Chapter Summaries

Fang Yue followed a mysterious visitor from Yun Qing to the Imperial Observatory, where he overheard a plot to kill him and found a broken jade pendant resembling Yun Qing’s. After escaping the Observatory, he learned that its Director had been murdered and realized Yun Qing’s side had likely framed him, leaving him to investigate a widening conspiracy while staying out of danger.

• Fang Yue watched a Shadow Figure meet Yun Qing, then followed him to the Imperial Observatory and sneaked inside.
• Fang Yue overheard conspirators planning to kill him by using someone else, then found a broken Jade Pendant resembling Yun Qing’s in their empty chamber.
• Fang Yue triggered an alarm while leaving the Imperial Observatory and fled from a pursuing expert into the forest.
• Fang Yue returned to Gunzhou the next day and heard that an intruder had killed the Imperial Observatory’s Director.
• Fang Yue realized Yun Qing and her allies had likely framed him and entered Gunzhou to investigate while keeping a low profile.

Fang Yue followed the Shadow Figure from the Imperial Observatory to an abandoned residence, where he discovered Yun Qing was working with him and confronted her. Yun Qing began revealing her organization’s plans, but Fang Yue’s pressure bore down on her as he questioned whether she was telling the truth.

• Fang Yue entered Gunzhou Prefecture in disguise and spent the day hiding at an inn before secretly visiting the guarded Imperial Observatory.
• Fang Yue followed the Shadow Figure to an abandoned residence and overheard him report to Yun Qing that Fang Yue had been framed and the city was hunting him.
• Fang Yue searched the residence and found a room filled with ancient portraits and talismans that repelled his attempts to touch them.
• Yun Qing appeared and admitted that her organization had used Fang Yue, describing its goal of transforming Gunzhou Prefecture and fighting the Imperial Court.
• Fang Yue seized Yun Qing and demanded the truth; she agreed to reveal part of the organization’s background and objectives.
• Fang Yue recognized that Yun Qing’s account matched information he already knew, then pressed her with his vital energy to test whether she was lying.

Fang Yue interrogated Yun Qing, then learned that a secret organization had targeted him over the Imperial Observatory cargo and sent a letter to Manager Hui. He lured the Shadow Figure toward him, but the Shadow Figure used the Yamen as a decoy; Fang Yue instead infiltrated the Gunzhou Imperial Observatory, where he confronted the Shadow Figure and began a fierce duel.

• Fang Yue used vital energy to interrogate Yun Qing, and after he left, glowing runes restored her from her vacant state and revealed her seductive, mysterious persona.
• Fang Yue concluded that Yun Qing's organization had retaliated because he had foiled its plot involving the Imperial Observatory cargo, so he sent Manager Hui a detailed letter and left traces to lure his pursuers.
• The Shadow Figure avoided confronting Fang Yue directly and sent Yamen officers and soldiers out to hunt him instead.
• Fang Yue realized the Shadow Figure would remain behind, slipped into the Gunzhou Imperial Observatory, and found him in a hidden chamber.
• Fang Yue and the Shadow Figure exchanged sword attacks in a fierce battle, with Fang Yue gaining the advantage in their first clash before both resumed fighting at full strength.

Fang Yue pursued Shadow Figure into a hidden underground chamber, where Shadow Figure lured him into touching a gem that drained his primordial energy. Fang Yue revealed that his physical and blood-qi power remained intact, defeated Shadow Figure, and moved to kill him.

• Shadow Figure fled down a concealed cavern, and Fang Yue followed him into an underground chamber filled with artifacts and a locked Stone Gate.
• Fang Yue opened the Stone Gate and found a black box in the chamber beyond, but Shadow Figure sealed him inside.
• Fang Yue opened the box and took a gem, which absorbed all the primordial energy in his body.
• Shadow Figure entered, expecting to kill Fang Yue, but Fang Yue revealed his strength came largely from his physical power and blood and qi.
• Fang Yue struck Shadow Figure into the Stone Wall and, after Shadow Figure tried to invoke his identity, punched him again, insisting he would die there.

Fang Yue killed the Shadow Figure, discovered the cavern’s history and the Dark Radiance Vajra Body, then escaped and began cultivating the dangerous art. As he endured its painful medicinal-bath treatment, Yun Qing planned to send others after him.

• Fang Yue killed the Shadow Figure and found that the man’s face was unfamiliar, then searched the hidden cavern.
• Fang Yue found a treasure chamber and deciphered a Stone Tablet that revealed the cavern had once been an early Great Wei Dynasty research site for the martial path of Secret Medicine.
• Fang Yue discovered the Dark Radiance Vajra Body manual, recovered his strength, and followed the airflow to a concealed exit.
• Yun Qing found the dead Shadow Figure and decided to have several people intercept Fang Yue.
• Fang Yue settled at an inn in a nearby city and began cultivating the Dark Radiance Vajra Body in a medicinal bath, enduring intense pain.

Fang Yue strengthened his body with a potent medicinal bath and traveled toward Yujing City while avoiding pursuers. Near the city gates, he defeated Zhou Tiande in battle and pressed his attack as Zhou Tiande tried to flee.

• Fang Yue absorbed the medicinal bath's effects, greatly strengthening his body and raising his aura toward the Innate Realm.
• Fang Yue left Gunzhou Prefecture and traveled by a winding route toward Yujing City to avoid being ambushed.
• Lu Sheng and two other Imperial Observatory elites confronted Fang Yue over the Director of the Imperial Observatory's death, but Fang Yue injured Lu Sheng and drove the three away.
• Near Yujing City, Fang Yue encountered Black Robe Zhou Tiande, who attacked him after declaring him a wanted criminal.
• Fang Yue summoned the Crimson Blood Battle Banner, sent Zhou Tiande crashing into the city wall, and pursued him as he fled.
• Fang Yue struck Zhou Tiande in the chest with a punch while continuing his attack.

Fang Yue returned to Yujing City after killing Zhou Tiande and found temporary refuge at Zhu Linlang’s private residence while recovering from his injuries. He left after five days and went to Hui Hengwu for help, where Hui Hengwu acknowledged the trouble caused by Zhou Tiande’s death.

• Fang Yue killed the defeated Zhou Tiande and hurried toward Yujing City before other pursuers could arrive.
• Zhu Linlang recognized Fang Yue at the city gates, helped him pass the guards, and took him to her private residence to recover.
• Zhu Linlang decided to seek her father’s help, while Fang Yue spent five days healing at her residence.
• After recovering, Fang Yue thanked Zhu Linlang and left for Hui Hengwu’s estate.
• Hui Hengwu received Fang Yue and heard his explanation that Zhou Tiande had repeatedly tried to kill him.

After Fang Yue reported evidence of a rebel force within the Imperial Observatory, the Chief Superintendent revoked his arrest warrant and ordered him to take a post in Gunzhou Prefecture after three months’ leave. Fang Yue returned home to cultivate, but agreed to meet a prospective bride as his mother wished, while Wen Lan’s aunt also arranged a meeting for her.

• Fang Yue showed Hui Hengwu evidence of a rebel force infiltrating the Imperial Observatory and accused Zhou Tiande of colluding with the rebels.
• Hui Hengwu returned with Imperial Observatory officials and told Fang Yue that the Chief Superintendent had begun purging the rebels, revoked Fang Yue’s arrest warrant, and assigned him to Gunzhou Prefecture after three months’ leave.
• Fang Yue accepted the order, returned to Wutu City, reunited with Chen Shi, and spent his leave at home cultivating and improving his strength.
• Chen Shi asked Fang Yue to meet a girl from the Wen Family, and Fang Yue agreed without promising the match would work out.
• Widow Yu told Wen Lan she would arrange for Aunt Zhang to take her to meet someone, while Wen Lan said she did not want to marry casually.

Wen Lan met Fang Yue at a matchmaking appointment and rejected him, while Fang Yue was equally content to end the meeting. After an aristocratic young man named Lin Hao approached them both, Fang Yue turned to the Imperial Observatory’s records to plan his search for wind and lightning primordial qi.

• Widow Yu persuaded Wen Lan to meet Fang Yue, though Wen Lan expected to reject him because of his humble background.
• Lin Hao tried to accompany Wen Lan, then secretly followed her to the Wine House after she refused him.
• Wen Lan told Fang Yue that she had no interest in the match, and Fang Yue accepted her decision without protest.
• After leaving the Wine House, Fang Yue declined Lin Hao’s invitation to visit his home and returned to his own plans.
• Fang Yue went to the Imperial Observatory the next morning, searched the library pavilion, and found records about wind and lightning primordial qi.

Fang Yue traveled to Fushan Prefecture to investigate reports of wind and lightning essence, where he rescued two orphaned children and drew the attention of the local Water Dragon Gang. The chapter ended with gang leader Chen Dayong asking Fang Yue for help with an unspecified matter.

• Fang Yue arrived in Fushan Prefecture and began investigating its recent strange phenomena on his own.
• Fang Yue rescued two children from men trying to traffic them and brought them to his inn, where he gave them food and clothes.
• A wealthy youth confronted Fang Yue over the men he had beaten, but Fang Yue defeated his guards and sent him away.
• Zhou Kuisheng, deputy leader of the Water Dragon Gang, invited Fang Yue to the gang's headquarters, where Chen Dayong apologized and asked him for help.

Fang Yue uncovered Chen Dayong’s attempt to drug and ambush him, crippled the Water Dragon Gang chief, and then caught Vice Chief Zhou Kuisheng plotting to take over. Fang Yue spared Zhou Kuisheng in exchange for a ship and capable men for his journey overseas.

• Chen Dayong offered Fang Yue ten thousand taels of patterned silver to help reclaim an island from water bandits, but Fang Yue refused and exposed the secret medicine in the candle flame.
• Fang Yue subdued Chen Dayong, broke both his arms, and crippled his Martial Arts after the gang’s ambushed subordinates emerged.
• Zhou Kuisheng arrived and secretly planned to let Chen Dayong die so he could claim the Water Dragon Gang leadership.
• Fang Yue, who had stayed hidden to watch the gang’s response, confronted Zhou Kuisheng as he hid and begged for mercy.
• Fang Yue agreed to spare Zhou Kuisheng if he arranged a ship and capable men for Fang Yue’s overseas journey.

Fang Yue reached the isolated island in search of wind and thunder dual-attribute yuan qi, while Zhou Kuisheng abandoned him there to seize control of the Water Dragon Gang. Fang Yue found the storm at the island’s summit, broke through while absorbing its power, and left with four types of yuan qi flowing through him.

• Zhou Kuisheng arranged a ship and crew for Fang Yue, then sailed away after Fang Yue landed on the isolated island, hoping he would die there.
• Fang Yue searched the island and discovered a mountain peak surrounded by a powerful storm of wind and thunder.
• Fang Yue waited ten days for the storm to weaken, then entered its center and absorbed the wind and thunder yuan qi.
• Fang Yue broke through his previous realm and strengthened his body and meridians by cultivating within the storm.
• Fang Yue mastered the wind and thunder yuan qi, completing a cycle with his wood and fire yuan qi.

Fang Yue defeated and subdued an Azure Cloud Deer, then rode it back to the mainland and confronted the Water Dragon Gang over their attempt to abandon him. At Yan Chun Lou, Zhou Kuisheng revealed to a powerful visitor that Fang Yue had reached the isolated island first and killed the gang's former leader.

• Fang Yue defeated the Azure Cloud Deer and forced it to submit, then rode it across the sea to a coastal city.
• Fang Yue broke into the Water Dragon Gang's headquarters and learned that Zhou Kuisheng was at Yan Chun Lou.
• Fang Yue rode to Yan Chun Lou to confront Zhou Kuisheng while Zhou discussed finding an isolated island with a wealthy visitor from Yujing City.
• The visitor pressed Zhou Kuisheng about the island, and Zhou admitted that he had taken Fang Yue there and escaped alone.
• The visitor realized someone had reached the island before them, and Zhou told him that the stranger had killed the Water Dragon Gang's former leader.

Fang Yue killed Wu Youli and Zhou Kuisheng after confronting them over the island and the wind and lightning vital energy. A month later, Wu Youxin learned of Wu Youli’s death and began plotting to take control of the Wu Family.

• Wu Youli learned from Zhou Kuisheng that a young man had reached the island first and ordered a ship prepared to pursue him.
• Fang Yue appeared at the Water Dragon Gang’s hall, and Zhou Kuisheng identified him as the man from the island.
• Wu Youli attacked Fang Yue and used a secret technique, but Fang Yue overpowered him and punched through his chest.
• Fang Yue killed Zhou Kuisheng when he tried to flee, then left before anyone could investigate.
• A month later, Wu Youxin heard that Wu Youli had died and secretly planned to claim the Wu Family leadership, relying on his connections to a mysterious force.

Fang Yue traveled by sea toward Gunzhou Prefecture, cultivating during the voyage and stopping at a busy island. There he rescued Qing'er from a group of men, and the chapter ended with them sharing a meal aboard the ship as Qing'er grew increasingly close to him.

• Fang Yue boarded a sea vessel bound north and spent several days fishing, cultivating, and contemplating his four kinds of origin energy.
• The vessel stopped at a small island, where Fang Yue explored the streets and sampled local food.
• Fang Yue found Qing'er surrounded by several burly men and drove them away with his aura.
• Qing'er thanked Fang Yue, learned his name, and followed him back to the ship to ask him to share a meal.
• Fang Yue accepted Qing'er's invitation, praised her cooking, and talked with her over dinner as evening fell and she edged closer to him.

Fang Yue confronted pirates who attacked the Four Seas Trading Company ship, then rescued Qing'er and her sister from the Pirate Leader. The Innate Grandmaster pirate demanded the Hidden Soldier Scroll from Fang Yue, who left him weakened and pressed him to explain what it was.

• Qing'er left Fang Yue's cabin after he politely dismissed her, while a pirate chief prepared an attack on the merchant ship to seize a valuable object.
• Pirates boarded the ship, overwhelmed the crew, and herded the passengers onto the deck as the Pirate Leader demanded their valuables.
• The pirates took Qing'er and her sister into a cabin, and the Innate Grandmaster pirate followed them while searching for something aboard the ship.
• Fang Yue entered the cabin, struck down the Pirate Leader, and freed the Qing'er sisters from immediate danger.
• The Black-clothed Pirate attacked Fang Yue and demanded the Hidden Soldier Scroll, but Fang Yue countered with a punch that left him weakened.
• Fang Yue asked the Black-clothed Pirate to explain what the Hidden Soldier Scroll was.

Fang Yue uncovered the Hidden Soldier Scroll’s connection to a woman aboard the ship, but refused to help her carry it to Gunzhou Prefecture and tried to avoid the resulting conflict. After leaving the ship at Dongshan Port and setting out for Gunzhou Prefecture, he was confronted by a swordsman who claimed the scroll was on him, and the chapter ended as they began to fight.

• The Black-clothed Pirate began revealing the Hidden Soldier Scroll’s secret, but suddenly died from poison before he could explain further.
• Fang Yue subdued the pirates aboard the ship, learned they knew nothing of their mastermind, and accepted no reward from Sun Xing for saving the vessel.
• That night, the woman who had been beside Qing'er told Fang Yue that she carried the Hidden Soldier Scroll and asked him to take it to Gunzhou Prefecture, but he refused.
• Fang Yue disembarked at Dongshan Port five days later, then bought a horse and continued toward Gunzhou Prefecture.
• A black-clothed swordsman confronted Fang Yue in a forest and demanded the Hidden Soldier Scroll, and Fang Yue began fighting him.

Fang Yue defeated Wang Zhenbei, learned that Chen Tiangang of the Blood Dragon Platform had sent him after the Hidden Soldier Scroll, and set out to find Qing'er and her sister. When Fang Yue reached Qiongshan Port and found them aboard a ship, Chen Tiangang confronted him, and Fang Yue leaped from the ship to escape as Chen Tiangang pursued.

• Fang Yue defeated Wang Zhenbei, who revealed that King Chen had heard about the Hidden Soldier Scroll from a Mysterious Person.
• Fang Yue killed Wang Zhenbei, buried his body, changed his appearance, and fled while evading attacks from forces seeking the Hidden Soldier Scroll.
• Fang Yue suspected Qing'er and her sister knew something about the scroll and rode to Qiongshan Port to find them.
• Fang Yue located Qing'er and her sister aboard a Four Seas Trading Company ship, but sensed a hidden killer before he could approach them.
• Chen Tiangang revealed himself and demanded the Hidden Soldier Scroll, then fought Fang Yue as Fang Yue tried to escape.
• Fang Yue leaped from the ship, and Chen Tiangang jumped after him.

Fang Yue and Chen Tiangang resumed their fierce fight after Qing'er and her sister escaped, and Chen Tiangang revealed his Demon Ape True Form. Both men were badly wounded but remained locked in battle, with neither gaining the upper hand.

• Fang Yue broke free from Chen Tiangang at the dock, and Chen Tiangang threatened him over the Hidden Soldier Scroll before leaving when cavalry approached.
• Qing'er and her sister escaped by boat toward Gunzhou Prefecture to seek their father's old friends and learn about the Hidden Soldier Scroll.
• Chen Tiangang tracked Fang Yue through the mountains, and Fang Yue abandoned his chance to pursue Qing'er and her sister when Chen Tiangang attacked again.
• Chen Tiangang revealed his Demon Ape True Form and struck Fang Yue with overwhelming physical force, but Fang Yue endured the blow and continued fighting.
• Fang Yue and Chen Tiangang fought through the night, suffering injuries as the battle remained evenly matched.

Fang Yue escaped Chen Tiangang and learned that Chen had joined forces with King Wu to hunt him, so he sought Dragon Blood Spirit Ginseng to advance his Dark Radiance Vajra Body. After buying information and a map from the Hundred Inquiries Pavilion, Fang Yue left the city for the herb’s location.

• Fang Yue used the Dark Radiance Vajra Body to repel Chen Tiangang’s attack and escape into the river, while Chen chose not to pursue him alone.
• Fang Yue swam away and resolved to strengthen his Dark Radiance Vajra Body while continuing to search for Qing'er and the other woman.
• Chen Tiangang found King Wu and revealed that Fang Yue had killed King Wu’s son, persuading King Wu to join the hunt after initially refusing.
• Chen Tiangang and King Wu planned to trap Fang Yue in a Desperate Situation and kill him together.
• Fang Yue traveled to a nearby city and paid ten thousand taels of gold at the Hundred Inquiries Pavilion for information and a map to Dragon Blood Spirit Ginseng.
• Fang Yue left the city and headed toward the herb’s location.