with Wang Qingtan, who resolved to bear his child, then focused on cultivation as danger gathered around the Royal Capital. The chapter left him training in the snow, steadily improving his Spiritual Altar Illumination of the True Self Method.

• Jiang Ning entered the Commandery Governor's Office and told Wang Qingtan he had only a fifty-fifty chance of surviving the coming ordeal.
• Wang Qingtan decided to try to bear Jiang Ning's child, and the two spent the night together.
• Jiang Ning left Wang Qingtan sleeping, cleared the snow from a path for Lü Yi, and cultivated in the Inner Landscape Grounds, increasing his technique's experience.
• Wang Qingtan read a confidential report with Wang Shouyi warning that powerful figures in the Royal Capital might accelerate their plans after the Martial Saint's display of strength.
• Jiang Ning resumed cultivating in his courtyard, sensing the barrier before the peak of the second grade and gaining experience in his technique.

Jiang Ning left Dongling City for the Royal Capital, hoping to avoid bringing danger to the city, and Xia Xuanyan intercepted him on the road. Xia Xuanyan offered him protection and resources in the Primordial Yellow Grotto-Heaven if he married Xia Wanqin and accepted restrictions, but Jiang Ning rejected the idea of shackling himself.

• Jiang Ning departed Dongling City with Lü Yi and Zhong Ling, while Wang Shouyi and Zhao Yulong discussed the dangers awaiting him in the Royal Capital.
• During the journey, Jiang Ning continued cultivating the Spiritual Altar Illumination of the True Self Method until he sensed Xia Xuanyan ahead and stopped the carriage.
• Xia Xuanyan told Jiang Ning that the Martial Saint's destruction of the Mysterious Origin Blessed Land had made many factions consider killing him, though they would not dare while the Martial Saint lived.
• Xia Xuanyan offered to protect Jiang Ning in the Primordial Yellow Grotto-Heaven if he married Xia Wanqin and accepted restrictions in exchange for its resources and safety.
• Jiang Ning said he could not accept shackles without compromising the spirit needed to reach the Martial Saint's level, and Xia Xuanyan urged him to choose long life over an unlikely chance at surpassing it.

Jiang Ning rejected Xia Xuanyan’s offer and hurried to the Royal Capital to buy cultivation resources. At Myriad Splendor Tower, he learned Dragon Hibernation Spirit Liquid cost a thousand taels per bottle and ordered eighteen bottles.

• Jiang Ning refused Xia Xuanyan’s offer to survive by raising descendants, and Xia Xuanyan left while keeping the invitation open.
• Jiang Ning gave Lü Yi and Zhong Ling Spirit-Feeding Pills and his official tokens, then set off ahead of their carriage for the Royal Capital.
• Jiang Ning used his newfound ability to merge with space to reach the Royal Capital before noon and entered the city as Marquis Dongling.
• Jiang Ning went to Myriad Splendor Tower and asked Steward Liu for Dragon Hibernation Spirit Liquid.
• Steward Liu quoted a price of one thousand taels of gold per bottle, and Jiang Ning ordered eighteen bottles before being led to a VIP room.

Jiang Ning acquired Dragon Hibernation Spirit Liquid and accepted Ji Minghao’s generous resources, agreeing to owe the prince a favor. He took refuge at the National Preceptor’s Residence and began cultivating with the spirit liquid, dramatically accelerating his progress toward the first rank.

• Jiang Ning collected nine bottles of Dragon Hibernation Spirit Liquid from Myriad Splendor Tower.
• Ji Minghao gave Jiang Ning a spatial ring full of resources, including thirty-six bottles of Dragon Hibernation Spirit Liquid, and asked him to remember the favor; Jiang Ning accepted.
• Jiang Ning arrived at the National Preceptor’s Residence, where Su Qingying welcomed him and Qinghe greeted him before he reunited with Jiang Li, Liu Wanwan, and the children.
• Jiang Ning used Dragon Hibernation Spirit Liquid to cultivate the Spiritual Altar Illumination of the True Self Method, gaining experience much faster than before.
• Jiang Ning saw that his method had reached Great Accomplishment at 6417/10000 and continued cultivating under the moon, encouraged by his rapid progress.

Jiang Ning met the Divine Might King Li Tianwen as he continued cultivating the Spiritual Altar Illumination of the True Self Method, which was close to perfection. Their conversation was interrupted when the Martial Saint crossed ten thousand li with his spirit avatar and killed a Grotto-Heaven expert near the East Sea with one punch, leaving Jiang Ning newly aware of the depth of the Martial Saint’s power.

• Xiao Wuque and Xiang Yuan discussed the Martial Saint’s reasons for supporting Jiang Ning and noted that Jiang Ning’s rapidly growing spirit could make it harder to balance his essence, qi, and spirit.
• Jiang Ning resumed training at the National Preceptor’s Residence and learned that the Divine Might King Li Tianwen had come to visit.
• Jiang Ning sensed Li Tianwen’s profound harmony with heaven and earth as they greeted each other and discussed how the Martial Saint’s intervention had drawn the world’s attention to Jiang Ning.
• A tremor swept through the Royal Capital and beyond, and Jiang Ning and Li Tianwen sensed the Martial Saint’s aura erupting near the East Sea.
• The Martial Saint appeared above the East Sea and killed a Grotto-Heaven expert with a single punch, destroying the expert’s defenses and leaving a vast whirlpool behind.
• Jiang Ning recognized the extraordinary Martial Dao will behind the strike, while Li Tianwen expressed shock and pride at his teacher’s overwhelming power.

After the Martial Saint’s strike in the East Sea, Jiang Ning withdrew to cultivate and perfected the Spiritual Altar Illumination of the True Self Method. He emerged with his soul transformed and stood on the threshold of the first-rank Primordial Unity realm as Su Qingying appeared.

• Jiang Ning told Li Tianwen that the Martial Saint’s destruction of the Mysterious Origin Blessed Land and his East Sea killing were warnings meant to back him up.
• Jiang Ning sent Hong Mian away and entered seclusion, while Li Tianwen accused his teacher of favoring Jiang Ning and other prodigies.
• A yellow-robed Daoist told his disciple that the Martial Saint might be too weakened to fight them or might consider them insignificant.
• Jiang Ning used Dragon Hibernation Spirit Liquid to cultivate until the True Spirit mark merged completely with his soul and the method reached perfection.
• Jiang Ning realized his spirit had outgrown his essence and energy, but that balancing them could lead him into the Primordial Unity realm.
• Su Qingying appeared in Jiang Ning’s snow-covered courtyard, and he opened his eyes after completing his cultivation.

After Jiang Ning merged his True Spirit imprint into his soul, the Martial Saint summoned him and explained that his spirit had outgrown his essence and energy. The Martial Saint passed on the Three Flowers Record, a method for bringing each treasure to its utmost limit and nurturing three Dao Flowers.

• Su Qingying explained that Jiang Ning's merged True Spirit imprint had made his fate his own, and Jiang Ning realized his spirit was far stronger than his essence and energy.
• The Martial Saint's will summoned Jiang Ning, who traveled alone to the nameless mountain and entered the old man's thatched hut.
• The Martial Saint confirmed that Jiang Ning's three treasures were unbalanced and warned that forcing them into harmony would suppress his spirit.
• The Martial Saint taught Jiang Ning about Three Flowers Gather at the Crown, in which essence, energy, and spirit each reach their limit and form a Dao Flower.
• The Martial Saint passed the Three Flowers Record into Jiang Ning's mind as a guiding method for refining his three treasures and nurturing their Dao Flowers.

Jiang Ning studied the Three Flowers Record and used the grotto-heaven’s source power to cultivate his Flower of Essence. He condensed a complete six-petaled flower, then stopped before beginning the Flower of Qi.

• The Manor Lord explained that balancing the three flowers would resolve Jiang Ning’s imbalance of spirit, essence, and qi, and offered him the grotto-heaven’s source power.
• Jiang Ning entered his Inner Landscape Grounds and mastered the Three Flowers Record in an instant outside.
• With the Manor Lord replenishing his vitality, Jiang Ning repeatedly exhausted and restored his blood and vitality to condense the Flower of Essence.
• Jiang Ning first formed a three-petaled Flower of Essence, then chose to keep cultivating it instead of moving on to the Flower of Qi.
• Jiang Ning completed a six-petaled Flower of Essence, reached his limit, and received the Manor Lord’s praise for his deep foundation and potential.

Jiang Ning completed the Flower of Qi with the old man's help, then rested and healed before beginning to condense the Flower of God. He formed three silver petals in his Spirit Platform and continued the process.

• Jiang Ning used Grotto-Heaven origin supplied by the old man to complete the golden Flower of Qi, joining his scarlet Flower of Essence above his head.
• Jiang Ning drank the old man's vital tea for several hours, healing the hidden damage caused by repeatedly depleting and restoring his body.
• Jiang Ning began condensing the Flower of God by burning and refining his spirit within his Spirit Platform.
• The old man replenished Jiang Ning with Grotto-Heaven origin as his mental power drained, helping him form the first silver petal.
• Jiang Ning gathered silver radiance into the flower and formed its second and third petals.

Jiang Ning formed the Three Flowers Gathered at the Crown, learned from the Martial Saint that he could reach First-Rank Primordial Unity within a month, and discovered that his source energy had risen to 467,783. He returned to the Royal Capital and visited the National Preceptor’s Residence, where Qinghe happily received the sweets he brought.

• Jiang Ning formed the silver Flower of God, completing the Three Flowers Gathered at the Crown and uniting his vital essence, energy, and spirit.
• The Martial Saint explained that Primordial Unity was a balanced state that formed a domain, gave Jiang Ning a prayer bead containing First Rank insights, and estimated he could reach the realm in a month.
• After leaving the Grotto-Heaven World, Jiang Ning checked his panel and found that his source energy had increased to 467,783.
• Jiang Ning returned to the Royal Capital, learned that the New Year was fifteen days away, and entered the city after giving a guard a silver ingot.
• Jiang Ning bought sweets at Five-Spice House and brought a bundle to the National Preceptor’s Residence, where Qinghe greeted him joyfully and accepted them.

Jiang Ning secluded himself to cultivate after the three flowers of essence, energy, and spirit transformed his power and greatly improved its efficiency. After seven days of training, his Spiritual Altar Illumination of the True Self Method was close to its limit, leaving him ready for its final breakthrough.

• Jiang Ning gave Su Qingying pear blossom pastries, told her he had crossed a crucial threshold, and ordered her to turn away all visitors while he entered seclusion.
• Jiang Ning tested his improved control, then discovered that the three flowers circulated his essence, energy, and spirit together and returned most of the power he used.
• Jiang Ning used the Dragon Hibernation Spirit Liquid to train the Spiritual Altar Illumination of the True Self Method and found that the Flower of God increased his cultivation efficiency.
• Jiang Ning spent seven days cultivating in the Inner Landscape Grounds, bringing the method to 9766 out of 10000 experience.
• Jiang Ning recovered his strength by drawing in energy from heaven and earth and prepared to take the method's final step.

Jiang Ning broke the perfected limit of the Spiritual Altar Illumination of the True Self Method, gaining the Oneness of the True Self trait and greatly strengthening his spirit. After three days of accelerated cultivation, he reached enough experience for another breakthrough and spent twenty thousand source energy points to trigger it.

• Jiang Ning used Dragon Hibernation Spirit Liquid to complete the Spiritual Altar Illumination of the True Self Method and spent ten thousand source energy points to break its first limit.
• The breakthrough gave Jiang Ning the Oneness of the True Self trait, raised his spirit to the Primordial Spirit realm, and accelerated the formation of his domain and progress toward Hunyuan.
• Jiang Ning discovered that Oneness of the True Self greatly improved his cultivation efficiency, so he devoted himself to cultivating the method with his remaining Dragon Hibernation Spirit Liquid.
• After three days of continuous cultivation, Jiang Ning reached 20000 experience for the first limit-breaking stage and spent twenty thousand source energy points to advance the method again.

Jiang Ning spent twenty thousand source energy points to break the Spiritual Altar Illumination of the True Self Method’s limit a second time, causing a citywide omen as his spirit and three flowers transformed. He gained the pale gold trait True Self Alone and moved closer to the first-rank Primordial Unity realm, while keeping his progress secret.

• Jiang Ning triggered a powerful resonance that manifested his red, gold, and silver flowers and spread a silver glow across the Royal Capital.
• Su Qingying sensed Jiang Ning’s breakthrough, while Jiang Li, Jiang Yiming, Jiang Yuanyuan, and Little Doubao felt their mental strength and blood respond to it.
• The Blind Elder, Xiang Yuan, Xiao Wuque, Li Tianwen, and factions across the Royal Capital speculated that Su Qingying had caused the omen.
• Jiang Ning’s spirit grew denser, the three flowers circulated more efficiently, and his domain began to form, bringing the Primordial Unity realm closer.
• Jiang Ning’s trait evolved into the pale gold True Self Alone, and he estimated he might reach the first rank around the turn of the year.
• Jiang Ning decided to conceal his progress until he had enough strength to avoid inviting greater danger.

Jiang Ning discovered that his new golden trait greatly accelerated his cultivation of the Spiritual Altar Illumination of the True Self Method, and he resolved to focus on it despite mounting mental fatigue. Meanwhile, Lin Qingyi secretly arrived in the Royal Capital, while Jiang Ning continued cultivating through the night.

• Jiang Ning cultivated the Spiritual Altar Illumination of the True Self Method and found that his new trait more than doubled his progress by drawing in True Spirit fragments.
• Jiang Ning gained nearly four thousand experience in less than half a day and decided to focus on the method until it broke through again.
• Lin Qingyi arrived at the Royal Capital on a Snow-Treading Azure Steed and asked the gate commander to keep her arrival secret.
• The gate commander recognized Lin Qingyi and warned the soldiers not to ask about her identity.
• Jiang Ning noticed that intensive cultivation had caused deep mental fatigue but chose to continue, hoping to reach the first-grade Primordial Unity Realm sooner.