Chapter Summaries

After fifteen days of secluded cultivation, Yi Yang broke through to True Astral Realm Completion and discovered his lifespan had increased to 180 years. He went to the Judgment Hall to meet Ji Yunzhang and Wen Shiheng, where he sensed an unfamiliar late true astral expert.

• Yi Yang used his cultivation resources to reach the limit of late true astral, then overcame the four hurdles of his breakthrough and controlled a nascent dharma body.
• Yi Yang's panel showed True Astral Realm Completion and a lifespan of 180 years, which he attributed to the Wood-Nurturing Longevity Art.
• Yi Yang emerged from seclusion and told Jiang Yuexin he had broken through; she said Ji Yunzhang and Wen Shiheng had visited while he was away.
• Yi Yang ate, changed into his Commander's uniform, and headed to the Judgment Hall to meet Ji Yunzhang and Wen Shiheng.
• Yi Yang sensed both men in the side hall and detected an unfamiliar late true astral aura whose cultivation method matched neither the Heaven Patrol Office nor the Three Great Sects.

Yi Yang met Suiyuan Merchant Guild Chairman Lin He, who hosted him and offered him fifty spirit crystals as an apology for charging him for a sword. During the meal, Lin He revealed that the court might open border trade with the Southern Border Witch Kingdom and establish an office in Qing Province to oversee it.

• Yi Yang met Lin He, the wealthy chairman of the Suiyuan Merchant Guild, after emerging from seclusion at the Judgment Hall.
• Lin He hosted Yi Yang, Ji Yunzhang, and Wen Shiheng at Crane Tower, where Yi Yang learned that Lin owned both the restaurant and the Spirit Treasure Pavilion.
• Lin He apologized for charging Yi Yang for Falling Blossoms and gave him a box containing fifty spirit crystals.
• Wen Shiheng told Yi Yang that his earlier visits concerned Lin He, who then shared a rumor from Qing Province about the court's plans for border trade with the Southern Border Witch Kingdom.

Yi Yang learned that Great Yu and the Southern Border Witch Kingdom were preparing to establish border trade through three strongholds in the Ten Thousand Demon Mountains. He recognized that the dangerous assignment could draw him into a struggle among the court, Qing Province, and the Witch Kingdom, but also offer valuable opportunities.

• Lin He explained that unrest in the Witch Kingdom and disasters, financial strain, and political infighting in Great Yu had pushed both sides toward opening trade.
• Lin He revealed that the court planned to build the Crossing Peak, Dark Abyss, and Ten Thousand Demons strongholds, and that it might recruit Heaven Patrol Office personnel from Qing Province's prefectures and counties.
• Lin He asked Yi Yang, Ji Yunzhang, and Wen Shiheng to support his business if they were assigned to the strongholds, but Yi Yang made no promise.
• After the gathering, Yi Yang warned Ji Yunzhang and Wen Shiheng that the strongholds would be perilous and contested, then said he would consider whether to go.

Yi Yang used [Heart Follows Dream Immortal] to practice two new forms of the Four Symbols Six Directions Saber and discovered that the dream improved his training efficiency. Meanwhile, Venerable Blood Mirage learned that Yin Xi had died and sent Blood Butcher to Suining Prefecture to target Lu Quanan, Yi Yang, and the Heaven Patrol Office.

• Yi Yang reviewed his martial arts in the dream and decided that his offensive techniques needed more variety.
• Yi Yang practiced Vermilion Bird Burns the Flame and White Tiger Howls at the Moon until he reached initiation in both forms.
• Yi Yang realized that cultivation in the dream improved his understanding and control by at least thirty percent.
• Venerable Blood Mirage learned that Yin Xi's Life-Soul Jade Tablet had shattered and ordered an investigation into his death.
• A black-robed subordinate reported that Lu Quanan had killed Yin Xi and that Yi Yang had disrupted the Nine Evil Sect's plans.
• Venerable Blood Mirage ordered Blood Butcher to go to Suining Prefecture, test Lu Quanan's strength, and kill him and Yi Yang if possible.

Lu Quanan told Yi Yang that he had been conscripted as Suining Prefectural City's sole representative to Qing Province's new Trade and Commerce Office, thanks to Yan Wuyuan's intervention. He explained the Hidden Dragon Ranking and warned Yi Yang that his rapid cultivation would draw attention in Qing Province, telling him to use Lu Quanan's name if questioned.

• Lu Quanan informed Yi Yang that Qing Province was establishing a Trade and Commerce Office to oversee trade with the Southern Border Witch Kingdom and that Yi Yang alone had been conscripted from Suining Prefectural City.
• Lu Quanan explained that someone in Qing Province had secured Yi Yang's place, and Yi Yang realized Yan Wuyuan had helped him.
• Lu Quanan described the Hidden Dragon Ranking, its three hundred and sixty Profound Connection Realm experts, and the status and resources it brought them.
• Lu Quanan recognized that Yi Yang had reached true astral perfection and warned that his rapid progress could attract scrutiny in Qing Province.
• Lu Quanan told Yi Yang to give his name if anyone questioned his cultivation.

Lu Quanan explained the dangers, factions, and unsettled command of the three strongholds in the Ten Thousand Demon Mountains to Yi Yang, who realized his current strength was insufficient for Qing Province. Yi Yang resolved to reach the Profound Connection Realm before his transfer orders arrived.

• Lu Quanan offered Yi Yang permission to use his name, except when dealing with a Grandmaster.
• Lu Quanan described the costly clearing of the Ten Thousand Demon Mountains and the powerful demons still living there.
• Lu Quanan explained that Qing Province’s powers, the Imperial City, and the Southern Border Witch Kingdom were contesting positions and spoils in the three strongholds.
• Lu Quanan told Yi Yang that Jiang Zhongtian, ranked two hundred and seventy-eighth on Great Yu’s Hidden Dragon Ranking, oversaw Crossing Peak Town as Deputy Garrison Commissioner.
• Yi Yang judged that his advantages would not be enough in Qing Province and resolved to break through to the Profound Connection Realm.
• Lu Quanan told Yi Yang to cultivate, settle his affairs in Suining Prefecture, and await the official transfer orders.

After completing his body-tempering breakthrough, Yi Yang learned he had been conscripted to travel to the Ten Thousand Demon Mountains with the Windbreath Cavalry. He arranged for Qi Shujian to take over the Pacification Guard and prepared to part from Jiang Yuexin, who would return to Qingzhou City with Liu Qing.

• Yi Yang absorbed the last of the blood river flower’s medicinal power, tempering his body until his Martial Extreme Dragon Elephant Body reached major accomplishment.
• Blood Butcher arrived near Suining Prefecture to kill Yi Yang, while news of the Trade and Commerce Office drew countless people toward the Ten Thousand Demon Mountains.
• He Ming led fifty Windbreath Cavalry soldiers into Suining Prefecture and delivered the conscription order requiring Yi Yang to leave in three days.
• Yi Yang recommended Qi Shujian to succeed him as Pacification Guard Commander, and Lu Quanan approved the appointment.
• Yi Yang read Yan Wuyuan’s letter directing Liu Qing to take Jiang Yuexin back to Qingzhou City, and he reassured Yuexin before leaving to arrange the handover.

Yi Yang gave Xu Min an Astral Condensation Pill, brought him and thirty Pacification Guards along with the Windbreath Cavalry toward Qing Province, and was followed by the assassin Blood Butcher. As Blood Butcher prepared an ambush, an unseen assailant seized him from behind.

• Yi Yang saw that Xu Min had broken through to the true astral realm after taking the Astral Condensation Pill and told him to stabilize his cultivation.
• Yi Yang ordered Xu Min to choose thirty trustworthy Pacification Guards for the journey to Qing Province, and the men swore to follow Yi Yang.
• Yi Yang and the thirty guards joined He Ming's fifty Windbreath Cavalry riders and set out toward Qingzhou City.
• Blood Butcher watched the party leave Suining Prefecture and secretly followed them, planning to kill Yi Yang on the road.
• Blood Butcher moved toward his chosen ambush site, but an unseen hand suddenly seized the back of his head.

Lu Quanan killed the Nine Evil Sect assassin Blood Butcher before Yi Yang's party reached Heyu County. There, Yi Yang agreed to travel with another Windbreath Cavalry unit and its Evil Punishment Office escort, whose deputy chief inspector questioned Suining's Pacification Guard.

• Lu Quanan subdued Blood Butcher with vines and crushed him to death, then took his storage ring.
• Yi Yang sensed a terrifying aura near Suining Prefectural City but trusted Lu Quanan to handle any danger.
• After five days on the road, Yi Yang's party reached Heyu County and met Banner Commander He’s unit from Green Canal Prefecture.
• Yi Yang agreed to join the other unit for the journey and to stop in Heyu County for the night.
• Meng Kuo scrutinized Suining's Pacification Guard and made pointed remarks about its efforts against the Nine Evil Sect, while Yi Yang replied mildly.

Yi Yang and his Pacification Guards reached Heyu County and clashed with Xie Tinglan of Bamboo Creek Gate, who despised the Heaven Patrol Office. As Xie drew her sword, He Ming intervened and warned her not to obstruct Qing Province’s conscription mission.

• Yi Yang’s party arrived at Mountainview Inn, where they encountered Xie Tinglan and her Bamboo Creek Gate disciples.
• Xie Tinglan insulted Yi Yang and the Pacification Guards, and Xu Min rose to confront her under Yi Yang’s signal.
• Xie pressured Yi Yang’s table with her true astral realm aura, but Yi Yang remained unmoved and taunted her.
• Xie drew her Flexible Sword, while Meng Kuo disavowed any connection to Yi Yang’s group and withdrew from the dispute.
• He Ming stepped between the groups and warned Xie that interfering with the conscription mission could make Bamboo Creek Gate answer to Qing Province.

After Xie Tinglan ended her confrontation with Yi Yang, He Ming explained why she hated the Pacification Guard and warned that she might seek secret revenge. He also gave Yi Yang Wensi Pavilion’s Heroes Ranking, which revealed his standing among the summoned experts and sharpened his focus on reaching the Profound Connection Realm.

• Xie Tinglan withdrew after Yi Yang invoked Qing Province’s mobilization and the Trade and Commerce Office’s plans.
• He Ming told Yi Yang how Xie Tinglan had been deceived by a Pacification Guard Commander, denied justice, and later avenged herself after the Bamboo Creek Gate gained power.
• He Ming warned Yi Yang that Xie Tinglan could still target him in secret, then gave him Wensi Pavilion’s Heroes Ranking.
• Yi Yang found himself ranked fifty-eighth, reviewed Pei Jin’s first-place record and Xie Tinglan’s thirty-second-place entry, and noticed that no Profound Connection Realm experts appeared in the booklet.
• Yi Yang decided to investigate the separate Profound Connection Realm ranking in Qing Province and continued refining his saber techniques through his [Heart Follows Dream Immortal] talent.

Xu Min clashed with Lin Qiao'er after she insulted the Pacification Guards, but her refined swordsmanship overwhelmed him before He Ming and Banner Commander He stopped the fight. Yi Yang continued toward Qingzhou City with the Windbreath Cavalry, learning that growing tensions between the sects, the Heaven Patrol Office, and the military could make his journey difficult.

• Lin Qiao'er mocked Xu Min and the Pacification Guards, provoking Xu Min into attacking her.
• Lin Qiao'er used her flexible sword to wound Xu Min and gain the upper hand as the two groups drew weapons.
• He Ming and Banner Commander He suppressed the confrontation, and Xie Tinglan reprimanded Lin Qiao'er before ordering her to serve at the rear of the party.
• The Windbreath Cavalry escorted Yi Yang and his party out of Heyu County, while Lin Qiao'er and the Bamboo Creek Gate party followed an hour later.
• He Ming and Banner Commander He told Yi Yang that sects had grown bolder and that tensions between martial factions and the military were rising.
• Yi Yang weighed the conflicts awaiting him in Qing Province as the party resumed its journey toward Qingzhou City.

Yi Yang’s convoy reached Qingzhou City, where he witnessed the provincial capital’s immense scale and the arrival of a delegation from the Southern Border Witch Kingdom. Mu Yanluo sensed an overwhelming force when she met Yi Yang’s gaze, while Yi Yang realized her mental power was unusually strong, and both parties moved on without speaking.

• Yi Yang’s convoy pushed through crowded roads toward Qing Province, and Xu Min told Yi Yang that the Heroes Ranking placed him fifty-eighth.
• After eight days of travel, He Ming brought the convoy to Qingzhou City and warned Yi Yang’s Pacification Guards to obey its rules.
• Yi Yang and his men entered Qingzhou City, marveling at its massive walls, bustling streets, and abundant shops.
• A delegation from the Southern Border Witch Kingdom entered the city, and He Ming identified them as foreign envoys.
• Mu Yanluo met Yi Yang’s gaze and nearly fell from her wolf after feeling his divine sense; Yi Yang noticed her unusually powerful mental perception before following He Ming’s convoy away.

Yi Yang and Meng Kuo arrived at the Qing Province Heaven Patrol Office, where Chief Inspector Yao Ju showed them the Ninefold Hall and assigned them guest rooms until their appointments were decided. Meanwhile, Wu Ge accepted Great Yu’s trade terms for the Shaman Kingdom, hoping the trade route would secure supplies and allies as unrest grew at home.

• Yi Yang and Meng Kuo presented their Command Tokens at the Ninefold Palace and waited to be received.
• Yao Ju introduced himself as Chief Inspector of the Judgment Hall, explained the hierarchy of the Ninefold Hall, and warned that the upper six halls were restricted to powerful cultivators.
• Yao Ju directed Yi Yang and Meng Kuo to guest rooms and told them not to wander until the Trade and Commerce Office issued appointment lists.
• Wu Ge asked Great Yu’s official for a larger share of tax revenue and broader trade permissions, but the official insisted on the court’s terms.
• Mu Yanluo questioned Wu Ge about accepting Great Yu’s seventy-percent share, and he explained that the Shaman Kingdom needed grain and iron to prevent rebellion as threats stirred beneath sealed grounds.
• Wu Ge told Mu Yanluo that opening the trade route could also help them find allies in Great Yu.

Xu Min reported on Qing Province’s powerful lineages, government office, and sects, while Yi Yang considered the unclear balance of power in Qingzhou City. After ten days of seclusion, Yi Yang accepted Lin He’s invitation to meet top-ranked experts before their journey to the Ten Thousand Demon Mountains.

• Xu Min told Yi Yang that Qingzhou City’s leading powers were the Azure Jade Divine General Lineage, the Qing Province Heaven Patrol Office, the Heavenly Heart Sect, and Ten Thousand Swords Valley, with four major merchant lineages entwined among them.
• Yi Yang and his party remained in their courtyard for ten days while Yi Yang cultivated and practiced his saber techniques.
• Xu Min caught Pacification Guards who had secretly visited pleasure houses and ordered each of them to receive twenty strokes.
• Lin He visited Yi Yang with pastries and invited him to a gathering of Heroes Ranking experts at the Moon-Gazing Tower.
• Yi Yang accepted Lin He’s invitation to meet the experts who might travel with him to the Ten Thousand Demon Mountains.

Yi Yang attended Lin He's gathering of True Astral Realm experts in Qingzhou City, where they discussed the Ten Thousand Demon Mountains campaign and the mysterious Lu Qinglan. At Lin He's private trading session, Yi Yang spotted a piece of wood concealing immense vitality that might help him reach the Profound Connection Realm.

• Lin He introduced Yi Yang to the gathered experts, including Xie Yungui, Ye Chen, and Su Niannian.
• The experts discussed their expected assignments to the Ten Thousand Demon Mountains and traded rumors about Lu Qinglan, an unknown fighter who had defeated top-ranked opponents with ease.
• The group exchanged intelligence about the three strongholds, including the dispute over Dark Abyss Stronghold and the danger of Ten Thousand Demon Stronghold.
• Lin He opened a private trading session for the experts, hoping to build goodwill with those heading to the front lines.
• Yi Yang sensed extraordinary vitality sealed inside a seemingly worthless piece of wood among Su Niannian's goods and concealed his excitement.

Yi Yang bargained with Su Niannian to buy an enigmatic piece of wood for twenty-three Spirit Crystals. Back in his quarters, he discovered a pure mass of primordial Life Force inside it that shared the origin of his Wood-Nurturing Longevity Art.

• Yi Yang asked Su Niannian about the wood she had found near White Dragon Marsh, then walked away rather than pay her asking price of fifty Spirit Crystals.
• After the gathering, Su Niannian caught up with Yi Yang and privately offered to sell him the wood for forty Spirit Crystals.
• Yi Yang claimed he only wanted the wood as a substitute cultivation material and negotiated Su Niannian down to twenty-three Spirit Crystals.
• Yi Yang returned to his quarters, sealed the room with Astral Energy, and used his Divine Sense to examine the wood while circulating the Wood-Nurturing Longevity Art.
• Yi Yang found an emerald-green mass of pure primordial Life Force inside the wood and sensed that its aura shared the origin of his cultivation art.

Yi Yang touched the wood essence in a piece of dead wood and saw a vision of Pineclear Daoist hunting a wounded Black Flood Dragon at White Dragon Marsh three hundred years ago. Back in Qingzhou City, he absorbed the wood essence as it escaped, beginning his breakthrough to the Profound Connection Realm.

• Yi Yang's Divine Sense touched the emerald essence in the dead wood and pulled him into a vision of White Dragon Marsh.
• Yi Yang watched a wounded Black Flood Dragon flee through the clouds while Pineclear Daoist attacked it with an azure sword and cut off its tail.
• Yi Yang returned to his room and recognized the marsh as White Dragon Marsh and the Daoist as Pineclear Daoist, though the vision's Black Flood Dragon contradicted the record of a White Dragon.
• Yi Yang saw the dead wood cracking and its vitality escaping, then used the Wood-Nurturing Longevity Art to draw the essence into himself.
• Yi Yang's astral energy began transforming into true qi, and his Dharma Body started forming a profound light seed as he neared a breakthrough to the Profound Connection Realm.

Yi Yang absorbed the three-hundred-year-old vital essence and broke through to the Profound Connection Realm by shaping his Profound Light Seed around his true self. He suppressed his new aura, saw his rejuvenated reflection, and heard footsteps approaching in the courtyard.

• The vital essence surged through Yi Yang, transforming his True Astral Force and completing the Wood-Nurturing Longevity Art’s True Astral Realm progress.
• Yi Yang’s Dharma Body phantom shed its old shell, and he recalled the hardships and choices that had shaped his life.
• Yi Yang’s emerald Profound Light Seed took the form of his true self, and new shoots and roots sprang up around the room.
• The Heavenly Mandate panel recorded Yi Yang’s breakthrough to the Profound Connection Realm and a lifespan of three hundred years.
• Yi Yang concealed his aura, studied his younger-looking reflection in the water, and heard footsteps in the courtyard.

Yi Yang received an invitation from the Azure Jade Marquis Manor and went there the next day, where he discovered the Fifth Young Lady was Yan Wuyuan. Their reunion left their relationship unresolved.

• Yi Yang cleaned away all traces of his recent cultivation before Xu Min delivered an invitation from the Azure Jade Marquis Manor.
• Yi Yang suspected Yan Wuyuan had arranged the invitation and decided to visit the manor the next day.
• Yi Yang entered the Azure Jade Marquis Manor and was stunned by its lavish grounds and abundant treasures.
• Zeng Ying escorted Yi Yang to a side courtyard, where he waited for the Fifth Young Lady and noticed that the tea could strengthen divine sense.
• Yan Wuyuan arrived and greeted Yi Yang, who welcomed her back as Chief Inspector Yan.