Chapter Summaries

Li Rui returned to the Qinghe Branch after helping kill a Nine-Horned Silver Lizard, then used the Nine Profound Spirit Firmament Chart and a Spirit Guide to open his dantian. The next morning, Ge Hong told him that the authorities had uncovered the Ghost Underworld Sect’s hidden victims, while Li Rui suspected the officials would conceal the full scale of the crimes.

• Li Rui and Zhang Yang brought the Nine-Horned Silver Lizard’s corpse to the Qinghe Branch, where Branch Master Dao praised their deed and promised to report it.
• After dinner, Li Rui studied the Nine Profound Spirit Firmament Chart, swallowed a Spirit Guide, and spent the night completing thirty-six Small Circulations.
• At dawn, Li Rui found that his dantian had doubled in size and now held a small clump of true qi.
• Ge Hong told Li Rui that constables had discovered prisoners and scattered bones in a hidden passage beneath the Ghost Underworld Sect’s cave.
• Ge Hong left with several disciples to assist the authorities, while Li Rui reasoned that officials would likely hush up the killings to avoid public anger and compensation costs.

An eight-thousand-li urgent dispatch brought the Emperor’s personal edict to Annan General Xue Gui, ordering the Ghost Underworld Sect eradicated. Xue Gui and his officers turned the order into a proposal for a new Guard in Clear River, and Lei Yong maneuvered to recommend his younger brother for a post there.

• Flying Eagle Riders delivered the Emperor’s urgent personal edict to Xue Gui at the Annan General Military Manor.
• Xue Gui summoned Han Zhen, Lei Yong, and Dai Yu, who learned that the Ghost Underworld Sect had been ordered eradicated.
• Lei Yong suggested requesting an additional Guard for poorly defended Anning Prefecture, to be stationed in Clear River.
• Xue Gui approved the plan and ordered Han Zhen to draft a memorial seeking the Emperor’s approval.
• Lei Yong recommended his younger brother Ning Zhongtian for a role in Clear River, and Xue Gui gave him an amused but encouraging dismissal.

Li Rui learned that the Annan Army planned to establish a garrison in Qinghe, a change that could raise the city’s status and create opportunities for its local powers. He continued his routine until a festive procession arrived at his door carrying a plaque bearing the words “Righteous Bravery.”

• Li Rui practiced the Nine Profound Spirit Firmament Chart and felt his Profound Clear Qi growing stronger.
• Yang Yong encouraged Li Rui to exercise more, but Li Rui reassured him that he understood his condition.
• Dao Xiong summoned Li Rui and the other vice masters to the Hall of Righteous Gathering and announced that the Annan Army planned to establish a garrison in Qinghe.
• Zhang Yang and the other vice masters saw the garrison as a chance to raise Qinghe’s status and cultivate ties with the incoming officials.
• Several days later, festive sounds drew Li Rui to his door, where he found a procession carrying a plaque inscribed “Righteous Bravery.”

Li Rui received an imperial authorization for an archway honoring his role in slaying a demon beast, earning fame and completing the beginner achievement quest. He decided to postpone building the archway until he owned a residence, while collecting thousands of taels from people seeking to have their names inscribed on it.

• Registrar Ma delivered Li Rui the plaque bearing the words “Righteous Bravery” and explained that the Emperor had authorized the archway to honor Li Rui’s and Zhang Yang’s deeds.
• Registrar Ma asked Li Rui to include his name in the archway’s account, and Li Rui agreed.
• Yang Yong and Wang Zhao asked Li Rui to have their names carved on the archway, and Li Rui agreed while considering charging others for the privilege.
• Li Rui completed the “A Modest Reputation” achievement quest and received 20 Achievement Points.
• News of Li Rui’s honor spread through Clear River, drawing young men who wanted him as their godfather.
• Li Rui chose to wait until he bought a residence before building the archway, then earned three thousand taels by selling name inscriptions, with Zhu Ping offering the highest bid.

Banner Officer Wei Ming and the Flying Eagle Riders arrived in Clear River under General Cao’s orders to supervise construction of the new city and help eliminate the remaining Ghost Underworld Sect members. After hearing about Li Rui, the seventy-year-old martial artist honored by the Emperor, Wei Ming asked to meet him for clues about the demonic beasts.

• County Magistrate Zhang welcomed Wei Ming and the Flying Eagle Riders to Clear River.
• Wei Ming explained that General Cao had ordered him to oversee the new city’s construction and help clear out the Ghost Underworld Sect’s remnants.
• County Magistrate Zhang agreed to guide Wei Ming’s men, since sect disciples and demonic beasts had escaped after the Ghost Underworld Sect was crushed.
• Zhang told Wei Ming that Li Rui had begun practicing martial arts at seventy, reached Eighth Rank, and received the Emperor’s archway for slaying demonic beasts.
• Wei Ming asked Zhang to arrange a visit to Li Rui, hoping to learn more about the demonic beasts.

Wei Ming visited Qinghe to investigate the Ghost Underworld Sect’s demon killings and recruited Zhang Yang to join the hunt, while Li Rui stayed behind to practice. After completing his thirty-sixth Celestial Cycle, Li Rui’s Profound Clear Qi began to intertwine in his dantian.

• Wei Ming welcomed Li Rui respectfully and asked him to recount how he had slain the Demon Beast.
• Li Rui described the Ghost Underworld Sect’s crimes, and Wei Ming arranged for Zhang Yang to accompany the soldiers into the mountains.
• Wei Ming revealed his past comradeship with Alliance Master Ning, strengthening Dao Xiong’s hopes of a close alliance with the Annan Army.
• Zhang Yang and the Blood Tiger Gang’s new Incense Master joined the hunt while Li Rui remained at home to practice.
• Li Rui completed his final Celestial Cycle and saw his Profound Clear Qi intertwine, prompting him to recognize the state as Embrace Oneness and Guard Unity.

Li Rui condensed Profound Clear Qi into Chaos, forming the beginnings of an immortal realm, while Zhang Yang and Wei Ming hunted unusually reckless demon beasts in Roebuck Ridge. After hearing that the beasts acted like the Nine-Horned Silver Lizard, Li Rui suspected that a treasure lay in the mountain.

• Li Rui compared his condensed Profound Clear Qi with the Nine Profound Spirit Firmament Chart and realized he had formed an embryonic immortal realm.
• Zhang Yang and Wei Ming killed a demon beast in Roebuck Ridge and remarked that the beasts fought with an unusual disregard for death.
• Wei Ming told Zhang Yang that the demon beasts had mostly been cleared out, and Zhang Yang invited him and his men to celebrate at the Education Office.
• At the Education Office, a Flying Eagle Rider soldier and Zhang Yang described how the demon beasts attacked recklessly, like the Nine-Horned Silver Lizard.
• Li Rui recalled the Nine-Horned Silver Lizard's strange recovery and concluded that a treasure was hidden in Roebuck Ridge.

Li Rui discovered a large deposit of Spirit Soil in the mountains and began digging it up, but Zhang He and his guards arrived and claimed it as their own. The chapter ended with Zhang He ordering Li Rui to leave.

• Zhang Hao sent part of the Zhang Family convoy ahead to Qinghe City while Zhang He went hunting in the woods with several guards.
• Li Rui followed signs of the demonic beasts’ abnormal behavior to a ravine on Roebuck Ridge and found Spirit Soil.
• Li Rui began digging up the valuable Spirit Soil, estimating the deposit was worth at least ten thousand taels.
• Zhang He and his guards found Li Rui and the Spirit Soil, and Zhang He ordered Li Rui to get lost.

Li Rui fled after Zhang He’s men spotted him digging, but they discovered the Spirit Soil he had left behind and tried to claim it. Li Rui killed Zhang He, Zhang Sanfu, and their men, recovered the soil, and planned to hide the bodies in nearby sinkholes.

• Li Rui ran into the woods with a clump of dirt as Zhang He ordered his men to chase him.
• Zhang Sanfu identified the dirt in the depression as Spirit Soil, and Zhang He had him bundle it up.
• When the pursuing men failed to return, Zhang Sanfu grew wary, but Zhang He refused to leave the Spirit Soil behind.
• Li Rui approached the pair, killed Zhang He and Zhang Sanfu, and took the bundle of Spirit Soil.
• Li Rui checked his soft armor and considered disposing of the bodies in nearby sinkholes.

Zhang Hao learned that his son Zhang He had gone missing but showed little concern, while Li Rui discovered the Zhang Family's involvement in Clear River and safely consumed all his Spirit Soil. After reaching the peak of Jade Bone and nearing Willow Sinew, Li Rui left for the Black Market to find herbs.

• Zhang Hao arrived at the Zhang Family residence in Clear River and dismissed the steward's worry that Zhang He had gone missing, ordering him to send people to search.
• Li Rui identified the men he had killed as Zhang Family servants and concluded that their deaths would not lead the family to him.
• Li Rui consumed his remaining Spirit Soil in batches through the night and advanced to the peak of Jade Bone, close to Willow Sinew.
• Yang Yong and Wang Zhao waited outside Li Rui's room, worried because he had stayed up all night and skipped his usual martial arts practice.
• Li Rui reassured Yang Yong and Wang Zhao, then said he was going out to find herbs and headed for the Black Market.

Li Rui dealt with the Zhang Family’s bid for Black Market shops and informed Dao Xiong as outside forces arrived in Clear River. Zhang Yang then revealed that Alliance Master Ning would join the Anning Guard as a commander and that Heaven and Earth Alliance members might receive official posts.

• Yang Deliu told Li Rui that numerous outside families and groups had arrived in Clear River seeking Black Market shops.
• Zhang Hao asked Li Rui to sell the Zhang Family ten shops, and Li Rui deferred the decision to Dao Xiong.
• Zhang Hao told his guard that the shop request was a way to test the Heaven and Earth Alliance’s attitude, then ordered him to find Zhang He and the person responsible if he was dead.
• Li Rui reported the Black Market situation to Dao Xiong, who faced growing pressure to protect the alliance’s holdings in Clear River.
• Zhang Yang told Li Rui that Alliance Master Ning would serve as one of the Anning Guard’s five commanders and that alliance members might be appointed as officials.

Li Rui and Zhang Yang considered pursuing official posts in the Annan Army, while Ning Zhongtian joined the Anning Guard and told Wei Ming that Jiang Linxian would be its military adviser. The two men then headed to the Heaven and Earth Alliance as Ning Zhongtian prepared to promote capable relatives.

• Li Rui and Zhang Yang decided to prepare for Alliance Master Ning's selection of candidates for Annan Army posts.
• Ning Zhongtian visited Wei Ming at the construction site of the new General's Mansion and revealed that he had joined the Anning Guard as a garrison commander.
• Ning Zhongtian told Wei Ming that Jiang Linxian had been appointed the Anning Guard's military adviser by the Emperor and that Lei Yong had instructed him to follow her lead.
• Ning Zhongtian warned Wei Ming that the Ghost Underworld Sect had stolen Yu Country's Dragon Qi and that the Emperor had ordered the traitors killed.
• Ning Zhongtian invited Wei Ming to the Heaven and Earth Alliance and defended his plan to promote capable relatives as appointments based on merit.

Ning Zhongtian arranged a contest among Qinghe Branch’s vice helmsmen to choose a banner commander and grain officer for the Annan Army. Ge Hong defeated Zhou Rui, and Zhang Yang faced Li Rui next.

• Ning Zhongtian told Qinghe Branch that two of its members would be appointed and ruled Dao Xiong out because he was the branch helmsman.
• Ning Zhongtian chose Ge Hong and Zhou Rui to fight first, and Ge Hong defeated Zhou Rui after a prolonged saber contest.
• Zhang Yang challenged Li Rui, believing himself the stronger fighter and intending to compensate Li Rui if he won.
• Li Rui drew his saber and prepared to fight Zhang Yang.

Li Rui defeated Zhang Yang and earned a position in the Annan Army, where he was appointed grain officer alongside Ge Hong, who became a Small Banner. After celebrating with his allies, Li Rui received achievement points for completing the First Step into Officialdom mission and reflected on the benefits of becoming an official.

• Li Rui beat Zhang Yang in a saber match, then helped him up and accepted his congratulations.
• Ning Zhongtian selected Li Rui and Ge Hong for the Anning Guard, appointing Li Rui grain officer and Ge Hong Small Banner.
• Dao Xiong congratulated Li Rui and Ge Hong, then invited them and Zhang Yang and Zhou Rui to celebrate over drinks.
• Walking home late at night, Li Rui saw a system notice confirming completion of the First Step into Officialdom mission and awarding him 30 Achievement Points.
• Li Rui decided that official service offered safety and benefits, though he still needed to rely on his own strength and act cautiously.

Cao Wei arrived in Clear River with over a thousand troops and asserted his authority over Ning Zhongtian and the local officials. Li Rui settled into his new residence as an Anning Guard provisions officer responsible for recording Cultivation Methods, while the officials anticipated Jiang Linxian's arrival.

• Cao Wei traveled toward Clear River and learned that Jiang Linxian would arrive in about three days.
• Cao Wei deliberately slighted Ning Zhongtian upon arriving, then ordered County Magistrate Zhang Linkang to show him the new city.
• Cao Wei inspected the construction and returned to the General's Mansion, leaving Wei Ming and Ge Hong worried about their new superior.
• Ning Zhongtian reassured Wei Ming that Jiang Linxian's arrival should make things easier, while Li Rui noticed Cao Wei's powerful golden light.
• Li Rui returned to his residence in the military district and learned that Yang Yong and Wang Zhao had moved there with him.

Cao Wei recruited Zhang Hao and ordered him to capture the Ghost Underworld Sect’s demon feeders alive, while Li Rui managed the Ding Character Armory amid the Anning Guard’s factional divisions. As Li Rui checked the armory’s new-book register, he spotted an entry called the Flying Dragon in the Sky Diagram.

• Cao Wei accepted Zhang Hao’s pledge of loyalty and offered three Zhang Family disciples training in the Anning Guard.
• Cao Wei secretly ordered Zhang Hao to capture the Ghost Underworld Sect’s demon feeders alive, promising the Zhang Family a Banner Commander post if he succeeded.
• Li Rui passed Garrison Officer Feng Xi and continued his work as grain steward at the Ding Character Armory.
• Li Rui tasked Liang He with registering a new batch of books and reviewed the resulting register near the end of the day.
• Li Rui narrowed his eyes when he found the Flying Dragon in the Sky Diagram listed in the register.

Li Rui found the Flying Dragon in the Sky Qi Circulation Diagram in the army armory but needed five Middle Merits to obtain it. With Ge Hong’s help and Ning Zhongtian’s approval to advance one merit, he completed the procedures and acquired the diagram.

• Li Rui learned that the Flying Dragon in the Sky Diagram required five Middle Merits and considered how he could earn enough.
• Ge Hong invited Li Rui to a tavern, where he complained that Pan Xiang’s fighters had caused his men to receive Grade C in sparring.
• Ge Hong explained that the Flying Dragon in the Sky Diagram was difficult to cultivate and offered to lend Li Rui two Middle Merits, suggesting he ask Ning Zhongtian to advance another.
• Li Rui asked Ning Zhongtian for permission to advance one Middle Merit, and Ning Zhongtian approved his request.
• Li Rui completed the armory procedures and obtained the Flying Dragon in the Sky Qi Circulation Diagram.

Li Rui studied the Flying Dragon in the Sky Diagram and successfully cultivated its qi circulation method, while Jiang Linxian arrived near Qinghe and prepared to meet Cao Wei. After Li Rui practiced through the evening, his dragon-shaped true qi crossed an invisible boundary and coiled around the chaotic sphere in his dantian.

• Li Rui put away the Flying Dragon in the Sky Diagram and finished his armory watch before returning home to cultivate.
• Li Rui completed a Celestial Cycle with Profound Clear Qi on his first attempt and recognized that his Jade Bone and unusual qi suited the diagram.
• Jiang Linxian met Ning Zhongtian and Lu Jun at the relay station, telling them she had killed a Blue-Faced Envoy of the Ghost Underworld Sect on the road.
• Jiang Linxian learned that Cao Wei was purging Ghost Underworld Sect followers and ordered Ning Zhongtian and Lu Jun to take her to see him.
• Li Rui practiced thirty-six Celestial Cycles, and his dragon-shaped true qi crossed an invisible boundary and coiled around the chaotic sphere in his dantian.

Li Rui fused his orthodox and unorthodox forms, broke through to Seventh Rank, and learned that Jiang Linxian had arrived in Clear River. After Liang He defeated Zhang Fu but suffered a beating from the Zhang Family, Li Rui went to confront them, leaving the two sides on the verge of a match.

• Li Rui fused his dragon and chaotic-sphere forms, broke through to Seventh Rank, and celebrated the near arrival of the new year with Yang Yong.
• Li Rui saw Jiang Linxian arrive in Clear River, while Cao Wei learned that the Emperor had used her to warn him and that Zhang Hao had captured a Ghost Underworld Sect fiend.
• Liang He used dirt to blind Zhang Fu, beat him unconscious, and endured a beating from Zhang Fu's companions.
• Li Rui treated Liang He's injuries, praised him, and took him to demand an explanation from the Zhang Family.
• Zhang Yi scolded his relatives for losing to Liang He, then heard that Li Rui had arrived and challenged them to a match.

Li Rui defeated Zhang Yi after Zhang Yi confronted him over Liang He, drawing praise and military merit from Ning Zhongtian. Meanwhile, Zhang Hao concealed Cao Wei’s brutal interrogation of a Ghost Underworld Sect demon, then learned that Li Rui had humiliated his family and vowed to kill him.

• Li Rui beat Zhang Yi in a sparring match, forcing him to concede before the gathered onlookers.
• Li Rui explained to Liang He that he had revealed enough strength to deter further attacks, then encountered Ning Zhongtian.
• Ning Zhongtian praised Li Rui’s performance, waived the military merit Li Rui owed, and granted him two more merits.
• Zhang Hao promised Cao Wei that the Zhang Family would handle his task, and Cao Wei rewarded him with an opening for a chief banner.
• Zhang Hao ordered his family’s confidants to keep Cao Wei’s torture of a Ghost Underworld Sect demon secret.
• Zhang Fu told Zhang Hao that Li Rui had beaten Zhang Yi, and Zhang Hao vowed to kill Li Rui.