Chapter Summaries

Wang Yuan defended his ruthless defeat of Feng Ming against Feng Qianlie, with Zheng Shan preventing the Blustering Wind Martial Hall master from escalating the dispute. Wang Yuan then defeated Zhao Man in a brief match and stood unchallenged as the other Second Blood Change martial artists lost their nerve.

• Feng Qianlie accused Wang Yuan of crippling Feng Ming unfairly, but Wang Yuan argued that Feng Ming had attacked him viciously first.
• Zheng Shan backed Wang Yuan and challenged Feng Qianlie to settle the matter after the tournament, forcing Feng Qianlie to stand down.
• With the crowd jeering at the hesitant challengers, Zhao Man of the Iron Palm Gang stepped onto the platform to face Wang Yuan.
• Wang Yuan broke through Zhao Man's Iron Palm Art with three spear forms and stopped his spear just short of Zhao Man's throat.
• Zhao Man thanked Wang Yuan for showing mercy and left the platform, while the remaining martial artists avoided Wang Yuan's gaze.

Wang Yuan won the Second Blood Change championship and claimed the rewards for the top three, while Shi Long took the Third Blood Change title and Zheng Ying was eliminated. Panshi Fist Academy celebrated its success, and Wang Yuan considered how to use his new resources to advance his cultivation.

• After no one else challenged him, the referee named Wang Yuan champion of the Second Blood Change category and awarded him the prizes for first, second, and third place.
• Wang Yuan accepted the rewards and returned to Panshi Fist Academy, where Zheng Shan told him to keep the resources for his cultivation.
• Shi Long defeated his Third Blood Change opponents and won the championship for Panshi Fist Academy.
• Zheng Ying lost in the second round to Flowing Cloud Martial Hall's eldest disciple after facing his relentless sword attacks.
• Panshi Fist Academy celebrated its success at Drunken Immortal Tower, while Wang Yuan pondered his rewards and the Black Tai Sui.

After his tournament fame brought a flood of visitors, Wang Yuan returned to Panshi Fist Academy and cultivated Sea Covering True Energy to the Entry Stage in one night. His Third Senior Brother, Shang Yong, then asked him to escort a grain shipment from the Prefecture City, and Wang Yuan agreed.

• Wang Yuan's tournament victory made him famous, bringing matchmakers, merchants, and curious visitors to his family's store.
• Wang Yuan declined marriage proposals and business offers, then returned to Panshi Fist Academy to focus on cultivation.
• Using his talents and powerful blood and qi, Wang Yuan reached the Entry Stage of Sea Covering True Energy and continued cultivating with Black Tai Sui's flesh and blood.
• Shang Yong visited Wang Yuan late at night and explained that he feared an upcoming Wanguan Merchant Association grain shipment might be attacked.
• Remembering Shang Yong's past help, Wang Yuan agreed to escort the grain shipment from the Prefecture City.

Wang Yuan used potent herbs and black tai sui to break through to the third blood change before joining Shang Yong’s grain escort. At the South City Gate, Shang Yun questioned why he had been invited as the convoy prepared to depart.

• Wang Yuan accepted Shang Yong’s request to escort grain and decided to use the three days before departure to strengthen himself.
• Wang Yuan consumed the herbs and black tai sui, broke through to the third blood change, advanced Chasing Wind Leg to its third layer, and perfected Panshi Fist.
• Wang Yuan spent the next three days stabilizing his new realm and preparing for the escort mission.
• At dawn outside the South City Gate, Wang Yuan met Shang Yong, escort leader Shang Zhen, and Shang Yong’s sister Shang Yun.
• Shang Yun criticized Wang Yuan for joining the mission, accusing him of taking resources before without doing much work.

Wang Yuan joined Shang Zhen’s grain convoy and calmly ignored Shang Yun’s contempt until the Incense God Cult ambushed them near Gaoye City. As the convoy fought to protect the grain, Wang Yuan revealed peak Second Blood Change strength while holding back in case stronger enemies appeared.

• Shang Zhen and Shang Yong rebuked Shang Yun for insulting Wang Yuan, and the convoy set out for Prefecture City.
• The convoy received ten wagons of grain and began the return journey toward Gaoye City.
• Incense God Cult followers ambushed the convoy with poisoned crossbow bolts and demanded the grain.
• Shang Zhen tried to negotiate with the cult leader, but the scarred Third Blood Change martial artist refused and ordered his followers to attack.
• Wang Yuan fought two Second Blood Change cultists with his Black Dragon Spear, showing his peak Second Blood Change strength without revealing his full power.
• Shang Yun saw Wang Yuan pin down both opponents and wondered at his strength.

Shang Zhen and the Shang Family guards were overwhelmed when Liu Xiangzhu led reinforcements and his venomous Viper poisoned Shang Zhen. Just as Shang Yong urged Wang Yuan and Shang Yun to flee, Wang Yuan killed the Viper and declared that the cultists were the ones who should run.

• Shang Zhen gained the upper hand against the Scarface leader, but Liu Xiangzhu arrived with more than twenty Incense God Cult followers and joined the fight against him.
• The Shang Family guards were pushed back, and Shang Yong urged Wang Yuan and Shang Yun to escape while he and the others held off the cultists.
• Liu Xiangzhu's Viper bit Shang Zhen, leaving him poisoned and badly wounded after the Scarface leader slashed his chest.
• Shang Yong offered the cultists the Wanguan Merchant Association's grain and ten thousand taels of silver, but Liu Xiangzhu refused and sent the Viper after him.
• Wang Yuan intercepted the Viper with his Black Dragon Spear, killed it with a burst of Vital Blood, and told Shang Yong that the cultists should run.

Wang Yuan revealed that he had reached the Third Blood Change and overwhelmed the two Incense Masters in battle. The chapter left Liu Xiangzhu and Li Xiangzhu badly wounded, while Shang Yong recognized the danger of Wang Yuan’s cultivation secret becoming known.

• After Wang Yuan killed Liu Xiangzhu’s Black Thread, Liu Xiangzhu threatened to turn him into a corpse puppet.
• Wang Yuan revealed his Third Blood Change cultivation, shocking Shang Yun, Shang Yong, Shang Zhen, and everyone present.
• Wang Yuan explained that he had concealed his cultivation because the Three Great Families might target him and those around him.
• Liu Xiangzhu and Li Xiangzhu attacked Wang Yuan together, hoping to capture him and uncover his secret.
• Wang Yuan countered with the Mountain Severing Three Forms and wounded both Incense Masters in three moves.

Wang Yuan defeated and killed the two Incense God Cult Xiangzhu, then led the Wanguan Escort Agency guards in wiping out the remaining cultists. After finding the antidote that saved Shang Zhen, he looted manuals and silver from the leaders as Shang Yong ordered the scene cleaned up.

• Wang Yuan killed Liu Xiangzhu with his spear and crushed Li Xiangzhu with a blow from the Mountain Breaking Spear Technique.
• Shang Yong ordered the guards to leave no cultists alive, and Wang Yuan, Shang Yun, and the guards slaughtered the fleeing Incense God Cult disciples.
• Shang Yong and Shang Yun thanked Wang Yuan for saving them and the Wanguan Merchant Association.
• Wang Yuan found the antidote to the Black-Thread Viper poison on Liu Xiangzhu and gave it to Shang Yong, who treated Shang Zhen.
• Wang Yuan took the Incense God Poison Scripture, the Blood Fiend Saber Technique, and several thousand taels in silver notes from the dead Xiangzhu.
• Shang Yong ordered the guards to bury the bodies and cover the bloodstains.

After surviving the Incense God Cult ambush, Wang Yuan returned to Gaoye City and concealed his true strength with Shang Yong’s help. He went to see his master, Zheng Shan, whose sharp senses detected something unusual and prompted him to attack Wang Yuan without warning.

• The guards buried the Incense God Cultists and hid the signs of battle before escorting the grain toward Gaoye City.
• Shang Yong told Wang Yuan he would conceal Wang Yuan’s true cultivation and spread a false account crediting Shang Zhen with fighting Liu Xiangzhu.
• Shang Yun silently followed Wang Yuan, feeling shame for her past judgment and growing admiration for his strength.
• The group entered Gaoye City, where Shang Yong took Shang Zhen to a medical hall and began managing the guards and their story.
• Wang Yuan returned to Panshi Fist Academy and visited Zheng Shan, who sensed his unusual Vital Blood and suddenly struck at him.

Wang Yuan demonstrated his Third Blood Change and exceptional Panshi Fist foundation to Zheng Shan, who explained how the art’s Mountain Rock Force worked and what was needed to enter its path. Zheng Shan said Wang Yuan qualified to study the Mountain Rock Diagram, but hesitated over what came next.

• Wang Yuan met Zheng Shan’s Mountain Rock Force punch with Panshi Fist, and the collision revealed his powerful foundation.
• Zheng Shan realized Wang Yuan had reached Third Blood Change and confirmed his breakthrough without potent medicine.
• Wang Yuan asked Zheng Shan how to advance beyond Perfection in Panshi Fist and enter the Force path.
• Zheng Shan demonstrated Mountain Rock Force’s penetrating power by cracking a Blue Stone from within.
• Zheng Shan explained that Force Entry required vigorous blood and qi, Panshi Fist Perfection, and insight from the Mountain Rock Diagram.
• Zheng Shan said Wang Yuan qualified to apply to study the diagram, but began to express a reservation.

Wang Yuan stabilized his Third Blood Change realm and devoted himself to advancing his Vajra Skill while unrest spread through Gaoye City. After fifteen days of cultivation, he achieved Major Accomplishment in the Vajra Skill, greatly strengthening his defenses.

• Zheng Shan advised Wang Yuan to stabilize his cultivation before studying the Mountain Rock Diagram, and warned him to stay cautious amid the Incense God Cult’s growing activity.
• Wang Yuan told Zheng Shan the prepared account of the caravan attack, then resolved to stabilize his realm and eventually condense Mountain Rock Force.
• Wang Yuan used Black Tai Sui Flesh and Penetrating Wisdom and Spiritual Clarity to harmonize his vitality and stabilize his Third Blood Change realm in seven days.
• Wang Yuan refined the Vajra Skill by directing vitality through his body and tempering his muscles, bones, tendons, and fascia.
• On the fifteenth night, Wang Yuan’s Vajra Strength spread into a tough net across his body, and he reached Major Accomplishment in the Vajra Skill.

Ghost Hand Divine Judge Situ Ming investigated Huang Yao’s murder and traced several suspicious leads, including a recent clash with Wang Yuan. By the end of the chapter, Wang Yuan stood out on Situ Ming’s list of suspects, but the killer’s identity remained unresolved.

• Huang Chengzong hired Situ Ming to investigate Huang Yao’s murder after the Huang Family’s searches failed.
• Situ Ming examined the woodland crime scene and the recovered evidence, concluding that multiple opponents had fought Huang Yao and that the killer may have planted a false clue.
• Situ Ming learned that Huang Yao had returned from an outing without her maidservant and had recently visited the Zhang Family to seize something.
• Huang Chengzong’s steward connected Huang Yao’s recent conflict with Wang Yuan to the disappearance of Huang Gui, and Situ Ming began investigating both leads.
• Situ Ming investigated the ruined Zhang Family, Panshi Fist Academy, possible Huang Family enemies, and the Black Market’s Soft Muscle Powder trade.
• Situ Ming presented Huang Chengzong with a list of suspects, with Wang Yuan prominently included.

Wang Yuan reached Minor Accomplishment in Sea Covering True Energy and strengthened his combat abilities, then planned to ask his master to teach him the Mountain Rock Diagram so he could pursue Force Power. Meanwhile, Situ Ming investigated Huang Yao’s murder and kept Wang Yuan under observation because of several suspicious connections.

• Wang Yuan studied the Sea Covering True Energy manual and used Black Tai Sui’s Vital Blood and his comprehension to cultivate its layered circulation.
• After about twenty-five days, Wang Yuan achieved Minor Accomplishment in Sea Covering True Energy and gained the beginnings of Overlapping Wave Force.
• Wang Yuan consolidated his Third Blood Change, advanced Vajra Skill to Major Accomplishment, and assessed that his strength could contend with a newly advanced Force Power martial master.
• Wang Yuan decided to ask his master for permission to study the Mountain Rock Diagram and try to condense his own Force Power.
• Situ Ming investigated several people with grudges or conflicts involving the Huang Family and lowered suspicion of those with alibis or mismatched methods.
• Situ Ming placed Wang Yuan under further observation because of his connection to Huang Gui, unusual cultivation, unexplained finances, and unknown whereabouts during Huang Yao’s murder.

Situ Ming investigated Wang Yuan’s movements and suspected he might be connected to Huang Yao’s death or disappearance. He followed Wang Yuan to the abandoned Old Workshop Quarter and questioned him, ending by asking where he had been on the day Huang Yao disappeared and whether he had witnesses.

• Situ Ming reviewed the evidence and learned that Wang Yuan had helped his family move to the South District and open a store.
• Wang Yuan sensed someone observing him, then left his home and led the follower away from his family into the abandoned Old Workshop Quarter.
• Situ Ming revealed himself and identified himself as the investigator hired by the Huang Family.
• Wang Yuan admitted to arguing with Huang Yao and Steward Huang Gui but claimed he had not seen either of them afterward.
• Situ Ming asked Wang Yuan where he had been when Huang Yao disappeared and whether anyone could confirm his whereabouts.

Situ Ming interrogated Wang Yuan about Huang Yao’s misfortune, but Wang Yuan denied involvement and demanded evidence. When Situ Ming attacked to capture him, Wang Yuan fought back with formidable footwork, fistwork, and spear technique, leaving Situ Ming shocked by his strength.

• Wang Yuan claimed he had trained at the Fist Academy, then gone to the Old Forest, and credited his rapid cultivation to Crimson Blood Ginseng.
• Situ Ming questioned Wang Yuan’s story, pointing to his conflict with Huang Gui, his sudden progress, and his absence when Huang Yao met with misfortune.
• Wang Yuan denied the accusations and demanded evidence, prompting Situ Ming to decide to seize and question him.
• Situ Ming attacked with a Capture Hand, but Wang Yuan evaded and countered with a layered fist strike.
• Wang Yuan drew the Black Dragon Spear and struck with the Cloud Break stance, astonishing Situ Ming with his skill and unusual penetrating force.

Wang Yuan fought Situ Ming in the abandoned Old Workshop Quarter, revealing skill and Force Power that confirmed him as a likely killer of Huang Yao. After their clash left Wang Yuan gravely injured, Situ Ming prepared to finish him, leaving Wang Yuan's fate uncertain.

• Situ Ming dodged Wang Yuan's spear and tested his technique, recognizing that Wang Yuan was close to breaking through into Force Entry.
• Wang Yuan and Situ Ming declared that only one of them would leave alive, and Situ Ming attacked with Force Power released from his body.
• Wang Yuan evaded Situ Ming's air blades and finger winds before counterattacking with Mountain Breaking—Cloud Break.
• Situ Ming met Wang Yuan's spear with Azure Gang Force, blasting Wang Yuan through a wall and leaving him severely injured while suffering a lesser shock himself.
• Situ Ming praised Wang Yuan's talent but condemned him for killing Huang Yao, then gathered Force Power to deliver a final strike.

Wang Yuan unleashed the perfected Blood Burning Technique after Situ Ming nearly killed him, transforming into a crimson-gold force of destruction. He defeated Situ Ming in battle and killed him, surviving the confrontation.

• As Situ Ming moved to strike Wang Yuan, Wang Yuan rose from the ruins and activated Blood Burning Technique at perfection.
• Wang Yuan transformed and swiftly broke through Situ Ming’s Azure Gang Force defenses, smashing his ribs with a single punch.
• Situ Ming launched a desperate Azure Gang Splitting Sky Palm assault, but Wang Yuan countered and shattered his breastbone with another punch.
• Wang Yuan approached the dying Situ Ming, dismissed his accusation of being a monster, and stomped on his skull, killing him.

Wang Yuan killed Situ Ming but suffered severe injuries from the Blood Burning Technique and fled to recover, while Huang Chengzong and investigators from the Gao and Ye Families arrived at the ruined battlefield. They found clues identifying the remains as Situ Ming’s, leaving Huang Chengzong shaken by the discovery.

• Wang Yuan crushed Situ Ming’s skull, searched his corpse, and used Bone Dissolving Water to destroy the remains and bloody traces.
• Wang Yuan staggered away from the battlefield instead of returning home, seeking a secluded place to recover with Black Tai Sui Flesh.
• Huang Chengzong, Wu Zhen, Gao Wenyuan, and Ye Mang arrived at the ruins and examined the destruction and dissolving remains.
• Huang Chengzong found a Criminal Law Department token marked “Situ,” and Gao Wenyuan recognized it as the chief constable’s token.
• Huang Chengzong realized the remains belonged to Situ Ming, the Ghost Hand Divine Judge.

After Situ Ming’s death was discovered, Huang Chengzong ordered a search for his killer while concealing the matter as long as possible. In a mountain cave, injured Wang Yuan recovered with Black Tai Sui meat, found Situ Ming’s martial arts manual and a pouch, and discovered that the dried meat inside triggered his Talent Bead.

• Wu Zhen examined the ruins and concluded that Situ Ming had been killed by an opponent with terrifying strength.
• Gao Wenyuan and Ye Mang warned Huang Chengzong that the murder could draw the attention of higher authorities, and Huang ordered everyone to investigate.
• Huang Chengzong and the others left the ruins, wary that the killer might still be nearby, and decided to conceal the incident for as long as possible.
• Wang Yuan ate pieces of Black Tai Sui to ease the damage from Blood Burning Technique and regain enough strength to move.
• Wang Yuan found Situ Ming’s Azure Gang Splitting Sky Palm manual and a pouch containing gold and a piece of dried meat.
• Wang Yuan sniffed the dried meat, causing his Talent Bead to activate and display an energy level of 55/100.

Wang Yuan recovered enough from his injuries to leave his cave and decided he could not return to Gaoye City, while the Huang Family launched a citywide hunt after Situ Ming’s death. He remained hidden in the mountain forest as the search tightened around the clue linking him to the killing.

• Wang Yuan discovered that the dried meat Situ Ming carried was likely from a Fifth-tier Monster Beast, carefully sealed it away, and continued healing with Black Tai Sui Flesh.
• By dawn, Wang Yuan had regained enough strength to move and fight, and he resolved to find a concealed place to recover and cultivate rather than return to the city.
• Huang Chengzong learned that Situ Ming had gone to investigate Wang Yuan and concluded that Wang Yuan was connected to the killing.
• Huang Chengzong ordered the city gates sealed and searched, requested help from the Prefecture City, and offered a secret reward for Wang Yuan and any accomplices.
• The Huang Family increased its patrols and searches across Gaoye City while focusing its attention on Wang Yuan and the mysterious killer.