Chapter Summaries

Zhang Yuan sheltered from a storm at the Land God Temple, where he sold a roasted rabbit to a family traveling with a caravan. Armed black-clad men then forced their way inside, and one attacked the family; the chapter ended as he raised his leg to kick the little girl.

• Zhang Yuan made room for the arriving caravan and sold a roasted rabbit to a frail man's family after noticing the little girl eyeing his food.
• A storm blew open the temple doors, and more than ten armed black-clad men entered and ordered the travelers to make room.
• The black-clad men settled in to eat and drink while the frightened common folk and caravan guards stayed quiet.
• One black-clad man targeted the frail man's wife, slapped her husband unconscious, and frightened the little girl.
• Lin Zhenbei held back an outraged young escort runner as the black-clad man prepared to kick the little girl.

Zhang Yuan saved a little girl from the Black-Clad Men and drove their leader to retreat from the Land God Temple. He pursued them into the rain and began slaughtering them, while the Black-Clad Men Leader launched a counterattack.

• Zhang Yuan severed Old Fourth's leg as he kicked at a little girl, then returned the girl to her mother.
• Zhang Yuan's show of strength frightened the Black-Clad Men Leader, who ordered his men to withdraw from the Land God Temple.
• The young woman's family thanked Zhang Yuan, who left the temple and followed the black-clad men to a nearby wooden shed.
• Zhang Yuan attacked the group with the power of the Golden Grasshopper, beheading one man and striking down two others.
• The enraged Black-Clad Men Leader leaped at Zhang Yuan and attacked his back with palms shrouded in Blood Fiend Qi.

Zhang Yuan killed the Black-Clad Men Leader and all six of his men, then used his Third Level Divine Nest to transcend their corpses and collect Source Essence. He found loot and the Crimson Blood Palm manual among the leader’s belongings.

• The Black-Clad Men Leader attacked Zhang Yuan with his Crimson Blood Palm, but Zhang Yuan concealed the Crimson Blood Divine Blade and cut off three of his fingers.
• The Black-Clad Men Leader tried to retreat, but Zhang Yuan caught up and beheaded him with a blade strike.
• The remaining black-clad men fled, and Zhang Yuan hunted them down and killed all six.
• Zhang Yuan used his Third Level Divine Nest to transcend the corpses from a distance, bringing his accumulated Source Essence to more than 160 points.
• Zhang Yuan searched the belongings left behind and found silver, medicines, and a Crimson Blood Palm manual.

Zhang Yuan returned to the Land God Temple after defeating the black-clad men and accepted Ambergris Jade from Ji Haoran as repayment for saving him. The chapter ended with Zhang Yuan and Ji Haoran considering their debt settled.

• Zhang Yuan collected the black-clad men’s belongings, released their horses into the storm, and returned to the Land God Temple.
• Ji Haoran thanked Zhang Yuan for saving his life, and Zhang Yuan gave him Golden Wound Medicine for his injuries.
• Zhang Yuan comforted Ji Haoran’s frightened daughter while Lin Zhenbei warned Pingzhi to think carefully before acting in dangerous situations.
• Ji Haoran offered Zhang Yuan a piece of Ambergris Jade, and Zhang Yuan accepted it, declaring them even.

Zhang Yuan reached Qing'an County and met with a Raging Whale Gang operative to learn about his mission. He was tasked with hunting Zhao Rongbin, the Tiger of Qing'an, who had taken part in attacks on the gang’s merchant ships.

• Zhang Yuan parted from Ji Haoran’s family and arrived in Qing'an County Town.
• He spotted a bounty notice for the Black Mountain Bandits and suspected the men he had killed the previous night belonged to the band.
• At an inn, Zhang Yuan counted more than thirteen hundred taels of silver and examined a manual for the Crimson Blood Palm, but chose not to cultivate it.
• Zhang Yuan followed a secret mark to a restaurant and exchanged the Raging Whale Gang’s code phrases with Zhan Peng.
• Zhang Yuan and Zhan Peng moved to a private room, where Zhang Yuan learned more about his target, Zhao Rongbin, the Tiger of Qing'an.

Zhang Yuan prepared to confront Zhao Rongbin, a powerful ally of Meng Hu, while Zhan Peng doubted the young Hall Master’s chances. After secretly training in Subduing Tiger Fist for several days, Zhang Yuan went to the Zhao Clan Martial Hall and set his plan in motion.

• Zhan Peng told Zhang Yuan about Zhao Rongbin’s strength and connections, then gave him a confidential letter advising him to act according to his strength.
• Zhang Yuan burned the letter and suspected Yue Wuji was testing him for a future place among the gang’s Double Flower Red Poles.
• Zhang Yuan asked Zhan Peng to find him an ordinary fist manual, and Zhan Peng brought him Shaking Mountain Fist and Subduing Tiger Fist.
• Zhang Yuan spent two days practicing Subduing Tiger Fist, leaving Zhan Peng puzzled about his intentions.
• On his fifth day in Qing'an County, Zhang Yuan had Zhan Peng bring him to the Zhao Clan Martial Hall, then sent him away and approached the hall to issue a challenge.

Zhang Yuan challenged the Zhao Clan Martial Hall to draw out Zhao Rongbin, defeating the hall’s guards and Senior Apprentice Brother before confronting the master. Zhao Rongbin accepted the challenge with killing intent, and the fight was about to begin.

• Zhang Yuan challenged the Zhao Clan Martial Hall and sent its guard flying into the courtyard.
• Zhang Yuan taunted the disciples until Senior Apprentice Brother stepped forward to stop him.
• Zhang Yuan used Subduing Tiger Fist to shatter Senior Apprentice Brother’s arms with one punch.
• Zhao Rongbin arrived, asked Zhang Yuan about coming from Linhe by water, and declared that Zhang Yuan would not leave the hall standing if he lost.

Zhang Yuan killed Zhao Rongbin in a single exchange at the Zhao Clan Martial Hall, then fled Qing'an County to avoid the powerful connections Zhao Rongbin might have had. After riding away, Zhang Yuan suddenly spat out a clump of dark, congealed blood.

• Zhang Yuan provoked Zhao Rongbin by assuming the opening stance of the Subduing Tiger Fist, then attacked him.
• Zhao Rongbin struck at Zhang Yuan, but Zhang Yuan blocked his fist and smashed his chest with a palm, killing him.
• Zhang Yuan left the martial hall as its disciples discovered Zhao Rongbin was dead and mourned him.
• Zhang Yuan met Zhan Peng outside Qing'an County, told him he had killed Zhao Rongbin, and gave him a letter to deliver to Linhe.
• Zhang Yuan rode away to escape possible retaliation, then spat out a clump of blackish, congealed blood.

After killing Zhao Rongbin, Zhang Yuan recovered, planned a safe journey north to seek new genetic hosts, and left Qing'an County. Meanwhile, Zhao Rongbin’s bearded martial uncle learned what had happened and ordered a bounty for Zhang Yuan, while Zhan Peng rode toward Linhe County in disguise.

• Zhang Yuan recovered from his injuries, studied a topographical map, and chose a route north toward Nanxun Prefecture before returning to Linhe by water.
• Zhang Yuan sent word of his travel plans to the branch office and his mother, then set out from Qing'an County.
• Zhao Rongbin’s bearded martial uncle questioned a disciple about the fight and learned that Zhang Yuan had killed Zhao Rongbin.
• Zhao Rongbin’s martial uncle ordered a reward for information on Zhang Yuan and triple the bounty for his head.
• Zhan Peng disguised himself, left Qing'an County, and rode toward Linhe County.

Zhang Yuan traveled north, resolved to face his enemies openly, and sought protection for Zhang's Mother through the Raging Whale Gang. At a roadside tea stall, he witnessed a fierce woman kill two fleeing gamblers, and she sat down across from him demanding cold tea.

• Zhang Yuan decided to challenge Zhao Rongbin openly rather than assassinate him, hoping to build his reputation as a warrior.
• Zhang Yuan asked Yue Wuji to use his mission reward to move Zhang's Mother to Whale Fortress for her safety.
• Zhang Yuan stopped at a roadside tea stall, fed his horse, and ordered five Donkey Burgers.
• A greatsword-wielding woman caught two men who had cheated her, killed them, and searched their clothes for money.
• The woman entered the tea stall, sat across from Zhang Yuan, and demanded a pot of cold tea.

Zhang Yuan helped the formidable Liu Qi Niang at a tea stall, where she accepted his money before leaving. A band of riders arrived seeking Zhang Yuan, and Liu Qi Niang suddenly attacked one of them as he fled the stall.

• Zhang Yuan paid for Liu Qi Niang's tea and ordered her donkey burgers after she ran short of money.
• Liu Qi Niang introduced herself as Seventh Sister, accepted Zhang Yuan's banknotes, and left the tea stall.
• More than a dozen riders arrived and identified Zhang Yuan as their target.
• Zhang Yuan rushed outside as the riders pursued him, and Liu Qi Niang charged in and cleaved a rider and his horse in half.

Zhang Yuan and Liu Qi Niang fought off the riders pursuing him, with Zhang Yuan using his Iron Womb Bow to kill their leader. Several riders escaped, and Zhang Yuan stopped shooting to check on Liu Qi Niang.

• Liu Qi Niang turned back to help Zhang Yuan and brought down the tea stall to disrupt the riders' attack.
• Liu Qi Niang killed several riders with throwing darts but was surrounded and put in grave danger.
• Zhang Yuan shot several riders with his Iron Womb Bow, relieving the pressure on Liu Qi Niang.
• Liu Qi Niang took advantage of the chaos to kill another fleeing rider.
• The riders' leader tried to escape on his horse, but Zhang Yuan shot him dead.
• Zhang Yuan let the remaining riders flee and turned his attention to Liu Qi Niang.

Zhang Yuan and Liu Qi Niang defeated riders sent by the Changle Gang, then traveled together to Guangping County City to sell the captured horses. They camped outside the closed city gates for the night, planning to continue toward Nanxun Prefecture.

• Zhang Yuan interrogated a wounded rider and learned that the Changle Gang had sent the group to hunt him on orders from its leader, Chang Hongfei.
• Zhang Yuan and Liu Qi Niang looted the riders, burned their corpses, and took seven horses with them.
• Zhang Yuan told Liu Qi Niang about the Changle Gang and invited her to travel to Nanxun Prefecture with him, but she declined to return to Linhe.
• Liu Qi Niang led Zhang Yuan to the Wild Market outside Guangping County City, where she sold the extra horses while he searched the stalls without finding anything worthwhile.
• After the city gates closed, Zhang Yuan and Liu Qi Niang camped outside the city with a tent and firewood bought at the Wild Market.

Zhang Yuan shared dinner with Liu Qi Niang and learned about her past and her kindness toward orphaned children. After she invited him to hunt wanted criminals together, he explained that his gang duties prevented him from joining her, then sincerely asked to become her sworn younger brother.

• Liu Qi Niang welcomed a group of orphaned beggar children and shared Zhang Yuan’s porridge with them.
• Liu Qi Niang told Zhang Yuan she had been abandoned as a child, raised by a wandering Daoist master, and had been searching for him since he left.
• Liu Qi Niang invited Zhang Yuan to catch wanted criminals with her and offered to split the bounty money.
• Zhang Yuan said he was the Raging Whale Gang’s Linhe Branch Battle Hall Incense Master and returned Liu Qi Niang’s money, asking her to use it to help the children.
• After Liu Qi Niang worried that Zhang Yuan looked down on her, he sincerely asked to become her sworn younger brother and called her Seventh Sister.

Zhang Yuan and Liu Qi Niang grew closer as they traveled together toward Nanxun Prefecture. Liu Qi Niang ambushed three riders after identifying Yang Shen, and she and Zhang Yuan killed all three before checking the bounty notice.

• Zhang Yuan sincerely asked Liu Qi Niang to be his sister, and she told him her name was Liu Qiqi.
• Liu Qi Niang fed a group of beggar children porridge and gave each a few copper coins, while Zhang Yuan encouraged her to care for herself too.
• Zhang Yuan and Liu Qi Niang set out together for Nanxun Prefecture, with Liu Qi Niang leading them along side paths instead of the official roads.
• Liu Qi Niang called one of three approaching riders Yang Shen, then attacked him with throwing darts when he drew his saber.
• Zhang Yuan used the Jade Mantis's extraordinary ability and killed another rider with his saber, while a greatsword killed the last rider as he tried to flee.
• Liu Qi Niang matched the first rider to Yang Shen's bounty notice for one hundred taels and began checking the other two riders.

Zhang Yuan parted ways with Liu Qi Niang and entered Nanxun Prefecture City, where he witnessed a celebrated young hero arrest a supposed murderer. He suspected the arrest was a staged performance and ended the night disappointed.

• Zhang Yuan and Liu Qi Niang exchanged gifts and parted ways outside Nanxun Prefecture City.
• Zhang Yuan entered Nanxun City, checked into an inn, and enjoyed dinner while taking in its bustling night streets.
• A gray-clad man fleeing constables ran into a crowd, and Young Hero Sikong struck him down with a palm.
• Constable Han Kun and the crowd praised Sikong as he departed, while the detained man tried to claim he had been wronged.
• Zhang Yuan suspected Sikong's intervention had been staged and lost his appetite.

After returning from Nanxun to Linhe, Zhang Yuan reported to Yue Wuji, who praised his victory over Zhao Rongbin, arranged for his family to live in Whale Fortress, and rewarded him. Zhang Yuan left the Crimson Blood Palm manual with Yue Wuji for inspection and hurried to see his mother.

• Zhang Yuan bought aged medicinal herbs in Nanxun, then rode back toward Linhe while searching unsuccessfully for another Extraordinary Lifeform.
• Zhang Yuan returned to Linhe and met Yue Wuji at Whale Fortress, where Yue Wuji praised him for defeating Zhao Rongbin and raising the Raging Whale's prestige.
• Yue Wuji told Zhang Yuan that his family could move into Whale Fortress and rewarded him with a choice of cultivation method and one thousand taels of silver.
• Zhang Yuan asked Yue Wuji to inspect the Crimson Blood Palm manual for hidden traps, and Yue Wuji agreed to assess it.
• Zhang Yuan left Whale Fortress and hurried to his new home to see his mother.

After returning to Whale Fortress, Zhang Yuan reunited with his mother and Xiang Xiu, then chose Iron Shirt and cultivated the Jade Mantis until it advanced to Beginner Blade Esoterica. He tested the new ability in the wilderness and discovered he could unleash invisible saber qi despite being only a Second Order martial artist.

• Zhang Yuan visited his mother in Whale Fortress, thanked Xiang Xiu for caring for her, and gave them hairpins.
• Zhang Yuan chose Iron Shirt from the martial arts repository and began training in the defensive technique.
• Zhang Yuan spent two hundred points of Source Essence to advance the Jade Mantis to level four and gain Beginner Blade Esoterica.
• Zhang Yuan tested Blade Esoterica in an uninhabited wilderness and released invisible saber qi with his saber.

Zhang Yuan strengthened his martial arts, received a revised Crimson Blood Palm manual from Yue Wuji, and gathered merits and Source Essence. After hitting cultivation bottlenecks, he returned to Chen Family Village to investigate Thousand Peak Mountain, wary of the strange entities within.

• Zhang Yuan combined the Blood Burning Art with invisible blade qi to create a powerful Blood Flame Blade move, then restored his depleted vitality with aged ginseng.
• Zhang Yuan trained the Iron Shirt alongside the Boulder Foundation Skill, finding that the two techniques complemented each other and improved his strength and vitality.
• Yue Wuji gave Zhang Yuan a revised Crimson Blood Palm manual and advised him not to overwork himself; Zhang Yuan stored the manual until he had made more progress with the Iron Shirt.
• Over the next two months, Zhang Yuan completed Battle Hall missions, gained merits, and invested his Source Essence in the White Dragon Loach, but his cultivation resources ran low and his techniques reached bottlenecks.
• Zhang Yuan returned alone to Chen Family Village to assess Thousand Peak Mountain, planning to seek its resources while relying on the Evil Aversion Talisman and his Blood Flame Blade to face strange entities.

Zhang Yuan found Crow Spirit gravely weakened and saved it by feeding it his blood. After Crow Spirit agreed to become his companion, Zhang Yuan brought it into the Divine Nest as his fifth host.

• Zhang Yuan searched Crow Spirit's empty valley, found no life, and called out to Crow Brother before leaving.
• A Black Feather appeared, led Zhang Yuan to a towering tree, and delivered a nest containing a dying Crow Spirit.
• Zhang Yuan cut his wrist and fed Crow Spirit his blood, then swallowed a Vitality Pill and continued giving blood as Crow Spirit recovered.
• The Divine Nest identified Crow Spirit as a containable genetic body after it drank Zhang Yuan's blood.
• Crow Spirit nodded when Zhang Yuan asked it to become his companion, and Zhang Yuan absorbed it into the Divine Nest as a Level 1 Red-Eyed Crow and his fifth host.