Arc 21Road to the Pagoda

After leaving the capital, Xu Qi'an traveled through the jianghu, gathered Dragon Qi, and rescued Li Lingsu from the women who had sealed his cultivation. Sun Xuanji sent him to Leizhou to retrieve Shenshu’s severed arm and stop the Shaman God Cult, where he arrived shortly before the Pagoda Treasure Tower opened.

  • Xu Qi'an accepted the Seven Absolutes Gu, reunited with Lin'an, and left the capital with Mu Nanzhi as Wei Yuan was revived without his souls.
  • In Yongzhou, Xu Qi'an explored a tomb, collected the corpse’s nails, venom, and Corpse Qi, and arranged a martial arts gathering before absorbing Dragon Qi from Zhu Er in Fuyang County.
  • Xu Qi'an and Mu Nanzhi traveled to Pingzhou, where Xu Qi'an fought Dongfang Wanqing and rescued Li Lingsu from Dongfang Wanrong and Dongfang Wanqing.
  • Li Lingsu joined Xu Qi'an and Mu Nanzhi on their journey west, and Xu Qi'an told him that Yuanjing had been killed for conspiring to sacrifice Great Feng’s Fate.
  • Sun Xuanji recruited Xu Qi'an to go to Leizhou, retrieve Shenshu’s severed arm from the Buddhist Pagoda, and prevent the Shaman God Cult from rescuing Nalan Tianlu’s soul.
  • Xu Qi'an, Mu Nanzhi, and Li Lingsu obtained Red-Tailed Fiery Eagles and reached Leizhou, where Wenren Qianrou told them the Pagoda Treasure Tower would open in nine days.
  • Xu Qi'an and Li Lingsu scouted Three Flowers Temple, where a young monk challenged them, and Li Lingsu aimed a firearm at him.
Chapters 516–540 Vol. 6 Read

Ch. 516Seven Absolutes Gu

The Superintendent explained that Great Feng’s Dragon Vein had shattered and tasked Xu Qi'an with gathering its scattered Dragon Qi and Shenshu’s body parts, despite Xu having lost his cultivation. Lina’s Seven Absolutes Gu proved to be the means to restore his strength and protect him from being tracked, but Xu Qi'an asked for a day before accepting it.

  • Lina collapsed after the Seven Absolutes Gu inside her awakened, and a white-robed arcanist could not help her.
  • The Superintendent told Xu Qi'an that the scattered Dragon Vein threatened Great Feng and that Xu Qi'an had to collect its Dragon Qi and restore it to the capital.
  • The Superintendent explained that Xu Qi'an needed to gather Shenshu’s scattered body parts to learn how to remove the Demon-Sealing Nails.
  • The Superintendent removed the Seven Absolutes Gu from Lina and revealed that it combined the powers of all seven Gu schools.
  • The Superintendent offered the Seven Absolutes Gu to Xu Qi'an as a way to gain combat strength and evade Xu Pingfeng’s Qi-Observing Technique.
  • Xu Qi'an asked for a day before binding the Seven Absolutes Gu to himself.

Ch. 517A love sweetened in secret

Xu Qi'an said goodbye to his family and learned that Luo Yuheng would seek him out in a month for dual cultivation. After Lin'an refused to see him, he told Huaiqing the truth about his origins and his mission, then hid as Lin'an came to confide her grief over her father and her feelings for Xu Qi'an.

  • Xu Qi'an told Xu Pingzhi’s family they could return home, gave his aunt his savings, and left after saying goodbye; Xu Lingyue said she would cultivate at Numinous Treasure Temple and wait for him.
  • Xu Qi'an visited Luo Yuheng and learned her avatar would dissipate, while her true body planned to meet him in a month for dual cultivation to suppress her Karmic Fire.
  • Lin'an refused to see Xu Qi'an after waking from a night of grieving and drinking, so he left Shaoyin Palace and went to see Huaiqing.
  • Xu Qi'an showed Huaiqing the Demon-Sealing Nails and revealed Shenshu, his Fate, his connection to the Superintendent, and his mission to gather the Dragon Vein Spirits.
  • Xu Qi'an hid when Lin'an arrived, and Huaiqing listened as Lin'an mourned her father and admitted she could not face the man who killed him.
  • Huaiqing told Lin'an that she had a right to know certain truths.

Ch. 518Xu Qi'an Got His Wish

Huaiqing revealed that the emperor Lin'an had mourned was actually the late emperor Zhende, and explained why Xu Qi'an had killed him. Lin'an reconciled with the wounded Xu Qi'an before he returned to the Star Observation Tower to begin integrating the Seven Absolutes Gu.

  • Huaiqing told Lin'an that the emperor who had raised them was their grandfather, Zhende, who had possessed Yuanjing and plotted to hand the realm to another power.
  • Huaiqing explained that Xu Qi'an killed Zhende to prevent the destruction of their ancestors' legacy, then told Lin'an that Xu Qi'an had come to say goodbye while gravely wounded and might not return.
  • Lin'an broke down in regret, but Xu Qi'an appeared, and she threw herself into his arms; he showed her his chest wound and soothed her at Shaoyin Palace.
  • Lin'an stopped hating Xu Qi'an, and the two shared an intimate moment before he left for the Star Observation Tower.
  • The Superintendent began the Seven Absolutes Gu integration by having Xu Qi'an establish ownership with his blood, and the Gu turned red and lunged at him.

Ch. 519A young man's travels

Xu Qi'an survived the Seven Absolutes Gu’s implantation and prepared to leave the capital, while the Grand Secretariat’s proclamation turned public opinion in his favor. He departed with Mu Nanzhi as others in the capital bade him farewell, and the chapter ended with a child awakening in a new life beside Wei Yuan’s body.

  • The Superintendent implanted the mature Seven Absolutes Gu into Xu Qi'an, who endured the painful process and discovered its seven Gu abilities and side effects.
  • Grand Secretary Wang issued the proclamation explaining the emperor’s crimes, and the people mourned Wei Yuan and praised Xu Qi'an as Great Feng’s savior.
  • Mu Nanzhi agreed to leave the capital with Xu Qi'an after he accepted her conditions for their travels.
  • Huaiqing and Lin'an silently wished Xu Qi'an well, while Li Miaozhen grew jealous after Susu suggested he might travel with the Great Feng beauty.
  • Hengyuan and Chu Yuanzhen waited as Song Qing’s method revived a child, who saw the black dog’s corpse and Wei Yuan’s unresponsive body.
  • Xu Qi'an and Mu Nanzhi departed the capital together to roam the jianghu.

Ch. 520Volume-end recap, foreshadowing explained, performance report, and leave request

The author recapped Volume Two of Nightwatchers, explaining the foreshadowing behind Wei Yuan’s resurrection and reporting on the book’s performance. The author announced a day off to outline the upcoming jianghu volume and explained that recent social events had slowed updates.

  • The author explained that Wei Yuan’s remnant soul, preserved by the carving knife and Confucian cap, combined with Song Qing’s human transmutation and the lotus seeds to enable his resurrection.
  • The author described Volume Two’s major plotlines and highlighted its popular arcs, including Yuyang Pass, Zhende’s death, and the father-son showdown.
  • The author reported average subscriptions of 71,000 per chapter and 41,000 latest-chapter subscriptions, with the father-son showdown reaching 45,000 subscriptions in a day.
  • The author said the next volume would move into the jianghu and introduce characters beyond the capital.
  • The author requested a day off to prepare the next volume’s outline and said recent social events had contributed to slower updates.

Ch. 521Hidden Dragon City

Song Qing told the Superintendent that Wei Yuan could be revived if his missing souls were recovered, while Zhong Li recounted Xu Qi'an’s latest deeds to an envious Yang Qianhuan. In Hidden Dragon City, Ji Xuan received a mission from his father and Xu Pingfeng to gather Dragon Qi and advance to the Third Rank, then was summoned by his cousin to see his mother.

  • Song Qing reported that Wei Yuan’s body had been rebuilt but his heavenly and earthly souls were missing, and the Superintendent asked when Song Qing would reach the fifth rank.
  • Zhong Li told Yang Qianhuan that Xu Qi'an had killed the emperor and reached the Third Rank, prompting Yang Qianhuan to lament that he had missed the chance to make his own name in history.
  • In Hidden Dragon City, Ji Xuan worked alongside soldiers and refugees while Daoist Jiaoye urged him to compete for the heir’s position.
  • Ji Xuan met with his father and Xu Pingfeng, who revealed that the Dragon Vein Spirit had been destroyed and that Xu Qi'an had thwarted their plans in the capital.
  • Ji Xuan’s father tasked him with finding the hosts of nine crucial Dragon Qi streams, bringing five back and using four to refine a Blood Pill, and Ji Xuan accepted the mission and the pill.
  • After leaving the meeting, Ji Xuan encountered his cousin, who said his mother wanted to see him, and he agreed to go with her.

Ch. 522Thirsty for arsenic-now that's the real flavor!

Ji Xuan told Xu Pingfeng's family that the State Preceptor had failed to extract the Fate from Xu Qi'an and that Xu Qi'an was now sealed and crippled. After reaching Yongzhou City with Mu Nanzhi, Xu Qi'an bought arsenic and drank some in front of the horrified apothecary staff.

  • Ji Xuan visited Xu Yuanshuang, Xu Yuanhuai, and their mother, and told them the State Preceptor had failed to extract Xu Qi'an's Fate and had been gravely wounded by a backlash.
  • Ji Xuan said Xu Qi'an had already uncovered the State Preceptor's identity and the truth about the Fate, but was now sealed by the Buddhist Order's Demon-Sealing Nails and had no likely hope of recovery.
  • Xu Yuanshuang asked about Ji Xuan's upcoming mission to collect Dragon Vein Spirits, and Xu Yuanhuai volunteered to accompany him.
  • Xu Qi'an and Mu Nanzhi arrived in Yongzhou City, where Xu Qi'an stopped at an apothecary and bought two jin of arsenic.
  • Xu Qi'an mixed some arsenic into his waterskin and drank it in front of the shopkeeper and assistant, then left with the rest.

Ch. 523Eating Crab

Xu Qi'an and Mu Nanzhi arrived in Yongzhou City, where they learned that the Gongsun Family had claimed a dangerous tomb in the southern mountains. After making plans to pursue his cultivation and search for materials, they went to Yangbai Lake to eat crab, where a Gongsun Family boat approached their pleasure boat.

  • Xu Qi'an poisoned his horse’s saddle and warned the inn staff to feed the horse properly before checking into Not Drunk Lodge with Mu Nanzhi.
  • Xu Qi'an and Mu Nanzhi heard that a dangerous tomb had been discovered in the southern mountains and that the Gongsun Family had occupied the area.
  • Xu Qi'an asked the shopkeeper about Yongzhou’s major jianghu powers and learned that Gongsun Manor and Dragon God Fort were the strongest nearby.
  • Xu Qi'an brought out the Nine-Colored Lotus Root and considered his plans to cultivate the Seven Absolutes Gu, find Dragon Qi hosts, and collect materials for the Soul-Summoning Bell.
  • Xu Qi'an booked seats on a pleasure boat, and he and Mu Nanzhi enjoyed river crabs on Yangbai Lake.
  • Mu Nanzhi spotted a large boat flying the Gongsun Family flag as it approached their boat.

Ch. 524Rain was coming

Xu Qi'an encountered Gongsun Xiu and her party as they prepared to explore the South Mountain Great Tomb, then warned them that the tomb was dangerous and hinted at a way to call for help. After the party mocked his warning, heavy rain began to fall, proving his prediction correct.

  • Xu Qi'an used Shadow Gu's Shadow Jump to save a girl from falling into the lake, then met Gongsun Xiu when she crossed to his boat.
  • Gongsun Xiu invited Xu Qi'an aboard her ship, where he introduced himself as Xu Qian and heard about the Gongsun Clan's planned tomb expedition.
  • Xu Qi'an warned Gongsun Xiu that the tomb was dangerous, but she said the party intended to explore it that night.
  • Xu Qi'an declined to join the expedition and told the party to shout, “Have you forgotten your agreement with that person?” if they faced a crisis.
  • The martial artists mocked Xu Qi'an after he left, but heavy rain soon swept across the lake and stunned Gongsun Xiu and the others.

Ch. 525The desiccated corpse: Where is he? (Two chapters combined)

Xu Qi'an entered the underground palace while Gongsun Xiu’s group lured out and killed a powerful tomb-guarding beast before exploring the tomb. The group encountered a dried corpse that nearly drained them of their Qi and blood, but Gongsun Xiu invoked her agreement with Xu Qi'an, prompting the corpse to stop and demand to know where he was.

  • Xu Qi'an left the inn through shadows and entered the collapsed opening on South Mountain to reach the underground palace.
  • Gongsun Xiu’s group baited a lizard-like tomb-guarding beast out of the hole, then killed it with oil, fire, and spears.
  • Gongsun Xiu led eighteen explorers into the tomb, where they found scattered zombie limbs and a collapsed main burial chamber.
  • A seated dried corpse opened its eyes and drained the Qi and blood of the explorers, killing most of them.
  • Gongsun Xiu shouted about her agreement with Xu Qi'an, stopping the corpse, which demanded to know where he was and whether he had brought back the Fate.

Ch. 526An Expert

Xu Qi'an met the ancient corpse sealed beneath the tomb, gathered rare materials for Wei Yuan’s resurrection, and strengthened his Corpse Gu. He left after warning Gongsun Xiu and the others to seal the tomb, then departed without revealing his identity.

  • Gongsun Xiu told the desiccated corpse that Xu Qi'an had given her the warning, and the corpse explained that Xu Qi'an had sealed him less than a year earlier.
  • Xu Qi'an arrived, sent Gongsun Xiu and the other martial artists outside, and asked the desiccated corpse for his nails, venom, and Corpse Qi.
  • Xu Qi'an told the desiccated corpse that his lord might still be alive under another identity, and the corpse accepted the possibility.
  • Xu Qi'an collected five nails and venom from the desiccated corpse, then absorbed its Corpse Qi and greatly strengthened his Corpse Gu.
  • Xu Qi'an warned Gongsun Xiu and the others to seal the tomb and keep everyone from entering, then walked away without giving his name.

Ch. 527A fright

Xu Qi'an gathered poisonous herbs and venom to strengthen Poison Gu, then returned to the inn and frightened Mu Nanzhi as a prank. Meanwhile, Gongsun Xiu returned to Gongsun Manor exhausted and asked her father to discuss what happened in the tomb privately.

  • Old Daoist Qinggu's poem convinced the martial artists that he was an immortal from eight hundred years ago, and Gongsun Xiu watched him leave in awe.
  • Xu Qi'an searched the mountains for poisonous plants and venomous snakes, gathering poisons to feed Poison Gu and improve his strength.
  • Xu Qi'an slipped into the inn and startled Mu Nanzhi beneath her quilt; after she tried to attack him, she sulked and eventually fell asleep while he considered how to find Dragon Qi.
  • Gongsun Xiu returned to Gongsun Manor before daybreak and told Gongsun Xiangyang that she had lost much Qi and blood.
  • Gongsun Xiu asked Gongsun Xiangyang to go to his study so she could explain what had happened in the tomb.

Ch. 528Disgraces to the sect

Gongsun Xiu told Gongsun Xiangyang how an expert had sealed the ancient corpse in the tomb, and the Gongsun Clan head decided to help guard the tomb and seek out the master. At the Heaven Sect, the Heavenly Venerable ordered Primordial Lady Bingyi to bring Li Miaozhen back under arrest and Daoist Master Xuancheng to find the missing Holy Son, whose many romantic entanglements had disgraced the sect.

  • Gongsun Xiangyang gave Gongsun Xiu Purple Jade Ginseng King to restore her after the tomb battle.
  • Gongsun Xiu explained that an ancient corpse had nearly killed her group, but stopped when she repeated the expert’s words.
  • Gongsun Xiu revealed that the expert had sealed the corpse and warned them to guard the tomb; Gongsun Xiangyang planned to involve Dragon God Fort and search for the expert.
  • The Heavenly Venerable reprimanded Primordial Lady Bingyi because Li Miaozhen had become a celebrated heroine and ordered her to bring Li Miaozhen back under arrest.
  • The Heavenly Venerable told Daoist Master Xuancheng to find the missing Holy Son, then revealed that the Holy Son had formed romantic ties with over a hundred women.
  • A female Daoist proposed expelling Li Miaozhen and the Holy Son as disgraces to the Heaven Sect, but the Heavenly Venerable gave no answer.

Ch. 529Jumping into the river

Xu Qi'an used the Gongsun Clan and Dragon God Fort to arrange a Yongzhou martial arts gathering, hoping to draw Dragon Qi hosts together, then traveled with Mu Nanzhi through the region. In Fuyang County, he rescued a woman who had jumped into the river and learned she was Zhang the Cripple’s wife.

  • Gongsun Xiangyang told Lei Zheng about the danger in the tomb, and Lei Zheng agreed to visit Xu Qi'an after practicing his saber.
  • Xu Qi'an made poison pills with ancient corpse venom, then unnerved Gongsun Xiangyang and Lei Zheng by eating one in front of them.
  • Xu Qi'an asked the two leaders to organize a Yongzhou martial arts gathering in a month and a half, and they agreed to create a ranking contest with prizes.
  • Xu Qi'an and Mu Nanzhi left Yongzhou City to travel around the region and stopped in Fuyang County for its famous yellow wine.
  • Xu Qi'an jumped into the river and rescued a drowning woman, who wept that she wanted to die; bystanders identified her as Zhang the Cripple’s wife.

Ch. 530Injustice

Xu Qi'an rescued a young woman who tried to drown herself after Zhu Er exploited her husband’s gambling debts to claim her. He gave her thirty taels to redeem herself, but Zhu Er accused the couple of stealing the silver and imprisoned them, leaving Xu Qi'an planning to intervene again.

  • Xu Qi'an and Mu Nanzhi brought the rescued young woman to an old man's home, where they learned her husband, Zhang the Cripple, had pawned her to Zhu Er over gambling debts.
  • After hearing she owed thirty taels, Xu Qi'an offered either to repay the debt or help her leave her husband; she chose to return to him, so Xu Qi'an gave her the silver.
  • Zhu Er ordered his men to recapture the young woman and planned to let his subordinates abuse her, while reflecting on his recent good fortune and growing influence.
  • The young woman and Zhang the Cripple brought the thirty taels to redeem her, but Zhu Er accused them of stealing his silver and had them locked in a woodshed.
  • At the inn, Xu Qi'an told Mu Nanzhi he would visit the young woman's home and see the matter through.

Ch. 531Sister Beauties in His Arms

Xu Qi'an rescued Zhang the Cripple’s wife, killed the corrupt Head Constable Li and Zhu Er, and captured Zhu Er’s Dragon Qi before continuing to Pingzhou with Mu Nanzhi. At the Fortune Source Inn, a woman from the East Sea Dragon Palace demanded that Xu Qi'an give up their courtyard for her master.

  • Xu Qi'an gave Zhang the Cripple’s wife thirty taels of silver after rescuing her from the river, then learned that Zhu Er had accused him of rape to seize his horse and have him arrested.
  • Xu Qi'an killed Head Constable Li and Zhu Er, maimed their men, and absorbed the Dragon Qi that emerged from Zhu Er’s body.
  • Xu Qi'an and Mu Nanzhi fled Fuyang County with the rescued woman and the little mare, then rode on to Pingzhou four days later.
  • In Pingzhou, Xu Qi'an and Mu Nanzhi saw an East Sea Dragon Palace procession carrying a young man accompanied by twin beauties, then checked into the Fortune Source Inn.
  • A woman in indigo entered their courtyard and offered Xu Qi'an a gold ingot to surrender it to her master.

Ch. 532Half an old acquaintance

Xu Qi'an fought the East Sea Dragon Palace party over their attempt to take his courtyard, then discovered that their arrogant young man was Li Lingsu, the Heaven Sect’s Holy Son. Li Lingsu entered Xu Qi'an’s dream and begged for help, leaving Xu Qi'an asking what had happened and why he had targeted him.

  • Xu Qi'an refused to give up his courtyard, and Zhu'er attacked him before he paralyzed and kicked her away.
  • Sister Qing challenged Xu Qi'an, but his Shadow Jump and poison let him withstand her attacks and force a stalemate.
  • Sister Qing ended the fight and left with the black-robed young man, while she and her sister discussed Xu Qi'an’s Gu Arts and their own important business.
  • Xu Qi'an searched Pingzhou’s market for a Dragon Qi host without success, then returned to the inn with Mu Nanzhi and resolved to advance his Seven Absolutes Gu.
  • Li Lingsu entered Xu Qi'an’s dream, identified himself as the Heaven Sect’s Holy Son, and begged Xu Qi'an to save him.

Ch. 533Escape

Xu Qi'an agreed to help Li Lingsu escape the Dongfang sisters after learning how the Heaven Sect Holy Son had become entangled with three powerful women. He and Li Lingsu slipped away during a staged animal attack, but Dongfang Wanrong's divination failed to find them.

  • Li Lingsu explained that he had left Dongfang Wanrong and Dongfang Wanqing to pursue his Dao, and that they later captured him and sealed his cultivation.
  • Li Lingsu told Xu Qi'an that a Love Gu Tribe girl had also fallen for him and planted Love Gu in him, then offered half his savings as payment for a rescue.
  • Xu Qi'an agreed to try to help Li Lingsu escape, and the next day Li Lingsu persuaded Dongfang Wanrong to take their party shopping in Pingzhou.
  • At a shop, Li Lingsu used a rat to signal Xu Qi'an, who sent rats and dogs to distract Dongfang Wanqing and her guards before taking Li Lingsu away.
  • Dongfang Wanqing told Dongfang Wanrong that Li Lingsu had been taken, and Dongfang Wanrong's divination using his hair failed.

Ch. 534Exchanging Information

Dongfang Wanrong and Dongfang Wanqing found a note explaining that Li Lingsu had left to seek his Dao, and they decided to let him go for now. On the road to the capital, Xu Qi'an and Mu Nanzhi traveled with Li Lingsu, who became alarmed when Xu Qi'an revealed knowledge of the Heaven and Human Contest’s hidden stakes.

  • Dongfang Wanrong and Dongfang Wanqing read Li Lingsu’s farewell note and agreed to find him again after handling their other business.
  • Xu Qi'an and Mu Nanzhi traveled toward the capital with Li Lingsu, who planned to visit the Imperial Music Bureau and retrieve his belongings.
  • Li Lingsu discussed the Heaven and Human Contest and boasted that he could have defeated Chu Yuanzhen and Silver Gong Xu.
  • Xu Qi'an told Li Lingsu that Yuanjing had sought to sacrifice the nation’s Fate to the Shaman God Cult and had been killed by Silver Gong Xu.
  • Xu Qi'an asked about the Heaven and Human Contest’s consequences, and Li Lingsu recoiled and demanded to know who he really was.

Ch. 535The print edition is going on sale

The author announced the print edition’s release date, platforms, and first three volumes, and explained why the books would not be signed. The author also updated readers on the character event and asked for monthly tickets.

  • The author said the print edition would launch on Tmall on December 3 at 8:12 p.m., then go on sale on JD.com, Dangdang, and other platforms the next day.
  • The author listed the first three volumes and said Alliance Leaders could receive copies in batches by contacting Jiu'er.
  • The author explained that signing copies was impractical and said they had given up practicing the publisher-designed signature.
  • The author said Huaiqing had failed to debut while the little mare won first place in Group C, then listed the characters’ groups and invited readers to vote.
  • The author asked readers to cast monthly tickets.

Ch. 536Take a gamble, turn a bicycle into a motorcycle

Xu Qi'an learned more about the Heaven Sect’s disappearing masters and traveled west with Li Lingsu and Mu Nanzhi while the crown prince prepared to take the throne. Just as Xu Qi'an and Mu Nanzhi drew close at an inn, a white-robed arcanist appeared beside their bed.

  • Li Lingsu told Xu Qi'an that Heaven Sect cultivators vanished as they reached higher ranks, and Xu Qi'an asked where the Dao Venerable had gone.
  • Li Lingsu explained that Dongfang Wanrong and Dongfang Qing were traveling to Leizhou to seek a Buddhist Pagoda that might help resurrect Nalan Tianlu.
  • Consort Chen urged the crown prince to banish the empress, but Grand Secretary Wang warned that doing so could damage the imperial family’s dignity and provoke Xu Qi'an.
  • Huaiqing watched Lin'an enjoy herself and worried about the challenges awaiting the crown prince, including Yunzhou’s rebellion.
  • Xu Qi'an traveled west with Li Lingsu and Mu Nanzhi, then received a broken message through a conch from the Superintendent’s second disciple and replied with his location.
  • Xu Qi'an edged close to Mu Nanzhi in bed and asked to see her real face, but a white-robed arcanist suddenly appeared at the head of the bed.

Ch. 537An Irreconcilable Conflict

Xu Qi'an learned that the Buddhist Pagoda in Leizhou held both Shenshu's severed arm and a crucial strand of Dragon Qi, drawing him into conflict with the Shaman God Cult and a Buddhist Vajra. After Sun Xuanji left to prepare, Xu Qi'an set out west with Mu Nanzhi and Li Lingsu.

  • Xu Qi'an recognized Sun Xuanji, who explained that the Superintendent had sent him to recruit Xu Qi'an for the opening of the Buddhist Pagoda in Leizhou.
  • Sun Xuanji told Xu Qi'an to stop the Shaman God Cult from rescuing Nalan Tianlu's soul and to retrieve Shenshu's severed arm from the pagoda.
  • Xu Qi'an learned that a Dharma-Protecting Vajra and a Spirit Wisdom Master might oppose him, and that one of the nine crucial Dragon Qi strands was inside the pagoda.
  • Sun Xuanji agreed to help from outside the pagoda and said Yang Qianhuan had been suppressed after investigating the crown prince.
  • The next morning, Xu Qi'an teased Li Lingsu about his virility-boosting herbs, then rode west with Li Lingsu and Mu Nanzhi.

Ch. 538The Holy Son with Connections Across the Nine Provinces

Xu Qi'an disguised Li Lingsu and traveled with him and Mu Nanzhi toward Leizhou, where Li Lingsu hoped to obtain Red-Tailed Fiery Eagles through an old romantic connection. They reached the Leizhou Chamber of Commerce’s Zhangzhou branch, where Li Lingsu went to ask for an audience with its chairman.

  • Xu Qi'an used a potion to alter Li Lingsu’s face and warned him that the disguise would last only twenty-four hours and would not change his mannerisms.
  • Over lunch, Li Lingsu praised chicken essence and learned that Xu Qi'an had invented it, then explained that a boat would not get them to Leizhou in time.
  • Li Lingsu proposed acquiring Red-Tailed Fiery Eagles through the Leizhou Chamber of Commerce, saying he had once fallen in love with Rou'er, its young miss.
  • Five days later, Xu Qi'an, Li Lingsu, and Mu Nanzhi arrived in Zhangzhou and went to the chamber’s branch.
  • Li Lingsu admitted he had lost Rou'er’s token but told Xu Qi'an to wait before approaching the branch chairman.

Ch. 539Wenren Qianrou

Li Lingsu, Xu Qi'an, and Mu Nanzhi secured Red-Tailed Fiery Eagles with Mu Nanzhi’s flower tea and flew to Leizhou to meet Wenren Qianrou. In the capital, Primordial Lady Bingyi searched for Li Miaozhen, delivered a warning to Luo Yuheng, and revealed that the Heaven Sect considered Li Lingsu to have taken an evil path; Xu Qi'an then recognized Wenren Qianrou’s name but could not recall why it seemed familiar.

  • Li Lingsu asked President Yang to lend them three Red-Tailed Fiery Eagles, and Mu Nanzhi persuaded him with three packets of fragrant flower tea.
  • Xu Qi'an whistled and effortlessly won the four eagles’ attention, then left his horse in President Yang’s care.
  • Primordial Lady Bingyi searched Xu Qi'an’s home for Li Miaozhen, learned she had left to wander the martial world, and heard Auntie praise her role in killing the emperor.
  • Primordial Lady Bingyi told Luo Yuheng that the Heavenly Venerable expected her to reach the First Rank within three years, and Luo Yuheng said she could transcend the Heavenly Tribulation through dual cultivation.
  • After ten days, Xu Qi'an, Mu Nanzhi, and Li Lingsu reached Leizhou, where Li Lingsu asked the chamber of commerce to notify Wenren Qianrou.
  • Xu Qi'an found Wenren Qianrou’s name familiar but could not remember where he had heard it.

Ch. 540Probing Three Flowers Temple

Xu Qi'an and Li Lingsu traveled to Leizhou to investigate Three Flowers Temple and its Pagoda Treasure Tower, which Xu Qi'an suspected was being used to absorb Great Feng's Dragon Qi. At the temple, they found monks barring local martial artists from entering, and Li Lingsu confronted an arrogant young monk with a firearm.

  • Wenren Qianrou reunited with Li Lingsu and welcomed Xu Qi'an and Mu Nanzhi to the Wenren residence.
  • Wenren Qianrou told Xu Qi'an that the Pagoda Treasure Tower would open in nine days and recounted rumors about its treasures and a recent display of golden light and dragon cries.
  • Xu Qi'an decided to scout Three Flowers Temple with Li Lingsu, while Wenren Qianrou lent Li Lingsu a firearm to protect himself because his cultivation was sealed.
  • Xu Qi'an and Li Lingsu reached Three Flowers Temple at Golden Light Mountain and saw a young monk drive away local martial artists seeking to enter the temple.
  • Li Lingsu drew the firearm and aimed it at the young monk after the monk insulted Great Feng and challenged them.
Arc 21 of 38
Arc 21 of 38