Recaps

Chu Xisheng accepted his promotion in the Embroidery Guard while resolving to keep his conscience clear, then returned to peaceful study and cultivation at Zhengyang Martial Academy. After more than a month of seclusion, his character panel had changed.

• Cao Xuan left Chu Xisheng’s promotion token with him and told him to keep gathering clues about the God-Defying Banner, while Chu Yunyun was promoted to Chief Banner Officer.
• Chu Yunyun advised Chu Xisheng to accept benefits from Cao Xuan but resign if asked to act against his conscience, and Chu Xisheng agreed.
• Chu Xisheng noticed that his fellow disciples admired him from a distance, while Lu Luanli approached him as usual and traded barbs with him.
• With Lei Yuan’s permission, Chu Xisheng studied the fifth-level Origin-Nourishing Art visualization and the two Yazi pictures, gaining new insights into Yazi Saber Intent and advancing his Wind-Thunder Martial Intent.
• Chu Xisheng left the Library Tower and spent more than a month in secluded martial cultivation, during which his character panel changed.

Chu Xisheng reviewed his major martial arts improvements and joined Chu Yunyun on a nighttime mission to eliminate a dangerous obstacle to his becoming Chief True Disciple. The chapter left them racing across the rooftops toward their target at Pine and Bamboo Hall.

• Chu Xisheng found that his martial arts had advanced substantially and that Virtual Combat had improved his ability to use his strength, though his Martial Dao Points were accumulating slowly.
• Chu Xisheng watched Chu Yunyun attempt to condense a True Talisman, but she fell short of breaking through to the Eighth Rank.
• Chu Yunyun received Wu Meiniang's message identifying their target's location at Pine and Bamboo Hall in the Drunken Flower Tower.
• Chu Xisheng and Chu Yunyun discussed whether Wu Meiniang could be trusted and decided to proceed with their plan to kill the man threatening Chu Xisheng.
• Chu Yunyun and Chu Xisheng changed into Nightwalking Garments and silently crossed the rooftops toward the outskirts of the city.

Shangguan Longjian hired White Cloud Stronghold and arranged other measures to kill Chu Xisheng before the True Inheritance Trial. Chu Xisheng and Chu Yunyun attacked Pine and Bamboo Hall, and Chu Xisheng confronted Shangguan Longjian in his room.

• Shangguan Yuan told Shangguan Longjian that Ruan Qiu would arrange an ambush for eighteen thousand taels, and Shangguan Longjian authorized a ten-thousand-tael deposit.
• Shangguan Yuan reported that assassin Li Ya had accepted the bounty on Chu Xisheng and that Zhengyang Martial Academy's instructors would tamper with the trial formation to ban weapons.
• Chu Xisheng and Chu Yunyun arrived at Pine and Bamboo Hall, where Chu Yunyun took responsibility for the other guards while Chu Xisheng went after Shangguan Longjian.
• Chu Xisheng killed the courtyard guards and broke into Pine and Bamboo Hall, while Chu Yunyun killed two Seventh-Rank guards with bamboo twigs.
• Chu Xisheng fought his way to Shangguan Longjian's room, where Shangguan Longjian recognized him despite his mask.

Chu Xisheng broke into Pine and Bamboo Hall and killed Shangguan Longjian and his guards while Chu Yunyun dealt with threats outside. They burned the bodies and prepared to escape, as Shangguan Yuan spotted the fire and feared for the young master.

• Chu Xisheng entered Shangguan Longjian’s bedroom, killed the hidden guards, and turned the Locust Crossbow bolts back on their wielders with his saber.
• Shangguan Longjian tried to bargain with Chu Xisheng, then attacked when Chu hesitated; Chu Xisheng killed him and the guards who arrived.
• Chu Xisheng left Pine and Bamboo Hall after killing thirteen eighth-rank and twenty ninth-rank martial cultivators, while Chu Yunyun waited in the courtyard.
• Chu Xisheng burned his bloodstained clothes and applied perfume with Chu Yunyun to prevent the Shangguan Clan from tracking them.
• Chu Yunyun summoned a powerful Suanni that set the courtyard corpses ablaze, and Shangguan Yuan saw the fire and worried that something had happened to the young master.

After Shangguan Longjian and his followers were killed at Drunken Blossom House, investigators found similarities to the Long Household Freight Depot case, while Shangguan Shenhao ordered a search and tasked Shangguan Yuan with killing Chu Xisheng. Chu Xisheng and Chu Yunyun returned to the academy after disposing of evidence, and Chu Xisheng set out to find a way to gain more martial dao points.

• Shangguan Shenhao arrived at the burned Drunken Blossom House, where Shen Zhou, Cao Xuan, and Li Guangyu reported that Shangguan Longjian and the others had likely been killed in a swift attack.
• Cao Xuan noted similarities to the Long Household Freight Depot case, and Li Guangyu inferred that multiple killers with seventh- or eighth-rank cultivation might have been involved.
• Shangguan Shenhao ordered his guards to seal off Ancient Market Town, search for suspicious cultivators, and recruit the Iron-Crowned Rogue to track the killers.
• Shangguan Yuan revealed that he had hired White Cloud Stronghold to kill Chu Xisheng, and Shangguan Shenhao ordered him to carry out that killing as Shangguan Longjian's final wish.
• Chu Xisheng and Chu Yunyun disposed of their weapons and treasure in the Divine Splendor River, washed and changed, then returned to Zhengyang Martial Academy before dawn.
• Chu Yunyun resumed seclusion to condense her true talisman, while Chu Xisheng went to find Hu Lai and Hu Kan because his martial dao points were increasing too slowly.

Chu Xisheng paid Hu Kan and Hu Lai to help build his reputation, hoping to improve his chances of entering the Formless Divine Sect’s inner sect. Meanwhile, Wu Meiniang considered Chu Xisheng’s possible connection to Shangguan Longjian’s death and received a visit from Shangguan Shenhao and Chu Xuanjie.

• Chu Xisheng asked Hu Kan and Hu Lai to spread his name, and they explained that they were leaving for the Capital City to join the Heavenly Secret Hall as nominal disciples.
• Chu Xisheng gave the brothers two hundred taels and asked them to promote him through their new connections at the Heavenly Secret Martial Manual.
• Hu Lai suggested Chu Xisheng approach Dong Linshan, who was expected to take over Xiushui Commandery’s Martial Discourse Tower, and Hu Kan offered to introduce them.
• Wu Meiniang wondered whether Chu Xisheng or his allies had killed Shangguan Longjian and his guards at Pine and Bamboo Hall.
• Wu Meiniang received Shangguan Shenhao, head of the Shangguan Clan, and Chu Xuanjie, the Loyal and Martial General from the Capital City.

Shangguan Shenhao and Chu Xuanjie questioned Wu Meiniang about Shangguan Longjian’s death and other investigations, while Chu Xisheng prepared to meet Dong Linshan in Ancient Market Town. Chu Xisheng saw that Chu Yunyun was close to a breakthrough, then headed for the docks with Lu Luanli following him.

• Wu Meiniang gave Shangguan Shenhao information about experts in Xiushui Commandery but denied knowing who killed Shangguan Longjian.
• Wu Meiniang refused to discuss the remnants of Crown Prince Li’s faction, and Chu Xuanjie and Shangguan Shenhao realized she served the Heavenly Secret Hall.
• Hu Kan and his brother arranged for Chu Xisheng to meet Dong Linshan at Taste-Knowing Pavilion the following night.
• Chu Xisheng collected his monthly pay from the Embroidery Guard and continued on as usual despite the martial hall’s unease over Shangguan Longjian’s death.
• Chu Xisheng saw that Chu Yunyun’s five runes were beginning to fuse and judged that she was close to a breakthrough.
• Chu Xisheng left the martial hall for the docks, and Lu Luanli followed him.

Chu Xisheng took Lu Luanli to meet Dong Linshan at the Taste-Knowing Pavilion, unaware that assassins were watching for a chance to kill him. He learned his Azure Cloud Ranking had only risen to eighty-third and asked Dong Linshan to raise it.

• Chu Xisheng invited Lu Luanli to accompany him to Ancient Market Town, and she agreed.
• Spirit Eye watched Chu Xisheng board the ferry while Heart-Piercing Sword Li Ya waited for him to die so he could claim the Life-Reaping Tower bounty.
• Chu Xisheng felt uneasy on the journey but continued to the Taste-Knowing Pavilion, where he found Wu Meiniang waiting with Dong Linshan.
• Dong Linshan told Chu Xisheng that his Azure Cloud Ranking had risen from eighty-ninth to eighty-third and could no longer be changed before publication.
• Chu Xisheng told Dong Linshan that he wanted his ranking raised, leaving the others speechless.

Chu Xisheng paid Dong Linshan to raise his Azure Cloud Ranking and promote his reputation, then learned that White Cloud Stronghold had sent forces into Ancient Market Town. The chapter left him realizing the raiders were likely targeting him as his Yazi Saber Intent surged.

• Chu Xisheng paid Dong Linshan to raise his ranking to seventy-fifth and commission articles that would make others believe in his strength.
• Dong Linshan suggested Chu Xisheng write an explanation of the Wind-Chasing Blade for a future issue, and Chu Xisheng agreed to try.
• Wu Meiniang confronted Chu Xisheng about Shangguan Longjian, and he showed her his Embroidery Guard token without explaining further.
• Wu Meiniang told Chu Xisheng that Luo Liang and three hundred and fifty White Cloud Stronghold elites had entered Ancient Market Town.
• Chu Xisheng spotted figures filling the nearby alleys, realized they might be coming for him, and saw his Yazi Saber Intent rise to high intensity.

Chu Xisheng was trapped in the Taste-Knowing Pavilion by White Cloud Stronghold, whose attack had been arranged by the Shangguan Clan. With his second-tier Sorrow of the Gods activated, he struck down the first wave of attackers, drawing Luo Liang’s attention.

• Wu Meiniang revealed that Shangguan Longjian had arranged for White Cloud Stronghold to attack Chu Xisheng, and that Shangguan Shenhao had supported the plan.
• Wu Meiniang explained that help from the Iron Banner Gang and Zhengyang Martial Academy had been delayed, while the Shangguan Clan had also stationed water monsters in the river.
• Wu Meiniang led Lu Luanli and Dong Linshan away as the restaurant’s staff and patrons fled; Chu Xisheng prepared a makeshift barricade inside.
• Chu Xisheng’s character panel activated second-tier Sorrow of the Gods, boosting his abilities and giving his True Essence a spell-breaking effect.
• Luo Liang ordered White Cloud Stronghold’s men to attack the Taste-Knowing Pavilion, and thirty-seven outlaws charged inside.
• Chu Xisheng unleashed his Yazi Saber Intent, incapacitated most of the attackers, and killed the ones still standing, leaving Luo Liang astonished.

Chu Xisheng weathered the White Cloud Stronghold’s attack on the Taste-Knowing Pavilion while Lu Luanli appeared outside and fought Luo Liang and Zhu Yi. After a poisoned arrow wounded Chu Xisheng, Dance of Zangtian increased his strength, leaving him ready to face the attackers.

• Luo Liang and Fei Liqing recognized the danger of Chu Xisheng’s Yazi Saber Intent, and Luo Liang went to confront him.
• A disguised Lu Luanli ambushed Luo Liang and repeatedly drove him back with powerful saber strikes.
• Zhu Yi intervened to save Luo Liang, and the two struggled to hold Lu Luanli off as Fei Liqing ordered the stronghold’s troops to attack the pavilion.
• Chu Xisheng drank inside his makeshift defenses while military crossbow bolts struck the soaked quilts and furniture around him.
• A poisoned wolf-fang arrow grazed Chu Xisheng’s thigh, and Dance of Zangtian increased all his physical attributes by fifty percent.

Chu Yunyun completed her Suan True Talisman Seed and advanced to Eighth-Rank Lower, then sensed that Chu Xisheng might be in danger. Trapped in the Taste-Knowing Pavilion, Chu Xisheng endured the White Cloud Stronghold’s assault before breaking out into the surrounding houses, leaving Fei Liqing and Dong Huaji to pursue him in more difficult terrain.

• Chu Yunyun formed the Suan True Talisman, joined it with her Ni talisman, and advanced to Eighth-Rank Lower as her Primordial Spirit partially recovered.
• Chu Yunyun sensed that something had happened to Chu Xisheng across the Divine Splendor River, but could not help him.
• Chu Xisheng used his Yazi Saber Intent to extinguish flaming arrows and poisonous smoke while the White Cloud Stronghold bandits bombarded the Taste-Knowing Pavilion.
• Fei Liqing ordered the bandits to stop shooting and prepare shields for a direct assault, while Dong Huaji warned that Chu Xisheng’s Saber Intent made charging dangerous.
• Chu Xisheng smashed through the southern wall, killed five bandits with his Thunderclap Saber, and escaped into nearby houses.
• Fei Liqing and Dong Huaji watched Chu Xisheng evade their encirclement and questioned whether his cultivation was truly only Eighth-Rank Lower.

Chu Xisheng turned White Cloud Stronghold’s attempted ambush into a massacre, using his speed and erratic movements to cut through their fighters. He killed Dong Huaji by letting the swordsman pierce his chest, and his severe wound activated the third stage of Dance of Zangtian.

• From a nearby building, Dong Linshan realized Chu Xisheng was hunting White Cloud Stronghold’s bandits rather than trying to escape, while Wu Meiniang wondered whether he could survive the two Seventh-Rank fighters.
• Chu Xisheng cut down bandits in a series of courtyards and buildings, killing more than thirty before Fei Liqing and Dong Huaji could catch up.
• White Cloud Stronghold’s exhausted fighters failed to stop Chu Xisheng with arrows and hidden weapons, and he killed more than ninety men as Fei Liqing and Dong Huaji pursued him.
• Fei Liqing and Dong Huaji split up to intercept Chu Xisheng, but Dong Huaji failed repeatedly to predict his route.
• When Dong Huaji finally confronted him alone, Chu Xisheng let the Eight-Sided Han Sword pierce his chest and beheaded Dong Huaji with Wind and Thunder Together.
• Chu Xisheng’s severe wound activated the third stage of Dance of Zangtian, doubling his physical attributes and granting him a faint degree of God-Slaying Power.

Chu Xisheng killed Dong Huaji and slaughtered scores of White Cloud Stronghold bandits despite his grave wound, but Heart-Piercing Sword Li Ya joined Fei Liqing to attack him. Facing both enemies, Chu Xisheng activated the eleven-year-old Qin Muge character card and unleashed a dramatic surge in power.

• Spirit Eye watched Chu Xisheng kill Dong Huaji, and Heart-Piercing Sword Li Ya rushed toward the Taste-Knowing Pavilion to intervene.
• Chu Xisheng pulled the greatsword from his chest, bandaged his wound, and used his speed to kill more than sixty White Cloud Stronghold bandits while avoiding Fei Liqing.
• Li Ya ambushed Chu Xisheng from an alley and joined Fei Liqing, who planned to attack while Li Ya delivered the killing blow.
• Chu Xisheng redeemed the eleven-year-old Qin Muge character card, restoring his strength and activating Sorrow of the Gods and the third stage of Dance of Zangtian.

Chu Xisheng’s saber intent surged into intent-martial fusion, and he killed Fei Liqing and Heart-Piercing Sword Li Ya while battling Shangguan Clan guards. After his borrowed power expired, he faced three wary seventh-rank experts in a standoff on a rooftop.

• Chu Xisheng’s strengthened saber intent overwhelmed Li Ya and hurt Fei Liqing’s primordial spirit as Fei charged him with a mace.
• Chu Xisheng used the Wind-Chasing Blade to redirect Fei Liqing’s attack, disarm him, and cut off his head.
• Chu Xisheng deflected Li Ya’s sword thrust and killed him with Empty Cave Brings Wind as a red-armored warrior attacked from behind.
• Chu Xisheng evaded the red-armored warrior’s spear and killed him with Trace of Wind, then disarmed a Shangguan Clan fighter wielding twin pu dao.
• Chu Xisheng withdrew to a rooftop as two stronger experts joined the fight, and the Qin Muge character card’s effect expired.
• Wu Meiniang wondered what had happened in the alley, while Dong Linshan guessed that Chu Xisheng had killed Fei Liqing and Li Ya.

After Chu Xisheng killed four opponents, Shangguan Shenhao rushed to the Taste-Knowing Pavilion intending to kill him, but Chu Xuanjie was intercepted by Xu R idong before he could reach the youth. Xu R idong and Chu Xuanjie began a fierce battle, with Chu Xuanjie recognizing a chance to avenge his Ninth Younger Brother.

• Shangguan Yuan reported that Chu Xisheng had killed Dong Huaji, Fei Liqing, Li Ya, and Shangguan Zhe in fewer than a hundred and twenty breaths.
• Shangguan Shenhao flew toward the Taste-Knowing Pavilion to kill Chu Xisheng, while Chu Xuanjie followed and warned him about the powerful allies protecting the youth.
• Chu Xuanjie spotted Xu R idong on a restaurant roof and asked whether he had killed Chu Xuanjie's younger clansman.
• Xu R idong attacked Chu Xuanjie with his Sunflame Ray, and Chu Xuanjie blocked it with the Hand of Profound Darkness.
• Chu Xuanjie charged Xu R idong again, summoning the phantom of Profound Darkness after realizing Xu R idong was gravely wounded.

Chu Xisheng renewed Qin Muge’s Character Card and fought off the Xiushui Shangguan Clan’s Seventh-Rank Martial Cultivators despite his injuries, but Shangguan Shenhao arrived and nearly crushed him. Tie Kuangren intervened, stopping Shangguan Shenhao’s attack and standing between him and Chu Xisheng.

• Chu Xisheng bandaged his wounded shoulder, then redeemed the Qin Muge Character Card again when four more Seventh-Rank Martial Cultivators approached.
• Chu Xisheng charged the armored fist fighter and killed him with Trace of Wind, then used his body to shield himself from the twin-saber and spear fighters.
• Shangguan Shenhao descended and overwhelmed Chu Xisheng with his sword intent as Lu Luanli desperately tried to reach him.
• Lu Luanli killed Luo Liang and knocked Zhu Yi’s spear aside, but could not reach Chu Xisheng in time.
• Tie Kuangren arrived, blocked Shangguan Shenhao’s Meteor Greatsword, and revealed himself as the Iron Banner Gang’s Banner Lord.

Tie Kuangren arrived to save Chu Xisheng and confronted Shangguan Shenhao, who vowed to kill him despite the Iron Banner Gang’s protection. Tie Kuangren revealed that thousands of allies had gathered on the river, leaving Shangguan Shenhao facing a much larger force.

• Tie Kuangren praised Chu Xisheng for surviving the attack and told him he had come to his aid.
• Lu Luanli used medicinal pills to treat the backlash from her Secret Art, then spotted Chu Yunyun at the distant wharf.
• Tie Kuangren challenged Shangguan Shenhao, who insisted that Chu Xisheng must die and called in his clan soldiers.
• Tie Kuangren reminded Wei Lai that the Tianping Army had promised not to intervene, and Wei Lai denied involvement beyond searching for Shangguan Longjian’s killer.
• Tie Kuangren told Chu Xisheng to call him Uncle Kuang and promised to protect him.
• Thousands of Iron Banner Gang allies appeared on ships along the river, and Tie Kuangren challenged Shangguan Shenhao to fight.

Shangguan Shenhao withdrew after Shen Zhou intervened, while Lei Yuan retaliated by barring the Shangguan Clan and commandery personnel from Zhengyang Martial Academy’s resources. With the confrontation over, Chu Xisheng’s battle states faded and his worsening injuries left him unable to stand.

• More ships and armed dockworkers gathered, strengthening Tie Kuangren’s forces as he warned Shangguan Shenhao that the Iron Banner Gang’s reinforcements were near.
• Shen Zhou arrived with Lei Yuan and Ye Zhiqiu, reprimanded Shangguan Shenhao and Tie Kuangren, and challenged the armed gathering.
• Shangguan Shenhao ordered his forces to withdraw, and Tie Kuangren threatened to seize the Shangguan Clan’s shops, warehouses, and docks.
• Lei Yuan barred Shangguan Clan disciples from Zhengyang Martial Academy and threatened to extend the ban to allied martial academies, while also denying commandery personnel access to academy resources.
• Ye Zhiqiu caught Chu Xisheng when his injuries and fading battle states left him unable to stand.

After the battle in Ancient Market Town, Tie Kuangren arranged aid for the injured and explained why he had avoided a full fight with Shangguan Shenhao. Meanwhile, Xu R idong warned Lu Luanli about the cost of using the Great Bright King Wheel, and she resolved to confront Chu Xisheng after he recovered.

• Tie Kuangren sent Lei Yuan and Ye Zhiqiu to take the badly injured Chu Xisheng back to Zhengyang Martial Academy, then ordered his men to search the ruins and capture any remaining White Cloud Stronghold bandits.
• Tie Xiaosheng reported that Long Heng had escaped to the West Bank with his father, but had suffered a poisoned sword wound and would take months to recover.
• Tie Kuangren told Tie Xiaosheng he had avoided killing Shangguan Shenhao because the untrained boatmen and laborers supporting the Iron Banner Gang would have suffered heavy casualties.
• In a forest north of Ancient Market Town, Xu R idong told Lu Luanli he had fought Chu Xuanjie and warned her that using the Great Bright King Wheel could cause lasting injuries.
• Lu Luanli insisted Chu Xisheng was only her friend, privately recognized him as the person who had saved her in Firebone Cavern, and resolved to beat him after he recovered.

Aboard the swift boat, Chu Xisheng checked the rewards from the Taste-Knowing Pavilion battle and spent Martial Dao Points on a stronger bloodline talent and storage slots. He left the blade technique ultimate move unclaimed, intending to save his points for talents and learn ultimate moves through cultivation.

• Chu Xisheng saw that his reputation had risen to eighth-rank upper (transcendent) and his Martial Dao Points had reached 3,952, with more arriving as news of the battle spread.
• Chu Xisheng redeemed Wind-Grasping, Lightning-Riding Hand (stage four), which improved his limb speed, reactions, meridians, and True Essence circulation.
• Chu Xisheng spent 500 Martial Dao Points on Storage Slot, gaining six spaces for items redeemed from the Martial Dao Treasury.
• Chu Xisheng considered redeeming the group-combat ultimate move Eight Winds Do Not Move but decided to save his Martial Dao Points for bloodline talents and pursue ultimate moves through cultivation.

After Chu Xisheng returned to the martial academy badly wounded, Daoist Zijing healed him and explained that his bloodline talents might grow stronger after the battle. Chu Yunyun offered to teach him the Iron Mountain Blood Selection Art before his True Inheritance Trial, then revealed she had already raised several of her own talents to the fifth rank.

• Daoist Zijing treated Chu Xisheng’s wounds, assured everyone that he would recover fully, and predicted Zangtian might advance and grant him a Divine Gift.
• Daoist Zijing and Jian Zangfeng gave Chu Yunyun medicine for Chu Xisheng, while Lei Yuan promised to deal with Xiushui’s clans.
• Chu Xisheng told Chu Yunyun he planned to join the Iron Banner Gang to repay Tie Kuangren for saving his life, and she agreed that it was suitable after his True Inheritance Trial.
• Chu Yunyun offered to teach Chu Xisheng the Iron Mountain Blood Selection Art so he could focus future awakenings on three of his strongest talents.
• Chu Yunyun explained that she had used the Blood Source Pillar later than expected and had unsealed Divine Sorrow, the Hand That Traverses the Sun and the Moon, and the Blood of Eternal Ages to the fifth rank.

Xie Zhenqing approved delaying the Martial Secrets Almanac to publish Dong Linshan’s account of Chu Xisheng’s battle and raise his Azure Cloud Ranking position to sixtieth. Wu Meiniang explained why she had sent Young Master Zuo away, but he offered her a jade communication horn and asked her to use it.

• Dong Linshan wrote an article praising Chu Xisheng’s fight at the Taste-Knowing Pavilion, and Xie Zhenqing agreed to delay the issue’s release so it could be included.
• Xie Zhenqing told Dong Linshan to add an article about the Iron Banner Gang’s conflict with Xiushui’s established clans and raised Chu Xisheng’s Azure Cloud Ranking position from eighty-third to sixtieth.
• Wu Meiniang sent reports about Chu Xisheng’s battle and potential to Eastern Province sects and gangs using Heaven-and-Earth Flying Swords.
• Young Master Zuo confronted Wu Meiniang for sending him away before the battle, and she warned him that getting involved would endanger him and complicate his father’s position.
• Young Master Zuo gave Wu Meiniang a jade horn bearing the Imperial Court’s Ministry of Works seal and asked her to use her spell arts to blow it.

Zuo Qingyun contacted the White Tiger Marquis for help investigating powerful clans and officials in Xiushui Commandery. Chu Xisheng woke after a long rest to find that Demon God Zangtian’s divine gift had advanced to Second Rank and strengthened his body.

• Wu Meiniang sounded Zuo Qingyun’s jade horn, and he asked the White Tiger Marquis to investigate clans sheltering fugitives and falsifying records in Xiushui Commandery.
• Wu Meiniang recognized the woman as the White Tiger Marquis, one of the Six Fan Gate’s Four Symbols Divine Constables, and realized Zuo Qingyun had powerful connections.
• Chu Xisheng woke at noon after sleeping deeply, exhausted from months of dream training, and discovered Zangtian’s Fire had burned away his clothes and furniture.
• Chu Yunyun explained that black flames had burned on Chu Xisheng for four hours after midnight, revealing Zangtian’s divine gift.
• Chu Xisheng found that Zangtian had reached Second Rank, his Martial Dao Points had risen above twenty-four hundred, and his physical attributes had increased by roughly twenty percent.

After receiving Zangtian's blessing, Chu Xisheng replenished his vitality and revealed to Chu Yunyun and Lu Luanli that fame and grand occasions seemed to awaken his bloodline talents. The chapter ended with him discovering that Lu Luanli had burned the gifts his senior and junior sisters had sent him.

• Chu Xisheng drank the medicinal broth Chu Yunyun had prepared, and she used her Suanni flame beast to clean the ash from his body.
• Lu Luanli offered Chu Xisheng a Pangu Blood Essence Pill and reprimanded him for risking his life to raise his Azure Cloud Ranking.
• Chu Xisheng explained to Chu Yunyun and Lu Luanli that fame and attention made his bloodline easier to awaken, then demonstrated his improved saber technique.
• Chu Xisheng found his gifts from the martial arts school's senior and junior sisters burning in the courtyard and realized Lu Luanli had set them alight.