Chapter Summaries

Xu Yang defeated and killed Su Qiming after learning that the Alchemist did not know any marrow-cleansing pill recipes, then returned to the Violet Sun Gate. He recognized Tian Jing’s suspicious reaction and intercepted him as Tian Jing hurried toward Azure Sun City.

• Xu Yang overwhelmed Su Qiming, tore off his arms, destroyed his astral qi, and demanded pill recipes for the marrow cleansing realm.
• Su Qiming refused to give Xu Yang any recipes and claimed that only a handful of Azure Sun City factions possessed them, so Xu Yang killed him and searched the bodies.
• Xu Yang hid Su Qiming’s and Su Jie’s corpses in a cave and returned to the Violet Sun Gate with his remaining Origin-Gathering Pills.
• Tian Jing was startled when Xu Yang returned alive, then left the Mountain Gate to discover what had happened to Su Qiming.
• Xu Yang waited on the mountain path and confronted Tian Jing, asking if he was hurrying down the mountain to report the news.

Xu Yang killed Tian Jing after learning that An Ping had sent Su Qiming after him, while the Su Family searched for its missing alchemists and offered a reward without discovering Xu Yang was responsible. Back at the Violet Sun Gate, Xu Yang traded pills for herbs with Sun Tao and his companions as the Outer Sect Grand Competition approached.

• Xu Yang captured Tian Jing, learned that An Ping had anonymously warned Su Qiming about his possible connection to the Blazing Blade Swordsman, and killed Tian Jing.
• The Su Family searched for Su Qiming and Su Jie, then offered ten thousand taels for information about their disappearance.
• An Ping suspected Xu Yang might be connected to Su Qiming's death but decided against telling the Su Family about his letter.
• Xu Yang heard that the Su Family did not know who had killed Su Qiming and felt relieved, while remaining wary of An Ping.
• Xu Yang traded three Origin-Gathering Pills to Sun Tao, Zhang Yong, and Jiang Ping for pure yang grass and tigerbone vine.
• Outer sect disciples returned to prepare for the Outer Sect Grand Competition, and the Violet Sun Gate opened registration and announced its rewards.

Xu Yang refused to enter the Outer Sect Grand Competition to keep his true strength and golden astral qi hidden, despite public taunts from Su Zhe. At the competition’s opening, Jiang Fan defended Xu Yang from Su Zhe, then attacked Li Chuyang before Du Chuan intervened; the disciples began drawing lots for the matches.

• The sect announced generous rewards for the top three, prompting many Outer Sect disciples, including Sun Tao, to register, while Xu Yang chose not to compete.
• Su Zhe publicly called Xu Yang a coward and challenged his courage, but Xu Yang ignored the provocation to avoid exposing his strength.
• At the Training Grounds, Su Zhe confronted Xu Yang, and Jiang Fan rebuked him and forced him to leave without a fight.
• Li Chuyang taunted Xu Yang, and Jiang Fan attacked Li Chuyang over their past conflict.
• Du Chuan appeared between Jiang Fan and Li Chuyang and stopped their fight, after which the stewards began drawing lots for the three-day competition.

The Outer Sect Grand Competition reshuffled the Ten Elites’ standings as Lu Ren defeated Su Zhe and Xie Zhan, while Li Chuyang beat Jiang Fan to take first place. Xu Yang resumed his training afterward, and the chapter ended with news that Dragon Ascension disciples from this year’s Examination Trials had arrived at the Violet Sun Gate.

• Sun Tao narrowly won his first bout, while Zhang Yong lost his opening match but advanced after winning in the repechage.
• Lu Ren defeated Su Zhe, who had boasted of rewriting the Top Ten Heroes Ranking, and later Su Zhe also lost to Chen Yu.
• Lu Ren defeated Xie Zhan after a long fight, improving his standing, while Chen Yu and Xie Zhan also lost to higher-ranked opponents.
• Li Chuyang and Jiang Fan fought more than three hundred exchanges before Li Chuyang knocked Jiang Fan off the arena; Li Chuyang later defeated Du Chuan to claim first place.
• Xu Yang returned to his routine of working and training, making slow progress in marrow cleansing and wishing for marrow-cleansing pills.
• Xu Yang heard that some Dragon Ascension disciples from this year’s Examination Trials had arrived at the Violet Sun Gate.

Xu Yang welcomed his younger sister Xu Qing and warned her and the new disciples about the dangers of life outside the Violet Sun Gate. As the new cohort’s rankings were announced, Qiao Yong took first place among the Ten Elites and grew even more arrogant.

• Xu Yang met new disciples from Qingyuan County and learned that Xu Qing had arrived at the courtyard.
• Xu Yang hosted a welcoming banquet for Xu Qing and the other newcomers, while Qiao Yong refused his invitation.
• Xu Yang warned Xu Qing, Qiu Wenjie, and Tian Li that many renowned Qingyuan County disciples had died, and urged them to stay inside the sect and trust no one.
• Xu Qing told Xu Yang that Xu Lao'er had come to find her, and Xu Yang began teaching her Primordial Unity Force while warning her about his enemies.
• The new cohort’s rankings were announced, with Qiao Yong first among the Ten Elites.
• Qiao Yong entered the courtyard and received congratulations from Ma Yong, Peng Yu, and Qian Tong while Xu Yang and the others ignored him.

Xu Yang raised his comprehension to perfection, rapidly advanced the Mountain-Bearing Bear King Palm, and helped Xu Qing settle into Medicine King Peak and progress in her cultivation. The chapter ended with Xiao Hua returning to the Violet Sun Gate, determined to avenge Xiao Chen.

• Xu Yang ignored Qiao Yong's taunts while Zhang Yong answered Qiao Yong's threat with one of his own.
• Xu Yang paid Sun Ke two thousand taels to secure Xu Qing a place cultivating spirit herbs at Medicine King Peak.
• Xu Yang spent two hundred Martial Dao Longevity points to perfect his comprehension, then rapidly advanced the Mountain-Bearing Bear King Palm.
• Xu Qing comprehended Primordial Unity Force, achieved qi refining into gang, and learned the Greenwood Skill at Medicine King Peak.
• Xu Yang's Mountain-Bearing Bear King Palm reached major accomplishment, strengthening his body and sharpening his senses.
• Xiao Hua returned to the Violet Sun Gate and vowed to avenge Xiao Chen.

Xiao Hua returned to the Violet Sun Gate and, after learning that Xu Yang had crossed paths with Xiao Chen shortly before his death, became convinced Xu Yang was involved and began watching him. Xu Yang avoided leaving the sect, but Xiao Hua assigned him to the Divine Weapon Workshop garrison, forcing a confrontation closer to hand.

• Xiao Hua returned to the Violet Sun Gate after completing his year at the Green Mountain Town Garrison, and Sun Tao left for the Cloud Ridge Mountains with Zhang Yong and their companion to avoid him.
• Xiao Hua visited the declining Su Family, learned they had found no clues about Xiao Chen’s death, and heard from Su Man that Xiao Chen had encountered Xu Yang in Azure Sun City.
• Xiao Hua concluded Xu Yang had killed or helped kill Xiao Chen, while Xu Yang decided to stay inside the sect and grow stronger rather than risk facing Xiao Hua.
• Xiao Hua watched Xu Yang for more than half a month as Xu Yang kept to the sect and took refining tasks instead of venturing into the Cloud Ridge Mountains.
• After Xu Yang collected his task settlement from Xiao Hua at the Task Hall, Xiao Hua told him to report in five days for a guard rotation at the Divine Weapon Workshop.

Xu Yang strengthened himself before leaving the Mountain Gate on a dangerous assignment arranged by Xiao Hua, then perfected the Mountain-Bearing Bear King Palm and comprehended its Martial Dao Phenomenon. He left for the Divine Armory Pavilion with several Dragon Ascension disciples, while Xiao Hua watched Gao Peng among the group.

• Xu Yang used two Mystic Origin Qi-Transforming Pills to advance his marrow cleansing and prepared to face Xiao Hua, while Gao Peng secretly monitored him on Cao Rong's orders.
• Xu Yang spent more than a hundred Martial Dao Longevity Points to perfect the Mountain-Bearing Bear King Palm, unleashing a Martial Dao Phenomenon that terrified Qiao Yong, Ma Yong, Peng Yu, and Qian Tong.
• After resting, Xu Yang found that the perfected palm had strengthened his body and improved his Mountain-Bearing Bear Canon, while Qiao Yong and the others avoided him out of fear.
• Xu Yang went to the Task Hall, where Xiao Hua gave him a mission token and ordered him and the waiting disciples to report to the Divine Armory Pavilion.

Xu Yang served guard duty at the Divine Armory Pavilion while concealing his strength and waiting for Xiao Hua to make a move. After capturing and killing Gao Peng, Xu Yang lured Xiao Hua into the forest and revealed that he had reached marrow cleansing, leaving Xiao Hua shocked and furious.

• Xu Yang and the other disciples received guard assignments at the Divine Armory Pavilion, where Xu Yang guarded the third floor and learned its Semi-Spirit Weapons cost at least ten thousand taels.
• Cao Rong arrived late to relieve Xu Yang, while Xiao Hua continued plotting against him through Gao Peng.
• Xu Yang confronted Gao Peng on the road, seized him, and killed him when they encountered Xiao Hua.
• Xu Yang fled into the forest with Gao Peng's corpse, using it to block Xiao Hua's palm strike before revealing his golden saber and marrow-cleansing cultivation.
• Xiao Hua realized Xu Yang had been strong enough to kill Xiao Chen and cursed himself for underestimating him.

Xu Yang defeated and killed Xiao Hua after unveiling his martial dao phenomenon, ending the threat Xiao Hua had posed since Xu Yang joined the Violet Sun Gate. After recovering from the fight’s mental strain, Xu Yang woke refreshed, with his longevity points increased to 317.

• Xu Yang used mastered saber techniques to break Xiao Hua’s protective astral qi, then fought him at close range with his Golden Astral Skill and other mastered techniques.
• Xiao Hua abandoned thoughts of revenge and tried to seize Xu Yang’s cultivation method, believing he could outlast him in battle.
• Xu Yang unleashed the Mountain-Bearing Bear King Palm’s martial dao phenomenon, shattered Xiao Hua’s arms and chest, and killed him with a final blow to the throat.
• Xu Yang searched Xiao Hua’s corpse, destroyed it, and returned to the Violet Sun Gate, where he ate and fell asleep from exhaustion.
• Xu Yang woke the next day refreshed, and the system showed that Xiao Hua’s death had raised his Martial Dao Longevity Points to 317.

Xu Yang concealed his role in Xiao Hua and Gao Peng’s deaths while Cao Rong abandoned his suspicions and grew friendly with him. After refining Origin-Gathering Pills and spending nearly two months guarding the Divine Armory Pavilion, Xu Yang reunited with Sun Tao, Jiang Ping, and Zhang Yong, and arranged for Lin Wei’s remains to be sent home.

• Cao Rong realized Xiao Hua and Gao Peng had disappeared, but stayed silent about his involvement in Xiao Hua’s ambush and accepted Xu Yang’s friendly overtures.
• The Violet Sun Gate searched for Xiao Hua and declared him dead, while the Su Family withdrew from the dispute; Su Man vowed to enlist Su Zhe to kill Xu Yang.
• Xu Yang refined eleven Origin-Gathering Pills in his renovated underground chamber and continued guarding the Divine Armory Pavilion as Cao Rong treated him like a friend.
• Sun Tao returned with Jiang Ping and Zhang Yong after reaching astral qi mastery, and Xu Yang told them Xiao Hua had been dead for over a month.
• Xu Yang gave Sun Tao the location of Lin Wei’s remains and warned him not to reveal that she had been a Violet Sun Gate disciple when arranging their return home.

After returning from a guarding assignment, Xu Yang attended an auction and learned that Cao Rong had helped Xiao Hua try to kill him. Xu Yang killed Cao Rong, then attacked An Ping, Guo Huai, and Shen Liang while disguised as a masked marrow-cleansing martial artist.

• Xu Yang told Zhou Zhichao he had reached astral qi perfection and declined Zhou's offer to form an alliance for their Qualification Tasks.
• Xu Yang resumed training Xu Qing, gathered ingredients for Origin-Gathering Pills, and bought more pills at an auction in Azure Sun City.
• An Ping proposed robbing and killing Xu Yang, but Guo Huai and Shen Liang rejected the plan; Xu Yang detected their killing intent.
• Cao Rong invited Xu Yang to join Sharp Wind Hall, and Xu Yang revealed that Cao Rong had helped Xiao Hua target him before killing him and taking his possessions.
• Shen Liang, An Ping, Guo Huai, and Tang Xiao found signs of the killing; a hidden attacker killed Tang Xiao, then appeared dressed like Xu Yang as An Ping and Guo Huai fled.

Xu Yang killed An Ping and Guo Huai after they ambushed him, then denied Cao Jin’s accusation that he had killed Cao Rong. As the Outer Sect Grand Competition approached and more Ten Elites reached marrow cleansing, Xu Yang ignored Su Zhe’s challenge and continued training with Xu Qing; the chapter ended with Zhang Yong and Sun Tao arriving at his courtyard looking grief-stricken.

• Xu Yang spared Shen Liang but killed An Ping and Guo Huai, taking their pills, silver, and contribution points before returning to the Violet Sun Gate.
• News spread that Cao Rong had also died, and Cao Jin ordered Sharp Wind Hall disbanded before questioning Xu Yang about Cao Rong’s death.
• Xu Yang claimed he had parted ways with Cao Rong after leaving the auction, and Cao Jin backed down rather than strike him under the sect’s rules.
• Han Feng, Xiong Kun, and Xie Zhan each announced that they had reached marrow cleansing as the Outer Sect Grand Competition drew nearer.
• Su Zhe publicly challenged Xu Yang, but Xu Yang dismissed him and continued training Xu Qing and practicing the Mountain-Bearing Bear King Palm.
• Zhang Yong and Sun Tao visited Xu Yang’s courtyard with grief-stricken faces, while Jiang Ping was absent.

Sun Tao and Zhang Yong returned from the Cloud Ridge Mountains after Jiang Ping was killed, while Lu Ren completed marrow cleansing and offered to avenge him. As the Outer Sect Grand Competition registration opened, Xu Yang agreed to join Zhang Yong and Sun Tao, leaving his hidden strength and the coming contest poised to be revealed.

• Sun Tao and Zhang Yong told Xu Yang that Jiang Ping had died fighting five treasure hunters called the Five Mystic Blade Tigers, and they later recovered from their injuries.
• Lu Ren announced that he had completed marrow cleansing and offered to kill Jiang Ping's murderers, but Xu Yang warned that Lu Ren was using the offer to rebuild his reputation.
• Lu Ren challenged Xu Yang over his progress, and Xu Yang teased him without revealing that he had completed marrow cleansing long ago.
• As the competition approached, Qiao Yong declared that he would register, while disciples debated the contenders and Shen Liang privately recognized Xu Yang as the strongest hidden competitor.
• On the ninth day of the eighth month, registration began, and Xu Yang told Zhang Yong that he would join him and Sun Tao in the competition.

Xu Yang registered for the Outer Sect Grand Competition, rejected Liu Qian and Qin Ze’s offer to revive their alliance, and prepared to enter the contest despite concealing his near-complete marrow cleansing. The competition began at the Violet Sun Gate, where disciples gathered and drew lots for their matches.

• Xu Yang registered for the competition and explained that he had skipped the previous year because he lacked confidence in placing well.
• Liu Qian and Qin Ze asked Xu Yang to join forces with them for the assessment mission, but he refused because they had betrayed him before.
• Xu Yang left with Sun Tao and Zhang Yong, while Liu Qian and Qin Ze criticized his decision.
• On the twelfth day of the eighth month, disciples, Inner Sect members, and Azure Sun City lineages gathered at the Martial Training Ground for the competition.
• Li Songhe announced that the competition had begun, forbade contestants from killing one another, and ordered registered disciples to draw lots for their matches.

Xu Yang entered the Outer Sect Grand Competition, drew attention from Elder Li Songhe, and won his first match while holding back to guide Yang Fu. After advancing to the second round, he drew Qiao Yong, who had been eager to face him, and their match was about to begin.

• Xu Yang drew lot A27 as Li Songhe asked about him and criticized the Ding Family for leaving his negotiations unresolved after he rejected a marriage alliance.
• Xu Yang defeated Yang Fu after more than twenty exchanges, relying on his physical strength and offering guidance before Yang Fu conceded.
• Qiao Yong defeated an opponent at astral qi mastery and drew the crowd's attention by standing out among the new generation of Ten Elites.
• Xu Yang advanced to the second round, drew lot B13, and was matched against Qiao Yong.
• Qiao Yong accused Xu Yang of slighting him and declared that he would prove Xu Yang's actions foolish.

Xu Yang crushed Qiao Yong in one move, and the competition advanced until Xu Yang was matched against Su Zhe in the fight to decide the top ten. The chapter ended as the long-anticipated rivals faced each other in the arena.

• Qiao Yong accused Xu Yang of slighting him, but Xu Yang reminded the crowd that he had protected Qiao Yong and received no thanks.
• Qiao Yong attacked with his mastered Phantom Star Astral Fist, but Xu Yang broke his protective astral qi and knocked him out of the arena with one punch.
• Xu Yang returned to the competitors, while Qiao Yong was later eliminated from the consolation round and Xu Yang considered him a threat to Xu Qing.
• The competition continued over the following days: Sun Tao reached the top thirty, while Zhang Yong and Qin Ze advanced to the top twenty.
• Xu Yang drew lot A5 for the top-ten round, and Zhang Yong was quickly defeated by Han Feng.
• Xu Yang and Su Zhe were matched against each other, and they traded insults before their fight began.

Xu Yang revealed his marrow-cleansing cultivation during his fight with Su Zhe and defeated him with a single blow, exposing the gap between their abilities. The crowd reconsidered Xu Yang’s talent and the upcoming competition became a contest among several marrow-cleansing fighters.

• Su Zhe challenged Xu Yang and opened with a Sword Qi attack, but Xu Yang shattered it with one finger using the Great Completion Pure Origin Gold-Rending Finger.
• Xu Yang unleashed his aura, revealing that he had reached marrow cleansing and dispersing Su Zhe’s swordlight before striking him off the arena.
• Xu Yang mocked Su Zhe for boasting about defeating him in ten moves, and the crowd ridiculed Su Zhe after his defeat.
• Zhang Yong, Sun Ke, Qin Ze, Liu Qian, and members of the Yuan Family regretted underestimating or turning away from Xu Yang.
• Lu Ren, Jiang Fan, Li Chuyang, Han Feng, Xiong Kun, and Xie Zhan reacted to Xu Yang’s breakthrough as the competitors anticipated a fierce contest for the top three.

Xu Yang revealed his marrow-cleansing cultivation, defeated Su Zhe, and advanced into the tournament’s top ten while Su Zhe collapsed under defeat and ridicule. Afterward, the Ding Family tried to recruit Xu Yang again, but he postponed negotiations until the tournament ended.

• Li Songhe realized Xu Yang’s and Lu Ren’s bone roots had likely been assessed incorrectly, explaining why Xu Yang reached marrow cleansing so quickly.
• Xu Yang defeated Su Zhe, mocked his boasts, and caused him to spit blood; Li Songhe ordered Su Man removed after she threatened Xu Yang.
• Xu Yang drew an opponent who conceded, advancing into the top ten, while Su Zhe lost twice and fainted after the crowd mocked him.
• Ding Xu renewed the Ding Family’s offer to recruit Xu Yang, but Xu Yang refused to decide until after the tournament and left for lunch with his companions.

Xu Yang rejected the Yuan Family’s attempt to recruit him and advanced to the top five of the Outer Sect Grand Competition. He revealed his golden astral qi in a fierce bout with Xie Zhan and won by knocking him off the platform.

• Xu Yang refused Yuan Yi’s invitation, explaining that the Ding Family had offered better terms and that the Yuan Family had lost its chance to recruit him.
• Ma Yong, Qian Tong, and the others apologized to Xu Yang, but he walked past them without responding.
• Xu Yang defeated Jin Sheng with one move and advanced into the top five.
• Xu Yang drew Xie Zhan as his first opponent in the top-five matches, while Han Feng drew a bye.
• Xu Yang revealed his golden astral qi and clashed with Xie Zhan, breaking through his saber defenses and disarming him.
• Xu Yang knocked Xie Zhan off the platform and won the match.