Recaps

Lin Sheng helped the hunters capture thirty-two horned badgers despite a sudden attack, then discovered he could switch between previously assimilated beasts through the Mountain Sea Scroll. Meanwhile, Chun Niang and the wounded Zhou Tong hid in the outer city as the Tooth Gang watched the gates and searched for them.

• Horned badgers attacked the hunters from behind, and Lin Sheng killed two that threatened him and Xiao Shi before the hunters subdued the herd; three hunters were injured and two died.
• Zhang Ding credited Lin Sheng for saving Xiao Shi, while Lin Sheng learned that horned badgers granted Stamina Boost 1 and Agility Boost 1 and assimilated one through the Mountain Sea Scroll.
• Lin Sheng discovered he could switch among previously assimilated beasts in the scroll, though changing to the Iron Yak took about two hours to restore its Strength Boost.
• The hunters returned to camp with thirty-two horned badgers, and Lin Sheng practiced the Raging Bull Fist before going to bed.
• Chun Niang entered a hiding place in the eastern outer city and told Zhou Tong that Tooth Gang members were watching the city gates and apothecaries.
• Wounded Zhou Tong complained that he and Chun Niang were being blamed for Liu Ergou's death and vowed to punish whoever had framed them.

Chun Niang and Zhou Tong planned to track down the person who attacked them, while Lin Sheng collected his mission reward and went to Small Market Street seeking White Ape Blood for his cultivation. The white ape at the stall suddenly smashed its head against its cage, leaving Lin Sheng and the stallholder stunned.

• Chun Niang told Zhou Tong that Fish Fat Grass residue could help them track whoever had taken something from Liu Ergou, and Zhou Tong ordered her to dispose of the family they had tied up.
• Chun Niang killed the three residents of the house, and her weasel fed on their corpses.
• Liu Yuanshan sent Tooth Gang members to watch the apothecaries and city gates, then ordered them to deliver a letter to the Axe Gang.
• Lin Sheng learned he had earned two taels of silver and an extra day off for exceeding the mission requirements, then asked Zhang Ding where he could find white apes.
• Lin Sheng found a white ape for sale on Small Market Street, learned its asking price was one hundred taels, and asked whether the stallholder sold White Ape Blood instead.
• The white ape suddenly struck its head against the cage bars until its head split open, astonishing Lin Sheng and the stallholder.

Lin Sheng integrated White Ape Blood and gained Agility Boost 2, then used his improved agility to rapidly cultivate the White Ape Leg Technique. By noon, he had reached the beginner level and continued training after eating.

• Lin Sheng bought White Ape Blood from a stall owner and returned home with it.
• Lin Sheng integrated the White Ape Blood, gaining Agility Boost 2, and found the integration used less than half the blood he had bought.
• Lin Sheng tested his increased agility in the courtyard and considered switching between the White Ape and Iron Yak to suit different needs.
• Lin Sheng practiced the White Ape Leg Technique and reached the beginner level in just over one shichen.
• Lin Sheng ate three pounds of dried meat to recover from his hunger, then resumed training toward minor accomplishment.

Lin Sheng advanced the White Ape Leg Technique to Minor Mastery, gaining greater speed and a powerful killing move. Meanwhile, Ma Qiang entered the Body Tempering realm and vowed to get revenge on Lin Sheng, but hesitated when Ma Long offered to transfer him to his side.

• Lin Sheng spent two days practicing the White Ape Leg Technique and completed an easy hunting mission with only minor injuries among the hunters.
• Lin Sheng broke a wooden stake with White Ape Snatching the Moon and reached Minor Mastery in the White Ape Leg Technique.
• Ma Qiang used a Blood Cultivating Pill to enter the Body Tempering realm and swore to repay Lin Sheng for his humiliation.
• Ma Long praised Ma Qiang, gave him a second Blood Cultivating Pill, and offered to bring him under his command.
• Ma Qiang asked to wait until next month before leaving Wang Sanyang's squad, and Ma Long guessed the delay involved Lin Sheng.

Ma Long encouraged Ma Qiang to eliminate Lin Sheng before he could grow stronger, while revealing he might soon reach late Muscle Forging. In Lin'an County City, Xie Chunniang and Zhou Tong were ambushed, and Liu Yuanshan captured them after Sun Ping betrayed them for Snake Orchid Fruits.

• Ma Long rebuked Ma Qiang for his behavior in Ninth Squad, then told him to deal with Lin Sheng thoroughly and said Liu Jie would help.
• Ma Long told Ma Qiang that he might reach late Muscle Forging before the beast tide arrived.
• Axe Gang members stormed the courtyard where Xie Chunniang and Zhou Tong were hiding, netted Zhou Tong, and forced Xie Chunniang to flee alone.
• Sun Ping ambushed Xie Chunniang and knocked her down, while Liu Yuanshan arrived and revealed that Sun Ping had helped the Tooth Gang in exchange for three Snake Orchid Fruits.
• Liu Yuanshan dismissed Xie Chunniang's explanation about his younger brother, knocked Zhou Tong unconscious, and ordered Tooth Gang members to take them away.

Lin Sheng joined Zhang Ding and the Ninth Squad in Yangping Mountain to hunt a powerful Tusk Mountain Boar, learning about the rewards and medicinal pills made from Spirit Beast Blood. The squad continued deeper into the mountain, while Zhang Ding revealed his hope that a Blood Cultivating Pill might help him reach the Muscle Forging realm.

• Lin Sheng and Zhang Ding encountered outsiders hunting in Yangping Mountain, and Zhang Ding explained that Town Mountain Tower allowed hunters to enter in exchange for a share of their harvest.
• Zhang Ding and an old hunter warned Lin Sheng that the Tusk Mountain Boar was extremely strong and tough, though traps and caution could help the squad deal with it.
• Zhang Ding told the Ninth Squad that completing the hunt would earn each member a Blood Nourishing Pill and two taels of silver.
• Zhang Ding explained to Lin Sheng that Blood Nourishing Pills were made from diluted Spirit Beast Blood and could aid cultivation, especially for martial artists who had not entered Body Tempering.
• Zhang Ding told Lin Sheng that Blood Cultivating Pills were more powerful and said he hoped one might help him break through to the Muscle Forging realm.

Lin Sheng and the Ninth Squad tracked the Tusk Mountain Boar deep into Yangping Mountain and prepared an ambush in its territory. As the beast approached, Ma Qiang and Liu Jie planned to use the hunt to kill Lin Sheng and disguise it as an accident.

• Zhang Ding said he hoped the beast tide would give him a chance to obtain a Blood Cultivating Pill, and the hunters continued deeper into Yangping Mountain.
• The Ninth Squad reached the Tusk Mountain Boar's territory, found signs of its recent activity, and set traps under Wang Sanyang's direction.
• Ma Qiang agreed to Liu Jie's plan to cripple Lin Sheng during the hunt and let the Tusk Mountain Boar kill him.
• Lin Sheng checked their weapons and supplies, then hid in a tree and waited for the beast to arrive.
• A deep roar sounded, and the colossal Tusk Mountain Boar began approaching the hunters' ambush.

Lin Sheng watched the Hunters' Hall lure the Tusk Mountain Boar into eating a sedated rock sheep, then saw Wang Sanyang and Ninth Squad ambush it. The wounded beast remained terrifyingly resilient and was still rampaging after the hunters threw iron rods at it.

• The Tusk Mountain Boar ate the sedated rock sheep and fell into a deep sleep.
• Wang Sanyang and several Body Tempering martial artists from Ninth Squad attacked the sleeping boar, wounding its eye and several other vital areas before retreating.
• The Tusk Mountain Boar woke and rampaged through the forest despite its severe injuries.
• Wang Sanyang ordered the hunters to throw their iron spears at the boar.
• Five of the seven iron rods struck the Tusk Mountain Boar, slowing it but failing to bring it down.

Lin Sheng narrowly escaped Liu Jie’s attempted ambush while avoiding the rampaging Tusk Mountain Boar. Ma Qiang and Liu Jie planned to transfer him to the Third Squad so they could deal with him more easily.

• As Lin Sheng prepared to throw an iron rod at the Tusk Mountain Boar, Liu Jie hurled a pebble at him from behind.
• Lin Sheng dodged the pebble, caught a rope while falling, and climbed to safety as the boar rampaged below.
• Lin Sheng recognized Ma Qiang and Liu Jie as his attackers and returned his attention to the hunt.
• Liu Jie admitted to Ma Qiang that Lin Sheng had noticed the attack, but argued they could deny it without evidence.
• Ma Qiang decided to ask his brother to transfer Lin Sheng to the Third Squad after the mission.

After the Beast Hunter Hall killed a powerful Tusk Mountain Boar, Lin Sheng secretly integrated it and gained major boosts to his strength and constitution. He left with strength rivaling Wang Sanyang’s and skin tough enough to resist a blade wielded with several hundred pounds of force.

• Wang Sanyang finished off the wounded Tusk Mountain Boar, and the Beast Hunter Hall hunters gathered to harvest its tusks and meat.
• Lin Sheng secretly cut into the boar’s hind leg and confirmed that integrating it would grant Strength Boost 2 and Constitution Boost 2.
• Lin Sheng integrated the boar by drawing its blood into his hand, and the process caused a powerful physical transformation.
• Lin Sheng felt that Strength Boost 2 raised his strength by over a thousand pounds, bringing his raw power close to Wang Sanyang’s.
• Lin Sheng tested his tougher skin with a dagger and found that it took roughly three to four hundred pounds of force to break the skin on his arm.

After the hunters killed a Tusk Mountain Boar and began preparing to leave, two more appeared and attacked them. Lin Sheng escaped into the brush and searched the fleeing hunters, but could not find the person he was looking for.

• Lin Sheng assessed his strength and considered how to deal with Ma Qiang and Liu Jie after they had tried to kill him.
• Wang Sanyang and the others removed the boar’s tusks, gathered meat, and prepared to leave the area.
• Two Tusk Mountain Boars suddenly charged the hunters, killing several newcomers who tried to climb trees.
• Lin Sheng fled faster than the other hunters and hid in the brush while the boars chased the scattered group.
• Lin Sheng searched the fleeing hunters for his target but failed to find them.

Lin Sheng escaped the Tusk Mountain Boar and pursued Ma Qiang and Liu Jie, while Wang Sanyang turned back to protect the hunters from another boar. Lin Sheng caught up with the two men in the forest and prepared to confront them.

• Lin Sheng avoided the Tusk Mountain Boar’s attention and raced away as it killed hunters.
• Wang Sanyang rallied Zhang Ding and other hunters to fight a Tusk Mountain Boar while some fled into the bushes.
• Ma Qiang and Liu Jie rested after escaping, then discussed Lin Sheng’s death and plotted to visit his family for compensation money.
• Lin Sheng caught up with Ma Qiang and Liu Jie, declaring that it would have been too easy for them if they had died to the Tusk Mountain Boar.

Lin Sheng ambushed Ma Qiang and Liu Jie, revealing strength far beyond an ordinary man and defeating both of them. After killing Liu Jie, Lin Sheng found a thin booklet among his belongings and wondered if it was another martial arts manual.

• Ma Qiang approached Lin Sheng, but Lin Sheng hurled an iron spear through his abdomen and pinned him to a tree.
• Liu Jie attacked Lin Sheng with a pebble and steel saber, but Lin Sheng caught the saber barehanded and crushed it.
• Liu Jie threw lime powder and poisoned darts at Lin Sheng, but the poison did not stop him.
• Lin Sheng caught up with Liu Jie and kicked him into the weeds, where Liu Jie died from his injuries.
• Lin Sheng searched Liu Jie's body and found a thin booklet that might have been a martial arts manual.

Lin Sheng killed Ma Qiang after killing Liu Jie, then cleaned himself up and left Yangping Mountain with the surviving hunters. Back at his residence, he examined the items he had taken and found Liu Jie's hidden weapon manual and poisoned darts.

• Lin Sheng pulled the spear from Ma Qiang and killed him, then searched both corpses and fled into the forest.
• Lin Sheng left the bodies for mountain wolves, washed off the blood and lime powder, and checked his shoulder where Liu Jie's poisoned dart had struck.
• Lin Sheng reached a ruined temple supply point and joined injured hunters from the Ninth Squad as more survivors arrived.
• The hunters agreed to descend the mountain, and the group reached the foot of Yangping Mountain by the following evening.
• Lin Sheng returned to his residence and discovered that Liu Jie's booklet contained hidden weapon techniques, not a cultivation manual.
• Lin Sheng examined Liu Jie's poisoned darts and the remaining belongings, then wondered what Ma Qiang's possessions might be worth.

Lin Sheng hid the pills and money he had taken from Ma Qiang, then learned that Wang Sanyang’s squad had returned badly injured after encountering three Tusk Mountain Boars. Ma Long arrived searching for his missing brother Ma Qiang and then asked to see Lin Sheng.

• Lin Sheng found a potent aphrodisiac and a crimson pill that seemed to stir blood and qi among Ma Qiang’s belongings, then concealed the items.
• After resting until noon, Lin Sheng hurried to the Ninth Squad’s station when he heard that Wang Sanyang and the others had returned.
• Lin Sheng saw Wang Sanyang injured and carrying four white tusks, while Zhang Ding and other squad members received treatment for severe wounds.
• Ma Long confronted Wang Sanyang about Ma Qiang’s whereabouts and heard that the squad had faced three Tusk Mountain Boars and suffered heavy casualties.
• Ma Long searched the crowd and asked where the promising newcomer Lin Sheng was.

After Ma Long questioned Lin Sheng about surviving the Tusk Mountain Boar attack, Tian Hu intervened and sent Ma Long away. Lin Sheng resolved to strengthen his position, while Ma Long secretly planned to kill him in a few days.

• Ma Long confronted Lin Sheng at the Ninth Squad station and questioned why he had survived when Liu Jie and many others had died.
• Wang Sanyang defended Lin Sheng and challenged Ma Long, but Tian Hu arrived and ordered the injured hunters taken for treatment.
• Ma Long left after warning Wang Sanyang about his injured arm, and Lin Sheng helped clean up the station before returning home.
• Lin Sheng worried that Ma Long would target him and decided to find a way to eliminate the threat or raise his standing in the Beast Hunter Hall.
• At the Third Squad station, Ma Long ordered hunters to search the Ninth Squad's route for Ma Qiang or Liu Jie's remains, then resolved to find an opportunity to kill Lin Sheng in a few days.

In Red Leaf Town, the Tooth Gang ambushed the wounded Tian Song to seize the complete Ape Fetus Technique. Meng Hongsheng killed him, but the gang found no secret copy, leaving the technique beyond their reach.

• Liu Yuanshan and Tooth Gang crossbowmen surrounded Tian Song and demanded the Ape Fetus Technique manual.
• Tian Song refused, ignited his qi and blood, and killed or injured many crossbowmen as he fought Liu Yuanshan.
• Tian Song drove Liu Yuanshan back until Meng Hongsheng emerged from hiding and struck him down.
• Meng Hongsheng searched Tian Song and ordered the courtyard searched, but the gang found no secret copy of the technique.
• Meng Hongsheng left Liu Yuanshan to clean up the loose ends.

Liu Yuanshan burned Tian Song’s courtyard and recovered the Ape Fetus Technique, then spared Xie Chunniang temporarily so she could find the person who killed his younger brother. Three days later, Lin Sheng visited the badly injured Zhang Ding, who accepted that his Beast Hunter Hall career and hopes of advancing in the Martial Way were over.

• Liu Yuanshan ordered Tian Song’s courtyard burned and forced Xie Chunniang to lead him to a hiding place.
• Liu Yuanshan found the Ape Fetus Technique in a ruined temple and decided Xie Chunniang could live if she found his younger brother’s murderer within half a month.
• Xie Chunniang told Liu Yuanshan that Fish Fat Grass liquid could help identify the murderer, who might still be in Lin'an County City.
• Three days later, Lin Sheng visited Zhang Ding at a medical clinic in Yangping Town and gave him an extra Blood Nourishing Pill and news of his reward.
• Zhang Ding accepted that his injured leg would leave him lame and likely end his chances of advancing to the Muscle Forging realm.

Lin Sheng bought medicinal brews and a Compendium of Herbs, tested a Blood Nourishing Pill, and studied the differences between Herb Pills and Beast Pills. He suspected Ma Qiang’s scarlet pill was a Blood Cultivating Pill and secretly tested its powder on a stray dog.

• Lin Sheng bought medicinal brews and a Compendium of Herbs, then returned home with rock goat meat.
• Lin Sheng took a Blood Nourishing Pill and practiced the White Ape Leg Technique for an hour, noticing improved endurance and slightly stronger qi and blood.
• Lin Sheng studied the Compendium of Herbs and learned that pills were divided into Herb Pills and Beast Pills, with Beast Pills carrying more potent effects and pill poison.
• Lin Sheng identified Ma Qiang’s scarlet pill as likely a Blood Cultivating Pill and scraped some powder onto dried meat to test it.
• Lin Sheng gave the meat to a captured stray dog, which ate it and then failed to escape through the locked gate.

Lin Sheng revealed that he had entered the Body Tempering realm, earning a promotion and support from Tian Hu and Wang Sanyang. Ma Long learned of Lin Sheng’s growing talent and decided to postpone killing him until after advancing his cultivation, while ordering men to watch Lin Sheng’s parents.

• Lin Sheng confirmed his Body Tempering breakthrough to Wang Sanyang and Tian Hu, who recognized his talent and promoted him to Zhang Ding’s squad-captain position.
• Tian Hu gave Lin Sheng the complete follow-up method for the Raging Bull Fist, raised his salary, and offered him guidance.
• Lin Sheng planned to cultivate the White Ape Leg Technique and Raging Bull Fist further so he could reach Muscle Forging and withstand Ma Long.
• Ma Long learned that Lin Sheng had become a Body Tempering martial artist and a Ninth Squad captain, and judged him a growing threat.
• Ma Long ordered a subordinate to buy Blood Cultivating Pills and send skilled men to watch Lin Sheng’s parents, then focused on breaking through before targeting Lin Sheng.

Lin Sheng led a small team into Yangping Mountain, captured two Horned Eagles, and gained a powerful Perception Boost by absorbing one. He discovered that Tian Hu and Wang Sanyang had been following him, then watched them leave and felt free to act without hiding his abilities.

• Lin Sheng took Xiao Shi and two other hunters into Yangping Mountain to hunt Horned Eagles while Tian Hu and Wang Sanyang secretly followed them.
• Lin Sheng brought down a male and female Horned Eagle with thrown pebbles after the hunters' arrows missed.
• Lin Sheng absorbed a Horned Eagle and gained Perception +2, sharply improving his sight, hearing, and smell.
• Lin Sheng used his enhanced perception to spot Tian Hu and Wang Sanyang and overhear their distant conversation.
• Tian Hu and Wang Sanyang left the mountain, and Lin Sheng felt relieved that he no longer had to conceal himself from them.

Lin Sheng overheard attackers discussing a possible threat to Town Mountain Tower, then returned home and used a Blood Cultivating Pill to break through to early Muscle Forging. After practicing through the night, he also mastered the Raging Bull Fist, leaving him far stronger than before.

• Lin Sheng heard a Beast Hunter Hall team being attacked and overheard the victors hint that Town Mountain Tower would soon lose its power over Yangping Mountain.
• Lin Sheng returned to his residence, took a Blood Cultivating Pill, and mastered the White Ape Leg Technique, entering the early Muscle Forging realm.
• Lin Sheng used the pill's remaining medicinal power to practice the Raging Bull Fist, but initially failed to master it.
• Lin Sheng practiced the Raging Bull Fist through the night and shattered a bluestone with his breakthrough, mastering the technique by dawn.

Lin Sheng learned from Wang Sanyang how martial-art grades affect strength control and why practicing too many methods can damage the body. After discovering how tightly factions restrict access to advanced techniques, he reconsidered his plans for obtaining second-rate martial arts.

• Wang Sanyang explained that second-rate martial arts improve control over strength and speed more than third-rate arts, while first-rate arts can unleash a person's full power or even exceed their limits.
• Wang Sanyang revealed that Town Mountain Tower's Nine Oxen Two Tiger Saber and an explosive secret technique helped it control Yangping Mountain.
• Lin Sheng asked whether several third-rate martial arts could overcome their limits, and Wang Sanyang warned that practicing too many methods could disrupt the body and cause severe harm.
• Wang Sanyang explained that second-rate martial arts were costly and tightly controlled, and said he had waited years to learn the Thirty-Six Hand Strikes.
• Lin Sheng left the station troubled by the restrictions on advanced techniques and decided to reconsider how he would obtain and choose martial arts.

Lin Sheng realized that the Mountain Sea Scroll’s beast mergers adjusted his body to suit each martial art, letting him cultivate multiple techniques without conflict, and decided to seek out more third-rate martial arts. Meanwhile, Meng Hongsheng reported to his master that several local martial arts groups had resisted the Tooth Gang’s demands, and the old man ordered violent reprisals.

• Lin Sheng sensed his body changing during an Iron Yak merger and concluded that the Mountain Sea Scroll let him cultivate different martial arts without their techniques conflicting.
• Lin Sheng decided to collect other third-rate martial arts while he lacked access to second-rate techniques.
• An elderly master watched a servant die in a cage with starving mountain wolves, then received Meng Hongsheng’s report on the martial arts groups resisting the Tooth Gang.
• The old man ordered Black Blind Man to wipe out the White Elephant Boxing Gym and punish the Sun and Zhou families.
• Meng Hongsheng told the old man that Tian Song’s Ape Fetus Technique had not been found, and the old man ordered him to stop searching for it.

Lin Sheng prepared to kill Ma Long and used a supposed trip home to draw out Ma Long’s informants. After leaving town by cart, he confronted Wang Jiu, who had been following him, and left him no chance to speak.

• Lin Sheng assessed Ma Long’s martial strength and prepared poison while planning a swift attack.
• Lin Sheng took leave from the Ninth Squad and bought goods that made it appear he was returning home.
• Wang Jiu followed Lin Sheng to his courtyard and overheard him mention supplies for his parents, confirming his cover story to Ma Long.
• Lin Sheng left town after dark in a Beast Hunter Hall cart, while Wang Jiu and another man followed him.
• Lin Sheng suddenly appeared behind Wang Jiu and killed him before he could speak.