Chapter Summaries

Tang Yan revealed his identity to Yun Liu and proposed that the Yun Family join him in destroying the Chu Family. Yun Liu was intrigued but warned that the Yun Family could suffer devastating losses, while Tang Yan learned that the Qiu Family blamed him for the death of its eldest young lady, Qiu Shao.

• Yun Liu received a mysterious visitor and met Tang Yan at the Lakeside Pavilion.
• Tang Yan revealed his disguise and proposed a partnership against the Chu Family.
• Yun Liu described the danger posed by the Chu and Qiu Families’ alliance and warned that a war could leave the Yun Family vulnerable.
• Tang Yan learned that the Qiu Family believed he had killed Qiu Shao and considered whether the Chu Family had framed him.
• Yun Liu cautioned Tang Yan that his Reach the Summit was not strong enough to challenge the combined Chu and Qiu Families.

Tang Yan persuaded Yun Liu to ally the Yun Family with Reach the Summit against the Chu Family by offering a plan to sow distrust between the Chu and Qiu Families and showcasing Reach the Summit’s Pills. Yun Liu agreed to cooperate, securing priority access to the faction’s Pills.

• Tang Yan told Yun Liu that Reach the Summit had a Heaven Tier Fourth Grade expert and proposed using the Qiu Family’s mistaken belief about Qiu Shao’s death to divide its opponents.
• Yun Liu questioned why he should join forces instead of waiting for Reach the Summit to weaken the Chu Family, and Tang Yan offered the Yun Family a ten-percent discount on Pills.
• Tang Yan showed Yun Liu an Explosive Spirit Pill and explained that Reach the Summit also sold High Spirit Pills at a competitive price.
• Yun Liu examined the High Spirit Pills and asked their price; Tang Yan quoted seven thousand two hundred taels after the discount.
• Tang Yan listed Reach the Summit’s other Pills, and Yun Liu agreed to partner on the condition that the Yun Family received priority when they were sold.

Tang Yan learned that the Chu and Qiu Families had threatened Azure Dragon Academy students unless he surrendered, while the Peak Society used the crisis to rally nearly ten thousand students against Reach the Summit. As the academy elders learned that Tang Yan had slain the Chu Family's Grand Elder, the confrontation at Reach the Summit's base continued to grow.

• Tang Yan finalized a pill-purchasing agreement with Yun Liu, then flew to Azure Dragon Academy on the Azure Crane.
• Tang Yan overheard that the Chu and Qiu Families had given the academy three days to hand him over or they would kill students training in the Unowned Forest, and he resolved to appear on the third day.
• Fang Xuan told Reach the Summit that the Peak Society had injured Zhang Han and the others while recruiting Leng Ning, then brought nearly ten thousand students to demand Tang Yan.
• Ye Qiong accused Tang Yan of endangering academy students, and the crowd joined in shouting for him to come out.
• Xiao Cangshan confirmed to the elders that Tang Yan had slain the Chu Family's Grand Elder, and Mo Bin hurried to Reach the Summit after hearing about the protest.

Tang Yan confronted students gathered at Reach the Summit's entrance and challenged their demand that he surrender to the Chu Family. He left the crowd stirred by Reach the Summit's vow to defend the Azure Dragon Academy against outside threats.

• Mo Bin defended the academy's promise to protect its students, while Ye Qiong urged Tang Yan to turn himself in to the Chu Family.
• Tang Yan arrived and asked Ye Qiong whether he had rallied the crowd, then faced accusations from Ye Qiong and the other students.
• When the crowd demanded that Tang Yan leave the academy, Reach the Summit members stood behind him, ready to fight.
• Tang Yan argued that he had retaliated against the Chu Family only after they crossed him and condemned the students for fearing outside powers.
• Reach the Summit members declared that they would stand with the academy and slay anyone who threatened it.

Tang Yan reaffirmed that Reach the Summit would march to Ming City in three days to destroy the Chu Family and avenge Lin Dongxue. Zi Yun and several powerful factions pledged their support, leaving the expedition with growing backing.

• After a student asked whether Tang Yan still intended to destroy the Chu Family, Tang Yan recounted Lin Dongxue's 176 wounds and promised Reach the Summit would march to Ming City in three days.
• When a Peak Society youth mocked Tang Yan, Zi Yun appeared, slapped him twice, and warned him to watch his mouth.
• The elders learned that Zi Yun had reached heaven tier fifth grade after joining Reach the Summit and credited Tang Yan's cultivation methods for her progress.
• Ziyuan offered to bring Mandarin Duck Pavilion members above earth tier sixth grade, and Tang Yan promised them free pills during the fighting and discounts afterward.
• Lan Qi, Han Bing, Old Ox, and Wolf pledged themselves or their faction members to support Reach the Summit's march.

Tang Yan recruited 103 skilled students to Reach the Summit and invited them to train with him for three days. After defeating Niu Lan in a spar, he explained that the training would be harsh and focused on exposing weaknesses, leaving the recruits to decide whether to stay.

• Ye Qiong left after watching students from across the academy offer to help Reach the Summit.
• Tang Yan selected 103 recruits and invited them to train with Reach the Summit for three days.
• At Lan Qi's suggestion, Tang Yan agreed to spar with Niu Lan, who was at earth tier eighth grade.
• Tang Yan used precise strikes and fighting analysis to defeat Niu Lan, then explained that he had been holding back at first.
• Tang Yan told the recruits that their training would involve hard-hitting sparring and that they could stay or cultivate on their own.

Tang Yan trained his allies for three days before leading nearly two hundred people on an expedition to destroy the Chu Family. As the group prepared to leave, he killed Leng Ning despite Ye Qiong’s threat, bringing the conflict with Peak Society to a head.

• Tang Yan defeated Niu Lan again while using earth tier fifth grade strength, then agreed to train him and the others for three days.
• Tang Yan coached the group through sparring at Reach the Summit’s training grounds, pointing out flaws in their fighting.
• On the fourth morning, Tang Yan addressed nearly two hundred allies, distributed large supplies of pills, and prepared to march on Ming City and destroy the Chu Family.
• Tang Yan had Leng Ning brought before Reach the Summit’s base and accused her of plotting against Lin Dongxue.
• Ye Qiong arrived and threatened Tang Yan, but Tang Yan ignored him and killed Leng Ning with his Wuxie Sword.

Tang Yan fought Ye Qiong after killing Leng Ning and revealed he had reached earth tier ninth grade. He defeated Ye Qiong with his sword and approached him while everyone waited to see what he would do next.

• Ye Qiong attacked Tang Yan, but Zi Yun blocked his palm and Tang Yan stepped forward to face him himself.
• Tang Yan met Ye Qiong's punch head-on, revealing that he had reached earth tier ninth grade.
• Tang Yan used swift, deceptive attacks to force Ye Qiong onto the defensive and drive him back.
• Ye Qiong unleashed Water Marsh Sky Dome Sword, but Tang Yan countered with Mountain-Crushing Wave-Treading Sword and sent him flying, badly injured.
• Tang Yan walked toward the helpless Ye Qiong as the onlookers wondered whether he would spare or kill him.

Tang Yan led Reach the Summit out of Azure Dragon Academy with the dean’s blessing and a fleet of Azure Cranes, then arrived secretly at the Yun Family estate in Ming City. After seeing the strength of Tang Yan’s fighters and meeting Zi Yun, Yun Liu prepared to coordinate an attack on the Chu Family.

• Tang Yan defeated Ye Qiong, took the valuables and Star Value from him, then ordered Reach the Summit to depart.
• Xiao Cangshan praised the students, promised the academy’s support, and lent them Azure Cranes for the journey.
• Tang Yan led the group on a circuitous night flight to Ming City and landed at the Yun Family estate.
• Yun Liu examined Tang Yan’s companions and was astonished by their high cultivation levels, then learned Zi Yun was the Heaven Tier expert.
• Yun Liu told Tang Yan that the Qiu Family was investigating clues that might divide it from the Chu Family, and proposed a coordinated attack the following day.

Tang Yan led Reach the Summit and hidden Yun Family experts openly to the Chu Family estate, using their march to conceal the Yun Family’s support and unsettle the Chu Family. After confronting Chu Jiang and rallying his own followers, Tang Yan faced Chu Jiang’s charge as the two sides prepared to fight.

• Tang Yan gathered Azure Dragon Academy students and Yun Family experts, then led 180 fighters toward the Chu Family estate while Yun Family experts blended into the crowd.
• Yu Juechen questioned why they were marching openly, and Tang Yan explained that the approach hid their alliance with the Yun Family and let its experts attack from the shadows.
• Chu Jiang learned that Tang Yan’s force included 180 earth tier fighters and ordered a request for Qiu Family reinforcements.
• At the Chu Family estate, Tang Yan accused Chu Jiang of valuing his own position over his family members, briefly weakening the Chu Family guards’ morale.
• Chu Jiang restored his men’s resolve by arguing that he could not sacrifice them against Azure Dragon Academy, while Tang Yan vowed to fight anyone who harmed Reach the Summit.
• Chu Jiang unleashed his aura and charged at Tang Yan, declaring that he would avenge Mo'er.

Tang Yan and Zi Yun fought the Chu Family’s remaining Heaven Tier experts, with Tang Yan using the Heart of Taiji and Flame Burst Palm to hold off Chu Second Elder. After their powerful attacks clashed, Tang Yan took an Origin Qi Pill and prepared to face Chu Second Elder’s repeated martial skill.

• Zi Yun blocked Chu Jiang from attacking Tang Yan and fought him, while Tang Yan intercepted Chu Second Elder.
• Tang Yan used the Heart of Taiji to redirect and neutralize Chu Second Elder’s attacks, holding him back despite their difference in strength.
• Chu Second Elder unleashed Eagle Soars Through the Nine Heavens, and Tang Yan countered with Flame Burst Palm, forcing both fighters to retreat.
• Chu Second Elder accused Tang Yan of using a secret art and launched Eagle Soars Through the Nine Heavens again.
• Tang Yan secretly took an Origin Qi Pill, declared that his strength would last long enough, and unleashed Flame Burst Palm again.

Tang Yan and the Yun Family defeated the Chu Family in Ming City, leaving the Yun Family poised to dominate the city. After sharing the spoils, Tang Yan faced a flood of requests from the students who wanted to join Reach the Summit.

• Tang Yan used Origin Qi Pills to sustain a prolonged battle with Chu Second Elder, while Zi Yun injured Chu Jiang and the Qiu Family refused to send support.
• Tang Yan and Chu Jiang rallied their forces with promises of rewards, but Yun Liu arrived with the Yun Family's elite troops and joined the battle against the Chu Family.
• The Yun Family and Reach the Summit wiped out the Chu Family's forces, and Tang Yan killed the gravely injured Chu Jiang.
• Yun Liu congratulated Tang Yan on their collaboration and asked when Reach the Summit would open a shop in Ming City; Tang Yan said it would open within ten days to a month.
• Tang Yan distributed the Chu Family's wealth, and Lan Qi, Niu Lan, and other students asked to join Reach the Summit.

After Tang Yan destroyed the Chu Family, Reach the Summit gained prestige and recruits, while Tang Yan advanced his Flame Burst Palm and considered his unresolved goals. Xiao Cangshan then asked him to represent the Azure Dragon Academy in the Spirit Academy Competition and offered him every resource to reach the Heaven Tier.

• Tang Yan welcomed his allies into Reach the Summit, and Ziyuan chose to join while encouraging others to follow her.
• The Second Elder and Fifth Elder told Xiao Cangshan that Tang Yan had helped destroy the Chu Family without losing any students, prompting Xiao Cangshan to order the academy to support Tang Yan's growth.
• Tang Yan's return to Reach the Summit was celebrated, and Du Shu and Fang Xuan attracted new members and established plans for a shop branch in Ming City.
• Tang Yan practiced the second form of the Flame Burst Palm and blasted a huge crater, then reflected on his goals and worries about Zi Yun, Dongxue, and his parents.
• Xiao Cangshan told Tang Yan about the Spirit Academy Competition and offered him the Azure Dragon Academy's top student position and any resources he needed to reach the Heaven Tier.

Tang Yan arranged for the Azure Dragon Academy elders to spar with him and make unscheduled assassination attempts so he could push toward Heaven Tier. After six hours of brutal sparring with Dean Xiao Cangshan, he was badly injured, and Xiao asked whether he would give up.

• Tang Yan asked Xiao Cangshan to arrange daily sparring with elders and unscheduled attacks, insisting they need not hold back.
• Xiao Cangshan gathered the thirteen elders, who all volunteered, and decided that he would spar with Tang Yan first.
• Xiao Cangshan told the elders that Tang Yan had challenged their combat experience and invited others to watch him beat them, provoking their determination to teach him a lesson.
• Tang Yan arrived at the western training ground the next morning and charged at Xiao Cangshan, who was surprised by his speed and strength.
• Xiao Cangshan fought Tang Yan at Heaven Tier Second Grade for six hours, leaving him bruised and barely able to stand, then asked if he would give up.

Tang Yan endured increasingly brutal sparring arranged by Xiao Cangshan and advanced to heaven tier, discovering that he could accelerate spirit herb growth in the Heaven-Earth Creation Cauldron’s Chaos Space at great cost to his true qi. During their next spar, Xiao Cangshan accidentally struck him with near-full strength after sensing danger from Tang Yan’s attack.

• Tang Yan healed after Xiao Cangshan ambushed him with a realistic sword attack, then continued reviewing his weaknesses.
• Xiao Cangshan secretly encouraged the elders to spar with Tang Yan without restraint, and their punishing training accelerated Tang Yan’s cultivation.
• After a month and a half, Tang Yan broke through to heaven tier and discovered he could speed up spirit herb growth in the Chaos Space by spending large amounts of true qi.
• Tang Yan hoped his new strength would let him turn the tables on the elders, and Xiao Cangshan began their next spar at heaven tier first grade late stage.
• Tang Yan’s skill impressed Xiao Cangshan, but a dangerous strike made the dean instinctively retaliate with overwhelming force and send Tang Yan flying.
• Xiao Cangshan apologized and gave Tang Yan a pill after Tang Yan complained that the blow had nearly beaten him to death.

Tang Yan reached Heaven Tier and learned that Zi Yun had come to the Azure Dragon Academy partly to see him and partly to escape a forced marriage to Mingyou Valley’s Third Young Master. As Zi Yun explained her Lineage’s decision to sacrifice her for Purple Bamboo City’s safety, a formidable aura appeared above the academy.

• Tang Yan sparred with the elders until he reached Heaven Tier, while Xiao Cangshan and the others watched the elders struggle against him.
• Xiao Cangshan told Tang Yan that the Spirit Academy Competition had returned to its usual date and that the academy would leave for the Imperial City in a few days.
• Tang Yan found Zi Yun in his dormitory courtyard, where she told him that her father would soon take her back to Purple Bamboo City.
• Tang Yan revealed that he had reached Heaven Tier, prompting Zi Yun to explain that she had come partly to see him and partly to escape an arranged marriage.
• Zi Yun said that Mingyou Valley’s Third Young Master had demanded her hand and that her Lineage had agreed to the marriage to protect Purple Bamboo City.
• A formidable aura suddenly appeared above the Azure Dragon Academy as Tang Yan and Zi Yun sat in silence.

Zi Xian came to the Azure Dragon Academy to take Zi Yun home and invited Tang Yan to Purple Bamboo City with a promise of abundant resources. Tang Yan refused and condemned the Zi Family for agreeing to marry Zi Yun off to Mingyou Valley, leaving Zi Xian to face his accusations.

• Zi Xian arrived at the Azure Dragon Academy and told Xiao Cangshan he had come to take Zi Yun home.
• Zi Yun told Zi Xian that Tang Yan had guided her breakthrough to Heaven Tier Fifth Grade.
• Zi Xian offered Tang Yan cultivation resources and promised he could reach Heaven Tier before thirty if he came to Purple Bamboo City.
• Tang Yan refused, mocking Purple Bamboo City and accusing Zi Xian of sacrificing Zi Yun through the marriage alliance with Mingyou Valley.
• Tang Yan cited the Zi Family's history and ancestral precepts as he challenged Zi Xian to answer for abandoning their principles.

Tang Yan and Reach the Summit defended Zi Yun and challenged Zi Xian to choose his daughter’s happiness over fear of Mingyou Valley. Zi Xian reconciled with Zi Yun and accepted support from Reach the Summit and several allied families, leaving Purple Bamboo City prepared to resist Mingyou Valley.

• Tang Yan condemned Zi Xian for allowing Zi Yun’s marriage arrangement, and Zi Yun pleaded with him to stop, saying she had volunteered.
• Tang Yan declared that Reach the Summit would protect Zi Yun, and its members vowed never to compromise.
• Zi Xian apologized to Zi Yun, promised to protect her, and said Purple Bamboo City could resist Mingyou Valley rather than fear the marriage arrangement.
• Tang Yan recounted how he and Reach the Summit had overcome powerful opponents, inspiring Zi Xian and causing his cultivation bottleneck to loosen.
• Yu Juechen pledged the Rakshasa Gate’s support, and representatives of the Zhao, Xiu, Qin, and Meng families also promised to help Purple Bamboo City.

Tang Yan secured the support of Reach the Summit’s families for Purple Bamboo City, while Zi Yun’s worries lifted and her cultivation showed signs of a breakthrough. In the Northern Spirit Realm, Feng Chenye used Tang Yan’s dagger to ask the Artifact Pavilion’s old master for divine soul grass, then explained Tang Yan’s predicament.

• Zi Xian thanked the families of Reach the Summit for agreeing to help Purple Bamboo City, then left with his people after urging Tang Yan to care for Zi Yun.
• Zi Yun felt her suppressed spiritual qi surge and went into seclusion, while Xiao Cangshan and the elders praised Tang Yan.
• Feng Chenye presented Shen Tan with a dagger bearing Shen Shan’s authority, prompting Shen Tan to fetch his father.
• Shen Shan seized Feng Chenye and demanded to know where he had gotten the dagger and how Tang Yan was doing.
• Feng Chenye explained that Tang Yan needed divine soul grass after a deadly clash with a family left one of his friends in danger, and the elders reacted to his account.

Shen Shan sent Lei Protector and Elder Fan to the Azure Dragon Academy with divine soul grass and twin harmony fruit for Tang Yan, whose rapid growth convinced Shen Shan he had a powerful mentor. Lei Protector found Tang Yan practicing and attacked to test him, then claimed he would kill him as Tang Yan charged back.

• Shen Shan ordered Lei Protector to deliver divine soul grass to Tang Yan, and Feng Chenye arranged for Elder Fan to bring the twin harmony fruit.
• Shen Shan told Shen Tan that Tang Yan's rapid progress and abilities suggested he had an exceptional expert guiding him.
• Lei Protector and Elder Fan arrived at the Azure Dragon Academy and spotted Tang Yan practicing with the Wuxie Sword.
• Lei Protector launched a surprise attack, but Tang Yan evaded it and prepared to fight.
• Lei Protector said he would kill Tang Yan, and Tang Yan charged at him.