Chapter Summaries

Bai Pu trained his combat skills and mysteries with a replica Holy Thorn Strip and the Gene Mindscape. Meanwhile, Overlord declined a spot on the school’s Main Force Roster and chose to enter the Three Kingdoms World, determined to surpass Steel Heart.

• Bai Pu used the replica Holy Thorn Strip to sharpen his combat skills, then fought Emperor Gustav and Cao Zhang in his Gene Mindscape to train several forms of Combat Expertise.
• Beacon Fire and Chen Ge discussed replacing the injured Skywalker Wan Zhen on the Main Force Roster and chose Overlord for the spot.
• Overlord refused to join the roster, saying he planned to enter the Spirit Realm instead.
• Chen Ge asked whether Overlord was avoiding a comparison with Steel Heart, and Overlord insisted he would surpass him.
• Overlord said he would enter the Three Kingdoms World and get rid of the word “Replica” on his Fang Tian Halberd.

Xi Polytechnic University faced Sword Gate University in the High School Hegemony Competition quarterfinals, with outsiders doubting the team could survive to the team battle. Bai Pu challenged Borderland Swordsman to meet him in the first solo match, leaving the matchup undecided.

• Students discussed Xi Polytechnic's chances against Sword Gate University, while a popular post predicted Sword Gate would dominate if the match reached the team battle.
• Bai Pu refused to make a final entrance or take the captaincy, leaving Xuanpin as captain.
• Qian Yu introduced both teams as they entered the arena, and the players exchanged taunts before the match.
• Lan Feng challenged Blood Spider and said she hoped to face her in a solo match.
• Bai Pu ignored Lan Feng and challenged Borderland Swordsman to face him first in the solo stage.

Steel Heart provoked Borderland Swordsman into a solo duel, and Xuan Pin used a Spirit Realm Will notarization to prevent Xi Polytechnic from changing its lineup. Borderland Swordsman accepted, and the chapter ended as the rivals entered the arena for the opening match.

• Steel Heart challenged Borderland Swordsman during the pre-match exchange, and Borderland Swordsman deflected the challenge by accusing him of planning a trick.
• Xuan Pin offered a Spirit Realm Will notarization promising that Steel Heart would fight first, and Sword Gate University’s team reacted angrily when Borderland Swordsman stayed silent.
• Borderland Swordsman’s coach asked whether he wanted to enter the first match, and he agreed after his teammates urged him on.
• Lan Feng privately reassured Borderland Swordsman that Steel Heart lacked an ultimate, while Borderland Swordsman recalled his humiliating past defeat and convinced himself it had been unfair.
• Host Qian Yu announced that level-five Steel Heart would face level-six Borderland Swordsman in the first solo match on Golden Ring Island, setting off an enthusiastic response from the audience.

Bai Pu challenged Borderland Swordsman to keep Sword Gate University's strongest player occupied and secure a path to the team battle. On Golden Ring Island, Bai Pu overcame Borderland Swordsman's ranged tactics and began overpowering him in close combat.

• Bai Pu taunted Borderland Swordsman over their past encounters, and Borderland Swordsman opened the match by firing arrows from a bow.
• Bai Pu used Gale Wind Falling Blade to skim across the lake, deflected Borderland Swordsman's arrows, and threw his Dark Gold Shield to knock him back and slow him.
• Bai Pu charged across the remaining distance as Borderland Swordsman switched to his katana and used Wind Barrier to counter the launch effect.
• Bai Pu activated Blood River Territory, restricting Borderland Swordsman's movement, then clashed with his Wind Blade Profound Truth using Gale Mystery.
• Bai Pu's greater Strength staggered Borderland Swordsman, and Bai Pu pressed his advantage with sword strikes and a heavy kick.

Bai Pu, fighting as Steel Heart, crushed Borderland Swordsman in the arena despite his opponent’s breakthrough to a new movement technique. Borderland Swordsman left the match wondering how he could ever defeat Bai Pu.

• Borderland Swordsman awakened the prototype of the Wind Dance Profound Truth and narrowly evaded Bai Pu’s greatsword.
• Bai Pu bound Borderland Swordsman with Lasso Strike—Suppression, then battered him with Divide the World into Three when he tried to evade again.
• Bai Pu used Unstable Shield—Bombardment to finish Borderland Swordsman and claim victory in about a minute.
• Spectators were shocked that Steel Heart had so easily beaten Borderland Swordsman, whose Character Card they considered a tier stronger.
• Borderland Swordsman watched the replay and Qian Yu’s commentary, then wondered how he could possibly beat Bai Pu.

Blood Spider defeated Lan Feng, giving Xi Polytechnic two solo victories before the team forfeited its remaining three matches to save strength for the team battle. Both teams reached Golden Ring Island, exchanged taunts, and took their positions as the team match began.

• Blood Spider used Dragon Hunt Mark to track and slow Lan Feng, chased her down, and defeated her with High-Frequency Rotary Thrust.
• Qian Yu announced that Xi Polytechnic had forfeited its next three solo matches, putting Sword Gate University ahead 42 to 28.
• Xu Pin explained that the team planned to save energy and rely on Bai Pu's Blood River Territory in the team battle.
• Bai Pu assessed his recovery and Borderland Swordsman's injuries, while Blood Spider reported that Lan Feng had escaped serious harm.
• The teams arrived on Golden Ring Island, exchanged taunts, and took positions on opposite sides of the lake as the match began.

Xi Polytechnic faced Sword Gate University in a match where Bai Pu and Blood Spider protected Xuanpin while his summons developed. Xi Polytechnic defeated Sword Gate University after Xuanpin unleashed a swarm of empowered creatures and Bai Pu took down Borderland Swordsman.

• Xuanpin summoned the Gate of Nature as Jing Xi and Plain-Faced Man Number Two guarded him, while Bai Pu and Blood Spider prepared to fight.
• Steel Heart blocked Sword Gate University's opening attacks, and the teams traded casualties as Lan Feng, Jing Xi, Water Bird, and Plain-Faced Man Number Two fell.
• Bai Pu held off Borderland Swordsman and Xiong Guan while Blood Spider pursued Feicui, leaving Xuanpin time to summon Kerila and seventeen Reinforced Elite Natural Partners.
• Xuanpin marked his summoned creatures with Wild Mark, and they overwhelmed Xiong Guan as Bai Pu defeated Borderland Swordsman.
• Blood Spider defeated Feicui, and Xiong Guan surrendered, giving Xi Polytechnic the victory.

After Xi Polytechnic defeated Sword Gate University and advanced to the semifinals, Bai Pu received a letter reporting bandits in his Scania Territory and continued preparing for future equipment enhancements. He left the bandit problem for later while training on Penglai Island.

• Qian Yu announced Xi Polytechnic's team victory and semifinal advancement, while Bai Pu rose to third in the player strength Prediction Ranking.
• Teacher Cai Cai and the team celebrated their historic result over hotpot, and Bai Pu enjoyed the unfamiliar feeling of being trusted by teammates.
• Bai Pu received quarterly taxes and a letter from Ohlson reporting that brigands had taken over the Bai Song Silver Mine and killed Old Bill.
• Bai Pu decided he would need to address the bandits eventually, then told Li Ling to keep buying blue equipment loot for enhancement.
• Bai Pu resumed training on Penglai Island, where Blood Spider volunteered to test the Holy Thorn Strip (Replica)'s Cruel Admonishment on her.

Bai Pu helped Blood Spider endure Cruel Admonishment, then visited his territory in Scania and subdued the bandits at Bai Song Mine. He arranged for Qin to send his personal guard to secure the region, and learned the mine might contain a steady supply of Mithril.

• Bai Pu used the Holy Thorn Strip on Blood Spider to test whether Cruel Admonishment could improve her comprehension, then applied ointment to her whip mark.
• Lan Feng overheard Bai Pu and Blood Spider’s conversation and fled to her dorm, mistakenly imagining what they were doing.
• The quarterfinals concluded, setting up Xi Polytechnic University against Qian Yuan University and Chengji University against West Capital University in the Top Four Battle.
• Bai Pu teleported to Scania and defeated the bandits occupying Bai Song Mine, killing several leaders and bringing the survivors to Executive Officer Ohlson.
• Ohlson asked Bai Pu to oppose the decree banning nobles’ private armies, but Bai Pu said he had arranged for Qin to send his personal guard to Scania.
• Ohlson reported that Old Bill had found True Silver Sand at Bai Song Mine, suggesting the mine might hold a steady Mithril deposit.

Bai Pu secured mithril production in Scania and welcomed Goodwin and the Heavy Armor Guards, who could be sustained by the territory’s Flesh Factories. After leaving the Flesh Plague World, Bai Pu enhanced his Holy Thorn Strip (Imitation) and gained a mental-level training effect.

• Bai Pu learned that Scania could produce up to ten grams of mithril per quarter, and Mr. Ohlson worried about the cost of rebuilding the territory.
• Bai Pu told Mr. Ohlson that his personal guard was easy to feed, then introduced Goodwin and the Heavy Armor Guards, who needed only Artificial Flesh.
• Mr. Ohlson worried that the Aberrants’ bloodlust would grow without war, and Bai Pu predicted that news of the mithril would attract more enemies, including Norwegians.
• Bai Pu left the Flesh Plague World and received a simple clearance settlement, then used his Earl Crest to enter the Spirit Realm and enhance the Holy Thorn Strip (Imitation) to +4.
• The enhanced Holy Thorn Strip gained Mental Admonishment, which caused mental-level Health Point loss instead of physical wounds and could prove fatal if pushed beyond the target’s limit.

West Capital University defeated Chengji University and advanced to the finals, while Xi Polytechnic prepared to face Qian Yuan University. Bai Pu tried to provoke Hao Tian into a solo duel, but sensed something was off and asked Teacher Cai Cai to adjust Xi Polytechnic’s roster before the match.

• West Capital University defeated Chengji University as Chen Ge, Wan Ren, and Beacon Fire secured victories, earning a place in the finals.
• Xuanpin hinted that Xi Polytechnic had a powerful hidden trump card, which Blood Spider already knew about.
• Before Xi Polytechnic’s match against Qian Yuan University, the teams exchanged taunts, and Luo Yue praised Bai Pu and asked him for an autograph.
• Bai Pu challenged Hao Tian by insulting Beacon Fire and calling him out to fight, and Hao Tian accepted.
• As both teams entered the Intersection Lands of Penglai Island, Bai Pu felt uneasy and asked Teacher Cai Cai to adjust the roster for either possibility.

Qian Yuan University outmaneuvered Xi Polytechnic in the solo-match lineup, sending Chong Yang against Bai Pu and then matching Hao Tian against Blood Spider. Hao Tian revealed his new powers as a Formal Chosen of the Lord of Winter and tried to persuade Blood Spider to surrender without a fight.

• Qian Yuan University sent Chong Yang to face Steel Heart, prompting an uproar before its team leader clarified that Hao Tian had never agreed to fight Steel Heart one-on-one.
• Bai Pu defeated Chong Yang after the archer surrendered, and the next match paired Blood Spider with Hao Tian.
• Bai Pu urged Blood Spider not to force herself and to preserve her strength for a possible team battle.
• Hao Tian showed Blood Spider his Blessing of the Lord of Winter and Extreme Ice Heavy Armor skills, revealing that he had become a Formal Chosen.
• Hao Tian hoped Blood Spider would surrender so he could win without damaging his relationship with Steel Heart.

Hao Tian tried to pressure Blood Spider into surrendering, but she used a hidden Space Cutting Profound Truth to wound him. He retaliated with Ice Wheel Dance, while Blood Spider vanished into the void, leaving Hao Tian waiting for her to reappear.

• Blood Spider marked Hao Tian and attacked him with arrows, but his Extreme Ice Heavy Armor absorbed the shots as he advanced across the frozen bay.
• Hao Tian slowed and stunned Blood Spider with Ice Path, then used Ice and Snow Field to counter her speed and gradually wear down her health.
• Hao Tian urged Blood Spider to give up, explaining that his team had prepared to counter her lineup in the upcoming matches.
• Blood Spider used Space Cutting Profound Truth to remove the armor at Hao Tian's waist and land a damaging surprise attack before he knocked her away.
• Hao Tian summoned Ice Wheel Dance, but Blood Spider vanished into the void as the blades closed in, and he challenged her to stay hidden for fifteen seconds.

Hao Tian defeated Blood Spider by using Mind Freeze to interrupt her escape, while Bai Pu’s lineup adjustment helped Xi Polytechnic avoid Qian Yuan University’s planned matchup. After the loss, Blood Spider confronted Bai Pu about his reluctance to take responsibility, then asked to try one of his techniques again.

• Hao Tian’s Mind Freeze delayed Blood Spider’s Space Cutting Profound Truth, and she surrendered as his ice blades closed in.
• Bai Pu revealed that he had moved Xuan Pin to the third match, where he would face Lan Ling instead of Luo Yue.
• Xuan Pin prepared to fight Lan Ling, while Qian Yuan University’s team discussed the unexpected matchup and Lan Ling vowed she could handle him.
• Blood Spider hid in the cabin after her loss, and Bai Pu explained why he had adjusted the lineup without changing her position.
• Blood Spider told Bai Pu that he was avoiding the responsibility of leading, and he admitted she was right.
• Blood Spider said avoiding disliked things could be a victory, then asked Bai Pu to let her try his technique again.

Xuan Pin used his Natural Power Necklace and Gate of Nature to overwhelm Lan Ling with summoned creatures during their match on Crescent Moon Island. Lan Ling hid inside a mirage illusion, but Mr. Darich tracked him down and led the wolves in a pounce.

• Xuan Pin removed his Natural Power Necklace and summoned Poisonous Vine Ms. Kerila, One-Eyed Ferocious Wolf Mr. Darich, and Dryad Eirendella.
• Lan Ling created four Mirage Clones and fired five Fire Bombs at Xuan Pin, but Eirendella’s Natural Resistance weakened the spells.
• Eirendella hurled a spear at Lan Ling, destroying one clone and forcing him to conceal himself and his remaining clones in mirage mist.
• Lan Ling created an illusion of a blazing sea to hide his spellcasting and attacked Xuan Pin with fireballs from four directions.
• Xuan Pin summoned Crow Spirits and elite silver wolves to block the fireballs, while Mr. Darich tracked Lan Ling through the illusion.
• Mr. Darich led the pack of ferocious wolves as they pounced on Lan Ling inside the Mirage Illusion.

After Xuan Pin defeated Lan Ling, Xi Polytechnic forfeited its remaining solo matches and entered the team battle with Qian Yuan University. Bai Pu’s Blood River Territory proved stronger than Hao Tian’s Ice and Snow Field, and Bai Pu charged the opposing team as Xuan Pin’s apparent Gate of Nature casting drew their advance.

• Lan Ling’s Mirage Illusion failed against Mr. Darich’s silver wolves, and Lan Ling conceded to Xuan Pin.
• Qian Yuan University’s teammates reassured Lan Ling and planned to hurry through the remaining solo matches, but Xi Polytechnic forfeited both and moved the score to 28–42.
• Bai Pu learned that Xuan Pin could not reuse Gate of Nature, then asked him to pretend to cast it during the team battle.
• Host Qian Yu announced the teams’ entry as Xuan Pin appeared to summon Gate of Nature and Qian Yuan University advanced, leaving Chong Yang behind.
• Bai Pu and Hao Tian activated Blood River Territory and Ice and Snow Field, with Bai Pu’s Domain overpowering Hao Tian’s.
• Bai Pu used Gale Wind Falling Blade to rush Qian Yuan University’s team, while Hao Tian and Lan Ling tried to stop him.

Bai Pu used Gale Wind Falling Blade and Blood River Territory to break through Hao Tian’s defense and devastate the opposing team. He killed Lan Ling, Qian Shu, and Luo Yue, leaving Hao Tian to face Bai Pu and his teammates alone.

• Bai Pu ignored Lan Ling’s control skill, bypassed Hao Tian, and pulled Qian Shu and Luo Yue back into his Storm Eye.
• Hao Tian’s attempt to interrupt Bai Pu’s attack failed, and Bai Pu’s sword strike killed Lan Ling while severely injuring Qian Shu and lightly injuring Luo Yue.
• Hao Tian turned toward Xuan Pin, but the Demon Spider Queen’s Vigil Tower Shield trapped him long enough for Bai Pu to kill Qian Shu.
• Luo Yue stabbed Bai Pu with a mana-burning dagger and briefly stunned him, but Bai Pu recovered and charged after her.
• Bai Pu cut down Luo Yue, completing a triple kill.

Bai Pu’s team dismantled Qian Yuan University after exposing Xuanpin’s bluff about Gate of Nature, leaving Hao Tian to face Bai Pu alone. Bai Pu turned the duel into a public challenge aimed at drawing Beacon Fire into a future finals matchup, and the two MTs fought to a standstill.

• Hao Tian realized Xuanpin had used his supposed Gate of Nature threat to bait Qian Yuan University into a chaotic team fight, but Xuanpin vanished when Hao Tian struck him with Deep Freeze.
• Bai Pu killed Luo Yue while Blood Spider took down Chong Yang, leaving Hao Tian’s team on the brink of defeat.
• Hao Tian turned back and found Bai Pu waiting for him, with Blood Spider and the Plain-Faced Men staying out of the fight.
• Bai Pu challenged Hao Tian to a fair duel, using the confrontation to build pressure on Beacon Fire ahead of the finals.
• Hao Tian charged Bai Pu, but their clash became deadlocked as Hao Tian’s Extreme Ice Heavy Armor strengthened his defense.

Bai Pu deliberately fought Hao Tian to a hard-fought victory, then used the interview to provoke Beacon Fire and stir West Capital University students into demanding a finals showdown. After fueling the uproar, Bai Pu and Blood Spider began secluded training at Crimson Rock Valley.

• Bai Pu concealed his strongest techniques and wore Hao Tian down over nearly thirty minutes before defeating him, while Blood Spider caught him as he nearly collapsed.
• During the post-match interview, Bai Pu mocked the West Capital Twin Stars and said he was disappointed by Hao Tian, then dismissed the idea of challenging Beacon Fire because West Capital Awakened were too shrewd.
• Bai Pu's remarks sparked angry arguments across university communities, and many West Capital students called on Beacon Fire to face him in the finals.
• Bai Pu and Blood Spider rented a Cultivation Field at Crimson Rock Valley and entered secluded training away from Penglai Island's surveillance.
• Blood Spider asked Bai Pu to use the enhanced Holy Thorn Strip (Imitation) on her to help her comprehend the Space Cutting Profound Truth, enduring Cruel Admonishment as she trained.

Bai Pu helped Blood Spider study how to advance her Profound Truths, then advanced his own Mountain Shattering Mystery by combining it with Unstable Shield. He gained the powerful Profound Truth Skill Volcanic Visage and selected an effect that let its central explosion deal True Damage while ignoring shields.

• Bai Pu explained that combining a Profound Truth with a skill could advance it, and Blood Spider considered pairing Space Cutting with High-Frequency Rotary Thrust.
• Bai Pu repeatedly tried to combine Mountain Shattering Mystery with Unstable Shield, using the Holy Thorn Strip (Imitation) to aid his concentration, until the two finally fused.
• Bai Pu advanced Mountain Shattering Mystery and transformed Unstable Shield into the Level 7 Profound Truth Skill Volcanic Visage.
• Bai Pu chose Mountain Collapse and Earth Shatter, which made Volcanic Visage's central explosion deal True Damage while ignoring shields.
• Bai Pu calculated that a fully charged Volcanic Visage could inflict more than 1,300 damage, potentially killing even him if it struck a vital spot.