Chapter Summaries

After the Mingguang Sect elder’s execution, Li Rui kept a low profile while Jiang Linxian assigned Huaqing Sect disciples, including Jiang Yan, to learn under him. Just as his cultivation progressed, Li Rui’s true qi turned chaotic and the mist warning above him became blood-red.

• The Anning Guard executed a Mingguang Sect elder, and Clear River’s people cheered as officials reported the case without naming the sect.
• Li Rui stayed indoors for half a month, practiced his blade technique, and received Han Qin and five Huaqing Sect disciples sent by Jiang Linxian to gain experience under him.
• Li Rui gave the disciples leave, and Han Qin returned alone to discuss the arrangement before sharing a modest meal with Li Rui.
• Li Rui realized that being near Jiang Yan appeared to make his warning mist pale, likely because Jiang Linxian could protect her daughter.
• After giving the disciples another half month of freedom, Li Rui practiced cultivation until his true qi became disordered and he leaped into a hidden passage as the mist turned blood-red.

After surviving a nighttime intruder, Li Rui led Huaqing Sect disciples on a city patrol to stay close to Jiang Yan and taught them how to gather intelligence from ordinary details. The disciples gained new respect for him, and Li Rui left the patrol with more chances to spend time near Jiang Yan.

• Li Rui emerged from his room after hiding in a secret passage through the night and learned that Yang Yong and Wang Zhao had noticed nothing unusual.
• Qi Cheng revealed that he had infiltrated the Anning Guard headquarters, suspected Li Rui was tied to the Immortal Treasure, and planned to wait for Jiang Linxian and Cao Wei to leave before striking.
• Li Rui gathered Han Qin, Jiang Yan, and four other Huaqing Sect disciples for a city patrol, using Cao Wei's month-old orders as an excuse to stay near Jiang Yan.
• After Qin Hua complained about wandering aimlessly, Li Rui explained how he had used their route to observe sects and families and infer useful intelligence from small details.
• Han Qin bowed to Li Rui, the other disciples became more respectful, and Jiang Yan began glancing at Li Rui more often.

Qi Cheng enlisted Zhuang Renhe to help draw Jiang Linxian and Cao Wei away, while Li Rui’s danger faded as he spent more time with Jiang Yan. Li Rui advanced his cultivation by forming Yinglong and splitting the chaos in his dantian into heaven and earth, and Jiang Yan later revealed that his fate pattern had changed to Enduring Diligence All Day Long.

• Qi Cheng asked Zhuang Renhe to help lure Jiang Linxian and Cao Wei away, and Zhuang Renhe agreed to inform him when he had news.
• Li Rui deliberately spent more time with Jiang Yan, and the red mist in his consciousness gradually faded as his danger lessened.
• Li Rui circulated qi through seventy-two Celestial Cycles, formed Yinglong, and used it to split the chaotic sphere in his dantian into upper and lower halves.
• Li Rui took Jiang Yan and Han Qin on patrol, and Jiang Yan told him that his fate pattern had changed from Hidden Dragon Do Not Use to Enduring Diligence All Day Long.

Qi Cheng broke into the Anning Guard to kill the person he believed had taken the Immortal Treasure, but Jiang Linxian’s concealed flying sword killed him. Li Rui’s carefully arranged trap succeeded, and the next morning he let his trainees go home while keeping his role in the ambush secret.

• Qi Cheng entered the Anning Guard under cover of darkness, intending to search the residences and kill people until he found the Immortal Treasure’s bearer.
• Ning Zhongtian’s forces surrounded Qi Cheng, and Jiang Linxian’s flying sword pierced his shoulder as he tried to escape.
• Qi Cheng charged toward a house to kill someone before he died, but Jiang Linxian’s sword struck the back of his head and killed him.
• Li Rui watched the danger-signaling mist turn white from his hiding place in the secret passage and reflected on how he had used the Eye of Wisdom to arrange the trap.
• The next morning, Li Rui heard soldiers say that Ning Zhongtian had killed a Ghost Underworld Sect demon, while his colleagues remained unaware of Li Rui’s role.
• Li Rui granted Tan Hu’s trainees ten days of leave, having decided he no longer needed to spend time training them.

After Qi Cheng’s death, Zhuang Renhe tried to erase his connection to the Ghost Underworld Sect, while Li Rui learned that evidence had been burned and chose to stay cautious. Jiang Yan brought orders for the Tiger Sprint Riders to patrol Qingfeng Mountain Manor, and Li Rui realized Jiang Linxian expected him to repay his favor by looking after her.

• Zhuang Renhe learned that Qi Cheng had been killed and resolved to cut off every lead tying him to the Ghost Underworld Sect.
• Li Rui heard that the Ghost Underworld Sect demon’s hideout had burned down and decided not to investigate further or expose himself.
• Li Rui told Wang Zhao he would help him find a wife, then trained his qi that night.
• Tan Hu asked Li Rui to teach him more military stratagems, and Li Rui told him to focus on training the troops.
• Jiang Yan told Li Rui that Jiang Linxian had ordered the Tiger Sprint Riders to patrol Qingfeng Mountain Manor and that she would accompany them.
• Li Rui understood that Jiang Linxian expected him to repay his favor by tempering Jiang Yan, and he agreed to lead the patrol.

Li Rui led Tan Hu and the Huaqing Sect disciples to Qingfeng Mountain Manor for an inspection, both as an official duty and to escape the danger threatening Anning Guard. Elder Dong Shen welcomed them with exceptional courtesy and lodged them in a spacious residence.

• Li Rui noticed that the red smoke signaling danger grew paler as the group traveled farther from Clear River, confirming the threat extended beyond him to Anning Guard.
• The Huaqing Sect disciples quietly discussed returning to their sect, and Li Rui decided he would grant them two days of leave.
• Tan Hu announced that Anning Guard was conducting business, causing the arrogant merchant caravans on the road to move aside for the group.
• Li Rui's group left the road to Anning City and continued toward Qingfeng Mountain Manor, where Elder Dong Shen met them five li from the manor.
• Li Rui recognized Dong Shen and introduced himself and Tan Hu by their official ranks before Dong Shen led the group to a grand five-courtyard residence.

Li Rui settled his group into Qingfeng Mountain Manor, shared a story about Lord Huo with Tan Hu, and explored the manor by moonlight. At a pool, Jiang Yan explained the origins of the Dragon Gate Realm and revealed that three of the ten ancient people who crossed it became immortals.

• Li Rui assigned rooms at Qingfeng Mountain Manor, gave the group two days to rest, and shared a story about Lord Huo with Tan Hu.
• Tan Hu and the others went into the city for a late-night meal, while Li Rui stayed at the manor and practiced through the night.
• Li Rui watched koi repeatedly leap up a stream channel and reflected on the legend of carp leaping the Dragon Gate.
• Jiang Yan joined Li Rui and explained that ancient humans had once been unable to progress beyond Willow Sinew until their forebears created the qi-nurturing Cultivation Method.
• Jiang Yan said that the method had later been improved into a shortcut and that, among the ten people who crossed the Dragon Gate in the first thousand years, three ascended to the heavens and became immortals.

Jiang Yan told Li Rui that ancient legends linked Dual Form to the chance of ascending to immortality, and Li Rui resolved to cultivate his Dual Form carefully. The next morning, after Tan Hu reported seeing the supposedly dead Headless Slave, Li Rui gathered Qingfeng Mountain Manor disciples and led a search into the forest to kill him.

• Jiang Yan explained that ten ancient figures had nurtured Dual Form or more, and that three had ascended to immortality; Li Rui decided to focus on his Dual Form rather than pursue too much.
• Jiang Yan returned a koi to the pond after it leapt onto the grass, then left Li Rui for the night.
• Li Rui practiced his blade at dawn, and Tan Hu returned to report that he had chased Headless Slave into the northern woods but lost him less than half an hour earlier.
• Li Rui asked Dong Shen to gather Qingfeng Mountain Manor disciples to search for Headless Slave, a Ghost Underworld Sect demon wanted by Jiang Linxian.
• Li Rui, Tan Hu, and Dong Shen led separate groups into the forest, while Li Rui headed toward its heart intending to kill Headless Slave.

Li Rui captured Headless Slave by luring him into revealing himself, then tortured him for information until he died. Li Rui returned to Qingfeng Mountain Manor and told Tan Hu that the Headless Slave and the Ghost Underworld Sect had likely left Anning Prefecture.

• Headless Slave fled through the mountain forest while Tan Hu, Dong Shen, and their group closed in around him.
• Li Rui struck Headless Slave unconscious, then let Tan Hu and Dong Shen withdraw before returning to capture him.
• Li Rui bound Headless Slave and repeatedly forced true qi through his meridians to extract information, killing him by dawn.
• Li Rui buried Headless Slave beneath a tree and returned to Qingfeng Mountain Manor.
• Li Rui told Tan Hu that he had found no trace of the Ghost Underworld Sect or Headless Slave, then returned to his room thinking of the Immortal Treasure and Immortal Technique.

After returning from the Qingfeng Mountain Manor inspection, Li Rui reported to Ning Zhongtian and learned that the Ghost Underworld Sect had retaliated for the death of a former dynasty imperial clansman. He stayed in Qinghe, where the danger outside the city remained high, and listened as Ge Hong and Wei Ming discussed their cultivation methods.

• Li Rui returned to Qinghe with his group and submitted a report to Ning Zhongtian about the inspection and the surviving Headless Slave.
• Ning Zhongtian praised Li Rui and offered to share the credit for killing the Ghost Underworld Sect demon, but Li Rui credited Ning Zhongtian and Jiang Linxian instead.
• Ge Hong and Wei Ming met Li Rui at an alley wine stall and told him that the demon they had killed was a member of the former dynasty's Qi Clan.
• Wei Ming warned Li Rui that the Ghost Underworld Sect had attacked Anning Guard soldiers in retaliation, so Li Rui should remain inside the guard station for a while.
• Ge Hong said he had gained insight into the Hundred Saber Demon Slaying Diagram, while Wei Ming described his less compatible Vajra Subduing Demon Diagram; Li Rui kept his own cultivation method secret.

Li Rui exchanged military merit for the Harrier Flip movement technique and began practicing it after returning home. His first leap nearly reached the roof, impressing Wang Zhao, and Li Rui left the residence after breakfast.

• Li Rui visited the Ding Character Armory and insisted that He Shan verify his token before giving him the Harrier Flip manual.
• He Shan approved the exchange and mentioned that he had heard Li Rui visited Qingfeng Mountain Manor, but his grief surfaced when Li Rui asked about Anning Prefecture.
• Li Rui chose Harrier Flip to improve his movement and escape abilities, then told Wang Zhao he would enter closed-door cultivation.
• Li Rui studied the manual overnight, circulated his qi, and began practicing the technique's leg movements the next morning.
• Li Rui leaped nearly to the roof on his first attempt, astonishing Wang Zhao, and urged him to practice diligently.
• Li Rui, Wang Zhao, and Yang Yong ate breakfast, after which Li Rui strolled out of the residence.

Li Rui led the Tiger Sprint Camp to Willow Tree Village to investigate a demonic beast responsible for several deaths. After hearing how the beast evaded Ge Hong’s searches, Li Rui insisted they stay and wait for it rather than abandon the assignment.

• Li Rui praised Cao Wei’s attack on the Ghost Underworld Sect and warned Tan Hu not to insult the general in public.
• Li Rui gathered the Tiger Sprint Camp and rode to Willow Tree Village to investigate the missing mountain folk.
• Li Rui reunited with Ge Hong and Village Chief Zhao, who recognized him as the former Zhu Family groom.
• Village Chief Zhao explained that two men who had gone into the mountains had died, and Ge Hong confirmed a demonic beast was responsible.
• Li Rui rejected a futile mountain search and told Ge Hong they had to wait and see the assignment through.

Li Rui’s Anning Guard rescued Yao Xue and Qu Chengfeng from demon beasts, then discovered they had lied about belonging to the Heavenly Fire Sect. After Li Rui exposed their false identities, Yao Xue revealed she was from the Inquiry Immortal Pavilion, triggering a new achievement notification.

• Yao Xue used a talisman to protect Qu Chengfeng from a Tiger-Leopard Beast, but the pair remained trapped by two demon beasts.
• Tan Hu, Li Rui, and the Anning Guard arrived, killed both beasts, and questioned the strangers.
• Yao Xue claimed she and Qu Chengfeng were elders of the Heavenly Fire Sect, and Li Rui offered to escort them to Qinghe.
• Li Rui suddenly struck Yao Xue and accused the pair of lying because neither appeared on the Anning Guard’s roster for the sect.
• Yao Xue asked Li Rui to speak privately and revealed that she was a disciple of the Inquiry Immortal Pavilion.
• Li Rui received a notification that he had completed the initial scenario of the First Trace of Immortality achievement.

Li Rui encountered Yao Xue and Qu Chengfeng of the Inquiry Immortal Pavilion, helped them search for their missing senior brother, and received a Seeking Immortal Stone. After reporting his unit’s demonic-beast kills and telling his superiors about the hidden sect, he suspected the Ghost Underworld Sect had fabricated its claims about immortals and resolved to stay out of the matter.

• Li Rui recognized the Inquiry Immortal Pavilion as a hidden sect and agreed to help Yao Xue find her missing senior brother.
• Li Rui, Tan Hu, and Ge Hong found the senior brother dead, and Yao Xue gave Li Rui a Seeking Immortal Stone in thanks.
• Li Rui took the Seeking Immortal Stone after Tan Hu and Ge Hong agreed to let him have it, then led the troops back with two slain Tiger-Leopard Beasts.
• Ning Zhongtian praised Li Rui and his men for their achievement, while Lu Jun considered recruiting Li Rui to his own command.
• Li Rui privately told Ning Zhongtian and Lu Jun about the Inquiry Immortal Pavilion, then suspected the Ghost Underworld Sect had fabricated its immortal claims and decided not to get involved.

Li Rui sparred with Tan Hu at Tiger Sprint Camp, then rewarded the Tiger Sprint Riders for their military merit. Ning Zhongtian brought Tan Hu a Qi Condensation Pill and gifted Li Rui a fierce Crimson Dragon Horse, which Li Rui quickly subdued.

• Li Rui dodged Tan Hu's attacks through more than a hundred exchanges, and they agreed to call the spar a draw.
• Li Rui offered to cover the soldiers' missing military merit when they exchanged it for cultivation resources and techniques.
• Ning Zhongtian arrived with a Qi Condensation Pill for Tan Hu, who was nearing the crucial stage of nurturing qi.
• Ning Zhongtian presented Li Rui with a Crimson Dragon Horse bred by the Horse Taming Official in Annan Garrison.
• Li Rui approached the horse, made it docile, and told Ning Zhongtian he had threatened to chop it up for meat.

Li Rui tamed the Crimson Dragon Horse, received an imperial edict promoting him to Subordinate Sixth Rank, and tested the horse’s remarkable speed. Meanwhile, Ning Zhongtian visited Jiang Linxian and met Daoist Zhang of the Inquiry Immortal Pavilion.

• Li Rui subdued the Crimson Dragon Horse by using his horse-training experience and convincing it he might kill it.
• Ning Zhongtian gave Li Rui an imperial edict promoting him to Subordinate Sixth Rank for his past service and reputation.
• Li Rui thanked Ning Zhongtian, showed the edict to the Tiger Sprint Riders, and explained why it had not been delivered by a eunuch.
• Li Rui mounted the Crimson Dragon Horse and rode it at astonishing speed, completing the promotion achievement and earning 20 Achievement Points.
• Ning Zhongtian visited Jiang Linxian, sensed the power of the old daoist with her, and learned that he was Daoist Zhang of the Inquiry Immortal Pavilion.

Jiang Linxian and Ning Zhongtian met Zhang Gu of Inquiry Immortal Pavilion, who thanked the Tiger Sprint Riders for rescuing his disciples and asked to lodge them at Li Residence. Li Rui was surprised when Ning Zhongtian arrived at his gate with Yao Xue and the others.

• Zhang Gu visited Jiang Linxian and discussed his search for immortality and the Ghost Underworld Sect's Immortal Treasure.
• Zhang Gu thanked Ning Zhongtian for the Tiger Sprint Riders' rescue of his disciples and asked for them to stay at Li Residence.
• Jiang Linxian approved the request, subject to Li Rui's wishes, and Ning Zhongtian agreed to arrange it.
• Li Rui and Wang Zhao admired the Crimson Dragon Horse at Li Residence before a knock interrupted them.
• Li Rui opened the gate and froze when he saw Yao Xue among the visitors with Ning Zhongtian.

Li Rui agreed to host Yao Xue and Qu Chengfeng, disciples of Daoist Zhang, after discovering their presence lowered the danger level around him. He welcomed the pair into his home and learned about the Inquiry Immortal Pavilion before Yao Xue knocked on his door that night.

• Ning Zhongtian explained that Jiang Linxian had asked Li Rui to host Yao Xue and Qu Chengfeng while their master, Daoist Zhang, traveled beyond Clear River.
• Li Rui agreed to let Yao Xue and Qu Chengfeng stay after noticing the mist turn white, and he respectfully greeted the 140-year-old Daoist Zhang.
• Daoist Zhang demonstrated his powerful Light Body Technique as he leapt away, while Jiang Linxian departed and Ning Zhongtian told Li Rui to set aside Tiger Sprint Riders duties.
• Li Rui arranged rooms for Yao Xue and Qu Chengfeng, then learned from Yao Xue about the Inquiry Immortal Pavilion and its search for immortal affinity.
• Li Rui hosted the newcomers and his servants at dinner, completed his usual seventy-two circulations, and heard Yao Xue knock on his door that night.

Yao Xue confessed that Li Rui had become the source of her inner demon, while Li Rui’s achievement panel counted their connection as progress toward an Immortal Couple. After helping Wang Zhao find work at the Horse Monitoring Hall and visiting the Tiger Sprint Riders’ camp, Li Rui returned home and advanced his cultivation with the Dragon Soaring Nine Heavens Diagram.

• Yao Xue told Li Rui she had come to stay at his residence because he had become her inner demon, and Li Rui agreed to let her remain.
• Li Rui received 20 Achievement Points after completing the initial Bond storyline of the Immortal Couple achievement.
• Qu Chengfeng left the Li Residence, and Li Rui later arranged for Wang Zhao to become an unranked attendant at the Horse Monitoring Hall.
• At the Tiger Sprint Riders’ camp, Ge Hong asked how Li Rui had fought Tan Hu to a draw, and Li Rui explained that he had only evaded Tan Hu with his Light Body Technique.
• After returning home and circulating his True Qi, Li Rui triggered Immortal Court Body Protection when the clear and turbid qi surged through his body.

Li Rui mastered Immortal Court Body Protection and continued dealing with Yao Xue’s heart demon before visiting the Qinghe Branch of the Heaven and Earth Alliance. There, Wu Tu reported that Qu Chengfeng had been frequenting Spring Swallow Pavilion and associating with County Magistrate Zhuang, leaving Li Rui suspicious of their connection.

• Li Rui tested his newly developed Immortal Court Body Protection by striking his wrist with a blade and found that it left only a faint mark.
• Yao Xue told Li Rui she would follow him everywhere to confront her heart demon, but she fled when he offered to change clothes in front of her.
• After more than ten days, Yao Xue shut herself in her room, while Li Rui went to the Qinghe Branch of the Heaven and Earth Alliance to meet Zhang Yang and Wu Tu.
• Wu Tu told Li Rui that Qu Chengfeng had become a regular at Spring Swallow Pavilion and that County Magistrate Zhuang had visited the brothel with him.