Chapter Summaries

Lin Qiu Chi and Fan Dazhi reinforced Zhenyue Prison as its seals began to weaken, while He An met a beggar in Luoyang who began revealing a secret about He An’s origins and the imperial family. The beggar’s account ended with the infant imperial grandson disappearing after a massacre at Qin Prefecture and a Knowledge and Practice Institute expert carrying him away.

• Lin Qiu Chi directed Fan Dazhi as he placed Formation Flags to strengthen Zhenyue Prison’s defenses.
• He An found the beggar in Lotus Seed Alley and demanded to hear the heaven-shaking secret.
• The beggar claimed the secret concerned He An’s origins, prompting He An to sit and listen.
• The beggar recounted how Zhao Chang conspired with the Unknown Island Fiends and Western Liang to kill Zhao Zhen, Xiao Zhuo, and their household at Qin Prefecture.
• The beggar said a Knowledge and Practice Institute expert escaped with the infant imperial grandson, fought off pursuing enemies, and leaped from a cliff while gravely wounded.
• The beggar revealed that Zhao Chang had also betrayed a relief army, leading to its ambush and annihilation.

Su Qiu revealed that He An was Zhao Jiadi, the surviving son of the former Eldest Prince Zhao Zhen, and named Han Zhan and Zhao Chang as the men responsible for his family’s destruction. He An accepted the truth, received weapons and talismans from Wei Zhilin, and entered seclusion while secretly planning revenge.

• Su Qiu told He An that the Second Prince had poisoned the Former Emperor, seized the throne, and that Bai Xiang Shou had rescued He An as an infant after the massacre of his family.
• Su Qiu identified He An as Zhao Jiadi, son of Zhao Zhen, and explained how his investigation had led to his torture and the loss of his cultivation.
• Su Qiu named Han Zhan as the killer of He An’s parents and warned that Zhao Chang, now emperor, was also responsible for the family’s downfall.
• He An met Wei Zhilin, who gave him the Azure Cloud sword and three talismans; He An realized Wei knew the truth and privately resolved to kill Han Zhan and later assassinate Zhao Chang.
• He An entered a stone chamber to cultivate in seclusion, recognized the depth of his hatred, and calmed his mind as he sensed his Dao Integration Realm bottleneck loosening.

He An studied the Golden Slip’s cultivation art, expanding his meridians and greatly increasing his strength before emerging from seven days of seclusion. He said farewell to Fan Dazhi and the Jiang siblings, then flew west on the Azure Cloud Sword toward the dangerous Northwest Camp mission.

• He An failed to grasp the Extinction Finger and found that the old sword cultivator’s flying sword had lost most of its spiritual energy.
• He An opened the Golden Slip, followed its Dao diagrams, and endured a painful transformation that enlarged his meridians and dan foundation.
• After seven days, He An left seclusion and reunited with Fan Dazhi, who had waited for him and brought him warm meat buns.
• He An told Fan Dazhi he was going to the Northwest Camp, then comforted Jiang Chong and Jiang Ye by promising to bring Jiang Chong a real sword.
• Fan Dazhi escorted He An beyond Luoyang’s Ten-Li Pavilion, where He An said farewell and rode the Azure Cloud Sword westward.

Fan Dazhi confided his feelings for Linu to Little Black Cat, which saved him from Zhu Qiqi’s venomous snake. Zhu Qiqi recalled her growing sympathy for Fan Dazhi and her orders to find the imprisoned Venerable One, while Hu Dahai heard his gang’s report about her.

• Fan Dazhi told Little Black Cat about holding Linu’s hand and putting an arm around her waist, and the cat contemptuously ignored his romantic hopes.
• Zhu Qiqi’s Little Azure Dragon attacked Fan Dazhi, but Little Black Cat killed and swallowed the snake before it could bite him.
• Zhu Qiqi recalled Fan Dazhi defending her and Linu from local ruffians, leaving him bruised, and felt sympathy for him.
• Senior Brother Dongren ordered Zhu Qiqi to use the Illusory Poison Art on Fan Dazhi to locate the Venerable One’s prison, and she wondered whether Linu would care if Fan Dazhi died.
• Hu Dahai listened as his underlings praised Zhu Qiqi’s appearance and reacted with lewd amusement.

He An returned to Watermill Head Village, revisited his childhood home, and learned that Han Chanjuan had cared for it while he was away. After sharing a meal with Fan Youfu, he continued toward the Northwest Camp with an old wine gourd, while a black-robed youth seized control of the Flying Eagle Gang after killing Hu Dahai.

• Hu Dahai was killed by a black-robed youth, who ordered the Flying Eagle Gang members to obey him as two women and several black-clothed men blocked the exit.
• He An flew on the Azure Cloud Sword to Watermill Head Village and revisited the old pagoda tree and the house where he had grown up.
• Auntie Liu and Granny Wang welcomed He An and told him that Han Chanjuan had often cleaned his house and arranged for its roof to be repaired.
• He An visited Fan Youfu, who told him Fan Dazhi was working hard at the Knowledge and Practice Institute and shared lotus leaf chicken and wine with him.
• Fan Youfu gave He An an old wine gourd as he left for the Northwest Camp.

Jia Hu visited Fan Youfu and revealed the ten-thousand-year struggle over the Primordial Chaos Fruit, including the history of the barrier between the celestial and mortal realms. He explained that the shattered Dragon Map was the only known clue to the fruit’s location, while Fan Youfu remained wary of Jia Hu’s motives.

• Jia Hu entered Fan Youfu’s wine shop and revealed that he knew Fan Youfu’s true identity, Fan Changfeng.
• Jia Hu warned Fan Youfu that the Primordial Chaos Fruit was nearing ripeness and that his son was in danger because he lacked proper guidance.
• Fan Youfu concealed himself beneath the One-Leaf Veil and asked Jia Hu to explain the fruit’s origins.
• Jia Hu recounted how the Cloud Sage sent Chi You to seize the Primordial Chaos Fruit, how the Xia Sage sent the Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden to help defeat him, and how the Zhou Tian Maitreya Formation sealed the celestial and mortal realms.
• Jia Hu explained that the Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden created a Dragon Map while seeking the fruit, but it shattered and its pieces were scattered across the Four Seas and Eight Desolations.
• Fan Youfu accused Jia Hu of harboring ulterior motives as Jia Hu revealed that restoring the Dragon Map could lead them to the Primordial Chaos Fruit.

Fan Youfu heard Jia Hu's warning that the Primordial Chaos Fruit would soon ripen and could usher in a golden age, but revealed that he had already made his own move. In Great Chen, Emperor Chen learned that Cheng Zi Ya had quelled the Shu Region mutiny, then questioned whether Chancellor Cui Yizhong's illness was genuine.

• Jia Hu told Fan Youfu that the Primordial Chaos Fruit would ripen in three to five years and urged him to prevent the Cloud Sage from taking it.
• Fan Youfu rejected Jia Hu's appeal and revealed that he had already placed his own piece regarding the Primordial Chaos Fruit.
• Zhao Delu reported that Cheng Zi Ya had stabilized the Min River Camp, executed corrupt officials, and subdued the Black-Armor and Flying Eagle armies.
• Emperor Chen praised Cheng Zi Ya's strength but showed no joy at the mutiny's end.
• Emperor Chen questioned whether Cui Yizhong was truly ill, and Zhao Delu confirmed that the chancellor was recovering under medical care.

Emperor Chen learned that his nephew was alive and had a Dragon Hidden Guards commander killed to keep the secret contained. At Taihe Mountain, Liu Chuang bragged to Meng Xinghe about his exploits, and Meng Xinghe asked why he had given the valuable Water Droplet to a boy from the Knowledge and Practice Institute.

• Emperor Chen inspected the Armaments Bureau’s new weapons at Ritual Harmony Hall.
• A Dragon Hidden Guards commander reported that He An had met a suspicious beggar and that the orphaned imperial prince, Bai Xiang Shou, was Zhao Jiadi.
• Lu Aping killed the commander with silver needles and erased his body, while Emperor Chen concluded that his nephew had survived.
• Emperor Chen recognized his nephew as the one who had escaped fate and revealed his murderous intent.
• At Taihe Mountain, Liu Chuang complained to Meng Xinghe about practicing the True Martial Scripture and boasted about the treasures he had brought back.
• Meng Xinghe asked Liu Chuang why he had given the Water Droplet to a boy from the Knowledge and Practice Institute.

Liu Chuang left the True Martial Sect to venture into the world, while Meng Xinghe sealed Taihe Mountain and began a life-or-death secluded cultivation to contend with Heaven. The chapter then shifted to a desert caravan saved from mounted bandits by a gray-clad swordsman, whose identity remained unrevealed.

• Liu Chuang told Meng Xinghe that He An had earned his friendship by giving him all his silver, and Lao Tingxuan praised He An as a rare talent.
• Meng Xinghe sent Liu Chuang down the mountain to temper himself in the mortal world, and Liu Chuang departed eagerly.
• Meng Xinghe explained that Liu Chuang's natural, unrestrained Dao gave him hope for the sect, while Ling Wenyue's loyalty and service to Emperor Chen risked making him a broken blade.
• Meng Xinghe revealed that his lifespan was nearing its end and that he refused to ascend without a true successor, then ordered the mountain-protecting formation activated and sealed Taihe Mountain.
• Meng Xinghe entered secluded cultivation to contend with Heaven and told Lao Tingxuan that Liu Chuang should not grieve if the attempt killed him.
• A desert caravan traveling toward Wuwei City faced mounted bandits, and a gray-clad swordsman appeared to save its people and goods.

Disguised as a frontier traveler, He An reached Penghu Town on his way to repay a twenty-year blood debt. In Wuwei City, Han Chanjuan learned her father planned to choose a husband for her at the Water Lantern Festival, and she clung to her memories and promise from He An.

• He An disguised himself and traveled with a caravan through bandit territory toward Penghu Town, killing the outlaws who attacked along the way.
• He An recalled leaving the Northwest Camp after learning Fang Yizhi was away, and set out alone on his path of vengeance.
• He An followed the caravan toward Penghu Town, while his hatred and desire for revenge remained tightly controlled.
• Green Sepal told Han Chanjuan that Emperor Han Zhan intended to choose her husband at the Water Lantern Festival banquet.
• Han Chanjuan remembered He An's vow that he would never hurt her or her family, and spoke warmly of his character to Green Sepal.
• Han Chanjuan gazed toward Luoyang and thought of He An as dusk settled over the palace.

After Cheng Zi Ya visited Ding Feiyong in Langzhong, the two honored Ding Fengyuan’s grave and shared wine. Their conversation turned to the emperor’s suspicion of old ministers and the deaths of several former officials, and Cheng Zi Ya revealed a mysterious porcelain bottle taken from an intruder in the Imperial Palace.

• Ding Feiyong wrote a memorial piece for his late father, and Ding Wenruo praised it before Cheng Zi Ya arrived.
• Cheng Zi Ya asked to pay respects at Ding Fengyuan’s grave, and he and Ding Feiyong offered paper and wine there.
• Ding Feiyong praised Cheng Zi Ya for subduing the Shu Region army, but Cheng Zi Ya condemned Zhao Chang for distrusting loyal ministers and suppressing the Knowledge and Practice Institute.
• Cheng Zi Ya lamented the deaths of Liu Daxia, Qin Lie, and Ding Fengyuan, prompting Ding Feiyong to ask whether his father’s illness had concealed something more.
• Cheng Zi Ya produced an unmarked indigo porcelain bottle that his senior brother had taken from a mysterious intruder in the Imperial Palace.

Cheng Zi Ya revealed that a concealed poison had killed Old Chancellor Ding and suggested it had also caused the Former Emperor’s death, implicating the current ruler. He then disclosed that the surviving imperial grandson was someone Ding Feiyong knew well, leaving Ding Feiyong and Ding Wenruo stunned by the name He... An.

• Cheng Zi Ya explained how the poison weakened its victims and demonstrated its symptoms by inhaling some before expelling it through cultivation.
• Ding Feiyong took a small sample of the poison, and Cheng Zi Ya claimed the Former Emperor had suffered the same symptoms as Old Chancellor Ding.
• Ding Feiyong concluded that the person who benefited most from the deaths might have orchestrated the conspiracy, while Cheng Zi Ya accused the ruler of colluding with Western Liang and murdering his relatives.
• Cheng Zi Ya revealed that the little imperial grandson had survived and whispered his identity to Ding Feiyong, who reacted by saying, “He... An?”
• Ding Wenruo overheard the revelation, dismissed the servants’ alarm, and helped her stunned father as the drunken Cheng Zi Ya was taken to a guest room.

Ding Feiyong weighed Zhao Chang’s reforms against their human costs and resolved to bring down the emperor by rallying opposition and enthroning He An. As he drafted plans to pacify the realm, Ding Wenruo recognized his intention to return to the capital and asked when they would leave.

• Ding Feiyong concealed He An’s imperial lineage from Ding Wenruo, who rejoiced to hear of He An’s achievements.
• Ding Feiyong recalled his father’s possible murder by Zhao Chang and examined the damage caused by the emperor’s ambitious policies.
• Ding Feiyong resolved to unite discontented groups, expose Zhao Chang’s alleged crimes, and enthrone He An.
• Ding Feiyong began writing the Ten Strategies for Pacifying the State.
• Ding Wenruo brought Ding Feiyong soup, recognized his plans to return to the capital, and asked when they would leave.

Ding Feiyong ordered his household to exhume his father's grave so he could investigate the suspected poisoning, while Fan Dazhi hurried alone to the Flying Eagle Gang's hideout after Linu and Zhu Qiqi were abducted. In Lotus Seed Alley, a mysterious figure who seemed familiar to Fan Dazhi offered to lead him to the captives.

• Ding Feiyong told Ding Wenruo that he was acting for the people and secretly hoped to secure He An's throne and his daughter's future.
• After Cheng Zi Ya departed, Ding Feiyong apologized at Ding Fengyuan's grave and ordered the servants to open the coffin to uncover the truth about his father's death.
• Fan Dazhi learned that the Flying Eagle Gang had abducted Linu and Zhu Qiqi, gathered his talismans and money, and left the Knowledge and Practice Institute without help.
• Fan Dazhi hired a carriage to Lotus Seed Alley and entered the foul, narrow passage alone, determined to rescue Linu.
• A shadowy figure blocked Fan Dazhi's way and told him to follow if he wanted to ransom the captives; Fan Dazhi recognized something familiar in the voice.

Fan Dazhi followed the Black-Clothed Man to the Flying Eagle Gang’s underground den and demanded the release of Linu and Zhu Qiqi. The gang leader’s men demanded a ransom of ten thousand taels of gold, then attacked Fan Dazhi as he promised to find the money.

• Fan Dazhi followed the Black-Clothed Man down into a crowded underground gambling hall.
• The gang thugs recognized Fan Dazhi, but fell silent when the Black-Robed Youth arrived and was greeted as the Gang Leader.
• Fan Dazhi demanded that the Flying Eagle Gang release Linu and Zhu Qiqi.
• The veiled woman accused Fan Dazhi’s friends of injuring gang members, and the Black-Clothed Man demanded ten thousand taels of gold to ransom them.
• Fan Dazhi promised to find the gold, but the Black-Clothed Man struck him and the gang thugs swarmed to beat him.

Fan Dazhi endured a beating to learn whether Linu and Zhu Qiqi were safe, then erupted in fury when the Black-Robed Youth’s men wounded Zhu Qiqi and dragged her away. The chapter ended with Fan Dazhi unleashing the Black Tortoise Scripture’s power against the men blocking him.

• The Black-Robed Youth stopped the ruffians from killing Fan Dazhi and ordered them to bring the captives out.
• Fan Dazhi saw Linu and Zhu Qiqi bound and bruised, then rushed toward them and cut his hands on the sabers blocking his way.
• Linu tearfully urged Fan Dazhi to run, while Zhu Qiqi cried for him to save them.
• The masked woman stabbed Zhu Qiqi in the arm, and men in black dragged her unconscious into the passage.
• Fan Dazhi roared and unleashed the Black Tortoise Scripture’s true qi, blasting away the weapons and men in his path.

Fan Dazhi agreed to free the Black-Robed Youth’s imprisoned elder from Zhenyue Prison within three days in exchange for Linu and Zhu Qiqi’s release. After he left, Zhu Qiqi revealed that her hostage ordeal had been staged and teased Linu about Fan Dazhi’s devotion.

• The Masked Woman threatened Linu with her dagger, forcing Fan Dazhi to beg for her safety.
• The Black-Robed Youth promised to release the hostages if Fan Dazhi freed his elder from Zhenyue Prison within three days.
• Fan Dazhi accepted the task, watched Linu being taken away, and left after asking the Black-Robed Youth to keep his promise.
• In a secret chamber, Zhu Qiqi removed her fake restraints and used a fish bladder and chicken blood to reveal that her distress had been an act.
• Zhu Qiqi teased Linu about Fan Dazhi risking his life for her.

Dongren ordered his followers to prepare a midnight assault on the Knowledge and Practice Institute if Fan Dazhi failed to rescue the Venerable One within three days. Meanwhile, the Cui Family Ancestor reforged Cui Zhixia’s foundation, and Cui Zhixia regained his confidence and resolve to train.

• Linu broke down as Zhu Qiqi acknowledged their feelings for Fan Dazhi but said they had no choice.
• Dongren praised Zhu Qiqi and Linu, then ordered his followers to prepare for a midnight attack on the Knowledge and Practice Institute and Zhenyue Prison in three days.
• Zhu Qiqi taunted Jin Caiyun about her humiliation by Fan Dazhi, and Dongren stopped their quarrel.
• Dongren revealed that the group had a high-ranking insider at the Knowledge and Practice Institute.
• The Cui Family Ancestor finished reforging Cui Zhixia’s Dao foundation and told him to consolidate his cultivation.
• Cui Zhixia tested his restored physical strength, regained confidence in himself, and resolved to train.

Bi Yunfei tortured Su Qiu, who struck him with a final Divine Sense attack before dying. Meanwhile, Fan Dazhi traced clues about Zhenyue Prison to the nameless stele on the Knowledge and Practice Institute’s Rear Mountain and discovered a vast formation beneath it.

• Bi Yunfei questioned Su Qiu in the Ministry of Justice prison about a secret that had drawn Emperor Chen’s attention.
• Su Qiu tricked Bi Yunfei into leaning close, then attacked his Sea of Consciousness with his Divine Sense and insulted him before dying.
• Bi Yunfei stabbed Su Qiu repeatedly with a heated iron poker and called for the guards.
• After a sleepless day and night investigating the Knowledge and Practice Institute, Fan Dazhi suspected the Rear Mountain mound was connected to Zhenyue Prison.
• Fan Dazhi examined the nameless stele and sensed Heaven and Earth Primordial Energy sinking underground into a vast Cosmic Circuit Formation.

Fan Dazhi removed the formation flags from the mound and briefly disturbed the Mountain-Suppressing Prison seal before it suppressed the escaping aura. He later discovered openings underground, where an imprisoned old man heard his call and struck the cold iron wall.

• Fan Dazhi used earth-attribute primordial energy to probe beneath the mound and confirmed that a vast, restricted space lay underground.
• Fan Dazhi retrieved the formation flags, causing fissures to open as gray-black aura escaped and the stele revealed the golden seal character "Yue".
• The stele's golden runes suppressed the aura, and Fan Dazhi fled before powerful divine senses swept the Knowledge and Practice Institute.
• On the Water Lantern Festival holiday, Fan Dazhi returned to the mound and found dark openings in its scorched, lifeless soil.
• An old man shackled in a ten-thousand-year cold iron chamber heard Fan Dazhi's distant call and punched the wall.