Recaps

Jiang Jingnian pursued a flour mill venture while fighting Demon Wraiths and clashing with powerful local interests. After killing Jin Zhihao and drawing threats from multiple factions, he borrowed Merit Points and pushed toward the Inner Qi Realm.

• Jiang Jingnian killed the Flickerflash Flower Tree, took its Spiritual Essence Core, and escaped the Dongdi Lake region after fighting Severing Blade Dock disciples.
• Jiang Jingnian reported the Lotus Intent Sect’s activity to the Mountain Cloud School, then planned a flour mill with Qian Ningning and bought a cheap abandoned factory.
• Jiang Jingnian fought the Red-Gauze Spiral Maiden at the factory and found shell fragments linking the wraith to the Su Family, but the Tongda Escort Agency refused to act without evidence.
• At a Chamber of Commerce banquet, Jiang Jingnian knocked out Mr. Miao with one punch after Jin Zhihao insulted him, then ambushed Jin’s party and beat Jin to death.
• Jiang Jingnian left the factory and resolved to reach the Inner Qi Realm as the Red-Gauze Spiral Maiden watched him and Mysterious Mountain disciples warned that many factions would target him.
• Jiang Jingnian formed the beginnings of Martial Momentum while Wenli Hall and the Tang Household investigated Jin Zhihao’s disappearance, and Mr. Yan sought Black Warriors to kill him.
• Jiang Jingnian borrowed Merit Points from disciples, confronted Xie Miao over the Mysterious Mountain effort to discourage lenders, and wondered whether Duan Xiaodie could provide the tears needed to cleanse his cracked jade bracelet.

Jiang Jingnian advanced into the Inner Qi Realm, survived attacks by the Red Gang and the Lotus Intent Sect, and helped Liu Qingzhi escape the Su Family blood formation. After they returned to Cloudpool Cliff, Mysterious Mountain elders began accusing Jiang Jingnian of collaborating with demonic fiends.

• Duan Xiaodie helped purify the Jade Bracelet with her tears, and Jiang Jingnian devoured it before refining other treasures that advanced his martial progress and gave him new traits.
• Liu Qingzhi confronted Jiang Jingnian over his identity, apologized after Elder Gongsun intervened, and recruited him to help investigate the Red Gauze Lotus opportunity.
• Jiang Jingnian and Liu Qingzhi descended to Peace City, where he rescued Tongda Escort Agency survivors from a burning passage and began his Advancement Ritual amid the ruins.
• Jiang Jingnian killed Mister Yan, Li Tiankun, and several Inner Qi Realm attackers, then collapsed and woke to find he had reached the Early Inner Qi Realm.
• Jiang Jingnian stormed the Su Family Ancestral Residence to rescue Liu Qingzhi from the Lotus Intent Sect’s blood formation, and Liu Qingzhi killed Azure Rain High Person before escaping with him.
• Jiang Jingnian devoured the Pure Lotus Projection and gained Mind Plague, while he and Liu Qingzhi concluded that wealthy households had colluded with the Lotus Intent Sect to frame the Dou'a Sect.
• At the Liu Family residence, Jiang Jingnian rebuffed Liu Shiwen’s insults and defeated him when he attacked, while Liu Qingzhi arranged compensation and considered a Waterborne Fire Martial Soul.
• After Jiang Jingnian and Liu Qingzhi returned to Cloudpool Cliff, Elder Lan linked Jiang Jingnian to several demonic incidents and accused him of being a Lotus Intent Sect collaborator or even its Holy Son.

Jiang Jingnian traveled to Jingu for the True Disciple Examination, reclaimed Mountain Kiln Wharf from the Cang River Society, and killed Omesa after surviving her ambush. He then headed toward Shimen City, where Liu Qingzhi was investigating the Illusory Water Sect and Jiang Jingnian confronted its cultists.

• Phosphorfire Dao Lord cleared Jiang Jingnian and Liu Qingzhi of involvement in the Lotus Intent Sect matter, while Jiang Jingnian prepared for the True Disciple Examination and his journey to Jingu.
• Jiang Jingnian traveled with Liu Qingzhi aboard the Princess Anqian, fought Omesa Nahl after she attacked him, and reached Jingu despite Liu Qingzhi’s warning not to provoke her powerful allies.
• Jiang Jingnian killed Chief Lin at the Lin Family Residence after discovering the Cang River Society had seized Mountain Kiln Wharf, then defeated Lin Xiaoyu in a duel and secured the wharf’s return to the Mountain Cloud School.
• Jiang Jingnian left Jingu for Shimen City after advising Ma Rulong to take control of the Cang River Society, but Omesa ambushed his carriage with gunmen and enchanted weapons.
• Jiang Jingnian killed Omesa and escaped the Western Ocean experts, while Mister Wes concealed the failure from the Nall Lineage and Liu Qingzhi obtained information about the Illusory Water Sect from He Jingran.
• Jiang Jingnian arrived in Shimen City as Illusory Water Sect cultists attacked people in the street, and he told Constable Fan to leave while he dealt with them.

Jiang Jingnian and Liu Qingzhi dismantled the Lotus Intent Sect’s plot, returned to the Mountain Cloud School, and faced new political schemes as Jiang advanced in cultivation and became a True Disciple. The arc left Jiang investigating Bi Fang’s Fire while intervening in Qian Ningning’s abuse by Qian Xuan.

• Jiang Jingnian killed the Illusory Water Sect attackers and then destroyed the Lotus Intent Sect gathering at the Luo Household, helping Liu Qingzhi defeat its leaders and killing Yushu.
• Jiang Jingnian and Liu Qingzhi stopped Li Guanglu’s attack at a Stone Gate banquet, then returned to the Mountain Cloud School as unrest spread.
• Liu Qingzhi publicly declared that she and Jiang Jingnian would become Dao companions, and Jiang completed his True Disciple ceremony before defeating Hong Shangyi in a wagered spar.
• Jiang refused Liu Qingzhi’s demands concerning Duan Xiaodie, freed Li Mincheng and eight others from prison, and perfected the Unyielding · Transforming Splendor Ultimate Bronze Scripture.
• Jiang and Liu avoided joining Xu Baijing’s hunt for Bai Xuerou after a troubling divination, while Jiang’s cultivation neared the Early Inner Qi Realm’s limit.
• The Mountain Cloud School assigned Jiang and Liu to investigate Bi Fang’s Fire near Peace City, and the Liu Family offered only medicines and talismans instead of reinforcements.
• Hou Yanzhu arrived polluted by Bi Fang’s Fire, and Jiang suspected a wider conspiracy before going to the Qian Household for help.
• Jiang saw Qian Xuan strike Qian Ningning, vanished from beside the steward, and left Qian Xuan crying out in pain.