Recaps

After returning to the capital, Cao Jinxing learned about political changes, shared a welcome banquet, and tested the [Wind-Raising Formation], which extended his perception to three hundred meters. Zhang Chengfeng then thanked him for avenging his family and offered to teach him foreign languages, while revealing a new cannon design.

• Lu Jiaming briefed Cao Jinxing on Qiu Luan's departure, the Yan family's return to favor, and new defenses against unrest in the north.
• Xie An brought Cao Jinxing a banquet from the Huang Family and invited him to collect a batch of [Heavenly King Pills] from the Green Jade Tower that night.
• Cao Jinxing returned home, tested the [Wind-Raising Formation], and discovered that it let him perceive everything within three hundred meters.
• Zhang Chengfeng offered Cao Jinxing ten thousand taels in gratitude for saving his father and killing Aiyixiamu, but Cao Jinxing accepted only three thousand.
• Zhang Chengfeng agreed to teach Cao Jinxing several foreign languages and told him about the powerful 'Red Lotus General' cannon he had designed with the Divine Axe Sect.

Cao Jinxing visited the Green Jade Tower, where Huang Fangling dealt with Liu Tianyun’s unwanted marriage proposal and welcomed Cao warmly. She showed him the newly refined Heavenly King Pill and the tower’s upgraded defenses.

• Cao Jinxing arrived at the Green Jade Tower and found Liu Tianyun drunkenly demanding that Huang Fangling accept his proposal, brandishing a luminous pearl as a plucked star.
• Huang Fangling confronted Liu Tianyun with evidence of his bribery and lawbreaking, warned him to stay away, and drove him from the Ghost Market.
• Cao Jinxing and Huang Fangling greeted each other warmly, while Xie An and the Ghost Guards showed Cao deference; Liu Tianyun watched resentfully as they entered the tower together.
• Cao Jinxing learned Huang Fangling had put an Extreme Itch Pill on the paper, leaving Liu Tianyun to suffer unbearable itching for seven days.
• Huang Fangling told Cao about her father’s gratitude and approval, then invited him to inspect the Heavenly King Pill and the Green Jade Tower’s new mechanisms.

Cao Jinxing completed a fifteen-day retreat at Xuandu Temple and broke through to Tongyou Third Layer while trouble mounted in the north. After Zhu Qi and Qiu Luan were poisoned in an ambush, Jiajing ordered an urgent investigation into Qiu Luan, and Cao Jinxing set out for Xuanfu.

• Cao Jinxing toured Green Jade Tower with Huang Fangling, bought three Heavenly King Pills, and told her he planned to enter seclusion at Xuandu Temple.
• Huang Fangling painted Cao Jinxing in the Ghost Market, and Huang Huaijiang worried that his daughter had fallen for him.
• Cao Jinxing entered Flying Tiger Pool for fifteen days of cultivation, while Liu Zhenyuan and Lu Bing received an urgent report that Zhu Qi and Qiu Luan had been ambushed and poisoned with Blood Rose.
• Jiajing ordered Twelve and Thirteen to investigate Qiu Luan's military funds and authorized them to execute him if he had colluded with the enemy.
• Cao Jinxing broke through to Tongyou Third Layer, then learned from Liu Zhenyuan that he had to travel north to investigate and deliver cannons to Chen Gui.

Cao Jinxing escorted a heavily guarded convoy carrying cannons and medical experts toward Xuanfu, where they hoped to treat Shen Xiang’s poisoned subordinate. At Woniu Town, he detected a threat to the cannons and ambushed a group of Vajra Sect disciples, leaving their leader helpless.

• Cao Jinxing met Shen Xiang’s convoy at Dongzhi Gate and learned Huang Fangling had joined to help treat the poisoned Seventh Brother, with Ghost Guards assigned to protect her.
• The convoy set out for Xuanfu with ten cannons, stopping at Dengfeng Inn in Woniu Town after traveling for two double-hours.
• Huang Fangling ordered whole roast lamb, and Cao Jinxing abruptly left the inn after sensing danger.
• Vajra Sect disciples watched the cannons and planned to destroy them before they reached Xuanfu.
• Cao Jinxing attacked the black-cloaked group with the Absorbing Power Great Method, draining three disciples and forcing their leader to his knees.

Cao Jinxing and Shen Xiang captured He Chu, a Vajra Sect disciple sent by Toghto to spy on their convoy, and discussed their suspicions that Qiu Luan had bribed the Mongols with embezzled military funds. After the convoy continued north with He Chu captive, Toghto learned of the capture and ordered his agents to investigate the Embroidered Uniform Guards before arranging an ambush.

• Cao Jinxing used the Fire Charm Technique to place He Chu under an illusion, allowing Shen Xiang to question him and learn that Toghto had sent him to gauge their strength.
• Shen Xiang and Cao Jinxing discussed evidence of Qiu Luan's corruption and suspected that he had used military funds to buy the Mongols' restraint, but agreed they needed proof before acting against him.
• Cao Jinxing took He Chu away from the inn and handed him to the guards protecting the cannons, while warning Huang Fangling to stay safe during the journey.
• The convoy left Woniu Town with He Chu captive, and a messenger pigeon carried news of his capture to Toghto in Xuanfu Town.
• Toghto ordered his agents to obtain precise information about the two Embroidered Uniform Guards leading the convoy and summoned the Thirteen Wings to await his command.

Cao Jinxing and Shen Xiang led the cannon convoy into a stormy mountain pass, where Mongolia’s Thirteen Wings ambushed them. Secretary Cong drew lightning from the storm to reach peak Tongyou, but Cao Jinxing remained undaunted as the battle began.

• As the convoy neared Liangduan Mountain, Shen Xiang explained the history and abilities of Mongolia’s Thirteen Wings, warning Cao Jinxing especially about Secretary Cong.
• Cao Jinxing sensed danger in the pass, gave Huang Fangling the Heavenly Silkworm Treasure Armor, and warned the convoy to stay alert.
• Secretary Cong and his allies Iron Fist and Elephant Slave emerged from a concealed cave and struck at the convoy; Shen Xiang’s sword attack was easily repelled.
• The Embroidered Uniform Guards prepared to defend the cannons while the Ghost Guards escorted Huang Fangling to safety.
• Secretary Cong used the storm’s lightning to raise his power to peak Tongyou, but Cao Jinxing dismissed the display and said he had already killed several fighters at that level.

Cao Jinxing and his allies ambushed Secretary Cong’s forces in the storm, injuring Iron Fist and Elephant Slave while Cao Jinxing drew Secretary Cong away from the battlefield. As Zhou Yun’s cavalry faced Hundred Faces’s drum attack, Cao Jinxing revealed his lightning-aspect true qi and commanded a thunder dragon to strike Secretary Cong.

• Cao Jinxing used the rain and Unity of Heaven and Man to blast Iron Fist and Elephant Slave into a cliff, then bound them with wind while Shen Xiang, Wu Canghai, and the Embroidered Uniform Guards attacked.
• Secretary Cong rushed down to save the two warriors, but Cao Jinxing intercepted him; Shen Xiang wounded Elephant Slave and Iron Fist before the pair fought back against Shen Xiang and Wu Canghai.
• Cao Jinxing evaded Secretary Cong with Demonic Shadow Doppelganger, then feigned injury and lured him away from the battlefield to the cliff summit.
• Zhou Yun led three hundred cavalrymen toward Two-Part Mountain to protect the reinforcements, but Hundred Faces confronted them with her Soul-Seizing Drum.
• Secretary Cong trapped Cao Jinxing’s bone-piercing needles with Thunder God Power Prison and prepared to kill him, but Cao Jinxing revealed lightning-aspect true qi and called down a thunder dragon on him.

Cao Jinxing and his allies defeated the Thirteen Wings ambushers, reached Xuanfu with the cannons, and began treating Zhu Seven’s poison. As they waited, Vice Minister Shi Dao arrived with armed experts and challenged Chen Gui over the order of treatment, prompting Cao Jinxing to confront him about his ties to Shi Yi.

• Cao Jinxing struck Secretary Cong with two heavenly lightning bolts, killing him, while Shen Xiang killed Elephant Slave and Huang Fangling shot Iron Fist dead.
• Huang Fangling’s accurate shot impressed Cao Jinxing, and he privately told Shen Xiang that he had mastered the Six Army Mirror.
• Zhou Yun arrived with three hundred cavalrymen and escorted Cao Jinxing, Shen Xiang, and their companions to Xuanfu, where they delivered the ten cannons to Chen Gui.
• Li Guishou, Huang Fangling, and two imperial physicians examined the poisoned Zhu Seven while Han Xinting explained that the Poison King had attacked him with Blood Rose powder.
• Shi Dao and Hou Rong arrived with three Jianghu experts, and Shi Dao demanded that the general be treated first; Cao Jinxing challenged him and brought up his connection to Shi Yi.

Cao Jinxing exposed Hou Rong to suspicion of colluding with the Mongols, then killed Xue Shidao and demanded a search of Hou Rong's quarters. Chen Gui approved the search, leaving Hou Rong and the others under guard as Han Xinting and Shen Xiang went to look for evidence.

• Cao Jinxing claimed Hou Rong had warned them of the Mongol ambush, and Hou Rong denied sending the message.
• Chen Gui introduced Xue Shidao, Duan Qingqiu, and Shentu Hai, revealing their martial skills to Shen Xiang and Cao Jinxing.
• When Xue Shidao leered at Huang Fangling, Cao Jinxing attacked and beheaded him despite Shi Dao's protests.
• Cao Jinxing accused Hou Rong of bribing the enemy and asked Chen Gui to let the Embroidered Uniform Guards search his quarters.
• Hou Rong refused the search, but Chen Gui ordered the guards to seal off the news and proceed while Cao Jinxing and Chen Gui restrained the men in the courtyard.

Cao Jinxing and his allies exposed Qiu Luan’s collusion with the Mongols and captured his accomplices, then pursued him through a secret escape route. Cao Jinxing intercepted Qiu Luan and the Twelve Earthly Branches, killing the women and confronting the disgraced general.

• Shen Xiang presented the Mongolian royal banner, golden arrow, and Alliance Blood Oath as proof that Hou Rong and Qiu Luan had colluded with the enemy, and Chen Gui ordered the suspects seized.
• Cao Jinxing drained Duan Qingqiu and Shentu Hai’s internal energy, advanced to the fourth level of Tongyou, and learned that Qiu Luan’s death warriors held the antidote to his Cold Poison.
• Cao Jinxing, Shen Xiang, and Han Xinting attacked the Ten Heavenly Stems, killed their leader Jia after learning he had handed the antidote to Qiu Luan, and discovered Qiu Luan’s secret passage.
• Han Xinting and Shen Xiang pursued Qiu Luan through the tunnel while Cao Jinxing sensed that the general had escaped through a hidden chamber behind a bookcase.
• Qiu Luan and the Twelve Earthly Branches emerged from the hidden chamber and tried to disguise him, but Cao Jinxing arrived and killed all twelve women before confronting Qiu Luan.

Cao Jinxing captured Qiu Luan and helped expose and crush the plot to collude with the enemy, prompting Jiajing to order severe punishments and reward the three Guardians. In Xuanfu, Toghto learned that Hou Rong and Qiu Luan had been captured and their covert agents imprisoned.

• Cao Jinxing defeated Qiu Luan, and Han Xinting and Shen Xiang restrained him before he could escape or kill himself.
• Han Xinting ordered the Embroidered Uniform Guards to seal Qiu Luan's residence, while the Valiant Cavalry Battalion and Iron Cavalry Battalion arrested his loyal commanders.
• Jiajing ordered Qiu Luan and his family punished, and Lü Fu sent Liu Zhenyuan rewards for the three Guardians.
• Chen Gui hosted a banquet as Zhu Qi showed signs of recovering from the poison.
• Hundred Faces told Toghto that Secretary Cong had died in a lightning strike, and a Mongolian warrior reported that Hou Rong and Qiu Luan had been captured and their covert agents imprisoned.

Toghto abandoned the plan to use Qiu Luan to open Xuanfu and instead plotted to assassinate Chen Gui with disguised members of the Thirteen Wings. At the Commander-in-Chief's Residence, Cao Jinxing learned that Zhu Qi was recovering and heard that Toghto's group had already left their hiding place.

• Toghto learned that the Embroidered Uniform Guard had exposed Qiu Luan's alliance pact and arrested his accomplices, ruining the Mongols' plan to take Xuanfu through him.
• Toghto decided to have Hundred Faces and the surviving Thirteen Wings disguise themselves, use Blood Rose, and assassinate Chen Gui before opening Dushikou Pass to the Mongol army.
• Toghto ordered a pigeon message sent to his adoptive father to assemble the army and told his followers to watch for the man who commanded lightning.
• Huang Fangling told Cao Jinxing that Zhu Qi's poison would be cleared by dawn and accepted Spirit Liquid and a wine flask from him.
• Han Xinting and Shen Xiang reported that they had learned the Thirteen Wings' fighting styles but arrived too late to find them.

Cao Jinxing and his allies uncovered the Thirteen Wings’ base and prepared for a possible attack, while Toghto’s infiltrators tried to impersonate Zhou Yun and enter the commander-in-chief’s residence. The scheme failed when Cao Jinxing revealed himself and trapped the attackers inside.

• Cao Jinxing learned from Hou Rong’s confession that the Thirteen Wings had used the Mohu Inn as their base, and he warned Han Xinting and Shen Xiang that Toghto might strike.
• Shen Xiang reinforced the night patrols, and Han Xinting arranged for Chen Gui to send Zhou Yun, Jiang Qianhu, and Xu Qianhu with five cannons to Dushikou Pass.
• A guard captain discovered that Blood Rose had incapacitated Zhou Yun and his men, and that Toghto’s group had killed them and stolen their armor.
• Hundred Faces impersonated Zhou Yun and led Toghto and the others into the commander-in-chief’s residence, where Poison King released Blood Rose and Hundred Faces presented a false dispatch to Chen Gui.
• Cao Jinxing exposed himself after Hundred Faces burned her hands on the poisoned command arrow, and he challenged Toghto’s group to fight.

Cao Jinxing and Chen Gui’s forces ambushed Toghto and the Thirteen Wings at the commander’s residence, where Cao Jinxing countered the Gangdong Horn and helped devastate the attackers. Toghto fled with several of his allies dead or gravely wounded, while Cao Jinxing pursued him and drew his bow.

• Toghto revealed the Gangdong Horn and used its Buddhist melody to stun the commander’s residence, allowing the Thirteen Wings to attack.
• Cao Jinxing broke the horn’s influence with his flute, killed Hundred Faces with a flying sword, and helped Shen Xiang and Han Xinting drive back their opponents.
• Poison King’s poisonous smoke failed against Cao Jinxing’s wind and ice powers, and Chen Gui struck the escaping attackers down, killing Sparrow Plume and Chain Snake.
• Red Mastiff died shielding Toghto from Han Xinting’s palm strike, while Poison King, Wind Eagle, and Bone Demon stayed behind to cover Toghto’s retreat.
• Cao Jinxing killed Arrow God with a curving fourth arrow as Toghto escaped onto the roof, then pursued him with Han Xinting and Shen Xiang.

Cao Jinxing and his allies captured Toghto, uncovered his plan to assassinate Chen Gui and signal a Mongolian army to enter Dushikou Pass, and seized the chance to turn the scheme against the Tatars. The chapter leaves them preparing to use the dead bodyguards’ armor in a counterattack.

• Cao Jinxing’s arrows wounded Toghto severely, and Han Xinting and Shen Xiang killed the thirty-six bodyguards who tried to shield him.
• Cao Jinxing hypnotized Toghto into revealing the plan to kill Chen Gui, signal with Skyward Smoke Firework, and bring the army into the city.
• Han Xinting found the fireworks among the bodyguards, while Cao Jinxing drained most of Toghto’s internal energy with the Absorbing Power Great Method.
• Cao Jinxing brought the barely living Toghto back to Chen Gui and explained the plot.
• Chen Gui agreed to use the bodyguards’ armor to spring a counterattack against the Tatars.

Altan Khan and Dailaisun prepared to invade Dushikou Pass, while Huangtaiji led a vanguard to investigate after the planned attack went awry. Huangtaiji and Timur rushed to rescue the wounded Toghto, unaware that the apparent survivor was deliberately putting on an act to lure them in.

• Altan Khan chose to attack Dushikou Pass and the Defeat-the-Barbarians Guard rather than march directly on the Ming Capital, and Huangtaiji volunteered to lead five thousand vanguard troops.
• Huangtaiji and Timur waited near the pass after their scouts reported no unusual activity, but a signal shot and a report of Toghto's failed assassination made them suspect something had gone wrong.
• Huangtaiji held the vanguard back and went with Timur to the wall, where Toghto and twelve guards fought Assistant Commander Chen Shi.
• Toghto used the Great Brahma Sacred Palm to drive Chen Shi back, then Huangtaiji and Timur hurried to intervene.
• The apparent Toghto continued smearing blood on himself and inwardly rejoiced that Huangtaiji and Timur had taken the bait.

Cao Jinxing and the defenders lured Huang Taiji and Timur into opening Dushi City’s gates, then turned the invading cavalry’s advance into a trap. As five thousand enemy troops entered, Xuanda Governor-General Chen Gui sealed their retreat, leaving Huang Taiji and Timur cut off inside the city.

• Huang Taiji and Timur reached the gate tower, where Chen Shi triggered a hidden passage that dropped Toghto into the gateway and raised the alarm.
• Timur wounded Chen Shi with his whip as the defenders mobilized, and five thousand armored cavalry charged toward the gates.
• Huang Taiji discovered that the apparent Toghto was Cao Jinxing, but Cao and his allies wounded and poisoned him before Shen Xiang and Han Xinting attacked.
• Huang Taiji revealed his Earth God Power, drove Shen Xiang and Han Xinting back, and opened the city gates for the cavalry.
• Cao Jinxing, Shen Xiang, and Han Xinting feigned defeat and drew the cavalry into the city as Huang Taiji’s poison began to take effect.
• Chen Gui descended with his saber and shut the gates behind the invading force, trapping Huang Taiji, Timur, and the five thousand cavalry inside.

Chen Gui’s forces trapped Huang Taiji’s vanguard at Dushikou, killed and captured many soldiers, and used poison to break down Huang Taiji’s cultivation until Timur surrendered. When Altan Khan learned his son was captured, Zhao Quan urged him to seek help from Shi Mohe to rescue him.

• Chen Gui and the garrisons surrounded Huang Taiji’s five thousand cavalrymen, and Ouyang An ordered the archers to fire.
• Huang Taiji charged Chen Gui, but Toghto, Cao Jinxing, and the others fired five cannons from the gate tower, devastating the trapped cavalry.
• Huang Taiji fought Chen Gui and then discovered that Power-Dissolving Powder was draining his true qi; Timur surrendered to save him.
• Chen Gui ordered the army to take prisoners and sent Altan Khan a demand to surrender, pay tribute, and submit.
• Altan Khan read the message and threatened to attack Datong, but Zhao Quan urged him to ask Shi Mohe for help; Altan Khan sent Buyan to invite the sect master.

After the Thirteen Wings were defeated, Han Xinting warned that Zhao Quan and the Demon Cult might incite Altan Khan to start a war. As Zhu Qi took over guarding Huang Taiji and Timur, Shi Mohe arrived at the prison to rescue them, while Liu Zhenyuan sensed the danger and raced toward Dushikou Pass.

• Huang Taiji lost all his true qi, and Timur let Chen Gui seal his internal energy so he could remain imprisoned with him.
• Cao Jinxing, Han Xinting, and Shen Xiang discussed whether Altan Khan would surrender and worried that Zhao Quan might use the prisoners' capture to provoke war.
• Zhu Qi joined the three Guardians at the prison and agreed to take over guarding Huang Taiji and Timur while they rested.
• Liu Zhenyuan sensed a powerful presence in Dushi City and rushed toward Dushikou Pass in a fury.
• Shi Mohe entered the prison and declared that he had come to save lives; Cao Jinxing recognized that he intended to rescue the prisoners and erase the guards' memories.

Shi Mohe infiltrated the prison to free Huang Taiji and Timur, but Liu Zhenyuan arrived and defeated him with thunder techniques. Cao Jinxing killed the wounded Shi Mohe, and Liu Zhenyuan took his corpse toward the Mongolian camp as Altan Khan tried to blame Zhao Quan for the failed plot.

• Shi Mohe fought Cao Jinxing, Zhu Qi, Han Xinting, and Shen Xiang, sealing their acupoints and trying to draw Cao Jinxing into betraying Ming.
• Liu Zhenyuan stormed into the prison and struck Shi Mohe with the Thunder Tribulation Finger and Five Thunders Strike the Crown, severely injuring him.
• Altan Khan and Dailaisun realized Shi Mohe had been exposed and ordered their troops to seize Zhao Quan, who escaped amid the chaos.
• Cao Jinxing stabbed Shi Mohe through the heart and finished him with a palm strike and beheading.
• Liu Zhenyuan freed Zhu Qi, Han Xinting, and Shen Xiang, then carried Shi Mohe's corpse toward the Mongolian camp with Cao Jinxing following.

Liu Zhenyuan arrived at the Mongolian camp, killed Shi Mohe, and forced Altan Khan to surrender rather than risk a devastating war. Altan Khan offered tribute and swore fealty, while Liu Zhenyuan left with the surrender letter and promised that Huang Taiji and his wife would be released after the tribute reached Dushikou Pass.

• Liu Zhenyuan killed Shi Mohe and confronted Altan Khan's forces, then demanded that the Vajra Guru, Panchen Sonam Zhaba, answer for the attack.
• Panchen Sonam Zhaba warned Altan Khan that Mongolia faced natural disasters and could not sustain a war with the Ming, and Altan Khan agreed to surrender.
• Altan Khan handed Zhao Quan and the other Maitreya Sect followers to Liu Zhenyuan, who killed them, and presented tribute as proof of Mongolia's surrender.
• Altan Khan swore to remain a loyal outer vassal, and Liu Zhenyuan accepted his letter of surrender while warning him not to break his oath.
• Liu Zhenyuan left with the tribute animals and told Altan Khan to send the remaining tribute to Dushikou Pass before Huang Taiji and his wife would be released.
• Altan Khan's envoy delivered gold, silver, and horses to Dushikou Pass, ending the month-long Ming-Mongolian standoff.

Liu Zhenyuan reported Altan Khan’s surrender, and the Ming court accepted his submission, granted titles, and opened regulated horse markets. After peace was established, Cao Jinxing and the others returned to Xuanfu with the tribute and found a treasure vault beneath Qiu Luan’s bed.

• Liu Zhenyuan told Chen Gui that Altan Khan had surrendered and handed over the letter of submission.
• Liu Zhenyuan distributed rewards to the Guardians, including the Snake-Coiling Formation to Cao Jinxing, and said they could search Qiu Luan’s hidden passage.
• Jiajing approved Altan Khan’s investiture as Prince of Shunyi, authorized limited horse markets, and granted Cao Jinxing permission to view half of the Heavenly Book Stele.
• The Grand Secretariat’s approval reached Dushi City, and Altan Khan accepted the terms and sent tribute to the Ming court.
• The Ming reinforcements withdrew, and Cao Jinxing and the others returned to Xuanfu with Altan’s tribute.
• Cao Jinxing and the others searched the passage beneath Qiu Luan’s bed and discovered a treasure vault.

Cao Jinxing found the sinister medical text Transplanting Flowers and Grafting Trees in Qiu Luan’s treasure vault and gave it to Huang Fangling, who recognized its techniques as useful. Huang Fangling also revealed that the Flower-Transplanting Palace may once have possessed the Tiger Wing Formation, giving Cao Jinxing a lead in his search for the Eight Formation Diagram.

• Liu Zhenyuan led the group into Qiu Luan’s treasure vault, where Han Xinting and Zhu Jingzhong found valuable gloves and martial arts manuals, while Shen Xiang and Cao Jinxing chose antidote pills.
• Cao Jinxing discovered Transplanting Flowers and Grafting Trees, and Liu Zhenyuan and Han Xinting explained how its author, Xu Qingwei, had founded the infamous Flower-Transplanting Sect.
• Cao Jinxing decided to give the book to Huang Fangling for its useful medical techniques, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard loaded and sealed the vault’s treasures.
• Cao Jinxing gave Huang Fangling the book, and she praised its medical insights before recalling that the Flower-Transplanting Palace had used the Tiger Wing Formation during its destruction.
• Huang Fangling told Cao Jinxing the palace had stood in Jade Embroidery Valley, Jinan Prefecture, and offered to take him there to search for the formation.

After studying the Heavenly Book Stele, Cao Jinxing created the Primordial Chaos Art and the devastating Great Void Finger. He demonstrated his new techniques to the Grand Protectors, leaving them astonished and celebrating his breakthrough.

• Liu Zhenyuan escorted Qiu Luan, the tribute, and the treasures to the capital, while Cao Jinxing received permission to study the Heavenly Book Stele.
• Cao Jinxing studied the stele for a day and a night, combining insights from his existing martial arts into a new kind of true qi.
• Cao Jinxing emerged with an elusive presence and matched Liu Zhenyuan's Tongyou Peak palm strike despite being only at the fourth level of Tongyou.
• Cao Jinxing named his new internal art the Primordial Chaos Art and its true qi Primordial Chaos True Qi.
• Cao Jinxing demonstrated the Great Void Finger, which disintegrated the Black Iron vault doors, and explained that its power required reversing his true qi.
• Han Xinting, Zhu Jingzhong, and Shen Xiang demanded a feast, and Cao Jinxing agreed to treat everyone.

Cao Jinxing and the other Thirteen Guardians discussed signs that powerful figures were searching for a Divine Beast, possibly using the [Heaven-Covering Formation]. Liu Zhenyuan warned of coming upheaval, then agreed Cao Jinxing could visit Jinan Prefecture after he helped oversee the Elephant House’s elephant-bathing preparations alongside Lu Yi.

• Cao Jinxing lavishly ordered food and wine at the Under Heaven Residence Restaurant, and Liu Zhenyuan asked when he would begin secluded cultivation at Flying Tiger Pool.
• Liu Zhenyuan revealed that old martial-world figures were gathering, and Shen Xiang suspected they were pursuing a Divine Beast.
• Cao Jinxing connected the search to the [Heaven-Covering Formation], and Liu Zhenyuan identified Heavenly Secret Twenty-Five as the likely instigator.
• Liu Zhenyuan warned the group that a Divine Beast could trigger chaos across the Jianghu and urged them to cultivate while they had time.
• Cao Jinxing asked to visit Jinan Prefecture to seek the [Tiger Wing Formation], and Liu Zhenyuan agreed on the condition that he first oversee the elephants’ bath at Shichahai with Lu Yi.