Recaps

After the Blackbird Merchant Association warned Li Xuancang that the Black Wolf Tribe was mobilizing to attack Sweet Spring Commandery, he verified the report and led an army beyond the city to confront them. The chapter ends as Li Xuancang’s forces charge toward more than ten thousand Black Wolf Tribe cavalry, while onlookers expect his defeat.

• Dong Linghui reported that the Black Wolf Tribe was preparing to attack Sweet Spring Commandery, and Li Xuancang rewarded the Blackbird Merchant Association with passage and tax privileges.
• Li Xuancang sent Ouyang De to investigate, and Ouyang De confirmed that the Black Wolf Tribe was mobilizing its troops.
• Li Xuancang ordered the First and Third Battalions to remain behind and led the rest of his army out of the city to meet the enemy.
• The army marched for five days to Mystic Spirit Relay Station as local factions and the Cool Prefecture Army criticized Li Xuancang’s decision to fight beyond the city walls.
• More than ten thousand Black Wolf Tribe cavalry advanced toward the pass, and Li Xuancang led his army to charge at them.

Li Xuancang faced the Black Wolf Tribe’s invasion alone and devastated its cavalry, turning the Great Yan soldiers’ fear into resolve. As Ouyang De and Ouyang Meng led Blacksteel Camp to cut off the enemy’s retreat, Li Xuancang confronted the tribe’s experts and seized two of them by the neck.

• The Black Wolf Tribe charged across the border wasteland while many Great Yan soldiers feared they would be defeated.
• Li Xuancang stepped out alone, killed and scattered thousands of cavalrymen with his punches, and split the ground with a stomp.
• Inspired by Li Xuancang’s strength, Ouyang De led Blacksteel Camp in a counterattack, and Li Xuancang leaped into the enemy army to unleash another devastating strike.
• Five Astral Qi Realm experts and the Black Wolf Tribe’s totem attacked Li Xuancang, while Ouyang De and Ouyang Meng followed his orders and led Blacksteel Camp to block the enemy’s retreat.
• Li Xuancang killed two of the attackers and grabbed an Early Astral Qi Realm expert and a Mid Astral Qi Realm expert by their necks.

Li Xuancang killed Black Wolf and pursued the Black Wolf Tribe’s chieftain while Ouyang De, Ouyang Meng, and their troops routed the grassland army. He returned at sunset carrying the chieftain’s corpse, and the exhausted victors revered him.

• Li Xuancang killed the two remaining Astral Qi Realm experts, then chased Black Wolf after the chieftain and wolf split up to flee.
• Li Xuancang let Black Wolf bite and claw him, tested his tough body, and snapped the wolf’s neck before striking its spine to finish it off.
• Li Xuancang pursued the Black Wolf Tribe’s chieftain as Ouyang Meng’s brothers led the army in encircling and defeating the grasslanders.
• A young boy kept fighting and muttering about marquisate and command while qi and blood from his victims entered his body.
• The last Black Wolf Tribe fighter fell, and the army treated its wounded as the battle ended.
• Li Xuancang returned at sunset carrying the Black Wolf Tribe chieftain’s corpse, and the survivors greeted him with reverence.

Li Xuancang returned to Sweet Spring Commandery in triumph after annihilating the invading Black Wolf Tribe, earning the people’s cheers and alarming Shen Chongyuan. After resting, Li Xuancang drafted a memorial to report the victory and request rewards from the Imperial Court.

• Li Xuancang’s army counted its dead, burned the fallen soldiers’ bodies, and returned toward Sweet Spring Commandery City.
• News of the victory spread through Cool Prefecture, where commoners celebrated and those who knew the battle’s true details marveled at Li Xuancang’s strength.
• Shen Chongyuan realized Li Xuancang threatened his position and resolved to eliminate him, while his confidants discussed how to claim a share of the victory’s merit.
• Crowds welcomed Li Xuancang and his army into Sweet Spring Commandery, and Kong Ronghua and the officials greeted him at the city gates.
• Li Xuancang ordered the exhausted soldiers to wash, eat, and rest before rewards were distributed the next day.
• After returning home and spending time with his family, Li Xuancang drafted a memorial truthfully reporting the battle’s gains and requesting rewards from the Imperial Court.

Li Xuancang rewarded the army for its deeds in the border battle and promised support for the families of the dead and injured. Su Xinghai returned home with rewards for his mother and little sister, leaving them relieved and grateful.

• Li Xuancang awarded soldiers for their combat merits, giving Zhao Hu three Mirror-Breaking Pills and Zhou Meng a Mirror-Breaking Pill and a spear.
• Li Xuancang announced compensation for fallen soldiers and support and work for wounded or disabled soldiers.
• Li Xuancang gave wolf meat to officers ranked Battalion Commander and above, and the satisfied soldiers left the ceremony.
• Su Xinghai returned to his mother and little sister with meat, fine rice, fifty taels of silver, and cloth he had received as rewards.
• Mother Su urged Su Xinghai to hide the silver and hurried him inside, worried that others might discover their new wealth.

Su Xinghai told his mother that their family would move near the Commander's Manor, where soldiers' families could live safely, while Li Xuancang arranged support for fallen soldiers' families and prepared a new cavalry camp. Li Xuancang displayed thousands of Grassland Barbarian heads as Victory Mounds, leaving the city impressed and the Cool Prefecture Army fearing retaliation.

• Su Xinghai promised Su Xiaomei that he would fight bravely so she could eat meat and rice every day, then told Mother Su they would move near the Commander's Manor in three days.
• Mother Su urged Su Xinghai to repay Li Xuancang's kindness, and Su Xinghai pledged to kill more enemies for him.
• Li Xuancang ordered Wang Xiaoniu to deliver compensation to fallen soldiers' families and settle them in the city, then ordered the Grassland Barbarian heads displayed at the execution ground.
• Li Xuancang learned from Yang Tiangang that the army had 8,600 warhorses and ordered two thousand men recruited to establish the Tiger Guard Camp.
• Nangong Zhan arranged more than seven thousand Grassland Barbarian heads into three Victory Mounds, drawing a large crowd that saw proof of the army's victory.
• The common people celebrated the display, while worried onlookers and the Cool Prefecture Army feared that the Grassland People would retaliate against Li Xuancang.

After Zhang Dashan died in battle, Li Xuancang’s soldiers protected his family, delivered compensation, and arranged for them to live near the Governor’s residence. Li Xuancang expanded his forces and, buoyed by news of his victory spreading through Great Yan, prepared to accelerate his plans.

• The Five-Man Leader warned Great Stone Village that the Zhang Family was under Imperial Court protection and would be moved to the commandery city in seven days.
• Zhang Shi told the villagers that the government would arrange work and free lodging for her family, prompting the villagers to offer help with Zhang Dashan’s funeral.
• Wang Xiaoniu oversaw the return of fallen soldiers’ remains and the delivery of compensation as the news spread throughout Sweet Spring Commandery.
• Half a month later, the soldiers’ families moved into Li Xuancang’s residences, recruitment of two thousand cavalrymen was completed, and Li Xuancang’s forces exceeded ten thousand troops.
• The Imperial Court publicized Li Xuancang’s victory, and news spread across Great Yan, where many commoners celebrated while others remained preoccupied with survival.

Li Xuancang’s victory in Sweet Spring Commandery stirred regret among the Liu Family and alarm among the grassland tribes, while he planned to expose Shen Chongyuan and the Cool Prefecture Army. He accepted Shen Chongyuan’s invitation to a banquet, and the chapter ended as the estate’s gates closed behind him.

• Liu Wenyuan and the Liu elders regretted opposing Liu Qingyuan’s plan to marry his daughter to Li Xuancang, while Du Tianfeng celebrated Li’s success.
• Pei Hongwen reflected on Li Xuancang’s rise and vowed to make the Peace Prefecture Marquis Estate pay for the Pei Family’s decline.
• Grassland tribes blamed Shen Chongyuan for the Black Wolf Tribe’s destruction and called for an invasion of Sweet Spring Commandery.
• Li Xuancang planned to gather evidence against Shen Chongyuan and the Cool Prefecture Army, then received an invitation to Shen Chongyuan’s daughter’s coming-of-age banquet.
• Li Xuancang arrived at the Guard Commander’s Estate, exchanged wary remarks with Shen Chongyuan, and entered as the estate gates closed behind him.

Li Xuancang rejected Shen Chongyuan’s demand to share Sweet Spring Camp’s victory rewards, then learned that the grasslands had sent tens of thousands of cavalry toward Sweet Spring Commandery. He returned from confronting Shen Chongyuan, confident he could defeat him, and prepared to face the approaching invasion.

• At Shen Chongyuan’s banquet, a guard killed an attendant who had failed to persuade Li Xuancang to drink, and Li Xuancang mocked Shen Chongyuan’s cruel hospitality.
• Shen Chongyuan demanded a share of Sweet Spring Camp’s spoils, but Li Xuancang refused, claiming the victory belonged to the soldiers who had won it.
• Li Xuancang left the banquet after trading threats with Shen Chongyuan, who told his followers that Li Xuancang had reached the Profound Connection Realm and ordered them not to act rashly.
• After returning to Sweet Spring Commandery City, Li Xuancang learned from Nangong Zhan that tens of thousands of grassland cavalry were about to invade.

Li Xuancang led Sweet Spring Commandery’s forces against a massive prairie invasion and revealed that he had reached the Profound Connection Realm. After routing the enemy, he returned to the city in triumph.

• Li Xuancang marched out with Sweet Spring Camp, the Tiger Braves Army, and Blacksteel Camp to meet the united prairie tribes at the border.
• More than twenty Astral Qi Realm warriors and three great demons attacked Li Xuancang, but he emerged unharmed.
• Li Xuancang killed five Astral Qi Realm experts with a single move and revealed his Profound Connection Realm strength by flying through the air.
• The prairie army fled as Li Xuancang pursued and killed enemy warriors, while Ouyang De and the Tiger Braves Army attacked the retreating cavalry.
• Li Xuancang ended the pursuit, ordered the battlefield cleared, and returned to a city celebrating the army’s victory.

After Li Xuancang reached the Profound Connection Realm, the Imperial Court sent him a lavish reward convoy and sought to secure his loyalty. He shared some rewards with his soldiers and planned to send most of the treasures to Li Ling'er, while recognizing that the Emperor's favor came with obligations.

• Li Xuancang ordered the camp to prepare to receive the Imperial Court's reward convoy, led by Liu Jin.
• Liu Jin read the Emperor's decrees, which praised Li Xuancang and bestowed rare treasures, spirit stones, pills, and goods on him and his soldiers.
• Liu Jin urged Li Xuancang not to betray the Emperor's trust, and Li Xuancang declared himself the Emperor's sword.
• Li Xuancang ordered one-tenth of the spirit stones and pills set aside for the soldiers and gave gifts to Liu Jin and the Imperial Guards.
• Li Xuancang examined the treasures and ordered that most be sent to Li Ling'er at the Profound Heart Sect.
• Nangong Zhan reported that the soldiers were grateful for their rewards, while Li Xuancang reflected that imperial favor also brought responsibility.

Li Xuancang sent Ouyang De to deliver cultivation resources to the Profound Heart Sect while Shen Chongyuan recruited Dugu Sha and prairie allies to assassinate him. News of Li Xuancang’s breakthrough into the Profound Connection Realm spread across Great Yan, leaving rivals and powerful families scrambling to react.

• Li Xuancang sent Ouyang De to deliver cultivation resources to his younger sister at the Profound Heart Sect and seek Elder Qingxuan’s help.
• Shen Chongyuan pressured Dugu Sha to join a plot to kill Li Xuancang, revealing that prairie allies would help them attack Sweet Spring Commandery City in twenty days.
• Li Xuancang remained unaware of the plot and spent time with his family as Sweet Spring Commandery enjoyed a brief respite from the prairie threat.
• News of Li Xuancang’s breakthrough into the Profound Connection Realm spread across Great Yan, stunning cultivators and Wenxin Academy students.
• Lin Jingtan grew furious upon hearing of Li Xuancang’s breakthrough and vowed never to lose to him.
• The Liu Family regretted having obstructed Li Xuancang and considered proposing a marriage alliance with him.

The Du Family decided to pursue a marriage alliance between Du Ruomei and Li Xuancang, and Du Tianfeng volunteered to visit the Li Family. Meanwhile, masked attackers raided Li Xuancang's manor, but he stood unharmed against the Bronze-Armored Corpse's blows as the assault continued.

• Du Tianyuan proposed forming a marriage alliance with Li Xuancang, and Du Tianfeng urged the family to act quickly and seek the chosen woman's consent.
• The Du Family selected Du Tianyuan's youngest daughter, Du Ruomei, and Du Tianfeng offered to travel to Sweet Spring Commandery.
• Several masked figures attacked Li Xuancang at night in the Commander's Manor.
• Ghost Hand Venerable unleashed his Bronze-Armored Corpse, which struck Li Xuancang in the chest without harming or moving him.
• Ghost Hand Venerable repeatedly ordered the Bronze-Armored Corpse to attack while Li Xuancang remained motionless.

Li Xuancang repelled an assassination attempt by Ghost Hand Venerable, Shen Chongyuan, Murong Chong, and Dugu Sha, revealing overwhelming strength. The attackers fled, and Li Xuancang returned to the military camp while planning to deal with Shen Chongyuan when the Imperial Court issued its order.

• Li Xuancang destroyed the Bronze-Armored Corpse's arm and prepared to attack Ghost Hand Venerable, but Murong Chong, Shen Chongyuan, and Dugu Sha attacked from three sides.
• Li Xuancang caught Murong Chong's saber barehanded, scattered Shen Chongyuan's sword attack, and shrugged off Dugu Sha's soul technique.
• Shen Chongyuan ordered a retreat, and Li Xuancang let the attackers flee rather than leave his residence unguarded.
• Outside Sweet Spring Commandery City, Murong Chong and Dugu Sha departed, leaving Shen Chongyuan to retreat alone.
• Li Xuancang went to the military camp the next morning and resolved to seize Shen Chongyuan when the Imperial Court issued its order.

Du Tianfeng brought his niece Du Ruomei to Sweet Spring Commandery and proposed that she marry Li Xuancang. After seeing his family welcome her warmly, Li Xuancang agreed, provided Du Ruomei did not object and his parents were satisfied.

• Li Xuancang went to the city gate to welcome Du Tianfeng, who had arrived with his family.
• Du Tianfeng introduced his niece Du Ruomei to Li Xuancang and brought her to the Li residence.
• Du Ruomei greeted Li Xuancang's parents and sister, who welcomed her warmly.
• Du Tianfeng told Li Xuancang he hoped to arrange a marriage between him and Du Ruomei.
• Li Xuancang agreed to the proposal if Du Ruomei accepted and his parents approved.

Li Xuancang agreed to marry Du Ruomei, and their families began preparing for the betrothal. Meanwhile, Ouyang De reached the Profound Heart Sect and revealed Li Xuancang’s rise to the Profound Connection Realm, leaving Elder Qingxuan stunned.

• Mother Li and Father Li approved of Du Ruomei, and Li Xuancang agreed to the marriage alliance with her.
• Li Xuancang took Du Ruomei around Sweet Spring Commandery, and the two grew more familiar before Du Tianfeng returned with her to the Du Family.
• Li Xuancang sent Bai Meng to escort the Du Family party out of Cool Prefecture and felt a wave of loss as they departed.
• Ouyang De arrived at the Profound Heart Sect and requested an audience with Elder Qingxuan on Li Xuancang’s behalf.
• Ouyang De introduced himself as Li Xuancang’s subordinate and disclosed that Li Xuancang was a Profound Connection Realm expert, shocking Qingxuan.

Li Ling'er faced mockery from Profound Heart Sect disciples over her poor cultivation and privileged treatment, but stood up to Zhao Ying with the truth that her brother provided her support. After Zhao Ying insulted her, Fang Qing comforted Li Ling'er and asked about her brother, but Li Ling'er kept his circumstances private.

• Ouyang De asked Elder Qingxuan to arrange a meeting with Li Ling'er so he could deliver her cultivation resources.
• Li Ling'er walked toward the dining hall and drew resentful looks from disciples who envied her residence and spirit stones.
• Zhao Ying and two outer sect disciples mocked Li Ling'er for her slow cultivation and suggested Elder Qingxuan favored her improperly.
• Li Ling'er replied that Elder Qingxuan cared for her because of her brother and that her brother gave her the spirit stones, then left Zhao Ying behind.
• Zhao Ying insulted Li Ling'er, and Fang Qing comforted her before asking who her brother was; Li Ling'er said she did not know much and kept his cultivation secret.

Elder Qingxuan summoned Li Ling'er and Zhang Cuier, where Ouyang De delivered Li Xuancang's resources and revealed his new status and Profound Connection Realm cultivation. Learning that Li Xuancang backed Li Ling'er, Elder Qingxuan offered to take her as his disciple, and she accepted.

• Wu Chuanfeng summoned Li Ling'er to Elder Qingxuan, while the disciples speculated about her influence and Zhao Ying feared she would complain.
• A disciple summoned Zhang Cuier to Elder Qingxuan's palace, where she and Li Ling'er met again after months apart.
• Ouyang De respectfully greeted Li Ling'er and delivered cultivation resources sent by Li Xuancang.
• Ouyang De revealed that Li Xuancang had become Sweet Spring Commandery's Commandery Defender and reached the Profound Connection Realm, shocking Zhang Cuier and everyone in the hall.
• Elder Qingxuan offered to take Li Ling'er as his disciple, and she accepted after Ouyang De encouraged her.

Elder Qingxuan accepted Li Ling'er as his disciple and lavishly provided for her because of her brother Li Xuancang's Profound Connection Realm cultivation. Li Ling'er settled into Dewdrop Courtyard as the sect's disciples changed their attitudes toward her, and she continued to grow stronger.

• Elder Qingxuan gave Li Ling'er high-grade Foundation-Nourishing Pills and assigned her Dewdrop Courtyard, while Ouyang De departed to report the news to Li Xuancang.
• Zhang Cuier feared Li Xuancang's reaction, and Li Ling'er told Fang Qing that Elder Qingxuan had accepted her as his disciple.
• Wu Chuanfeng and the other disciples helped Li Ling'er move into Dewdrop Courtyard, where she treated them to an expensive meal.
• News of Li Xuancang's cultivation spread through the Profound Heart Sect, and disciples and staff who had once ignored Li Ling'er eagerly sought her favor.
• Li Ling'er remained focused on cultivation and quickly reached the Bone Forging Realm with the help of her resources and Spirit-Gathering Formation.

Li Xuancang joined the Blackbird Merchant Association to hunt the Demonic Beasts in Sunset Glow Canyon, then learned that a rumored ancient cave abode was drawing cultivators and gangs to the area. Intrigued by the powerful expert’s possible legacy, he decided not to miss the opportunity.

• Dong Linghui invited Li Xuancang to hunt the canyon’s Demonic Beasts, and Li Xuancang negotiated for seventy percent of the profits.
• Li Xuancang and the Blackbird Merchant Association entered Sunset Glow Canyon and found over a hundred Demonic Beasts, including five in the Astral Qi Realm.
• Li Xuancang subdued the Demonic Beasts with ease, left the Blackbird Merchant Association to handle them, and asked them to investigate the crowds gathering nearby.
• The Blackbird Merchant Association reported that a rumor of an ancient cave abode in the canyon had drawn Rogue Cultivators and gangs in search of its treasures and legacy.
• Li Xuancang became intrigued by the cave abode and decided to pursue the powerful expert’s legacy for his subordinates or the Imperial Court.

Thousands of cultivators gathered at Sunset Glow Canyon to claim a cave dwelling, and the Profound Purity Sect and Profound Sword Sect arrived to contest it. News of the discovery spread across Great Yan, drawing the Imperial Court, the Profound Heart Sect, the Prison Tiger Bureau, and Grassland tribes toward Sweet Spring Commandery as the cave remained sealed.

• Ouyang Meng led Blacksteel Camp to Sunset Glow Canyon as thousands gathered around the cave dwelling's restriction.
• Elder Sun of the Profound Purity Sect arrived and proposed that his sect lead the effort to break the restriction and divide the resources by contribution.
• Liu Feiyan led the Profound Sword Sect to the canyon, and she and Sun He faced off as the crowd watched.
• News reached the Profound Heart Sect, prompting a party to set out for Sweet Spring Commandery.
• The Imperial Court ordered Li Xuancang to seize the cave dwelling, while the Prison Tiger Bureau and Grassland tribes dispatched their own forces.
• Major powers converged on Sweet Spring Commandery, while the cave dwelling's gate remained sealed.

The Grassland People, Demon Race, Barbarians, and Evil Cultivators turned on the Profound Sword Sect after Liu Feiyan urged the gathered factions to attack the Grassland People. Zhao Wuji and the Profound Heart Sect joined the fight to protect the besieged sect, but the other factions still held back.

• Liu Feiyan called on the gathered factions to eliminate the Grassland People, but the Profound Purity Sect and other groups refused to take sides.
• Man Xuan urged the Grassland People, Demon Race, Barbarians, and Evil Cultivators to strike the Profound Sword Sect, while the remaining factions stepped aside.
• Man Xuan attacked Liu Feiyan, and a giant winged python struck her from behind, leaving her gravely wounded.
• The hostile factions surrounded the Profound Sword Sect disciples as Dugu Sha, Ghost Hand Venerable, and the Barbarians sought to capture Liu Feiyan alive.
• Zhao Wuji and the Profound Heart Sect intervened to fight beside the Profound Sword Sect, and Zhao Wuji demanded that the other factions stop standing by.

Li Xuancang arrived at Sunset Glow Canyon and rescued Liu Feiyan and the Profound Heart Sect from the attacking factions, killing the Bronze-Armored Corpse and Dugu Sha. Three Profound Connection Realm experts then emerged to confront him, leaving the other factions waiting to see whether they could escape.

• The four major factions overwhelmed the Profound Heart Sect and Profound Sword Sect, with Man Xuan gravely wounding Zhao Wuji and Dugu Sha capturing Liu Feiyan.
• The Blacksteel Camp arrived, and Li Xuancang charged into the battlefield, driving the attackers into panic.
• Li Xuancang struck Ghost Hand Venerable and destroyed the Bronze-Armored Corpse, then killed Dugu Sha after catching up to him.
• Li Xuancang ordered his forces to seal off the battlefield and prevent anyone from escaping.
• Meng Chi and two other Profound Connection Realm experts appeared and challenged Li Xuancang, while the other factions considered fleeing if he lost.

Li Xuancang overwhelmed three Profound Connection Realm powerhouses who attacked him together, forcing Murong Chong and Meng Chi to flee. He pursued the fleeing Mountain-Splitting Lord, while the stunned onlookers were left behind.

• Li Xuancang charged the three powerhouses and repelled Murong Chong, Mountain-Splitting Lord, and Meng Chi in a single exchange.
• Murong Chong unleashed a massive blade attack, but Li Xuancang shattered it and injured him.
• Murong Chong fled, and Meng Chi followed, abandoning Mountain-Splitting Lord as the surrounding factions fled too.
• Mountain-Splitting Lord transformed into a winged tiger and escaped into the clouds, but Li Xuancang chased after him.

Li Xuancang chased Mountain-Splitting Lord to his mountain lair and overpowered him in a brutal fight. After Li Xuancang tore out Mountain-Splitting Lord’s heart, the dying demon began swelling and released his demon essence in a final attempt to take them both to the Yellow Springs.

• Mountain-Splitting Lord burned his vital blood to speed toward his mountain range, but Li Xuancang caught up and forced him to stop fleeing.
• Mountain-Splitting Lord transformed into his half-human, half-demon form and attacked Li Xuancang with a full-strength pounce.
• Li Xuancang broke Mountain-Splitting Lord’s arms, pried open his jaws, and tore them apart, causing the demon essence in his mouth to explode.
• Li Xuancang punched through Mountain-Splitting Lord’s chest and ripped out his still-beating heart.
• Mountain-Splitting Lord began swelling and released his demon essence to make them perish together, while Li Xuancang threw away the heart and shielded himself with Blood Qi Force.