Chapter Summaries

Zhang Yuan returned his mother and Xiang Xiu to Wu Manor, then learned that the Helmsman had promoted him to Battle Hall Incense Master for killing the Iron Zombie. He accepted a loyalty assignment and completed his promotion procedures, choosing a new saber and an archery technique.

• Zhang Yuan reassured his mother that he was healthy and promised himself he would one day give her a peaceful life.
• Zhang Yuan escorted his mother and Xiang Xiu back to Wu Manor, then hurried to Whale Fortress after a youth summoned him on urgent business.
• Zhao Jinlan and Gao Sheng told Zhang Yuan that Wei Changfeng had promoted him to Battle Hall Incense Master, despite objections over his lack of seniority.
• Gao Sheng gave Zhang Yuan Wei Changfeng's writ, which Zhang Yuan recognized as a test of loyalty, and Zhang Yuan accepted the assignment.
• Zhao Jinlan accompanied Zhang Yuan to the Inner Hall, where he completed his promotion procedures and received an increased salary and other benefits.
• Zhang Yuan selected a three-hundred-forged Goose Feather Saber and chose an archery technique as his Martial Skill.

Zhang Yuan chose Cloud Piercing Arrow from the Raging Whale Armory and tested the limits of his Divine Nest’s strength blessing. Before dawn, he joined six masked fighters on a raid against the Fierce Tiger Gang’s Ruyi Gambling House to prove his loyalty.

• Zhang Yuan selected the Cloud Piercing Arrow manual and returned home after Zhao Jinlan warned him that many people were watching his performance.
• Zhang Yuan discovered that his Black Giant Ant and Golden Grasshopper had evolved to grant eightfold strength and agility, then found that sixfold strength nearly tore his body apart.
• Zhang Yuan received a faint birdsong signal before dawn, dressed in black night clothes, and joined six others at the stone monument outside Wu Manor.
• The seven traveled to the market outside Linhe County and approached the Fierce Tiger Gang’s Ruyi Gambling House, Zhang Yuan’s target for the raid.
• A black-clad scout reported that the hidden sentries had been dealt with, and the group rushed to attack.

Zhang Yuan led the Raging Whale Gang’s strike on Ruyi Gambling House, killing Jiang Zhong and every thug inside before his team took the money and set the building on fire. He returned safely to Wu Manor as other teams carried out the gang’s retaliation against the Fierce Tiger Gang.

• Jiang Zhong inspected the gambling house’s accounts and invited his subordinates to drink at Spring Moon Pavilion.
• Zhang Yuan burst into Ruyi Gambling House and killed Jiang Zhong with two saber strikes.
• Zhang Yuan cut down the gambling house thugs while the operation leader and other Wrathful Whale Disciples watched.
• The team took the chests of coins, overturned oil lamps, and set Ruyi Gambling House ablaze.
• Zhang Yuan and his group returned safely to Wu Manor amid the fire and the marketplace’s commotion.
• The Raging Whale Gang carried out other operations against the Fierce Tiger Gang in retaliation for the attack on the Linhe Branch.

Meng Hu confronted the Four Great Families after the Raging Whale Gang’s devastating retaliation, but they dismissed his losses and ordered him to preserve the Fierce Tiger Gang for the arrival of the Heavenly One. Zhang Yuan was praised for his role in the counterattack and received a reward, having earned the Raging Whale Gang’s acceptance.

• Meng Hu told the Four Great Families that the Raging Whale Gang had destroyed several Fierce Tiger Gang businesses and killed his trusted confidant.
• The old man in brocade dismissed Meng Hu’s losses, waived the gang’s tribute for the month, and warned him not to disrupt the families’ plans for the Heavenly One.
• Meng Hu left the residence, silently resented the patriarchs, then beat a subordinate in a burst of anger before riding away.
• Zhao Jinlan praised Zhang Yuan for completing his mission, and Gao Sheng handed him a reward.
• Zhang Yuan realized he had passed the Raging Whale Gang’s test and had been accepted as a member.

Zhang Yuan fished around the edge of Flying Goose Marsh to gather Source Essence, then returned to Linhe Wharf with a haul for his family. After he left, a strange black figure surfaced beside the fish trap he had abandoned and watched his boat.

• With Linhe County temporarily peaceful and no assignments from the Raging Whale Gang, Zhang Yuan took his fishing boat downstream to Flying Goose Marsh for Source Essence.
• Zhang Yuan cast nets around the marsh’s outskirts and sacrificed his catch, directing the Source Essence toward improving the Jade Mantis’s Blade Technique Proficiency.
• Zhang Yuan retrieved his traps, collected fish and other river delicacies, and left one trap behind when its rope would not budge.
• After Zhang Yuan’s boat departed, a black figure with long hair and ghostly pale eyes surfaced beside the abandoned trap and watched him sail away before vanishing.

Zhang Yuan enjoyed a peaceful dinner at home before continuing to fish at Flying Goose Marsh, where his Jade Mantis completed its evolution. Zhang Xiong intercepted him on the marsh and accused him of being connected to Gao Ze’s death, revealing that he had become a Third Order Transformed Strength martial artist.

• Zhang Yuan shared a lavish dinner with Zhang's Mother and Xiang Xiu, who treated each other like family.
• Zhang Yuan continued fishing at Flying Goose Marsh and invested Source Essence until the Jade Mantis gained Advanced Blade Technique Mastery.
• Two Fast Boats followed Zhang Yuan from Linhe Wharf to the outer reaches of Flying Goose Marsh, where he turned to face them.
• Zhang Yuan recognized Zhang Xiong, who recalled their old dispute over a Rock Sheep and threw a silver ingot at him.
• Zhang Yuan caught the ingot and recognized Zhang Xiong’s Third Order Transformed Strength cultivation.
• Zhang Xiong accused Zhang Yuan of knowing something about Gao Ze’s death and said he intended to uncover the truth.

Zhang Yuan evaded Zhang Xiong’s ambush on the river and revealed his deadly underwater mastery of the Surging Wave Palm. After killing the six men sent to capture him, he performed rites over one of the bodies, while Zhang Xiong remained on the boat.

• Zhang Xiong tried to trick Zhang Yuan into surrendering, but Zhang Yuan kicked off from his boat and dove into the water.
• Zhang Xiong ordered his men to cast hooked nets and wait for Zhang Yuan to surface, but Zhang Yuan stayed underwater and struck the fast boat from below.
• Zhang Xiong offered a reward for Zhang Yuan’s capture, and six armored subordinates plunged into the water with Water Dividing Pikes.
• Zhang Yuan used an underwater Surging Wave Palm to strike the six men with powerful undercurrents, killing them all within moments.
• Zhang Yuan seized one of the corpses and performed rites to prevent it from becoming a Water Ghoul.

Zhang Yuan killed Zhang Xiong underwater and gained a large amount of Source Essence. As he prepared to surface, he encountered an apparition of Xiao Wan and resisted its enchantment with the Blood Burning Art.

• Zhang Xiong grew alarmed when his six hired martial artists failed to surface and tried to row his boat back to Linhe Wharf.
• Zhang Xiong lost control of the boat, fell into the river, and was dragged underwater by Zhang Yuan.
• Zhang Yuan revealed that he had lured Zhang Xiong to Flying Goose Marsh and killed him, gaining 18.2 Source Essence.
• A figure resembling Zhang Yuan’s first love, Xiao Wan, appeared and approached him underwater.
• Zhang Yuan broke through the apparition’s enchantment by biting his tongue and using the Blood Burning Art.

Zhang Yuan escaped the Water Ghoul at Flying Goose Marsh and returned safely to Linhe Wharf after spending his gathered Source Essence to advance the White Dragon Loach and Divine Nest. There, he learned that his promotion to Battle Hall Incense Master had been announced, and Chen Zhize took him to celebrate at the Ten Thousand Flowers Brothel.

• Zhang Yuan struck the Water Ghoul with Essence Blood, escaped its pursuit, and returned to his Black Awning Boat.
• Zhang Yuan rowed away from Flying Goose Marsh, then spent nearly forty points of Source Essence on the White Dragon Loach and Divine Nest.
• Zhang Yuan arrived at Linhe Wharf, where a Raging Whale Gang disciple told him Chen Zhize wanted to see him.
• Chen Zhize congratulated Zhang Yuan on becoming a Battle Hall Incense Master and praised him as the youngest of three newly promoted Incense Masters.
• Chen Zhize invited Zhang Yuan to celebrate at the Ten Thousand Flowers Brothel, and Zhang Yuan agreed to go with him.

Zhang Yuan tested his newly advanced water proficiency in the Celestial Steed River, then returned to Battle Hall after Zhao Jinlan summoned him for an important discussion. The chapter ended with him listening among the hall’s elders and Incense Masters.

• Zhang Yuan left Ten Thousand Flowers Brothel with Chen Zhize after drinking with Xiaoqian, and he later avoided fishing while his fame spread through the Raging Whale Gang and County Town.
• Zhang Yuan rode his assigned yellow horse to the Celestial Steed River, fed it, and tested his Advanced Water Proficiency by swimming underwater.
• Zhang Yuan discovered that his underwater perception, movement, and ability to withstand pressure had greatly improved, and he stayed submerged for nearly half a shichen before returning to shore.
• Xiang Xiu told Zhang Yuan that Zhao Jinlan had summoned him to Battle Hall, so he rode back to Whale Fortress.
• Zhang Yuan entered Battle Hall’s main chamber, greeted Zhao Jinlan and Gao Sheng, and took a seat to listen as the deputy hall masters began speaking.

The Linhe Branch prepared to attack a Yin Mountain Sect stronghold suspected of controlling the zombies that had attacked Whale Fortress and Wu Manor. Zhang Yuan joined the operation, and the Battle Hall set out before dawn with Gao Sheng carrying the Azure Wave Sword.

• The Linhe Branch identified a Yin Mountain Sect stronghold after investigating the zombie and Water Ghoul attacks.
• Gao Sheng warned the Battle Hall about the sect’s corpse control, eerie entities, poison, and curses, and said he would use the Azure Wave Sword against any Iron Zombies.
• Zhao Jinlan ordered the Battle Hall to assemble before Whale Fortress at Mao Time and kept Zhang Yuan behind to explain that he had to join the dangerous mission.
• Zhang Yuan agreed to fight, intending to earn Source Essence by killing zombies, while Zhao Jinlan told him to stay behind her and provide cover.
• Zhang Yuan arrived at Whale Fortress before dawn, and the assembled Battle Hall rode out toward the stronghold.

Battle Hall Warriors attacked a Yin Mountain Sect stronghold hidden in a mountain valley, setting its manor ablaze and breaking through its walls. Zombies poured from the ruins, and Zhang Yuan prepared to shoot a White-Haired Zombie as the battle began.

• Gao Sheng led the Battle Hall Warriors through the wilderness and into the forest, where they found the hidden manor.
• Zhao Jinlan assigned Zhang Yuan and seven other bowmen to cover the manor from the northern and southern slopes.
• Battle Hall Warriors sprayed Fierce Fire Oil over the manor and set it alight, but no defenders appeared at first.
• Gao Sheng ordered the gates and walls smashed, and the warriors broke open the manor's entrance and sections of its walls.
• An Iron Zombie burst from a building, followed by a mass of zombies, and Gao Sheng ordered the Battle Hall disciples to engage.
• Zhang Yuan coated his arrows with blood essence, aimed at a White-Haired Zombie, and fired with Cloud Piercing Arrow.

Zhang Yuan and the Battle Hall Warriors fought an overwhelming zombie horde while Zhang Yuan discovered that a powerful Iron Zombie was directing it. After the Iron Zombie began hurling stones at the archers, Zhang Yuan raced toward the nearby forest to find the hidden Yin Mountain Sect disciple controlling it.

• Zhang Yuan used Cloud Piercing Arrow to bring down a White-Haired Zombie, then joined the other archers in attacking the advancing horde.
• The zombies crashed into the Battle Hall Warriors’ blade formation, and the Iron Zombie summoned more attackers while demolishing the manor.
• Zhang Yuan shot the Iron Zombie, but the arrow barely pierced its hide, and the creature fixed its attention on him.
• The Iron Zombie roared to drive the horde into a fiercer assault, and one Battle Hall Warrior was dragged away and killed.
• The Iron Zombie hurled heavy stones toward the archers, prompting Zhang Yuan to suspect a Yin Mountain Sect disciple controlled it.
• Zhang Yuan activated fourfold and then sixfold Agility and sprinted toward the forest to find the controller.

Zhang Yuan discovered that a boulder near the estate concealed a Yin Mountain Sect member riding an Iron Zombie, then fought to keep the Gray-robed Man pinned down. Gao Sheng rushed to attack him, but another Iron Zombie moved to intercept while Zhao Jinlan struck at its nape.

• Zhang Yuan searched the mountains around the estate and grew suspicious of a moss-covered boulder.
• Zhang Yuan shattered the boulder's disguise with a blood-enhanced arrow, revealing an Iron Zombie carrying a Gray-robed Man.
• The Gray-robed Man ordered the Iron Zombie to hurl stones at Zhang Yuan, who dodged and returned fire with his bow.
• Zhao Jinlan and Gao Sheng noticed Zhang Yuan had found the Yin Mountain Sect member, and Gao Sheng rushed toward him.
• The Gray-robed Man sent another Iron Zombie to intercept Gao Sheng, and Zhao Jinlan slashed at the creature's nape.

Zhao Jinlan and Gao Sheng worked together to kill one Iron Zombie, while Zhang Yuan brought down the Iron Zombie carrying the Gray-robed Man and killed the Yin Mountain Sect disciple. Gao Sheng then beheaded the fallen Iron Zombie, leaving the Battle Hall Warriors with the battle decisively in their favor.

• Zhao Jinlan wounded the Iron Zombie with blood essence and drew its counterattack, giving Gao Sheng an opening to kill it with the Azure Wave Sword.
• Gao Sheng charged the Gray-robed Man, who threw boulders at him and fled toward the forest on another Iron Zombie.
• Zhang Yuan caught up, broke the Iron Zombie’s legs with two slashes, and pinned the Gray-robed Man beneath it.
• Zhang Yuan stabbed the Gray-robed Man through the throat before he could finish speaking, and the Yin Mountain Sect disciple died.
• Gao Sheng drove the Azure Wave Sword into the Iron Zombie’s neck and severed its head.

Zhang Yuan received Source Essence for killing the Yin Mountain Sect disciple and concluded that the man had been part aberration. After the Battle Hall cleared the manor, Gao Sheng recognized Zhang Yuan’s merit and offered him subordinates, but Zhang Yuan tactfully refused; the force then returned to Wu Manor.

• Zhang Yuan noticed he had gained Source Essence without performing a rite of deliverance and inferred that the Yin Mountain Sect disciple had aberrant traits.
• The Yin Mountain Sect disciple and the Iron Zombie rotted into toxic remains, so Zhang Yuan took an Antidote Pill after inhaling the fumes.
• Gao Sheng praised Zhang Yuan’s role in the victory and offered him a choice of subordinates, but Zhang Yuan declined, saying he needed more time to hone himself.
• The Battle Hall disciples searched the manor, found additional corpses, burned them, and prepared the ashes of three fallen disciples for burial at Whale Fortress.
• Zhao Jinlan and Gao Sheng led the Battle Hall disciples back to Wu Manor before sunset.

Zhang Yuan continued cultivating at the Raging Whale Gang while his Divine Nest neared Level 3, but Source Essence remained scarce. When a Ghost Ship appeared and obstructed the Celestial Steed River, Gao Sheng took Zhang Yuan upstream to investigate, where they found vessels too frightened to pass it.

• Zhang Yuan trained in the sauna and medicinal soup, checking that his Divine Nest had reached 89% progress toward Level 3.
• Zhang Yuan went to Whale Fortress and was summoned by Gao Sheng, who reported a Ghost Ship upstream on the Celestial Steed River.
• Zhang Yuan joined Gao Sheng aboard a fast boat and traveled upstream to the Ghost Ship.
• Zhang Yuan and Gao Sheng saw a decayed merchant ship sitting immovably in the river, while nearby boats refused to pass despite open water on either side.

The Raging Whale Gang’s attempt to burn the Ghost Ship failed, and the ship swallowed Gao Sheng’s fast boat and its passengers. Trapped aboard, Zhang Yuan prepared to search for a way out, unaware that a grass figure was forming behind him.

• Gao Sheng ordered Battle Hall Warriors to douse the Ghost Ship in Fierce Fire Oil and set it alight, but the fire quickly went out without damaging the ship.
• Gao Sheng sent a kite carrying a secret message to summon reinforcements and ordered his boat toward shore.
• The Ghost Ship opened a huge fissure in its hull and swallowed the fast boat, its passengers, and river water before sealing itself shut.
• Zhang Yuan was pulled into the Ghost Ship before he could activate his Parasitic Body Power, then found himself alone in a dim cabin.
• Zhang Yuan drew his saber, enhanced his strength and agility, and headed right through the waterweed-covered passageway in search of an exit and the others.
• A grass figure formed silently from the waterweed behind Zhang Yuan and smiled at him.

Zhang Yuan fought his way through a corridor overrun by bizarre straw men and broke into a cabin where Blood Vines were draining three Battle Hall Warriors. After killing the transformed men at their request, he faced a furious assault from the Blood Vines.

• Zhang Yuan's Divine Nest Emblem alerted him to a nearby bizarre entity, and he revealed a straw man behind him by spraying it with Essence Blood.
• Zhang Yuan used his Goose Feather Saber and fivefold Black Giant Ant enhancement to smash through the walls and escape the straw men's corridor.
• Zhang Yuan found three Battle Hall Warriors bound by Blood Vines and being drained of blood; one begged him to kill them.
• Zhang Yuan beheaded all three warriors and severed the vines holding them, earning Source Essence from each.
• The Blood Vines attacked Zhang Yuan from every direction, forcing him into a perilous fight.

Zhang Yuan escaped the Ghost Ship by severing the Blood Vine’s main root, breaking through the ship’s bottom, and swimming to shore. Exhausted but alive, he looked back and saw the Ghost Ship still lying motionless across the Celestial Steed River.

• Zhang Yuan used Advanced Blade Technique Mastery to cut through the Blood Vines and severed their main root with his saber.
• Zhang Yuan used the Blood Burning Art to stop the root from regenerating, then split it apart and punctured it, opening a hole in the Ghost Ship’s bottom.
• Zhang Yuan jumped through the breach into the river and used Advanced Water Proficiency from the White Dragon Loach to swim away from the pursuing tentacles.
• Zhang Yuan surfaced beside the riverbank, pulled himself ashore, and recovered enough strength to stand.
• Zhang Yuan saw that the Ghost Ship remained immovable in the middle of the Celestial Steed River.