Chapter Summaries

Shi Xiaoyuan learned from Huang San’er about a sunken ship filled with iron ore and a powerful White Dragon Fish guarding it, and decided to explore the site for the fish and a possible heavenly treasure. He forced Huang San’er to join the Green Snake Gang and lead him there, keeping Huang San’er’s family as leverage.

• A Green Snake Gang subordinate brought the wounded Huang San’er before Shi Xiaoyuan and reported that he had found a sunken ship.
• Huang San’er described how a White Dragon Fish had attacked his group at the ship, leaving him as the sole survivor.
• Shi Xiaoyuan concluded that the intelligent White Dragon Fish might guard a heavenly treasure and resolved to capture it.
• Shi Xiaoyuan made Huang San’er join the Green Snake Gang and ordered him to lead an expedition to the sunken ship.
• After Huang San’er’s wound was bandaged and preparations were complete, he returned to the deck with the others.

Jiang Ning followed Shi Xiaoyuan and the Green Snake Gang underwater as they searched for a sunken ship guarded by a White Dragon Fish. The group reached the wreck and spotted the fish, while Jiang Ning remained hidden behind them.

• Shi Xiaoyuan prepared the Green Snake Gang to dive, carrying fish bladders filled with fresh air for breathing underwater.
• Jiang Ning overheard the gang's plans and decided to follow them, ready to withdraw or take advantage of their encounter with the White Dragon Fish.
• Jiang Ning trailed the divers downriver, using his underwater breathing, vision, and hearing to remain undetected.
• Shi Xiaoyuan and the others followed Huang San'er into deeper water until they reached the sunken ship.
• Huang San'er spotted a white streak inside the wreck and signaled the others; Shi Xiaoyuan recognized it as the White Dragon Fish.

Shi Xiaoyuan and his men entered the sunken ship to capture the White Dragon Fish and claim its iron ore, but the fish slaughtered the Green Snake Gang fighters. Left alone against it, Shi Xiaoyuan began a monstrous transformation.

• Shi Xiaoyuan led his men into the sunken ship while Huang San'er stayed back, and Jiang Ning watched from outside the wreck.
• The White Dragon Fish attacked the intruders, broke their nets, and proved too fast and strong for their ninth-grade Martial Dao skills.
• The fish killed Shi Xiaoyuan's men one by one, leaving Shi Xiaoyuan alone in the cabin.
• Shi Xiaoyuan decided to fight the White Dragon Fish for its spirit-fish value, the iron ore, and a suspected nearby treasure.
• Shi Xiaoyuan's bones and muscles twisted as he grew taller than seven chi and transformed into a monstrous figure.

Shi Xiaoyuan transformed through a gift from the God-Worship Cult and nearly killed the White Dragon Fish before Jiang Ning struck him. Shi Xiaoyuan’s wound rapidly healed, and after revealing that he had gained his gift by sacrificing a soul born with innate spiritual wisdom, he charged at Jiang Ning.

• Shi Xiaoyuan transformed underwater, gaining immense strength and speed, and overpowered the White Dragon Fish.
• Shi Xiaoyuan seized the White Dragon Fish and battered it against the sunken ship as Jiang Ning waited for an opening.
• Jiang Ning ambushed Shi Xiaoyuan with a slash that cut deeply into his chest, but Shi Xiaoyuan’s wound began healing rapidly.
• Shi Xiaoyuan told Jiang Ning that the God-Worship Cult worshipped the God of Flesh and rewarded sacrifices, with souls born with innate spiritual wisdom being the most precious.
• Shi Xiaoyuan admitted he had received his gift by sacrificing such a soul and offered to leave, but Jiang Ning refused to let him go.
• Envious of Jiang Ning’s soul and consumed by greed for another divine gift, Shi Xiaoyuan charged at him while still gripping the White Dragon Fish.

Jiang Ning killed Shi Xiaoyuan, claimed the sunken ship’s iron ore and weapons, and discovered a strange pool of water he believed had transformed the White Dragon Fish. After swallowing a droplet from the pool, he saw his Swimming Experience rise rapidly before the effect faded.

• Jiang Ning cut through Shi Xiaoyuan’s arms and beheaded him before he could retrieve his heavy saber.
• Jiang Ning collected the White Dragon Fish and examined the sunken ship’s iron ore and Shi Xiaoyuan’s weapon, confirming the weapon was unusually sturdy.
• Huang San’er chose to keep waiting because the Green Snake Gang held his wife and daughter under its control.
• Jiang Ning searched the ship and its surroundings for a heavenly treasure, then found a small pool of unusual water in an underwater cave.
• Jiang Ning swallowed a droplet from the pool and watched his Swimming Experience increase rapidly before returning to its usual pace.

In the underwater cave, Jiang Ning absorbed the silver-flecked Water Within Water and broke through Water Proficiency twice, gaining the supernatural traits Water Manipulation Art and Water Spirit Affinity. He consumed the remaining treasure and reached the experience requirement for a fourth limit break, but lacked the Source Energy to activate it.

• Jiang Ning absorbed the peculiar water, filled his Water Proficiency experience, and spent twenty Source Energy to gain Water Manipulation Art.
• Jiang Ning tested his new ability by controlling the cave water and lifting a heavy rock, then felt physically and mentally tired.
• Jiang Ning absorbed more Water Within Water and spent fifty Source Energy to break through again, gaining Water Spirit Affinity and enhanced underwater senses, recovery, and healing.
• Jiang Ning tested his rapid recovery by cutting his arm with his spirit weapon and watched the wound heal in fewer than ten breaths.
• Jiang Ning refined all the remaining Water Within Water, bringing Water Proficiency to 4000/4000 for its fourth limit break while remaining short of the required Source Energy.

Jiang Ning discovered that a silver-flecked black stone was likely the source of the strange water he had refined, then used his water-controlling divine power to slaughter the Green Snake Gang aboard its tower ship. He left the sole surviving captive alive and sailed home with the gang’s spoils.

• Jiang Ning found a soot-black stone flashing with silver light in the underwater cavern and suspected it had produced the water within water.
• Huang San'er hid beneath the tower ship as screams and bodies revealed that someone was killing the Green Snake Gang above.
• Jiang Ning killed the gang members aboard the pleasure barge with water-controlling divine power, leaving Huang San'er as the lone survivor.
• Jiang Ning searched the barge, gathered its silver and banknotes, and used his divine power to carry the loaded skiff toward his residence.

Jiang Ning returned from the Luo River with valuable spoils and prepared for a possible confrontation when Liu Qingsong of Medicine King Valley came to question him about Tian Buyi's death. After denying that he had seen Tian Buyi, Jiang Ning watched Liu Qingsong leave and quietly followed him.

• Huang San'er treated his wounds aboard the tower ship, then headed for shore after finding the crew dead with blood streaming from their seven orifices.
• Jiang Ning brought back a spirit fish, silver, Shi Xiaoyuan's saber, and other spoils, and considered testing the dull black stone he had recovered.
• Liu Qingsong waited at Jiang Ning's residence and told his companions that he doubted Jiang Ning had killed Tian Buyi, though he had come to ask what Jiang Ning had seen on the deserted island.
• Jiang Ning learned that Liu Qingsong had arrived, hid his family away as a precaution, and met the elder in the front hall.
• Liu Qingsong questioned Jiang Ning about his visit to the deserted island and whether he had encountered Tian Buyi, but Jiang Ning denied seeing him.
• After Liu Qingsong departed, Jiang Ning picked up his saber and quietly followed him.

Jiang Ning overheard Liu Qingsong’s suspicions and ambushed Wang Jiu and Wu Sheng in the Luo River to draw Liu Qingsong into an underwater fight. After Liu Qingsong realized the blood-red serpent was a deception and attacked with his Flicking Finger Divine Art, Jiang Ning’s strongest blade strike met Liu’s iron beads.

• Liu Qingsong concluded that Jiang Ning had hidden his family and likely consumed a Leopard Womb Form-Transmutation Body-Tempering Pill, but chose to return at noon rather than confront him openly.
• Jiang Ning, who had secretly followed Liu Qingsong’s group, used the water to ambush Wang Jiu and Wu Sheng and dragged them into the Luo River’s depths.
• Jiang Ning used their blood and his Water-Control Divine Ability to make a false blood-red serpent, luring Liu Qingsong underwater while keeping the wounded men hidden.
• Liu Qingsong chased the serpent, believing it was a demon creature, and discovered Wang Jiu and Wu Sheng were dead when he caught their bodies.
• Jiang Ning revealed himself with a powerful blade strike, and Liu Qingsong countered with his Flicking Finger Divine Art, firing iron beads that clashed with the blade as he retreated.

Underwater, Jiang Ning fought Liu Qingsong, a Martial Dao seventh-rank expert, and survived his fierce sword arts by relying on his strength and Water Spirit Affinity. As Liu Qingsong’s attacks sharpened Jiang Ning’s combat instincts, the elder realized he was becoming Jiang Ning’s whetstone.

• Liu Qingsong drew his flexible sword after Jiang Ning survived his iron-bead attacks, and the two clashed underwater with their weapons.
• Jiang Ning and Liu Qingsong exchanged blows, and Liu Qingsong’s sword gained a nick while Jiang Ning judged that he was still no match for the veteran in a fair fight.
• Liu Qingsong unleashed his Torrential Rain Sword Art, and Jiang Ning blocked the entire assault without injury.
• Jiang Ning confirmed that he had killed Tian Buyi and possessed the Leopard Womb Form-Transmutation Body-Tempering Pill, while Liu Qingsong resolved to kill him before he could grow stronger.
• Liu Qingsong exploited Jiang Ning’s lack of combat experience with a flexible-sword feint, but Jiang Ning sensed the change through the water and evaded the killing strike.
• As Liu Qingsong pressed his attack, Jiang Ning adapted and began anticipating his sword moves, leaving Liu Qingsong shocked to find himself serving as Jiang Ning’s whetstone.

Jiang Ning used his Water Manipulation Art to kill Liu Qingsong underwater, then recovered and examined the spoils, discovering Medicine King Valley’s Furnace Alchemy Art. After testing it on two Strength-Boosting Pills, he sensed an unexpected change within his body.

• Liu Qingsong used the Blood-Burning Forbidden Art, but Jiang Ning trapped him in a water prison and drowned him after Liu broke free once.
• Jiang Ning tied Liu Qingsong and the two eighth-rank martial artists to stones and sank their bodies, then returned to his residence.
• Jiang Ning searched the spoils and found Strength-Boosting Pills and a parchment scroll containing Medicine King Valley’s Furnace Alchemy Art.
• Jiang Ning memorized and practiced the Furnace Alchemy Art, using it to refine two pills into medicinal liquid within his abdomen.
• Jiang Ning sensed something unexpected while looking inward at his body.

Jiang Ning refined pills to increase his strength and improve his innate bones, then visited Blue-Wave Martial Academy with White Dragon Fish for dinner. The fish strengthened everyone who ate it, and Wang Jin sensed that it might help him break through after years at the peak of the seventh rank.

• Jiang Ning used the Furnace-Refining Alchemy Secret Art to absorb Strength-Boosting Pills, gaining over ten jin of strength, then refined four layers of the Leopard Womb Form-Transmutation Body-Tempering Pill and gained nearly a hundred jin more.
• Jiang Ning checked his Source Energy and resolved to pursue Water Aptitude’s fourth limit break if his points exceeded a hundred by morning.
• Jiang Ning visited Blue-Wave Martial Academy, reassured Jiang Li and Wang Jin that his troubles were resolved, and brought White Dragon Fish meat to share.
• Wang Jin noticed Jiang Ning’s strengthened aura and reminded him that the Inspection Office’s establishment assessment conference would take place in three days; Jiang Ning promised not to disgrace his master.
• Jiang Ning tested the White Dragon Fish on himself and Little Doubao, cautioned the family to eat it sparingly, and shared the meal with Jiang Li, Wang Jin, and the others.
• After dinner, Wang Jin felt his body and innate limits changing and realized the White Dragon Fish had caused the change.

Jiang Ning trained underwater, used the Furnace-Refining Alchemy Secret Art to strengthen himself, and grew wary of the Medicine King Valley and Cao Rong. The next morning, he spent source energy to break through Swimming’s fourth limit and gained the Summon Clouds and Rain divine ability, which he decided to test.

• Jiang Ning stored White Dragon Fish meat for his family and himself, then ate several jin and practiced Five Animals Fist underwater at Chaotic Era Shoal.
• Jiang Ning refined three Strength-Boosting Pills and part of his Leopard Womb Form-Transmutation Body-Tempering Pill, bringing his strength close to three thousand jin.
• Jiang Ning worried that the Medicine King Valley might send a stronger expert after Liu Qingsong disappeared, and resolved to grow stronger.
• The next morning, Jiang Ning spent source energy to break through Swimming’s fourth limit and gained the Summon Clouds and Rain divine ability.
• Jiang Ning wondered how much the new ability would cost and how large an area it could affect, then decided to try it.

Jiang Ning tested his Cloud-Raising Rain-Bringing Divine Ability, confirming that he could summon a storm and use rain to strengthen his Water-Controlling Divine Ability. After discovering that a black stone in his wine granted Water Affinity experience, he trained and grew stronger, then brought Yang Kai to a sunken ship containing iron ore.

• Jiang Ning summoned clouds and torrential rain over Luo Water Lake, finding the ability required little mental energy and that rain enhanced his body and water-control powers.
• Jiang Ning tested water needles on a boulder and found they could pierce stone, then watched the storm quickly clear.
• Jiang Ning discovered silver starlight in his wine and gained Water Affinity experience from drinking it and eating White Dragon Fish meat.
• Jiang Ning trained his Inner Elixir Life-Nourishing Technique and consumed pills, raising his strength to three thousand jin as he neared a breakthrough to minor accomplishment.
• Jiang Ning offered Yang Kai iron ore, then led him underwater to a sunken ship, astonishing Yang Kai with his lung capacity and underwater vision.

Jiang Ning refined the Leopard Womb Form-Transmutation Body-Tempering Pill while waiting for Lin Qingyi, increasing his strength and proving his bronze skin could withstand a deformed dagger. Lin Qingyi gave him the item Shen Congyun had left: a Golden Body Pill and a Vajra Token.

• Jiang Ning entrusted the sunken iron ore to Yang Kai, who promised to pay him after the ore was counted.
• Jiang Ning went to Myriad Splendor Tower and refined the pill in his body while waiting for Lin Qingyi to wake.
• Lin Qingyi recognized Jiang Ning's Furnace-Refining Alchemy Secret Art, and Jiang Ning's strength rose to about three thousand one hundred jin.
• Jiang Ning twisted a bronze dagger apart in his palm without injuring himself, confirming his skin had reached great completion of the ninth rank.
• Lin Qingyi opened Shen Congyun's wooden box and revealed a Golden Body Pill and a gold Vajra Token.

Jiang Ning decided not to join Vajra Temple, but learned the Vajra Token could secure a request from the temple and took the Vajra Pill Lin Qingyi gave him. He sold two weapons at Myriad Splendor Tower, where Lin Jia'er arrived with the payment, and Lin Qingyi rebuked her for overstepping.

• Lin Qingyi explained that the Vajra Token could make Jiang Ning a true disciple of Vajra Temple, but Jiang Ning chose to remain with the Inspection Office rather than risk joining the strict sect.
• Lin Qingyi told Jiang Ning he could use the token to request a favor or borrow the Indestructible Vajra Body, then gave him the Vajra Pill to help him reach the eighth rank.
• Jiang Ning asked Lin Qingyi to buy the flexible sword and heavy saber he had brought, and she offered him a total of five thousand five hundred taels after accounting for their damage.
• Lin Qingyi used Inner Breath to summon Xiao Lü and request the payment, but Lin Jia'er arrived with the banknotes and handed them to her aunt.
• Lin Qingyi passed the money to Jiang Ning, then told Lin Jia'er that she had overstepped.

At Myriad Splendor Tower, Jiang Ning secured intelligence about the Inspection Office and set his sights on winning its Deputy Commander position and a Subordinate Eighth-Rank post. He returned home to cultivate, and two days of intensive training greatly increased his strength and Source Energy as he prepared to compete.

• Lin Qingyi punished Lin Jia'er and Xiao Lü for breaking the tower's rules, then shortened Xiao Lü's punishment after Jiang Ning pleaded for her.
• Lin Qingyi gave Jiang Ning intelligence about the Inspection Office and told him that reaching Eighth Rank would make him eligible for the squad captain assessment.
• Jiang Ning decided to pursue the Deputy Commander position, hoping its official rank and protection would help him advance and shield him from Medicine King Valley.
• Jiang Ning returned home and spent two days training, refining pills, eating White Dragon Fish, and staying immersed in water.
• Jiang Ning's Source Energy rose to 143.7, his strength reached 3,700 jin, and his Indestructible Vajra Body improved as he continued refining the Leopard Womb Form-Transmutation Body-Tempering Pill.

Jiang Ning met Liu Wanwan’s younger brother, Liu Sansheng, who came with an offer to help the family and urged Liu Wanwan to return to her maiden home. Jiang Ning judged that Liu Sansheng’s plans would chiefly benefit Liu Wanwan and the children while leaving Jiang Li to suffer, and resolved to protect his family and heal Jiang Li’s arm himself.

• Jiang Ning brought Little Doubao to the front hall and learned that Liu Sansheng had come to visit Liu Wanwan.
• Liu Sansheng learned that Jiang Li’s right arm was crippled and offered Jiang Ning a place at the Inspection Office if he won a captain’s position in the assessment the next day.
• Liu Sansheng urged Liu Wanwan to bring Jiang Li and the children back to the Liu Family, promising family resources, protection for the children, and a possible cure for Jiang Li’s arm.
• Jiang Ning suspected Liu Sansheng was pressing the family’s vulnerabilities to persuade Liu Wanwan to return, and decided he would provide for the children and seek a cure for Jiang Li himself.
• Liu Sansheng agreed to stay for a meal, and Jiang Ning left to prepare White Dragon Fish slices after taking offense at his remarks about Liu Wanwan’s life with Jiang Li.

Jiang Ning hosted Liu Sansheng and his family, served valuable spirit-fish meat, and gave Jiang Yiming money for martial training. Yang Kai delivered 11,700 taels from the iron ore sale, while Liu Sansheng left still hoping to persuade his sister and nephew to return to the Liu Family.

• Jiang Ning served White Dragon Fish slices, and Liu Sansheng recognized their exceptional value after tasting the meat from a fish weighing over a hundred pounds.
• Liu Wanwan insisted that whether she and Jiang Yiming returned to the Liu Family was her decision, and Jiang Yiming declared that he wanted to stay in Luoshui County.
• Yang Kai arrived with 11,700 taels for Jiang Ning, and Liu Sansheng was surprised by Yang Kai's deferential attitude toward him.
• Jiang Ning gave Liu Wanwan three gold leaves and seven banknotes to help fund Jiang Yiming's martial training, and Liu Wanwan accepted after Jiang Ning insisted.
• Liu Sansheng praised Jiang Ning but again urged him to send Jiang Yiming to the Liu Family; Jiang Ning gave no answer as Liu Sansheng departed.

Jiang Ning brought White Dragon Fish meat to Wang Jin, who learned how powerful the near-demonic fish had been and asked whether Jiang Ning would contest for an Inspection Office captain position. Jiang Ning agreed, and Wang Jin led him and the other disciples to the assessment.

• Jiang Ning swallowed a Leopard Womb Form-Transmutation Body-Tempering Pill, reached three thousand nine hundred catties of strength, and carried ten catties of White Dragon Fish meat to the martial academy for Wang Jin.
• Wang Jin accepted the fish meat and explained that a hundred-catties White Dragon Fish was likely close to becoming a demon and that its meat could aid his own cultivation.
• Wang Jin asked whether Jiang Ning would contend for the captain position, and Jiang Ning confirmed that he intended to try.
• Cheng Ran and Li Qing arrived to support Jiang Ning, followed by Zhao Hu, Zhou Xing, and Zhang Tiesheng.
• Wang Jin led Jiang Ning and the other disciples out of the martial hall to attend the Inspection Office assessment.