Chapter Summaries

Mutant beasts charged out of Scarlet Cloud Mountain toward Gao Manor’s Medicine Fields, and Lu Chen and Cao Zhen fought to stop them. After the pair brought down several beasts, an Azure-Horned Savage Bull emerged from the forest as a Meridian-Opening-Rank threat.

• Lu Chen and Cao Zhen heard the alarm gong as Ironback Mountain Boars and Grayhide Badger Beasts charged toward the Medicine Fields.
• Cao Zhen fought an Ironback Mountain Boar while Lu Chen raced along the field’s edge and stopped the Grayhide Badger Beasts from reaching the herbs.
• Lu Chen used Demon-Subduing Force to strike down a second Ironback Mountain Boar and told Cao Zhen that its neck was its weak point.
• A roar from the forest made the remaining beasts retreat, and an Azure-Horned Savage Bull emerged, identified by Gao Manor’s guards as a Meridian-Opening-Rank Beast.

Lu Chen lured an Azure-Horned Savage Bull away from Gao Manor’s Medicine Fields and killed it with his One-Punch Demon Suppression technique. He returned to the manor claiming he had only escaped the beast, while Cao Zhen worried that its appearance during the autumn harvest was no coincidence.

• The Azure-Horned Savage Bull charged the Medicine Fields, so Lu Chen drew it into the mountain forest to protect the guards and crops.
• At Rubble Slope, Lu Chen tested his strength against the bull and killed it by uniting Flying Dragon Force, Azure Dragon Force, and Thunderclap Force.
• Cao Zhen and the manor’s martial artists killed an Ironback Mountain Boar and drove off the Grayhide Badger Beasts while Lu Chen was away.
• Lu Chen returned with mud on his clothes and blood at his mouth, telling Cao Zhen and the steward that he had escaped the bull by luring it deeper into the mountains.
• Cao Zhen accepted Lu Chen’s explanation but remained troubled by a Meridian-Opening-Rank Beast appearing as the autumn harvest began.

Plot points

• Lu Chen returns to Gao Manor with the carcass of the Azure-Horned Savage Bull, a Sinew-Piercing Realm beast he killed. He asks Gao Jian to trade it for as many Metal Essence Pills as possible and insists that his achievement remain secret.
• During the autumn harvest, Lu Chen continues protecting Gao Manor’s medicinal fields, killing another Sinew-Piercing Realm beast while a third escapes. Gao Jian rewards him with a bath of Metal Essence Jade Elixir, a costly formula that improves skin-tempering more effectively than taking pills alone.
• Lu Chen uses the elixir while training the Gold-Thread Jade Vestment Technique. By harvest’s end, it has reached Advanced progress of 1522/2000, leaving him about a quarter of the way to perfection.
• At Ma Manor, Ma Xiaolin and his son Changkui discuss the family’s losses to beasts and wonder how Gao Manor managed to repel Sinew-Piercing Realm threats. They suspect county officials Xu Jinheng and Zhu Hanjiang may have helped Gao Manor.
• Ma Xiaolin reveals that the Ma family’s main branch plans to seize power in Gaolin County, with the Blood God Sect’s help to create disorder and distract the County Government Office. Ma Changkui is ordered to use the harvest herbs and Tendon-Strengthening Pills to break through to the Sinew-Piercing Realm.
• Ma Changkui embraces the plan, aspiring to become County Commandant after the Ma family takes control.

Character developments and interactions

• Lu Chen demonstrates formidable strength and discretion, while focusing on cultivation. His growing power makes him valuable to Gao Manor and strengthens their mutual trust.
• Gao Jian moves from astonishment at Lu Chen’s feat to gratitude and practical support, offering a rare medicinal treatment in return for his protection.
• Ma Changkui is shaken by his inability to face a Sinew-Piercing Realm beast, but turns that humiliation into ambition. His father encourages him and assigns him the breakthrough needed for the family’s plans.
• Ma Xiaolin reveals himself as a calculating political schemer, treating the Blood God Sect as a weapon for destabilization rather than as an ally to trust.
• The contrast between Lu Chen’s cooperative relationship with Gao Manor and the Ma family’s conspiracy highlights two very different responses to the county’s unrest.

Significant themes

• Strength and cultivation: The gulf between skin tempering and the Sinew-Piercing Realm is made clear, driving both Lu Chen’s training and Ma Changkui’s ambition.
• Reciprocity and alliance: Lu Chen protects Gao Manor, and Gao Jian repays him with resources that help him grow stronger.
• Power and political opportunism: The Ma family intends to exploit chaos, use the Blood God Sect, and remove both Gao Manor and county officials to gain control.
• Secrecy and strategy: Lu Chen hides his strength to avoid attention, while the Ma family conceals a much larger political plot.

At Gaolin County’s Autumn Harvest Festival, Lu Chen met Ge Ye while concealing that he was the Jade-Faced Flying Dragon. Later, he reached major mastery in the One-Qi Soul-Severing Blade and began channeling Azure Dragon Force through his saber.

• Lu Chen attended Ma Manor’s Autumn Harvest Festival in disguise and ran into Ge Ye at the herb fair.
• Ge Ye recognized Lu Chen and told him about the bounty on the Jade-Faced Flying Dragon, unaware that Lu Chen was the person behind the name.
• Lu Chen practiced the One-Qi Soul-Severing Blade in his courtyard and advanced to major mastery.
• Lu Chen realized that force could flow through a saber as part of the blade technique’s unbroken qi.
• Lu Chen experimented with Azure Dragon Force and successfully channeled a wisp of it through his saber, giving his slash heavier power.

After the Autumn Harvest Festival, Gao Jian thanked Lu Chen for protecting Gao Manor’s Medicine Fields with a gift of pills and elixir, then warned that Gaolin County seemed headed for trouble. Lu Chen accepted the gift and used its medicinal power to advance his Gold-Thread Jade Vestment Technique.

• Gao Jian counted Gao Manor’s harvest profits and decided to give Lu Chen fifty Metal Essence Pills and a bottle of Metal Essence Jade Elixir.
• Gao Jian personally delivered the gifts to Lu Chen and explained that he owed him thanks for defending the Medicine Fields.
• Gao Jian warned Lu Chen that martial-world wanderers and underworld figures remained in Gaolin County, and that something major might be approaching.
• Lu Chen prepared a medicinal bath, combined the Metal Essence Jade Elixir with a Metal Essence Pill, and began tempering his skin.
• Lu Chen circulated the Gold-Thread Jade Vestment Technique as golden medicinal power strengthened the vestment beneath his skin.

Ma Changkui and the Ma Family launched a coordinated coup in Gaolin County, and Ma Changkui killed County Commandant Xu Jinheng after a fierce fight. Ma Changkui stood over Xu Jinheng’s corpse, exhilarated at claiming power.

• Ma Changkui arrived at the County Government Office with gifts and claimed he had broken through to the Meridian-Opening Realm.
• He Chenzhou and another servant attacked Xu Jinheng while Ma Changkui revealed that they had come to seize power.
• The Ma Family’s allies set fires and attacked the storehouse and jail, keeping the County Government Office’s guards occupied.
• Xu Jinheng fought Ma Changkui and the He Family attackers but was wounded and overwhelmed by their combined assault.
• Ma Changkui snapped Xu Jinheng’s neck and stood over his corpse, celebrating his rise to power.

Zhu Hanjiang fought Bloodhand Daoist outside the burning County Government Office, but Ma Changkui emerged with He Chenzhou and revealed that Xu Jinheng was likely lost. Surrounded by three Meridian-Opening Realm enemies, Zhu Hanjiang prepared to fight to the death.

• Zhu Hanjiang arrived at the County Government Office and clashed with Bloodhand Daoist, who had returned to destroy the Gaolin County Yamen.
• Zhu Hanjiang used his Ice River Frost-Snow Saber to suppress Bloodhand Daoist's blood baleful force, while both fighters suffered wounds.
• Ma Changkui emerged from the burning office with He Chenzhou, an expert of the He Family, and displayed the strength of the Sinew-Piercing Realm.
• Ma Changkui told Zhu Hanjiang that Xu Jinheng had taken a rest, leading Zhu Hanjiang to suspect the County Commandant was dead.
• Bloodhand Daoist, Ma Changkui, and He Chenzhou surrounded Zhu Hanjiang, who raised his saber and challenged them to attack together.

Zhu Hanjiang refused Ma Changkui, He Chenzhou, and Bloodhand Daoist’s offer to surrender and was badly wounded fighting all three. Lu Chen arrived at the County Government Office and killed Bloodhand Daoist with two punches, leaving Ma Changkui and He Chenzhou stunned by his strength.

• He Chenzhou and Ma Changkui offered Zhu Hanjiang a chance to join them, but Zhu denounced their crimes and refused to yield.
• He Chenzhou, Bloodhand Daoist, and Ma Changkui attacked Zhu together, wounding him and pushing him to the brink of defeat.
• As Ma Changkui brought his saber down on Zhu, Lu Chen arrived and knocked Ma’s attack aside with a punch.
• Lu Chen confronted Bloodhand Daoist, shattered his arm with one punch, and killed him with a second.
• Ma Changkui and He Chenzhou stared in shock at Lu Chen’s strength despite his Skin-Tempering Realm cultivation.

Lu Chen killed He Chenzhou and faced Ma Changkui after defeating the Bloodhand Daoist. He killed Ma Changkui as dawn broke, ending their attempt to seize control of Gaolin County.

• Lu Chen confronted Ma Changkui and He Chenzhou after killing the Bloodhand Daoist.
• Lu Chen overwhelmed He Chenzhou with a punch and a stomp, then crushed his heart beneath his foot.
• Ma Changkui froze in fear as Lu Chen challenged him to fight.
• Ma Changkui charged Lu Chen with all his strength, and Lu Chen struck him down with a single punch.
• Ma Changkui died as dawn broke.

After quelling the Gaolin County rebellion, Lu Chen traveled to Bend River City to begin training at the Dragon-Tiger Camp. He chose the Heavenly Silkworm Tendon-Transmutation Art to strengthen his sinews and meridians, and learned he had one year to reach the Sinew-Piercing Realm or lose his promotion eligibility.

• Zhu Hanjiang praised Lu Chen for killing Bloodhand Daoist, He Chenzhou, and Ma Changkui and ending the rebellion in Gaolin County.
• Gao Jian gave Lu Chen cultivation resources, which Lu Chen exchanged for a hundred-tael gold note, and Zhu Hanjiang recommended him for the Qu River Dragon-Tiger Camp.
• Lu Chen traveled down the Qu River to Bend River City, where observers discussed Meng Tingxue, He Jinnian, and the failed He Family operation in Gaolin County.
• Qi Lianshan welcomed Lu Chen to the Dragon-Tiger Camp and allowed him to choose a Sinew-Piercing cultivation method for his service.
• Lu Chen selected the Heavenly Silkworm Tendon-Transmutation Art to strengthen his meridians, and Qi Lianshan warned that he had one year to reach the Sinew-Piercing Realm or lose his promotion eligibility.

Lu Chen began cultivating the Heavenly Silkworm Tendon-Transmutation Art and learned from Li Ang and Liu Zijin about Bend River City's recruiting forces and the upcoming Dragon-Tiger Vanguard Selection. He decided to compete for a chance to become a Divine General Seed and gain a legacy of Great Zhou's Four Great Divine Generals.

• After cultivating all night, Lu Chen saw that his Heavenly Silkworm Tendon-Transmutation Art progress had reached three points and estimated he could enter the Sinew-Piercing Realm within about a month.
• Lu Chen met Li Ang and Liu Zijin, introduced himself, and showed his Golden Skin Method while claiming it was a Jade Skin Method to avoid attracting attention.
• Liu Zijin explained that Bend River City's clans and other forces recruited promising Dragon-Tiger Guard members, especially those who reached the Sinew-Piercing Realm through superior skin-tempering methods.
• Li Ang and Liu Zijin told Lu Chen that the Dragon-Tiger Vanguard Selection would choose Divine General Seeds from Dragon-Tiger Guards across the Qu River region, granting them training and access to ancient martial legacies.
• Lu Chen learned that contestants had to be Great Zhou Martial Guards under twenty, realized he qualified, and resolved to compete for the opportunity.

Lu Chen trained the Ninefold Returning-Heaven Blade and added a ranged attack to his growing martial repertoire. After dining with Li Ang and Liu Zijin, he resolved to break through to the Meridian-Opening Realm and test himself against Qu River’s young experts.

• Lu Chen selected Coldwater Force and the Ninefold Returning-Heaven Blade from the Dragon-Tiger Camp armory to improve his control and ranged combat.
• After seven days of practice, Lu Chen reached the beginner stage of the Ninefold Returning-Heaven Blade and learned to guide a throwing knife through one turn.
• Lu Chen left the Dragon-Tiger Camp with Li Ang and Liu Zijin, and the three ate at the Fragrant Gathering House in Bend River City.
• Liu Zijin discussed Meng Tingxue’s rise in the Qu River Dragons and Tigers Rankings and explained how difficult it would be for her to reach the top ten.
• Lu Chen focused on breaking through to the Meridian-Opening Realm and expressed confidence that he would eventually challenge Qu River’s young experts.

Lu Chen completed the first transformation of the Heavenly Silkworm Tendon-Transmutation Art, reached the Sinew-Piercing Realm, and received orders to serve at the Qu River Water Transport Office. After Liu Zijin and Li Ang warned him about the office’s tangled factions, treacherous waterways, and water demons, Lu Chen prepared himself for the dangers ahead.

• Lu Chen completed the first strengthening of his meridians, improved his control over his three forces, and broke through to the Sinew-Piercing Realm.
• Lu Chen received his Dragon-Tiger Guard waist token and orders assigning him to the Qu River Water Transport Office.
• Liu Zijin and Li Ang celebrated Lu Chen’s success with him at the Fragrant Gathering House.
• Liu Zijin warned Lu Chen that water gangs, powerful families, martial-world factions, and hidden interests made the Water Transport Office a dangerous posting.
• Liu Zijin advised Lu Chen to learn underwater fighting, while Li Ang cautioned him about water demons raised by some gangs.
• Lu Chen thanked them and resolved to prepare for the dangers awaiting him at the Water Transport Office.

Lu Chen joined the Qu River Water Transport Office, chose the Black Carp Bone-Transforming Art, and found that his cultivation had slowed without medicinal resources. While learning the office’s affairs, he discovered that the powerful Canglang Water Manor was operating like a rival authority on the river.

• Fang Xingzhou and Jiang Wangyue welcomed Lu Chen and agreed to provide him with underwater martial arts manuals.
• Lu Chen selected the Black Carp Bone-Transforming Art and began studying it alongside his other cultivation arts.
• Lu Chen saw that his arts had progressed but recognized that he needed more resources to accelerate his cultivation.
• Lu Chen familiarized himself with Water Transport Office records and learned that the Canglang Water Manor controlled an island, collected tolls, and demanded tribute from other river gangs.

Lu Chen, Song Renli, and Li Tai investigated the Muddy Water Gang over reports of river demons, but their inspection found nothing. That night, they secretly watched Zhou Cang meet the Blackwater Flood Dragon and bring it a jade bottle.

• Jiang Wangyue assigned Lu Chen the post of River Patrol Commandant, and he joined Song Renli and Li Tai on a patrol to the Muddy Water Gang.
• Zhou Cang welcomed the commandants with gifts and denied that his gang was involved in harming people or harboring water demons.
• Song Renli, Li Tai, and Lu Chen inspected the gang's premises, found nothing unusual, and left after lunch.
• Zhou Cang complained that the Water Transport Office exploited his gang and vowed to make its officials kneel before him and feed them to the river demon.
• Song Renli, Li Tai, and Lu Chen returned secretly that night and saw Zhou Cang approach the river with a jade bottle.
• The Blackwater Flood Dragon rose from the river, and Zhou Cang greeted it as Old Black.

Zhou Cang fed the Blackwater Flood Dragon a Blood Spirit Pill and learned of a Great Demon's cave dwelling hidden beneath the river. Nearby, Lu Chen, Song Renli, and Li Tai prepared to target the flood dragon for its valuable remains, leaving Lu Chen to hold Zhou Cang off.

• Zhou Cang gave the hungry Blackwater Flood Dragon a Blood Spirit Pill and warned it to eat fewer people because the Water Transport Office was watching.
• The Blackwater Flood Dragon told Zhou Cang about a deep underwater cave dwelling filled with powerful demonic energy and suggested they use others to scout it.
• Zhou Cang agreed that revealing the cave dwelling or sending his men inside could help them seize its treasures.
• Lu Chen, Song Renli, and Li Tai watched Zhou Cang and the flood dragon from behind a boulder, and Lu Chen said he could try to face Zhou Cang.
• Song Renli and Li Tai planned to fight the flood dragon while Lu Chen held Zhou Cang off, explaining that they wanted the demon's valuable resources.

Lu Chen ambushed Zhou Cang while Song Renli and Li Tai fought the Blackwater Flood Dragon, defeating the gang leader with overwhelming strength. After the dragon was subdued, Li Tai questioned the wounded pair about their secret plans, and Zhou Cang tried to bargain for his life.

• Lu Chen confronted Zhou Cang by the river and exposed his secret meeting with the Blackwater Flood Dragon.
• Zhou Cang attacked Lu Chen, but Lu Chen overpowered him and pinned him beneath his foot.
• Song Renli and Li Tai fought the Blackwater Flood Dragon in the river, and Song Renli returned to the battle after seeing Lu Chen had already defeated Zhou Cang.
• Song Renli and Li Tai subdued the Blackwater Flood Dragon and dragged him onto the bank, badly wounded.
• Li Tai demanded to know what Zhou Cang and the dragon had discussed, and Zhou Cang offered to trade the information for his life.

Lu Chen and the Water Transport Office learned that Zhou Cang and the Blackwater Flood Dragon knew of a Great Demon's underwater cave abode, then returned to the office with their captives and loot. Lu Chen used Tendon-Strengthening Pills to advance his cultivation and perfected the One-Qi Soul-Severing Blade, gaining its soul-severing pressure.

• Li Tai threatened Zhou Cang, who confessed that the Blackwater Flood Dragon had found a Great Demon's cave abode underwater.
• The Blackwater Flood Dragon confirmed the discovery but admitted he had not dared enter, and Song Renli decided to leave the cave's investigation to Lord Jiang and Lord Fang.
• Li Tai and Song Renli took Zhou Cang and the Blackwater Flood Dragon to the Water Transport Office and searched Zhou Cang's treasury.
• Lu Chen assessed the gold notes, five Tendon-Strengthening Pills, and other valuables, then swallowed a pill and cultivated the Heavenly Silkworm Tendon-Transmutation Art.
• Lu Chen exchanged his gold notes for more Tendon-Strengthening Pills and devoted his spare time to cultivation at the Water Transport Office.
• Lu Chen perfected the One-Qi Soul-Severing Blade and gained soul-severing pressure, which could unsettle opponents and disrupt their movements.

News that the Great Demon's abode was actually an Underwater Dragon Palace spread through Bend River City, drawing martial factions and eager fighters toward the Qu River. Lu Chen, Song Renli, and Li Tai decided to stay clear of the scramble.

• The Water Transport Office publicized the Blackwater Flood Dragon’s discovery, and Lu Chen spent a month cultivating until he reached minor mastery in the Heavenly Silkworm Tendon-Transmutation Art and perfected the Black Carp Bone-Transforming Art and Coldwater Force.
• Song Renli told Lu Chen that the Dragon-Tiger Vanguard Selection would likely begin near the end of the year or the start of spring, and Li Tai said Lu Chen could contend for a top-three place.
• A young man announced at the restaurant that investigators had identified the Great Demon's abode as an underwater palace decorated with flood-dragon carvings, possibly connected to the Dragon Race.
• Martial artists rushed toward the Qu River to pursue the rumored treasures, while Song Renli, Li Tai, and Lu Chen recognized the danger and chose not to join them.

Martial artists and powerful factions gathered at Muddy Bay after the Underwater Dragon Palace emerged, each hoping to seize its opportunities. As the major ships arrived, Tang Yuqi spotted Lu Chen and remembered his rejection of her invitation.

• Lu Chen, Li Tai, and Song Renli arrived at Muddy Bay and discussed the Dragon Palace's dangers and the powerful experts it might attract.
• The Southern Sky Saber Hall's ship approached, prompting Song Renli and Li Tai to speculate about Yan Songhe and the city lord.
• Meng Tingxue arrived aboard the Pinewind Martial Hall's ship, drawing attention as a celebrated sword prodigy.
• The He, Tie, and Tang Families arrived; He Jinnian, Tie Shaoxiong, and Tang Yuqi were recognized as rising martial artists.
• Tang Yuqi noticed Lu Chen aboard the Water Transport Office's patrol boat, and Qi Mengdie reminded her that he had rejected her invitation.