Recaps

Jiang Jingnian and the escort masters heard that Dou'a Sect’s alliance with the Tao Family had drawn several forces into conflict with their side. Realizing Garden Celebration Hall had been stalling while waiting for reinforcements, Jiang Jingnian began telling the chief escort about the trouble surrounding the Su Family escort job.

• The chief escort reassured the gathered escort masters that they would face forces under Dou'a Sect rather than the sect itself, unless the Mountain Cloud School suffered a major defeat.
• A veteran escort master asked which forces they would confront, and the chief escort named the Thunderclap Gang, Windfeather Martial Hall, Garden Celebration Hall, and Blood Saber Manor.
• The chief escort explained that the Tao Family Aristocratic Clan had allied with Dou'a Sect and was using its clashes with local Aristocratic Clans to announce the southern warlords' arrival.
• Jiang Jingnian realized Garden Celebration Hall had been delaying its conflict with Tongda Escort Agency while waiting for reinforcements, and expected its next move to be forceful.
• Jiang Jingnian told the chief escort that he had information about Garden Celebration Hall related to the escort job where they aided the Su Family, then began recounting the recent events.

Jiang Jingnian reported a Black Warriors ambush, prompting Tongda Escort Agency to reinforce the Su Family while monitoring Garden Celebration Hall. He borrowed money from Dellman Bank, spent it on special items, and instantly advanced to Bone Tempering Stage.

• Jiang Jingnian recounted how he fought off Black Warriors, and the escort masters reconsidered their assessment of him.
• The chief escort master ordered Escort Masters Tian and Wen to guard the Su Family Ancestral Residence and assigned Jiang Jingnian and Tan Escort Master to protect the Su Family's shops.
• The chief escort master directed Tongda Escort Agency to defend its major household supporters while preparing for further threats.
• Jiang Jingnian obtained a short-term loan of 1,700 silver dollars from Dellman Bank after reviewing and signing the loan terms.
• Jiang Jingnian spent much of the loan on three special items, which vanished after he used them, and advanced to Bone Tempering Stage.

After advancing to the Bone Tempering Stage, Jiang Jingnian tested his improved abilities and discovered that the Transforming Splendor Ultimate Bronze Scripture let him produce Copperflame Essence ahead of ordinary Martial Masters. He used that essence to activate the scripture’s ultimate technique, Transforming Splendor Copperflame Body.

• Jiang Jingnian devoured three special items, and [Archetype] stabilized as he broke through to the Bone Tempering Stage.
• Jiang Jingnian returned to his room and tested his new strength, speed, defense, and control with a three-hundred-pound stone lock.
• Jiang Jingnian examined how his cultivation method differed from ordinary Bone Tempering methods and found strands of Copperflame Essence in his Cinnabar Field.
• Jiang Jingnian activated the ultimate technique Transforming Splendor Copperflame Body, causing his muscles, tendons, and skin to swell and thicken.

Jiang Jingnian tested his exhausting Copperflame ultimate technique and judged it a powerful short-burst trump card. As Tongda Escort Agency grew quieter amid the mounting crisis, he continued guarding the Su Family's shops and set out with Chai Li and the runners.

• Jiang Jingnian activated the Transforming Splendor Copperflame Body, gaining immense strength and scorching, corrosive attacks, but the technique ended after about twenty seconds when his Copperflame Essence ran out.
• Jiang Jingnian concluded that his ultimate technique could quickly defeat most Bone Tempering Stage Martial Masters, though he remained wary of powerful opponents and secret arts.
• Jiang Jingnian and Tan Escort Master guarded two Su Family shops while the agency's business dwindled, many escorts and apprentices left, and the remaining people received increased resources to keep them loyal.
• Jiang Jingnian practiced at the martial arts grounds, where Chai Li noticed that his punches no longer damaged the wooden post; he explained that his Mirror Reflection Insight had improved his control.
• Jiang Jingnian led Chai Li and several runners toward the Su Family's shops, kindly helping a rickshaw puller up and paying him generously.

Jiang Jingnian learned that the Jing Lei Gang had attacked the Su Family’s shops and joined forces with Garden Celebration Hall. As the gang surrounded the silk shop, wounded guards fell inside, leaving Jiang and the others trapped.

• Jiang Jingnian read a newspaper report identifying Zhou Mo as the Stockade Black Warrior found dead in Jia’an District.
• Miao Ren rushed into the silk shop wounded and warned that the Jing Lei Gang had smashed the Su Family’s grain and oil shop and badly injured Tan Escort Master.
• Jiang Jingnian suspected the Jing Lei Gang had allied with Garden Celebration Hall and steadied the panicking escort hands.
• Jiang Jingnian saw dozens of Jing Lei Gang members surrounding the shop and told the others it was too late to evacuate.
• Fighting broke out at the silk shop’s back door, and several bloodied guards tumbled inside.

Jiang Jingnian faced the Thunderclap Gang alone after it attacked the Su Family’s silk shop and killed Tan Escort Master. When Steward Fang tried to recruit him, Jiang Jingnian refused and crushed Fang’s skull, leaving the surrounding gang members stunned.

• Jiang Jingnian ordered Chai Li and the other clerks to defend the shop and tend to the wounded, then went out to face the Thunderclap Gang.
• Thunderclap Gang members broke into the shop through the back door, where Chai Li and the guards fought to hold them off.
• Jiang Jingnian confronted the gang’s stewards and learned that Tan Escort Master and the others had been killed.
• Steward Fang offered Jiang Jingnian a place in the Thunderclap Gang, but Jiang Jingnian refused and prepared to fight.
• Jiang Jingnian seized Steward Fang and crushed his skull, killing him in front of the gang.

Jiang Jingnian slaughtered the gang enforcers around Zhou with overwhelming strength, using Steward Xiang and then Steward Yan as weapons. After the fighting ended, Chai Li stepped outside and found him standing amid the carnage, his eyes still glowing bronze.

• Jiang Jingnian killed Steward Fang and endured Steward Xiang's poisoned swords without being pierced.
• Jiang Jingnian seized Steward Xiang and swung her into Steward Yan and the gang enforcers, killing or crippling many of them.
• Jiang Jingnian stopped Steward Yan as he tried to flee, broke his spine, and continued using him as a weapon.
• Inside Zhou's shop, the remaining Blood Tempering Stage Martial Masters withdrew through the back door, and Chai Li stopped Li Xianze and the others from pursuing.
• Chai Li went outside, saw the scattered remains and bloodied Jiang Jingnian, and tensely called to him.

Jiang Jingnian repelled the Thunderclap Gang’s assault on the cloth shop, killing nearly all the attackers at the main entrance. At the gang headquarters, Steward You reported the failure to Vice Gang Leader Liu just as the Iron Palm Gang and Gale Wind Sect launched an attack.

• Jiang Jingnian returned to the cloth shop after the fight and learned that two allies had died, while most of the survivors began tending to the wounded and cleaning up.
• The Thunderclap Gang attackers’ assault on the cloth shop had left nearly all those at the main entrance dead, while Steward You and his men escaped through the rear alley.
• Steward You returned to the Thunderclap Gang headquarters and told Vice Gang Leader Liu that the operation had failed, while warning that the Su Family Ancestral Residence might also face an ambush.
• Vice Gang Leader Liu concluded it was too late to send reinforcements to the Su Family Ancestral Residence because it was far away and the gang’s forces were depleted.
• An explosion shook the Thunderclap Gang headquarters, and an incense master reported that experts from the Iron Palm Gang and Gale Wind Sect had attacked.

As Peace City faced rising prices, unrest, and war, Lu Zhishuang and Qu Lanlan discussed Jiang Jingnian and the troubles surrounding their friends’ families. At the closed Tongda Escort Agency, Duan Escort Chief revealed that he had broken through to the Inner Qi Realm and praised Jiang Jingnian’s rapid rise as a martial arts prodigy.

• Newsboys reported General Xiang’s victories against the Nanwan Army as Peace City struggled with refugees, inflation, and violence.
• Lu Zhishuang read that Tongda Escort Agency had closed for reorganization and asked Qu Lanlan about Jiang Jingnian and Su Wanzhi.
• Qu Lanlan said Su Wanzhi’s family had returned to the Su Family Ancestral Residence and refused to visit the escort agency, choosing instead to go for snow pear soup.
• Jiang Jingnian asked Duan Escort Chief why he had returned late, and Duan demonstrated his breakthrough into the Inner Qi Realm.
• Duan Escort Chief praised Jiang Jingnian for reaching the Bone Tempering Stage and defeating several Bone Tempering experts, making his reputation second only to the young chief’s.

Duan Escort Chief urged Jiang Jingnian to use the Duan Household’s quota to enter Mountain Cloud School, explaining the power behind the recent fighting and why it had stopped. He hoped his gifted disciple would escape the limits of life at the escort agency and become an expert who could command his own fate.

• Duan Escort Chief praised Jiang Jingnian’s talent and offered him the Duan Household’s quota to enter Mountain Cloud School.
• Jiang Jingnian asked why Mountain Cloud School had bullied Tongda Escort Agency, then abruptly called off the fighting after the agency lost thirty percent of its people.
• Duan Escort Chief explained that the Kingdom of Migallon had intervened and wounded the Dou'a Sect’s Unyielding Mountain Lord, forcing both sides to stop for now.
• Jiang Jingnian questioned whether foreigners’ firearms could threaten Inner Qi Realm experts, and Duan Escort Chief described their special weapons and powerful fighters.
• Duan Escort Chief encouraged Jiang Jingnian to seek favor with the Blazing Cloud Dao Lord and pursue a future beyond the escort agency.

After securing Duan Deshun’s support for his Mountain Cloud School examination, Jiang Jingnian repaid old debts and prepared to settle his grudge with Cui Budong. He left home at night to carry out his revenge.

• Duan Deshun agreed to take Jiang Jingnian to the Mountain Cloud School in three days and seek an audience with the Blazing Cloud Dao Lord.
• Jiang Jingnian repaid Shopkeeper Li forty-nine silver dollars, accepted a gift of tea, and asked him to set aside unusual items.
• Jiang Jingnian repaid his remaining debts and wrote letters assuring Fifth Uncle that he was safe, but avoided meeting him while enemies remained.
• Jiang Jingnian secretly investigated Cui Budong’s residence and decided to attack him that night.
• Jiang Jingnian dressed in black and left home, intending to put on a face covering before confronting Cui Budong.

Jiang Jingnian killed Cui Budong and Cui Fangxing to settle the grudge over the hired assassination attempt, then prepared to leave for the Mountain Cloud School’s sect grounds. He left behind the first room in this world that had felt like his own.

• Jiang Jingnian sneaked into Cui Budong’s room and killed him with a punch to the neck, then crushed his face to prevent any chance of revival.
• Cui Fangxing found the dead guards and servants, discovered Cui Budong’s body, and attacked Jiang Jingnian with his Nightglow Sword.
• Jiang Jingnian used Psychic Whip to stun Cui Fangxing, then beat him to death and removed his head.
• Jiang Jingnian searched the residence for valuables and escaped over the rear wall after killing everyone inside.
• The next morning, Jiang Jingnian packed his belongings and left his room, reflecting on its place as his first home in this world.

Jiang Jingnian visited Duan Deshun before heading to the Mountain Cloud School and learned that his master had arranged for him to take Duan Xiaodie as a concubine. The chapter ended with Jiang Jingnian stunned by the proposal.

• Jiang Jingnian passed the sealed Tongda Escort Agency and reflected on its decline after the conflict.
• Jiang Jingnian met Duan Deshun and his niece, Duan Xiaodie, in the escort agency’s rear courtyard.
• Duan Deshun praised Jiang Jingnian to Duan Xiaodie and revealed that he had arranged a match between them.
• Jiang Jingnian questioned why Duan Deshun had arranged a blind date instead of taking him to the Mountain Cloud School.
• Duan Deshun explained the Duan Household’s circumstances and proposed that Duan Xiaodie become Jiang Jingnian’s concubine to care for him in the sect.

Jiang Jingnian agreed to marry Duan Xiaodie as a concubine after Duan Deshun pleaded with him and she accepted his arrangement. After Jiang Jingnian defeated her in a spar, Duan Xiaodie acknowledged his overwhelming strength and leaned against him.

• Jiang Jingnian objected that making Duan Xiaodie his concubine was improper, but Duan Deshun pleaded with him to accept the match.
• Duan Xiaodie said she would leave her marriage to her Second Uncle, and Jiang Jingnian agreed; Duan Deshun presented a prepared document and planned a simple wedding.
• Duan Deshun explained that Duan Xiaodie wanted to assess Jiang Jingnian's appearance and strength, so they began a spar.
• Jiang Jingnian let Duan Xiaodie strike him before knocking her down with one punch, demonstrating how completely he outmatched her.
• Jiang Jingnian helped Duan Xiaodie up, and she leaned against him and lamented that she had been too weak to make him use his full strength.

Duan Deshun hastily arranged for Duan Xiaodie to become Jiang Jingnian’s concubine, and the escort agency’s farewell banquet doubled as a wedding celebration. After the meal, Jiang Jingnian, Duan Xiaodie, and Duan Deshun set off by automobile for the Mountain Cloud School, where Jiang faced an entrance examination.

• Duan Deshun introduced Duan Xiaodie as Jiang Jingnian’s concubine at a farewell banquet attended by Chai Li and other escort agency members.
• The Chief Escort gave Duan Xiaodie a Moon Moistening Pill as a wedding gift, and she accepted it after Jiang Jingnian’s approval.
• Jiang Jingnian and the others toasted to his departure while Chai Li mourned the colleagues who had died or been injured.
• After the banquet, the Chief Escort returned to oversee the escort agency, while Duan Deshun, Duan Xiaodie, and Jiang Jingnian prepared to travel to the Mountain Cloud School by automobile.

Duan Deshun brought Jiang Jingnian and Duan Xiaodie to the Mountain Cloud School, warning them about the dangers of sect life and Demon Wraiths. At Cloudpool Cliff, Jiang Jingnian discovered the mountain was a devourable special item, but its seal and the school’s strength made taking it impossible for now; their arrival was interrupted by a man mocking Duan Deshun.

• Duan Deshun warned Jiang Jingnian and Duan Xiaodie to avoid needless trouble at the Mountain Cloud School, while admitting he feared for Jiang Jingnian’s safety among ambitious disciples.
• Duan Deshun, Jiang Jingnian, and Duan Xiaodie reached Cloudpool Cliff after traveling without encountering any Demon Wraiths.
• Jiang Jingnian identified Cloudpool Cliff as the Drought-Bone Glazed Corpse Mountain, a sealed special item that required an elaborate process to devour.
• A middle-aged man in a white robe approached with several young people and mocked Duan Deshun’s chances of entering the inner sect and becoming a Dao-Lineage True Disciple.

Duan Deshun brought Jiang Jingnian and Duan Xiaodie into the Mountain Cloud School, where Jiang learned about the sect’s vast community and the path to discipleship. Duan Deshun revealed that Jiang could apply directly for the inner sect assessment, which would give him an early advantage if he passed.

• Lu Chi mocked Duan Deshun and told the Lu Household youths to deal mercilessly with Jiang Jingnian and Duan Xiaodie whenever they had the chance.
• Lu Chi warned his children that their family had spent hard-won slots to get them into the school and urged them to fight for advancement; Lu Xinlan said she was not afraid of death.
• Duan Deshun presented the trio’s documents and tokens, and sect guards used a jade inspection to confirm that none had been parasitized by a Demon Wraith.
• Duan Deshun showed Jiang Jingnian and Duan Xiaodie the crowded mountainside, explaining that servants and apprentices lived there and that apprentices could enter the outer sect by reaching Bone Tempering or passing the assessment.
• Duan Deshun told Jiang Jingnian that, because he had reached Bone Tempering before twenty, he could apply directly for the inner sect assessment and avoid spending time in the outer sect.

Jiang Jingnian passed the Mountain Cloud School’s basic assessment and became an Outer Disciple, then proceeded to challenge for the inner sect. Lu Xiuyuan decided to follow his lead despite warnings about the danger, while Lu Xinlan urged him to wait.

• Duan Deshun brought Jiang Jingnian to the Mountain Cloud School and hoped he would enter the inner sect to learn the Giant Ayeli Technique.
• An Outer Sect deacon explained that Jiang Jingnian needed to place among the top three in the inner sect assessment to become an Inner Disciple.
• Jiang Jingnian passed a sparring assessment against Deacon Chen in fewer than ten exchanges and became an Outer Disciple.
• Deacon Chen warned Lu Xiuyuan that his recent Bone Tempering advancement left him poorly prepared for the inner sect assessment, but confirmed he could apply after passing the basic test.
• Lu Xinlan urged Lu Xiuyuan to proceed cautiously, but he insisted on competing, and two other Lu Household youths intervened as the cousins nearly argued.

Mountain Cloud School held its inner sect assessment, where Jiang Jingnian arrived as a Tongda Escort Agency escort master and drew the attention of Mystic Mountain Lineage disciple Ye Changting. The chapter ended with Jiang Jingnian recognizing Ye Changting as Li Mincheng’s senior brother and meeting his hostility with a cold stare.

• Mountain Cloud School began its bimonthly inner sect assessment, where contestants fought for promotion and Merit Points.
• Ye Changting and Xie Miao watched Gu Xu compete, and Ye Changting considered how to deal with Li Mincheng on their coming assignment.
• Ye Changting recognized Lu Xiuyuan and learned that Jiang Jingnian was a son-in-law of the Duan Household and an escort master from Tongda Escort Agency.
• Lu Xiuyuan mocked Jiang Jingnian for supposedly relying on his wife, while Jiang Jingnian ignored the taunt and resolved to fight him seriously if they drew each other.
• Jiang Jingnian recognized Ye Changting as Li Mincheng’s senior brother, sensed his malice, and returned his hostile stare.

Jiang Jingnian and Lu Xiuyuan faced hostility from the Mystic Mountain disciples, who ordered Gu Xu to cripple or kill Jiang. Lu Xiuyuan was swiftly defeated by Ning Yang, and Jiang stepped into the arena to face Gu Xu without a weapon.

• Ye Changting and Xie Miao took offense at Jiang Jingnian’s indifferent glance and told Gu Xu to kill or cripple him if they fought.
• Junior Brother Tan relayed the order to Gu Xu and the other Mystic Mountain disciples.
• Lu Xiuyuan faced Ning Yang, who overwhelmed him with a barrage of blade strikes and sent him from the arena with his right arm severed.
• Jiang Jingnian observed that Ning Yang had restrained his attack, leaving Lu Xiuyuan alive and injured.
• A steward announced Jiang Jingnian’s match against Gu Xu, and Jiang chose to enter the arena without a weapon.

Jiang Jingnian killed the seeded contestant Gu Xu with fifteen punches during the Mountain Cloud School assessment, shocking the spectators and revealing his overwhelming strength. He then fixed his attention on Ye Changting and his group, while Ye Changting vowed to make him pay.

• Gu Xu attacked Jiang Jingnian with a secret art, but Jiang killed him with fifteen punches in a single breath.
• The crowd and referee were stunned that Jiang had defeated a Perfected Bone Tempering Stage contender so easily.
• Ye Changting blamed Tongda Escort Agency for producing a powerful young expert, while Xie Miao and the other disciples reconsidered their view of Jiang.
• Jiang asked the referee who he would face next and learned that the next drawing of lots would take place after half an incense stick.
• Jiang stared at Ye Changting and his companions, and Ye Changting vowed to make him pay.

Jiang Jingnian dominated the inner sect examination and secured first place, while Ning Yang and Yi Sanzhu also earned places in the inner sect. Lu Chi dismissed Lu Xinlan’s concerns about Lu Xiuyuan, only to learn that Ning Yang had defeated him and left him gravely injured and unconscious.

• Jiang Jingnian’s opponents forfeited six matches, leaving him first place with seven points.
• Jiang Jingnian, Ning Yang, and Yi Sanzhu earned places in the inner sect and were told they could meet the Dao Master the next morning.
• Lu Chi assured Lu Xinlan that Lu Xiuyuan could hold his own in the examination and mocked Duan Deshun’s household.
• Duan Deshun confronted Lu Chi over his taunts, but a messenger arrived before they could fight.
• The messenger told Lu Xinlan and Lu Chi that Ning Yang had defeated Lu Xiuyuan, severed his arm, and severely injured his internal organs, leaving him unconscious.

After registering as an Inner Disciple, Jiang Jingnian explored Life Bloom Hall and discovered a wealth of special items among the sect’s resources. He wondered whether he could borrow Merit Points to obtain them.

• An Inner Sect elder told Ning Yang, Jiang Jingnian, and Yi Sanzhu when they would meet the sect’s leaders and explained that Inner Disciples could exchange Merit Points for many resources.
• Ning Yang and Yi Sanzhu left Life Bloom Hall, while Jiang Jingnian went upstairs to browse the exchange shelves.
• Jiang Jingnian noticed a powerful, swiftly moving guardian in Western-style clothes, who explained that an album at the counter showed more items and that only Dao-Lineage True Disciples could access higher floors.
• Jiang Jingnian spotted numerous special items among the shelves and imagined how much stronger he could become by refining them.
• Jiang Jingnian wondered whether he could borrow Merit Points to exchange for the special items.

Jiang Jingnian exchanged fifty Merit Points for a Tranquility Jade Pendant and learned that Merit Points could be lent or transferred with an elder’s notarization. After returning from the examination, he was praised for placing first, but Li Mincheng warned that killing Gu Xu had drawn the attention of the powerful Gu family and Senior Brother Ye’s group.

• Jiang Jingnian planned to rise through the Mountain Cloud School so he could borrow Merit Points and acquire its special items.
• Jiang Jingnian bought the Tranquility Jade Pendant for fifty Merit Points, and the keeper explained its calming properties and the rules for lending Merit Points.
• Jiang Jingnian discovered that the pendant could generate a new trait entry, but he decided not to devour it while others were nearby.
• Jiang Jingnian returned to the outer sect and found Duan Xiaodie, Duan Deshun, and Li Mincheng waiting.
• Duan Deshun praised Jiang Jingnian for passing the inner sect examination in first place, while Li Mincheng warned that killing Gu Xu had provoked the Gu family and Senior Brother Ye’s group.

After Jiang Jingnian killed Gu Xu in the assessment, Li Mincheng warned him that his brutality would invite retaliation, while Duan Deshun backed his disciple and cautioned him against hidden attacks. Jiang Jingnian settled into his new residence, promised to seek a school slot for Duan Xiaodie, and discovered a new trait after refining the Tranquility Jade Pendant.

• Jiang Jingnian defended killing Gu Xu as a permitted consequence of their fight, but Li Mincheng criticized his brutal methods and warned him about Gu Xu’s Inner Sect brother and other disciples.
• Li Mincheng left after telling Jiang Jingnian that their beliefs differed, and Duan Deshun praised Jiang Jingnian’s resolve while warning him to guard against private retaliation.
• Duan Deshun departed the mountain, while Duan Xiaodie settled into Jiang Jingnian’s residence under the restrictions of her status.
• Jiang Jingnian promised to find Duan Xiaodie an apprentice or Outer Sect slot and went outside to check his status panel.
• Jiang Jingnian saw that refining the Tranquility Jade Pendant had added the Jade Heart Method trait to his status.