Chapter Summaries

Yang Yi finished ten days of intensive cultivation without reaching the Mistblood Realm and returned to Bamboo Garden. He discovered that Yang Yong had made striking progress in the Body Tempering Technique, and Yang Ya claimed she had taught him.

• Yang Yi used up his Myriad-Treasure Dew during seclusion, gained the equivalent of nearly a year of cultivation, and still failed to break through into the Mistblood Realm.
• Yang Yi emerged from seclusion, greeted Qiao Yingquan, and left Shen Qian to be escorted into the cultivation site.
• Yang Yi learned that Qiao Wuwang had arranged for a shopkeeper to help his uncle and aunt run their outer-city shop.
• Yang Yi hurried back to Bamboo Garden and found Yang Yong practicing the Body Tempering Technique while Yang Ya coached him.
• Yang Ya said she had taught Yang Yong, leaving Yang Yi stunned and doubtful.

Yang Yi learned more about Yang Ya’s exceptional talents, recovered from the exhaustion of leaving the Yin-Yang Pool, and received orders to join a mission to Clearwind City. He ended the chapter pledging to die for the Qiao Household alongside the other Attendants.

• Yang Yi praised Yang Ya’s intelligence after Qiao Wuwang described her mastery of the Body Tempering Technique and her business skills.
• Yang Yi rested for several days after exhaustion from his time in the Yin-Yang Pool left him able to practice the Body Tempering Technique only twice a day.
• Qiao Wuwang told Yang Yi that he planned to enter the Yin-Yang Pool to attempt a breakthrough to Lan Blood and warned that Yang Yi might be sent outside the fort.
• Yang Yi received a deployment order to join four other Qiao Household Attendants on a mission to Clearwind City, where Shen Qian had come from.
• Qiao Yaoyao appointed Lü E to lead the operation, and Yang Yi declared that he was willing to die for the Qiao Household, prompting the other Attendants to echo him.

Lü E led Yang Yi and a Qiao Household team toward Clearwind City on a mission to defeat the remaining Lineages and avenge Shen Qian. Along the way, they learned that Liu Yanqing, a True Blood expert, had been sent to oversee the city, and Lü E outlined their plan to infiltrate and strike its Lan Blood defenders.

• Lü E led the group out of Qiao'an City, and Qin Siniang pulled Yang Yi onto her horse after the others laughed at his riding.
• Qin Siniang introduced herself and learned that Yang Yi had turned sixteen three months earlier as they rode through the night.
• The group crossed the Yun River at dawn, boarded a carriage, and Lü E explained that they would attack Clearwind City on Shen Qian's behalf.
• Lü E revealed that the three Lineages in Clearwind City had six Lan Bloods between them, while Shen Qian said he could arrange their infiltration.
• Zhuang Laosan worried that Liu Yanqing, a True Blood sent by the Liu Lineage, could overwhelm them, but Qin Siniang and Lü E said someone else would handle him.
• Lü E laid out the plan for dealing with Clearwind City's Lan Bloods, and the group discussed and refined it.

Yang Yi’s group’s attempt to abduct Song Huaijin collapsed into an ambush, while Qiao Junche learned the Song Household’s reported breakthrough had been a trap backed by Shadow Tower. As the city gates were sealed, Yang Yi helped the injured Qin Siniang escape and used her whip to reach the city wall, where Mountain Suppression protected him from a barrage of attacks.

• Yang Yi waited outside Eternal Celebration Tower while Lü E and the others infiltrated it to abduct Song Huaijin.
• Qiao Junche confronted Liu Yanqing, then realized the Song Household had staged a trap and suspected Shadow Tower had supplied the extra Lan Blood cultivators.
• Yang Yi fled as Lü E and the others fought their way out, but found the city gate sealed and guarded.
• Yang Yi spotted the injured Qin Siniang fleeing across the rooftops with a pursuer close behind and called out to her, drawing the pursuer’s attention.
• Qin Siniang wrapped her whip around Yang Yi and flung him toward the city wall as defenders fired arrows and projectiles at him.
• Yang Yi activated Mountain Suppression to withstand the attacks and landed on top of the city wall.

Yang Yi rescued the wounded Qin Siniang from an ambush in Clearwind City and brought her to a hideout, where they learned Shadow Hall had helped spring the trap. Lü E and Zhuang Laosan escaped too, but Lü E was poisoned, and the survivors suspected Old Master Qiao’s age had prompted Shadow Hall to intervene.

• Yang Yi caught Qin Siniang after she was struck by an iron ball, then carried her out of Clearwind City while arrows fell behind them.
• Yang Yi brought Qin Siniang to Lü E’s designated hideout and learned that eight Lan Blood had ambushed their group at Eternal Celebration Tower.
• Yang Yi treated Qin Siniang’s wounds, and they agreed to return to the Qiao Household if their companions had not arrived by dawn.
• Lü E and Zhuang Laosan returned injured; Lü E said she had been poisoned and collapsed, so Yang Yi gave her their antidotes while Qin Siniang treated her wounds.
• Zhuang Laosan revealed that Shadow Hall had supplied two of the Lan Blood and arranged the trap, and Qin Siniang explained Shadow Hall’s extensive network of spies.
• Zhuang Laosan suggested Shadow Hall had intervened because Old Master Qiao was advanced in years, leaving Qin Siniang silent.

After Shen Qian unknowingly led Song Du’s pursuers to the group’s shelter, Yang Yi used his Grade-A Attendant plaque to take command. He ordered the others to charge with him and launched himself straight toward Song Du’s forces.

• Shen Qian returned and revealed that Hu Jian had died, and Yang Yi realized the others had survived more battles than he expected.
• The group discovered that Shen Qian had led Song Du’s pursuers to their shelter, where the enemy surrounded them and demanded their surrender.
• Qin Siniang and Zhuang Laosan debated whether to scatter or stay together to protect the unconscious Lü E while Song Du tried to turn them against Shen Qian and Lü E.
• Yang Yi showed his Grade-A Attendant plaque and ordered Qin Siniang, Zhuang Laosan, and Shen Qian to follow his lead; they agreed.
• Yang Yi told the others to charge into battle with him and rushed straight toward Song Du’s forces.

Yang Yi led Qin Siniang, Shen Qian, and Zhuang Laosan in a charge through Song Du’s encirclement, using his Mountain Suppression technique to withstand volleys of poisoned arrows and crossbow bolts. They broke into the Song family formation and began cutting through its ranks.

• Yang Yi smashed through the earthen wall, and Qin Siniang, Shen Qian, and Zhuang Laosan followed him rather than attempt to escape alone.
• Song Du ordered his archers to fire poisoned arrows, but Yang Yi blocked their volleys with Mountain Suppression.
• As the four neared the archers, Song Du’s men switched to crossbows and fired together.
• Yang Yi strengthened and expanded his blood-and-qi barrier, shielding all four from the crossbow bolts.
• Yang Yi and the others charged into Song Du’s formation, where their close-range attacks sent men and horses into disarray.

Yang Yi led Qin Siniang, Zhuang Laosan, and Shen Qian through the Song Household’s formation, killing Song Can and then Song Du. Just as the group’s escape route opened, Yang Yi turned toward approaching reinforcements instead of fleeing.

• Yang Yi used his blood and qi to track his enemies’ movements as he fought toward Song Du, and he caught Song Can’s Silver Snake Sword between two fingers.
• Yang Yi struck Song Can through the chest with Shatter Mountains and Rivers, killing the Song Household’s second Lan Blood.
• Song Du tried to flee, but Qin Siniang pulled him back with her whip, and Yang Yi, Zhuang Laosan, and Shen Qian killed him together.
• With Song Du dead and the formation broken, Yang Yi turned and charged toward the approaching Clearwind City reinforcements, alarming Zhuang Laosan.

Yang Yi changed the escape plan and led Qin Siniang, Shen Qian, and Zhuang Laosan in an attack on the approaching Zhao Household forces. Lü E killed Zhao Lanzhou with a surprise strike, while Yang Yi continued fighting and recognized her role in the battle.

• Yang Yi decided to attack the enemy groups before they could unite, and Qin Siniang, Shen Qian, and Zhuang Laosan followed him.
• Zhao Buyou noticed Yang Yi’s group approaching and hurriedly tried to form the scattered Zhao Household forces.
• Yang Yi charged through the Zhao Household ranks, while Qin Siniang and the others followed close behind.
• Lü E emerged from the Zhao Household formation and killed Zhao Lanzhou with a sword strike.
• Yang Yi recognized Lü E and realized she had awakened and helped turn the battle in their favor.

Yang Yi and his companions broke through the Zhao Household’s formation, and Yang Yi killed Zhao Buyou with one punch. As reinforcements arrived, Yang Yi attacked them, while Wang Han stayed behind to hold him off so Lin Hongyao could escape.

• Lü E ambushed Zhao Buyou, delaying him long enough for Yang Yi to catch up and strike him down with a single punch.
• The Zhao Household’s remaining fighters fled after Zhao Buyou and Zhao Lanzhou fell.
• Two Shadow Tower Lan Blood warriors arrived, but Yang Yi killed the one who had called out and charged after the other.
• Wang Han and Lin Hongyao turned their horses to flee, but Wang Han dismounted to confront Yang Yi and told Lin Hongyao to go.
• Yang Yi wounded Wang Han and seized him by the hair, while Wang Han continued urging Lin Hongyao to escape.

Yang Yi chased down Lin Hongyao after the battle and brought her back alive so Lü E’s group could question her. Lü E recognized that Yang Yi had mastered several powerful martial techniques and placed the group under his command if anything happened to her.

• Yang Yi ignored Lü E’s warning and raced after the fleeing Lin Hongyao, leaving Lü E stunned by his speed and apparent mastery of the Shadowless Formula.
• Shen Qian and Zhuang Laosan announced the deaths of Song Du, Song Can, Zhao Buyou, and Zhao Lanzhou, causing the remaining enemies to scatter.
• Yang Yi returned with Lin Hongyao alive and handed her to Lü E, who ordered Shen Qian to question her and Wang Han for intelligence.
• Lü E asked what had happened while she was unconscious, and Qin Siniang explained the events of the battle.
• Lü E praised Yang Yi and said she would report his achievements, then ordered everyone to follow his command if anything happened to her before they returned to Qiao'an City.

After the battle in Clearwind City, Lü E learned that the Liu Lineage and Shadow Tower were targeting the Qiao Household’s True Blood, so she led the group back to Qiao'an City. Her report left Qiao Yaoyao and Tie Shan stunned by Yang Yi’s strength and rapid mastery of martial techniques.

• After a Cloud-Piercing Arrow summoned a messenger, Shen Qian revealed that the Liu Lineage had hired Shadow Tower to target the Qiao Household’s True Blood, and Lü E ordered the group to leave at once.
• Shen Qian asked Lü E to spare Wang Han and Lin Hongyao, and she agreed to bring them along under threat of death if they made suspicious moves.
• Lü E led the group and their captives safely back to Qiao'an City, where Yang Yi returned to Bamboo Garden and collapsed into bed from exhaustion.
• At Xiude Hall, Lü E reported Yang Yi’s role in killing six Lan Blood and capturing two, and described how he defeated Zhao Buyou and the others with single blows.
• Lü E told Qiao Yaoyao and Tie Shan that Yang Yi had mastered three great martial techniques despite having only recently begun cultivating, leaving them astonished.

After Yang Yi’s decisive role in the mission earned him great merit, Qiao Yaoyao arranged for him to cultivate in the Yin-Yang Pool within a month and rewarded him with supplies. His companions visited to thank him, and Shen Qian explained that Wang Han and his wife had been forced into service to the Qiao Household.

• Qiao Yaoyao praised Yang Yi for leading the Attendants to kill six Lan Blood enemies, capture two, and prevent heavy losses to the Qiao Household.
• Yang Yi exchanged his merit for another opportunity to cultivate in the Yin-Yang Pool, which Qiao Yaoyao promised to arrange within a month.
• Qiao Yaoyao awarded Yang Yi Myriad-Treasure Dew, and he spent the following days cultivating.
• Qin Siniang, Zhuang Laosan, and Shen Qian visited Yang Yi with gifts of Myriad-Treasure Dew, including a share sent by Lü E, and thanked him for saving them.
• Zhuang Laosan and Qin Siniang teased Yang Yi about marriage before he changed the subject and asked about Wang Han and his wife.
• Shen Qian told Yang Yi that Wang Han and his wife had taken Bloodbane Pills and would serve the Qiao Household.

As the Qiao Household faced attacks from the Liu Lineage and Shadow Tower, Qiao Yaoyao sent Yang Yi, Qin Siniang, and Shen Qian to retake Falling Moon Market from Black Wind Stronghold. Yang Yi prepared to leave, promising his family he would return in a few days.

• Shen Qian explained that the Bloodbane Pill required a monthly antidote from the Qiao Household, while Zhuang Laosan and Qin Siniang described the worsening conflict and the Qiao Household’s retreat.
• Qiao Yaoyao summoned Yang Yi, Qin Siniang, and Shen Qian and ordered them to recapture Falling Moon Market, which Black Wind Stronghold had taken.
• Qiao Yaoyao told Yang Yi that two Lan Bloods guarded the market and that the team needed to hold it to protect the Qiao Household’s Jade Marrow Zhi Powder supply.
• Yang Yi accepted command of the mission and agreed to set out as soon as he had prepared.
• Yang Yi said goodbye to Yang Yong and Yang Ya, then rode out of Bamboo Garden on a horse provided by the Qiao Household.

Yang Yi and his companions reached Falling Moon Market to reclaim it from Black Wind Stronghold and learned about the enemy’s defenses and the uncertain allegiance of Golden Saber Hall. Yang Yi arranged to meet its leaders, prepared to handle betrayal if necessary, and aimed to resolve the situation quickly so he could return to cultivating.

• Yang Yi, Shen Qian, and Qin Siniang traveled to Falling Moon Market, entering disguised as herb gatherers with help from a Qiao Household contact.
• Shopkeeper Qian Sanbao reported that Black Wind Stronghold held the Qiao Household’s fortified stronghold with two Lan Blood experts, nearly a hundred men, twenty greatbows, and five siege crossbows.
• Qian Sanbao explained that the previous Qiao Household Attendants had lost the stronghold after one neglected his duties and gave Black Wind Stronghold an opening.
• Yang Yi asked Qian Sanbao to arrange a meeting with Golden Saber Hall’s two hall masters, despite warnings that they might betray the Qiao Household.
• Yang Yi told Shen Qian and Qin Siniang that he could deal with Golden Saber Hall whether it sided with them or had its leaders killed, and said he wanted to settle matters quickly so he could cultivate.

Yang Yi, Qin Siniang, and Qian Sanbao attended a banquet at Stone Manor, where Shi Zhongtang trapped them in a pit after siding with Black Wind Stronghold. Qin Siniang helped Yang Yi leap out, and he overpowered Shi Zhongtang as their fight began.

• Qian Sanbao arranged for Yang Yi and Qin Siniang to attend a banquet at Stone Manor.
• Shi Zhongtang kept out of sight while his men served tea, then triggered a mechanism that dropped Yang Yi, Qin Siniang, and Qian Sanbao into a pit.
• Qin Siniang caught Yang Yi with her whip and flung him toward the pit's opening.
• Shi Zhongtang struck at Yang Yi, but Yang Yi dodged, seized his wrist, and shattered his defensive technique with a punch.
• Yang Yi landed beside Shi Zhongtang and launched a second punch.

Yang Yi killed Shi Zhongtang, forced Lu Qianshan to swallow a Bloodbane Pill, and used him to lure Black Wind Stronghold into Stone Manor. The chapter ended as Duan Hong sensed the trap and began to retreat.

• Yang Yi killed Shi Zhongtang and made Lu Qianshan surrender by showing him a Bloodbane Pill.
• Yang Yi ordered Lu Qianshan to become Golden Saber Hall’s hall master and deal with the Shi Family; Lu Qianshan killed the family members in the rear hall.
• Lu Qianshan explained the plan to invite Cloud Leopard or Duan Hong, and Yang Yi approved his plan to lure them to Stone Manor.
• Shen Qian, Qin Siniang, and Qian Sanbao cleaned the hall and prepared for Black Wind Stronghold’s arrival.
• Lu Qianshan brought Duan Hong and his men into Stone Manor, where Duan Hong sensed something was wrong and immediately started to retreat.

Yang Yi’s group ambushed Duan Hong at Stone Manor and killed him after learning Black Wind Stronghold’s leaders had taken Bloodbane Pills. Yang Yi gathered Golden Saber Hall’s sixty-five men and marched on the stronghold, leaving Falling Moon Market deserted beneath the night sky.

• Duan Hong sensed the trap and tried to escape, but Shen Qian, Qin Siniang, and Yang Yi stopped him while Lu Qianshan and the others dealt with his men.
• Lu Qianshan revealed that Black Wind Stronghold’s leaders had taken Bloodbane Pills, so Yang Yi ordered Duan Hong killed; Qin Siniang, Shen Qian, and Lu Qianshan cut him down.
• Lu Qianshan reported that two of Duan Hong’s men had fled, and Yang Yi ordered him to gather Golden Saber Hall’s forces for an attack on Black Wind Stronghold.
• Lu Qianshan returned with sixty-five men, and Yang Yi led them toward the stronghold while Falling Moon Market’s residents shut themselves indoors.

After Duan Hong went missing in an ambush at Stone Manor, Cloud Leopard prepared Black Wind Stronghold for an attack. Yang Yi led his force to the heavily fortified stronghold and charged toward its gate as the defenders launched a volley of arrows.

• Two bandits reported that Seventh Boss Duan Hong and his men had walked into an ambush at Stone Manor.
• Cloud Leopard ordered one bandit to seek reinforcements from Third Boss and another to wake the stronghold’s defenders.
• Yang Yi, Qin Siniang, Lu Qianshan, and their force arrived and assessed the stronghold’s defenses.
• Yang Yi rejected a direct assault by the group and charged toward the gate alone.
• Cloud Leopard ordered the defenders to release arrows at Yang Yi.

Yang Yi smashed through Black Wind Stronghold’s gate and killed Cloud Leopard, turning the assault into a rout. The battle ended soon after as Shen Qian, Qin Siniang, and Golden Saber Hall’s fighters swept through the stronghold.

• Cloud Leopard fired a massive siege-crossbow bolt at Yang Yi, but Yang Yi accelerated and dodged it.
• Yang Yi punched apart half of the stronghold gate, and Shen Qian ordered the waiting forces to attack.
• Yang Yi spotted Cloud Leopard fleeing from the high platform and pursued him through his hidden weapons.
• Yang Yi overpowered Cloud Leopard’s saber strike and killed him with a punch, then shouted that Cloud Leopard was dead.
• The bandits panicked as Shen Qian, Qin Siniang, and Lu Qianshan led their fighters into the stronghold and defeated the remaining defenders.