Chapter Summaries

Chen Shi'an refused to take command of more than two squads and secured Zhu Neng's squad while Song Yuming rejected serving under him. After the meeting, Chen Shi'an confronted Ye Xicheng over his attempt to purge the Stronghold's rivals and insisted they cooperate as equals, leaving Ye Xicheng speechless.

• Song Yuming objected to serving under Chen Shi'an, but Chen Shi'an rebuked him for addressing Ye Xicheng by name.
• Chen Shi'an declined to command more than his original men and one additional squad, despite Ye Xicheng warning that his decision would be permanent.
• Chen Shi'an chose Zhu Neng's squad to join his command, and Ye Xicheng approved the assignment.
• After the meeting, Chen Shi'an warned Ye Xicheng that moving against Song Yuming and the other Stronghold higher-ups too soon could provoke a counterattack.
• Chen Shi'an told Ye Xicheng that Elder Tian Wenguang supported the Demon Hunting Camp because of him and demanded that they cooperate as equals; Ye Xicheng remained silent as Chen Shi'an left.

After becoming a Deputy Commander, Chen Shi'an welcomed Zhu Neng and his men into his camp and gave them a chance to earn promotions. Qianshan Xue summoned him to discuss his conduct in the matches, saying his saber had been too swift and his killing intent too heavy.

• Chen Shi'an inspected his expanded command tent and dismissed his new saber as barely better than his old one.
• Chen Shi'an welcomed Zhu Neng and ten soldiers into his command, praised them, and said anyone could earn one of two Squad Leader positions.
• Chen Shi'an entrusted Zhu Neng with overseeing the camp's rebuilding.
• Guan Tiehua arrived on Qianshan Xue's orders and escorted Chen Shi'an to her tent.
• Qianshan Xue told Chen Shi'an that his saber had been too swift and his killing intent too heavy during the day's matches.

Qianshan Xue warned Chen Shi'an that killing Yun Feng had weakened Windrise Stronghold and urged him to prepare for the Gathering of Heroes, giving him ten Origin-Strength Pills to reach the second rank within three months. Chen Shi'an returned to cultivate, but Mo Wuyang suddenly appeared and criticized him for relying on pills.

• Qianshan Xue told Chen Shi'an that Tian Wenguang disapproved of Yun Feng's public killing and warned that the Stronghold had lost three Ranked Martial Artists.
• Qianshan Xue advised Chen Shi'an to improve his cultivation for the Gathering of Heroes and gave him ten Origin-Strength Pills from Tian Wenguang.
• Chen Shi'an realized Tian Wenguang closely monitored him and worried that the elder might turn against him if he failed to reach the top hundred.
• Chen Shi'an returned to his tent intending to cultivate with an Origin-Strength Pill, but Mo Wuyang appeared and called him shortsighted for taking pills.

Chen Shi'an let Mo Wuyang eat ten Origin-Strength Pills, then learned that his home had been deserted and his family was missing. He left to investigate the disappearance himself, while Pi Hou warned Yang De that mishandling the case would bring serious trouble.

• Mo Wuyang persuaded Chen Shi'an to give him ten Origin-Strength Pills, which he swallowed.
• Chen Shi'an asked Mo Wuyang to watch the City Lord's Mansion and find Bao Long; Mo Wuyang also reported that Zhang Xiaocui and her daughter had new identities and were keeping out of sight.
• After several days of cultivating, Chen Shi'an received Yang De, who reported that Chen Shi'an's residence was deserted and his family could not be found.
• Chen Shi'an rejected Yang De's request for more time, ordered Pi Hou to muster the men, and set out to investigate.
• Pi Hou stopped Yang De from following Chen Shi'an and urged him to report the disappearance to his commander.

Chen Shi'an mobilized the Demon Hunting Camp after his family disappeared and turned the search into a public accusation against Wang Tianye. After sealing the Chen Family home, he asked his men who was responsible, and they agreed Wang Tianye was the most suspicious.

• Chen Shi'an armed his men, left the Demon Hunting Camp headquarters, and sent Du Gang back to inform Commander Ye before heading to the Chen Family home.
• Chen Shi'an's conspicuous march through Windrise Stronghold drew attention, while the City Guard Battalion searched the Chen Family home under pressure to solve the disappearance of Chen Tiantian and the others.
• Pi Hou drove the City Guard Battalion soldiers from the courtyard, then cleaned and sealed the Chen Family home on Chen Shi'an's orders.
• Chen Shi'an declined to inspect the house, saying the scene had already been disturbed and that the villains would have left no clues.
• Pi Hou, Du Gang, and Zhu Neng named Wang Tianye as the likeliest culprit, and Chen Shi'an concluded that it had naturally been him.

Chen Shi'an led the Demon Hunting Camp to Wang Tianye's residence and demanded that he hand over his sister-in-law and niece. After their saber clash revealed Wang Tianye's formidable strength, the two men prepared to fight again, with Chen Shi'an refusing to back down.

• Du Gang led more than twenty Demon Hunting Camp soldiers to Wang Tianye's residence and struck down a gate guard who challenged him.
• Chen Shi'an waited outside as a crowd gathered, then ordered Pi Hou to tear down the gates when Wang Tianye failed to appear.
• Wang Tianye came out and denied involvement, so Chen Shi'an attacked him with his Horizontal Saber.
• Wang Tianye blocked Chen Shi'an's strike, and Chen Shi'an realized Wang Tianye was secretly a peak Third-Grade Martial Artist, though Wang Tianye claimed he had only recently reached Second Rank.
• Chen Shi'an threatened Wang Tianye over his sister-in-law and niece, and Wang Tianye demanded an accounting and prepared to attack.

Chen Shi'an confronted Wang Tianye over the disappearance of his sister-in-law and niece, but Ye Xicheng and Tian Wenguang stopped the clash before it became a battle. Chen Shi'an returned to his quarters after Wang Tianye’s crimes became public knowledge, beginning his plan to ruin Wang’s name.

• Ye Xicheng arrived as Chen Shi'an and Wang Tianye prepared to clash, ordered Chen to leave, and tried to resolve the dispute.
• Wang Tianye refused to let Chen Shi'an go and ordered his men to surround Chen and the Demon Hunting Camp soldiers.
• Tian Wenguang intervened, rebuked Wang Tianye and Ye Xicheng, and ordered them to disperse.
• Wang Tianye cleared the street, and Ye Xicheng promised to demand an explanation from the City Lord before Chen Shi'an returned to the quarters with his men.
• News of Chen Shi'an's confrontation spread through Windrise Stronghold, exposing Wang Tianye's abuse of little girls and advancing Chen Shi'an's plan to ruin his reputation.

Chen Shi'an stopped his men from attacking the Commander-in-Chief's Residence, admitting their public confrontation had warned Wang Tianye. He reassured Zhu Neng about his future and later told Pi Hou and Du Gang that Su Qingrou and Chen Tiantian were safe and nearing the Sacred Martial Dynasty.

• Du Gang and Pi Hou urged Chen Shi'an to storm the Commander-in-Chief's Residence, but Zhu Neng warned that doing so after their confrontation would only alert Wang Tianye and put them at a disadvantage.
• Chen Shi'an agreed that they should wait for the Commander to return, admitted he had acted rashly, and reconciled Pi Hou and Zhu Neng after Pi Hou insulted him.
• Chen Shi'an promised to help Zhu Neng obtain Marrow-Washing Pills, and Pi Hou and Du Gang revealed that the pills had enabled them to undergo marrow-washing and bone-tempering.
• Chen Shi'an reminded Pi Hou, Du Gang, and Zhu Neng to respect Ye Xicheng, then sent them away.
• After Pi Hou and Du Gang returned, Chen Shi'an told them Su Qingrou and Chen Tiantian were safe and should soon leave the Desolate Ruins for the Sacred Martial Dynasty.

Chen Shi'an kept his family’s disappearance secret while using it to pressure Wang Tianye, then questioned Tao Yaoyao about the investigation. Tao Yaoyao learned that people had recently left Windrise Stronghold for the Sacred Martial Dynasty, but her former master ordered her to stop investigating.

• Chen Shi'an told Pi Hou and Du Gang that his sister-in-law, Tiantian, and the others were safe, and said they should wait for Commander Ye’s report while helping Zhu Neng settle in.
• Chen Shi'an met Tao Yaoyao at the Hundred Flowers Pavilion and asked what her investigation had uncovered about his missing family.
• Tao Yaoyao noted that Chen Shi'an’s arrangements before the disappearance made it seem possible that his family had left Windrise Stronghold willingly.
• Chen Shi'an asked Tao Yaoyao to keep searching and warned that he had not sent his family away, then left after she cautioned him about Wang Tianye.
• A middle-aged man told Tao Yaoyao that people had recently left Windrise Stronghold for the Sacred Martial Dynasty, but headquarters ordered her to stop investigating on the Former Pavilion Master's orders.

Chen Shi'an received Qianshan Xue’s support as he prepared for the Gathering of Heroes, while Tian Wenguang contained the fallout from the Chen Family case and warned Wang Tianye to stay hidden. Tian Wenguang then confronted Xiang Chuxiong about his resentment over the City Lord’s position.

• Qianshan Xue gave Chen Shi'an three Origin-Strength Pills and urged him to focus on cultivating for the Gathering of Heroes.
• Tian Wenguang assigned Xiang Chuxiong to handle the evidence against those blamed for the Chen Family incident and told Ye Xicheng to placate Chen Shi'an.
• Tian Wenguang confined Wang Tianye to the Commander-in-Chief's Residence and ordered him to endure any conflict with Chen Shi'an until the Gathering of Heroes ended.
• Xiang Chuxiong asked Tian Wenguang whether he had found any leads on Huang Dao, and Tian Wenguang warned him not to underestimate hidden martial artists.
• Tian Wenguang told Xiang Chuxiong he knew why Xiang resented him and asked whether he believed Tian had kept power while limiting him.

Tian Wenguang rebuked Xiang Chuxiong for his lack of decisiveness and for pushing away talented allies, then discussed plans to use Fu Yingying to make Fu Nantian reveal the Martial Saint Treasury key. Chen Shi'an learned that Bao Long had taken Fu Yingying and suspected the rescue was part of Ye Zhengxiong's scheme.

• Tian Wenguang criticized Xiang Chuxiong for his poor leadership and warned that his own remaining lifespan would not be enough to protect Windrise Stronghold.
• Xiang Chuxiong proposed questioning Fu Nantian again about the Martial Saint Treasury key, and Tian Wenguang dismissed him to rest.
• Ye Zhengxiong told Tian Wenguang that Bao Long had contacted Fu Yingying and was meant to gain her trust so she could persuade Fu Nantian.
• Tian Wenguang warned Ye Zhengxiong that Bao Long might betray them, and Ye Zhengxiong said Bao Long was a disposable pawn.
• Mo Wuyang told Chen Shi'an that Bao Long was hiding with Fu Yingying, who had suffered abuse and still did not trust him.
• Chen Shi'an suspected that Ye Zhengxiong had arranged Fu Yingying's rescue as part of a larger plan.

Chen Shi'an learned that his sister-in-law and niece had been murdered, then confronted the confessed killer in Windrise Stronghold’s Water Prison. He learned their bodies had been cast into the underground river, while Ye Xicheng watched his reaction.

• Chen Shi'an told Mo Wuyang to secretly observe Bao Long and said he planned to face Wang Tianye directly rather than attempt an assassination.
• Ye Xicheng told Chen Shi'an that the City Lord had promised to investigate the disappearance within three days and had confined Wang Tianye to his residence.
• A messenger from the City Lord's Mansion informed Chen Shi'an and Ye Xicheng that Liu Wu had been arrested and that Chen Shi'an's family had been murdered.
• Chen Shi'an rushed to the Water Prison, where the prison official identified Liu Wu as the killer and handed over his signed confession.
• Liu Wu taunted Chen Shi'an, saying he had thrown the bodies into the underground river days earlier, and Chen Shi'an restrained himself from striking him again.

Chen Shi'an maimed Liu Wu and demanded that he suffer before dying, then met with Xiang Chuxiong, who gave him the Windbreaker Saber and urged him to prepare for the Gathering of Heroes. The chapter ended with Xiang Chuxiong revealing that Yun Feng had been his disciple and affirming his hopes for Chen Shi'an.

• Chen Shi'an stopped Ye Xicheng from killing Liu Wu, ordered the prison official to keep Liu Wu alive for further torment, and cut out Liu Wu's tongue when he provoked him again.
• Ye Xicheng told the prison official to follow Chen Shi'an's order and assured Liu Wu that his family would be left alone.
• Xiang Chuxiong told Chen Shi'an that his family matter had been cleared up and urged him to focus on the Gathering of Heroes.
• Chen Shi'an asked permission to visit Liu Wu in the Water Prison and said he would restrain himself toward Commander Wang until the Gathering of Heroes ended.
• Xiang Chuxiong gave Chen Shi'an the Windbreaker Saber, which could withstand his current essence power.
• Xiang Chuxiong revealed that Yun Feng had been his disciple and told Chen Shi'an that he intended to nurture him.

Chen Shi'an negotiated with Fu Nantian for the secrets of the Jade Pendant, promising to deliver it to Fu Qianfan and asking for first pick of three treasures from the Martial Saint Treasury. After learning how to reveal its map, Chen Shi'an activated the pendant and memorized the map before it vanished.

• Chen Shi'an visited Fu Nantian in the Water Prison and confirmed that the Jade Pendant was the key to Martial Saint Bai Tianqi's Cultivation Grounds.
• Chen Shi'an promised to deliver the pendant to Fu Qianfan and demanded first pick of three treasures from the Martial Saint Treasury in return.
• Fu Nantian explained that the pendant's map appeared when it was heated until white and then placed in cold water, and Chen Shi'an refused to promise that he would rescue Fu Yingying.
• Chen Shi'an returned to the Demon Hunting Camp, heated the Jade Pendant over a bonfire, and immersed it in cold water.
• Chen Shi'an studied and memorized the map on the pendant before it disappeared and the jade returned to its original color.

Chen Shi'an prepared for the Gathering of Heroes by helping his companions cultivate and reaching the Third Grade himself. At the Four-Way Treasure Pavilion, he learned the competition’s stages and heard that top performers could earn rewards and attract the Sacred Martial Dynasty’s attention.

• Chen Shi'an gave Pi Hou, Du Gang, and Zhu Neng Origin-Strength Pills and told them to keep the pills and his plans for Marrow-Washing Pills secret.
• Chen Shi'an broke through the Second Grade bottleneck and became a Third-Grade Martial Artist.
• Chen Shi'an visited the Four-Way Treasure Pavilion and asked shopkeeper Zhang Gui about the Gathering of Heroes.
• Zhang Gui explained that the competition had an Elimination Tournament, a Top Hundred Tournament, and a Top Ten Peak Tournament.
• Zhang Gui said top-hundred finishers would bring rewards to their strongholds and that the top three could be recruited by the Sacred Martial Dynasty.

Chen Shi'an learned that entering the top three at the Gathering of Heroes might require becoming a retainer or slave to join the Sacred Martial Dynasty, so he abandoned the idea of leaving the Desolate Ruins that way. On his way back, Fang Ming begged him to save Fang Ruyu, saying Song Yuming had abducted her.

• Chen Shi'an asked Zhang Gui about likely contenders at the Gathering of Heroes, and Zhang Gui said Gu Qingyao might reach the top three if she advanced to the third grade.
• Zhang Gui explained that Gu Qingyao might have to become a retainer or slave to join the Sacred Martial Dynasty, and Chen Shi'an decided he would not accept such terms to leave the Desolate Ruins.
• Chen Shi'an asked to buy Marrow-Washing Pills or Origin-Strength Pills, but Zhang Gui said the Four-Way Treasure Pavilion would only barter its surplus stock for Demon Cores.
• Fang Ming knelt in the street and begged Chen Shi'an to help Fang Ruyu, then followed him into a secluded alley.
• Fang Ming told Chen Shi'an that the Martial Academy had reported Song Yuming forcibly abducted Fang Ruyu that morning.

Chen Shi'an agreed to help Fang Ming recover Fang Ruyu from the Internal Affairs Office, despite the Fang family's past betrayal. Ye Zhengxiong arranged to secure her release and offered Chen Shi'an two Marrow-Washing Pills in exchange for a future Fire-Tailed Fox Demon Core.

• Fang Ming begged Chen Shi'an to save Fang Ruyu after the City Guard Battalion and Windrise Martial Academy refused to help.
• Chen Shi'an agreed to find a way to help Fang Ming, moved by his connection to Chen Shi'an's eldest brother.
• Chen Shi'an asked Ye Zhengxiong to intercede with the Internal Affairs Office and recover Fang Ruyu.
• Ye Zhengxiong agreed to speak with Steward Song and offered to cover the Marrow-Washing Pill Fang Ruyu had taken.
• Ye Zhengxiong offered Chen Shi'an two additional Marrow-Washing Pills in exchange for a Fire-Tailed Fox's Demon Core, and Chen Shi'an recognized the deal as a favor that benefited them both.

Chen Shi'an agreed to help Ye Zhengxiong obtain a Fire-Tailed Fox Demon Core in exchange for two Marrow-Washing Pills for Fang Ruyu, then traveled toward Desolate Suppression City with Qianshan Xue and Xiang Li. Their journey took a tense turn when they met Wan He and Zhu Fenglang from Blackwater Stronghold, leaving Chen Shi'an to smooth over a brewing dispute at the campfire.

• Chen Shi'an agreed that Fang Ruyu would receive the two Marrow-Washing Pills and promised to deliver a Fire-Tailed Fox Demon Core to Ye Zhengxiong.
• Chen Shi'an told Qianshan Xue he had become a Second-Rank Martial Artist, and she informed Tian Wenguang.
• Chen Shi'an, Qianshan Xue, and Xiang Li set out for Desolate Suppression City and reached a riverside grove near the Sacred Martial Dynasty border after traveling for less than six days.
• Qianshan Xue recognized Wan He and Zhu Fenglang of Blackwater Stronghold when they arrived at the grove and proposed that they travel together.
• Zhu Fenglang offered Qianshan Xue a muntjac leg, but she accepted meat from Chen Shi'an instead, provoking Zhu Fenglang's hostility.
• Wan He demanded Xiang Li's wine, and Chen Shi'an defused their confrontation by handing Wan He Xiang Li's gourd.

Chen Shi'an endured Wan He and Zhu Fenglang's taunts while traveling with Qianshan Xue and Xiang Li toward Desolate Suppression City. The group reached the border between the Desolate Ruins and the Sacred Martial Dynasty, where Chen Shi'an saw the immense wall separating them.

• Wan He drank Xiang Li's wine, belittled Windrise Stronghold's wine, and praised Chen Shi'an for reaching Martial Dao entry-rank at nineteen while advising Zhu Fenglang not to underestimate himself.
• Wan He declared that Zhu Fenglang could reach the top hundred at the Gathering of Heroes but Chen Shi'an had no hope, and Chen Shi'an replied that taking part was what mattered.
• At their separate campsite, Chen Shi'an told Qianshan Xue and Xiang Li that Wan He and Zhu Fenglang would be put in their place in Desolate Suppression City, then promised to replace Xiang Li's wine.
• The next day, Zhu Fenglang repeatedly tried to approach Qianshan Xue and took verbal jabs at Chen Shi'an, who stayed calm as the group traveled onward.
• Near sunset, the five reached the border and Chen Shi'an saw a towering wall with beacon towers and armed soldiers patrolling its length.

Chen Shi'an and his companions reached the Sacred Martial Dynasty’s border and saw how its disciplined troops dwarfed the forces of the Desolate Ruins. After presenting their invitations, they entered the dynasty and were made to wait at a horse-training ground with other stronghold leaders.

• Chen Shi'an stepped in front of Qianshan Xue as the Sacred Martial Dynasty’s border riders confronted the group.
• Wan He and Xiang Li presented their invitations, and the border troops issued the party black wooden waist tokens as entry credentials.
• The dark-faced officer ordered the visitors to wait at a designated location until someone from Desolate Suppression City arrived to collect them.
• Two soldiers led Chen Shi'an’s party through the gate and into the horse-training ground, where they were told to assemble.
• Wan He cursed the border soldiers after they left, while Chen Shi'an, Qianshan Xue, and Xiang Li noticed other Desolate Ruins leaders waiting beneath a straw shed.