Chapter Summaries

Chen Shuangbai fought the assassin Ye Youqi in the Listening to the Waves Pavilion and killed him after preventing his escape. He retrieved Ye Youqi’s Storage Bag, while Zhuang Wen arrived afterward and praised his martial uncle’s strength.

• Ye Youqi survived Chen Shuangbai’s Midnight Month Cold Light Yin Thunder with a life-saving technique, but the strike froze one of his arms and injured him.
• Chen Shuangbai trapped Ye Youqi inside the Six Directions Primordial Light Formation and used the Flame Shadow Space-Escape Flag to pursue him when he broke through the barrier.
• Chen Shuangbai’s two flying swords kept attacking Ye Youqi until Ye Youqi released poisonous mist and charged at him.
• Chen Shuangbai resisted the poisonous mist with the Duckweed Water Incantation and struck Ye Youqi with another Yin Thunder pellet, freezing him into an ice sculpture.
• Chen Shuangbai shattered Ye Youqi, retrieved his Storage Bag, and told Zhuang Wen that identifying who hired the assassin would make little difference.

After Ye Youqi’s assassination failed, Bai Xiuyuan concealed his fury and devised a new scheme by inviting Chen Shuangbai to the Azure Flood Dragon Society. Chen suspected the invitation was a trap but agreed to attend the next day, leaving himself time to prepare.

• The master of Black Cloud Cave learned Ye Youqi had died and demanded another hundred thousand lower-grade spirit stones before sending a replacement assassin.
• Bai Xiuyuan learned the assassination had failed, lashed out at the messenger, and ordered the servants to keep quiet about his outburst.
• Bai Xiuyuan wrote an invitation using Bai Zhixing’s seal and sent a trusted steward to ask Chen Shuangbai to visit the Azure Flood Dragon Society.
• Chen Shuangbai suspected the invitation was connected to the assassination, but told Zhuang Wen he would attend and asked Bai Xiuyuan to prepare a feast.
• Chen Shuangbai considered his options and began gathering spiritual energy in preparation for the visit.

Chen Shuangbai attended the Azure Flood Dragon Society’s banquet and saw through Bai Xiuyuan’s attempt to poison him. After evading an attack, he watched Bai Xiuyuan order the formation raised.

• Chen Shuangbai used his First Month Divine Manifestation and jade crystals to accelerate his cultivation.
• Chen Shuangbai went to the manor outside Wind Howling County, where Bai Xiuyuan admitted he had used his elder brother’s name to arrange the meeting.
• Bai Xiuyuan claimed the Azure Flood Dragon Society wished to submit and offered Chen Shuangbai Jade Wave Spirit Wine.
• Chen Shuangbai refused to drink, accused Bai Xiuyuan of poisoning the wine, and called him out for failing to conceal his intentions.
• Chen Shuangbai escaped three arrows with the Flame Shadow Space-Escape Flag, and Bai Xiuyuan ordered the formation raised.

Chen Shuangbai fought Bai Xiuyuan inside the formation surrounding Waterside Mountain Manor and overcame his attacks with the Yin Thunder Method. He killed Bai Xiuyuan with Cold Spring and Green Parasol, leaving the Azure Flood Dragon Society's second leader dead in the frozen lake.

• Bai Xiuyuan sealed Chen Shuangbai inside a formation and attacked him with poisonous water snakes.
• Chen Shuangbai defended himself with Listening to the Rain in a Lotus Boat, then froze the formation's nine poisonous-water pythons with the Yin Thunder Method.
• Chen Shuangbai struck Bai Xiuyuan with Yin Thunder, and the two clashed again when Bai Xiuyuan tried to defend himself with his water-parting fork.
• Chen Shuangbai sent Cold Spring and Green Parasol plunging into the frozen lake, where they pierced Bai Xiuyuan through the head and heart, killing him.

After killing Bai Xiuyuan and discovering evidence of the brothers’ demonic connection, Chen Shuangbai attacked the Azure Flood Dragon Society and confronted Bai Zhixing. Bai Zhixing transformed with demonic power, and Chen Shuangbai judged that his weakened cultivation was only around the ninth layer of Qi Refining.

• Chen Shuangbai found scales on Bai Xiuyuan’s corpse, confirmed his suspicions about the Bai brothers’ connection to a demon king, and took the formation treasures Feiguang brought him.
• Chen Shuangbai flew to Wind Howling Ford Crossing on Feiguang, intent on killing Bai Zhixing after Bai Xiuyuan’s death.
• Bai Zhixing awoke from seclusion with a premonition, emerged from the underground area, and demanded to know where Bai Xiuyuan was.
• Chen Shuangbai burst into the Azure Flood Dragon Society building and revealed Bai Xiuyuan’s head, driving Bai Zhixing into grief and rage.
• Bai Zhixing manifested dark scales and unleashed his demonic power, while Chen Shuangbai evaded his attack with the Flame Shadow Space-Escape Flag.
• Chen Shuangbai assessed Bai Zhixing’s weakened cultivation and concluded that he could kill him.

Chen Shuangbai fought Bai Zhixing at Wind Howling Ford and revealed that he had reached the seventh layer of Qi Refining. After Bai Zhixing invoked the power in a Foundation Establishment great demon’s scale, Chen Shuangbai sacrificed Wei Chengfeng’s sword talisman to escape its pressure, leaving their fight unresolved.

• Bi Sheng and Chang Yuan cleared the mortals from Wind Howling Ford while nearby households and the Rosy Clouds Abode Alliance watched the confrontation.
• Bai Zhixing attacked Chen Shuangbai with swift, poisonous strikes, but Chen Shuangbai blocked them with Cold Spring and Green Parasol.
• Bai Zhixing realized Chen Shuangbai had reached the seventh layer of Qi Refining, and Chen Shuangbai declared that anyone obstructing his Dao Path could be killed.
• Chen Shuangbai struck Bai Zhixing with yin lightning, making him spit frost-laced blood.
• Bai Zhixing used his Essence Blood to awaken the power in a Foundation Establishment great demon’s scale, and Chen Shuangbai detonated Wei Chengfeng’s sword talisman to counter its pressure and retreat.
• Bai Zhixing mocked Chen Shuangbai for losing the sword talisman and asked how many more times he could evade the scale’s power.

Chen Shuangbai was nearly killed by Bai Zhixing until Wei Chengfeng arrived and freed him. When Wei Chengfeng refused to spare Bai Zhixing, a one-horned black python invoked the Black River Water Manor and threatened war with the Jade Spring Sect.

• Bai Zhixing repeatedly pursued Chen Shuangbai, but Chen evaded his attacks while the demon scale drained Bai's essence blood.
• Bai Zhixing unleashed the demon scale's overwhelming pressure, pinning Chen Shuangbai and Feiguang to the ground before forming a spear to kill him.
• Wei Chengfeng appeared, halted everything, and released Chen Shuangbai from the pressure.
• Wei Chengfeng questioned Bai Zhixing's mixed human and Black Flood Dragon bloodline and asked Chen Shuangbai how he should be dealt with.
• A one-horned black python emerged from Bai Zhixing's chest scale and asked Wei Chengfeng to spare him as a member of the Black Jade Flood Dragon King's bloodline.
• Wei Chengfeng refused to show mercy, and the one-horned black python accused the Jade Spring Sect of risking war with the Black River Water Manor.

Chen Shuangbai and Wei Chengfeng destroyed the Azure Flood Dragon Society at Wind Howling Ford, though Bai Zhixing escaped through the one-horned black python’s bloodline ability. Chen Shuangbai then announced that the county and garrison offices would administer the ford and compensate those harmed, winning the crowd’s gratitude.

• Wei Chengfeng dismissed the one-horned black python’s phantom and told it to take any dispute to True Person Qingchen.
• Wei Chengfeng struck Bai Zhixing with Sword Qi, but discovered the one-horned black python had already transported him away.
• Wei Chengfeng explained that Bai Zhixing’s escape had likely cost him dearly, then departed for the Ming River with one favor still owed.
• Chen Shuangbai recovered from his injuries and received congratulations from Bi Sheng and County Magistrate Chang Yuan after the Azure Flood Dragon Society’s destruction.
• Chen Shuangbai declared that the county and garrison offices would oversee Wind Howling Ford, inventory the society’s property, and compensate its victims.
• The boatmen, merchants, laborers, and other residents cheered and kowtowed to Chen Shuangbai in gratitude.

After defeating Bai Zhixing, Chen Shuangbai healed Feiguang, studied the changes in his flying swords, and secluded himself to cultivate. He emerged stronger and heard from Bi Sheng that Wind Howling Ford and Wind Howling County had prospered since the local threats were removed.

• Chen Shuangbai left Wind Howling Ford after instructing Bi Sheng, while Chang Yuan vowed to make the most of the chance to govern the county.
• Chen Shuangbai used spiritual liquid and a Sweet Dew Incantation to heal Feiguang, then rewarded the eagle with the promise of roast lambs.
• Chen Shuangbai examined his flying swords and sensed that they might be developing toward Sword Essence.
• Chen Shuangbai entered seclusion to reflect on his battle with Bai Zhixing and cultivate, stabilizing his seventh layer of Qi Refining and advancing his understanding of spells.
• Zhuang Wen congratulated Chen Shuangbai on his progress, and Bi Sheng reported that Wind Howling Ford and Wind Howling County had recovered and prospered.

Chen Shuangbai met Zhao Shiyong, a powerful disciple of the Profound Firmament Sect who returned to avenge the Zhao Household’s loss of influence. After defending his actions in Wind Howling County, Chen Shuangbai faced Zhao Shiyong’s challenge to a contest of arts.

• Chen Shuangbai guided Zhuang Wen and Bi Sheng in cultivation, and they pledged to follow his lead in the Spring-Venerating Dharma Lineage.
• Zhao Shiyong announced his return and demanded an audience with the garrison envoy, prompting Chen Shuangbai to meet him while Zhuang Wen and Bi Sheng guarded the academy.
• Bi Sheng explained that Zhao Shiyong was the Zhao Household’s legitimate son, a Late Qi Refining Stage inner disciple of the Profound Firmament Sect with a Foundation Establishment master.
• Zhao Shiyong accused Chen Shuangbai of bringing misery to his lineage, but Chen defended his mission to set Wind Howling County’s disorder right.
• Zhao Shiyong proposed a contest of arts and secretly planned to injure Chen Shuangbai under the guise of a spar.

Chen Shuangbai accepted Zhao Shiyong’s challenge and fought him above Wind Howling Ford, using water arts and swordsmanship to withstand the Profound Firmament Sect disciple’s fire techniques. After Chen Shuangbai cut his robe with a powerful sword strike, Zhao Shiyong recognized him as an equal and prepared to continue with a fire Law Artifact.

• Chen Shuangbai agreed to Zhao Shiyong’s challenge and led him away from the bamboo grove to the river at Wind Howling Ford.
• Chen Shuangbai arranged for Zhuang Wen and Bi Sheng to close the ford temporarily and protect the passing merchant vessels.
• Zhao Shiyong attacked with a flame, which Chen Shuangbai swallowed with a water-vapor serpent formed by Cold Spring Guidance.
• Zhao Shiyong unleashed a mountain-sized flaming palm that trapped Chen Shuangbai, but Chen Shuangbai drew his sword and cut through it with Sword Qi.
• Chen Shuangbai’s strike sliced a corner from Zhao Shiyong’s enchanted robe, prompting Zhao Shiyong to treat him as an equal and ignite a Law Artifact over his hands.

Chen Shuangbai fought Zhao Shiyong, who used the Profound Firmament Sect’s swift movement and fire-powered punches to overwhelm him. After Chen Shuangbai defended himself and renewed his healing and recovery incantations, Zhao Shiyong paused, and Chen Shuangbai taunted him for stopping.

• Zhao Shiyong returned to the Zhao Household after hearing exaggerated reports of its troubles and challenged Chen Shuangbai after seeing his Sword Qi.
• Zhao Shiyong used Swift Fire and Flowing Light Steps and Shattering Fire Fist to attack Chen Shuangbai at blinding speed, while Chen Shuangbai countered with his sword and defenses.
• Chen Shuangbai used both flying swords and Listening to the Rain in a Lotus Boat to block Zhao Shiyong’s powerful punch.
• Chen Shuangbai struck at Zhao Shiyong with Yin Lightning, but Zhao Shiyong evaded it and claimed his speed would bring Chen Shuangbai’s defeat.
• Zhao Shiyong’s punches barely pushed Chen Shuangbai back, and Chen Shuangbai restored his strength and Law Power with the Sweet Dew Incantation and Flower Bloom Incantation.
• Zhao Shiyong stopped attacking and watched warily as Chen Shuangbai asked, “Fellow Daoist... why did you stop fighting?”

Chen Shuangbai defeated Zhao Shiyong in a river duel with his sword move Emerald Flood Dragon Churns the Waves, then accepted Zhao’s concession. Zhao promised to put his lineage in order and left for the county town, while Chen Shuangbai was surprised by how straightforward he was.

• Chen Shuangbai recovered from Zhao Shiyong’s attacks and readied his Green Parasol Tree Sword for another clash.
• Zhao Shiyong summoned a flaming cauldron, but Chen Shuangbai’s Emerald Flood Dragon Churns the Waves overwhelmed it and swept Zhao into the river.
• Zhao Shiyong emerged battered, asked the name of Chen Shuangbai’s sword move, and conceded the spar.
• Zhao Shiyong promised to put his lineage in order so they would not trouble Chen Shuangbai, then departed for the county town.
• Chen Shuangbai watched Zhao Shiyong leave and remarked that he had not expected him to be so straightforward.

Chen Shuangbai learned that Zhao Shiyong had returned to seek a treasure hidden beneath the river, a chance at Foundation Establishment that required their cooperation. Zhao Shiyong revealed that Yu Laoliu might possess the aquatic-beast skills needed to reach it, leaving Chen Shuangbai wondering whether Zhao Shiyong’s master had divined his own actions as well.

• Zhao Shiyong moved his household back to the Zhao Kingdom, prompting the Yuan Household to flee and the Wang and Li Households to submit to Chen Shuangbai.
• Zhuang Wen reported that Zhao Shiyong had returned and was waiting on the rear mountain, so Chen Shuangbai invited him to the Listening to the Waves Pavilion.
• Zhao Shiyong told Chen Shuangbai that his Foundation Establishment master had divined a treasure in a dangerous space beneath the river and that Zhao Shiyong had returned to claim it.
• Zhao Shiyong proposed sharing the treasure with Chen Shuangbai, explaining that they needed aquatic beasts to find the entrance and overcome its guardian beast.
• Zhao Shiyong identified Yu Laoliu as a possible source of aquatic-beast skills and said his master’s divination showed Yu was hiding his abilities.
• Chen Shuangbai grew uneasy as he wondered whether Zhao Shiyong’s master had also included him in his divinations and plans.

Chen Shuangbai agreed to join Zhao Shiyong in exploring a treasure beneath the river, and the two swore a spiritual oath before seeking allies. They invited Yu Laoliu and the Rosy Clouds Abode Alliance to join them, leaving Lady Yun surprised and uncertain.

• After pondering Zhao Shiyong's proposal for several days, Chen Shuangbai agreed to the dangerous exploration and asked Zhao to swear an oath with him.
• Chen Shuangbai and Zhao Shiyong made a spiritual oath and Zhao revealed that the Bai Brothers had belonged to the Black River Water Manor and had died pursuing the river treasure.
• Chen Shuangbai and Zhao Shiyong settled the broad plan for their expedition and traveled to the Rosy Clouds Abode Alliance to recruit Yu Laoliu.
• Lady Yun panicked when Chen Shuangbai and Zhao Shiyong arrived, fearing they meant to take over the alliance's Silver Light Fish business.
• Zhao Shiyong explained that they had come to invite Yu Laoliu and the alliance to share a great opportunity, and Lady Yun looked toward Yu Laoliu in surprise.

Zhao Shiyong pressured Lady Yun and Yu Laoliu into joining the expedition for a share of the treasure, with Chen Shuangbai backing his threats. After they signed a magical contract and swore spiritual oaths, Zhao Shiyong explained that they needed Yu Laoliu’s water beast to navigate the waterways below.

• Chen Shuangbai and Zhao Shiyong noticed that Lady Yun seemed to defer to Yu Laoliu despite his lower cultivation.
• Lady Yun declined their request to help, and Zhao Shiyong threatened her and Yu Laoliu with his power and Law Artifact.
• Zhao Shiyong revealed that his master had divined Yu Laoliu’s origins in the Yu Clan of Xu Kingdom and warned that anyone who leaked their plans would die.
• Chen Shuangbai offered Yu Laoliu and Lady Yun a share of the treasure if they joined and agreed to a magical contract and spiritual oath.
• Yu Laoliu and Lady Yun agreed, and Zhao Shiyong asked Yu Laoliu to release his water beast so they could see it.

Zhao Shiyong led Chen Shuangbai, Yu Laoliu, and Lady Yun into the river to search for a hidden treasure, relying on Yu Laoliu’s Azure Flood Dragon Fish to find a safe route through the underground waterways. The fish stopped in the darkness after sensing something nearby, leaving the four cultivators braced for danger.

• Yu Laoliu and Lady Yun swore spiritual oaths and agreed to join Zhao Shiyong and Chen Shuangbai.
• Yu Laoliu summoned his Azure Flood Dragon Fish, and Zhao Shiyong identified it as the reason the Black River Water Manor had destroyed Yu Laoliu’s family’s main lineage.
• After waiting until Cold Dew, Zhao Shiyong led the group into the river with water-repelling pearls.
• Zhao Shiyong explained that the fish could find spiritual objects and safe passages, and Yu Laoliu sent it to scout the underground water vein.
• Chen Shuangbai gave the others luminous pearls as the group followed the fish deeper through the dark, twisting waterways.
• The Azure Flood Dragon Fish suddenly stopped, and Yu Laoliu warned that it had sensed something approaching.

Chen Shuangbai, Zhao Shiyong, Yu Laoliu, and Lady Yun fought their way through a huge shoal of Blind Arrow Ghost Fish in the underwater passages. After Lady Yun was injured by their Soul-Devouring Blue Light, the shoal unleashed its Blind Arrows, damaging Yu Laoliu’s Azure Flood Dragon Fish and leaving the cultivators under a stronger attack.

• Hundreds of Blind Arrow Ghost Fish attacked the four cultivators, and Zhao Shiyong identified their Soul-Devouring Blue Light as a threat to their souls.
• Zhao Shiyong, Yu Laoliu, Lady Yun, and Chen Shuangbai fought off the fish as they headed toward a safer passage, but Lady Yun was struck by the Soul-Devouring Blue Light.
• Yu Laoliu sheltered Lady Yun inside a bubble, while Chen Shuangbai and Zhao Shiyong used their techniques and treasures to hold back the pursuing shoal.
• Chen Shuangbai sensed something behind the fish, and the shoal launched fast-moving Blind Arrows that disrupted his water snake technique and wounded the Azure Flood Dragon Fish’s tail fin.
• Yu Laoliu recognized the attack as the Blind Arrow Ghost Fish’s Blind Arrows, whose power grew with the shoal’s size.

Yu Laoliu used his Azure Flood Dragon Fish’s Dragon Might and red pills to evade the Blind Arrow Ghost Fish as the group neared a lit exit, but a powerful Ghost Fish leader caught up with them. Chen Shuangbai and Zhao Shiyong fought it while Yu Laoliu raced ahead, and the chapter ended with an explosion sweeping Chen Shuangbai into the darkness.

• Yu Laoliu used the Azure Flood Dragon Fish’s Dragon Might to scatter the pursuing Blind Arrow Ghost Fish, then lured them away with red pills.
• Lady Yun spotted light ahead, but Chen Shuangbai and Zhao Shiyong noticed a Ghost Fish leader closing in behind them.
• Yu Laoliu identified the leader as a Peak of the First Tier Demon Beast, and Zhao Shiyong told him to race toward the light while they covered the rear.
• Chen Shuangbai slowed the leader with freezing currents and ice shards, while Zhao Shiyong charged and hurled his Sun-Piercing Strike.
• The blast swept Chen Shuangbai into unknown depths of darkness.

Chen Shuangbai recovered from his fall into the underground cavern and rescued Lady Yun from a Water Salamander. After giving her a healing pill, he prepared to regroup with Zhao Shiyong and Yu, while privately worrying that Lady Yun might be coveting his primordial yang.

• Chen Shuangbai healed his broken hand, armed himself with defensive gear, and explored the glowing underground cavern.
• Following traces of Zhao Shiyong's Law Power, Chen Shuangbai found Lady Yun fighting a powerful Water Salamander.
• Chen Shuangbai killed the Water Salamander with a single strike, and Lady Yun retched at the sight of its ruined head.
• Lady Yun thanked Chen Shuangbai and explained that the beast had attacked her soon after she awoke, while an earlier wound and its poison had weakened her.
• Chen Shuangbai gave Lady Yun a Spring-Turning Pill and suggested they find Zhao Shiyong and Yu, then worried that her blush meant she coveted his primordial yang.