Chapter Summaries

After Situ Ming’s death, the Black Wind Bandits prepared to ambush a merchant convoy, the Incense God Cult moved to expand its influence, and the Gao and Ye Families tightened their precautions. Meanwhile, Wang Yuan remained hidden in a mountain cave, studying the Azure Gang Splitting Sky Palm and preparing to condense his own Force Power.

• Yuan Gang ordered the Black Wind Bandits to ambush a merchant convoy at Old Crow Pass the day after tomorrow, taking advantage of the Huang Family’s distraction.
• The Incense God Cult ordered its followers to establish more Incense Offering Points and recruit vulnerable people across Gaoye City.
• Gao Shiqing told the Gao Family to avoid the conflict and protect its people and an upcoming shipment of goods.
• Ye Xiong ordered the Ye Family to raise its alert and keep watch on the Black Wind Bandits, while forbidding anyone from provoking trouble.
• Wang Yuan secluded himself in a hidden cave, comprehending the Azure Gang Splitting Sky Palm and using Black Tai Sui Flesh to recover his injuries and prepare to condense Force Power.

Wang Yuan used a sliver of Fifth-tier Monster Beast dried meat to reach Vajra Skill Perfection and Third Blood Change Perfection, bringing him close to entering the Force Entry realm. Hearing a battle at Old Crow Pass, he went to investigate and found Black Wind Bandits attacking a Huang Family convoy.

• Wang Yuan consumed a fingernail-sized slice of Fifth-tier Monster Beast dried meat, breaking through to Vajra Skill Perfection and Third Blood Change Perfection.
• Wang Yuan saw that his Talent Bead energy had risen to 70 points and saved the remaining dried meat for a future breakthrough.
• Wang Yuan heard a battle near Old Crow Pass, changed into night clothes, and stealthily approached the fighting.
• Wang Yuan saw dozens of bodies, a badly wounded group of Huang Family guards defending several carriages, and twenty Black Wind Bandits pressing their attack.

Wang Yuan waited until the Huang Family and Black Wind Bandits had nearly destroyed each other, then killed the wounded Evil Wolf and the remaining survivors. He looted the battlefield and discovered the shipment held Crimson Blood Poria and Mithril.

• Poisoned Old Man ambushed Evil Wolf, and the two Force Martial Masters fought until they grievously wounded each other.
• Poisoned Old Man died after stabbing Evil Wolf with a venomous finger, leaving Evil Wolf poisoned and weakened.
• Wang Yuan sprang from the trees and killed Evil Wolf with his Black Dragon Spear before slaughtering the remaining Black Wind Bandits.
• Wang Yuan killed the surviving Huang Family guards so no witnesses could reveal that he had taken advantage of the battle.
• Wang Yuan searched Evil Wolf and Poisoned Old Man's corpses, finding money, pills, a saber, the Hundred Poisons True Understanding, and poisons.
• Wang Yuan opened the defended carriages and found boxes of Crimson Blood Poria and Mithril.

Wang Yuan stripped the battlefield at Old Crow Pass of its valuables and erased traces of his presence before fleeing into the forest. Huang Chengye arrived with Huang Family guards, realized a mysterious third party had intervened in what may have been a staged robbery, and ordered the survivors to keep silent and return to the city.

• Wang Yuan took the finest Crimson Blood Poria Kings, Mithril, and other valuables, then used Bone Dissolving Water to remove traces before leaving the battlefield.
• Huang Chengye and a party of Huang Family guards arrived at Old Crow Pass and inspected the bodies and wreckage.
• Huang Chengye identified signs that a skilled third party had killed Evil Wolf and cleaned the scene, and explained that Yuan Gang and the Black Wind Bandits could not simply be wiped out.
• An older guard captain told the young Huang Family disciple that the escort robbery had been staged for observers in the city, prompting him to suspect the deaths and missing goods were part of a plan.
• Huang Chengye found residue from Bone Dissolving Water and wondered whether the mysterious attacker was connected to the person who had killed Situ Ming.
• Huang Chengye ordered his men to finish the cleanup, keep silent about what they had seen, and leave Old Crow Pass for the city.

Wang Yuan hid in a secluded cave and studied poison arts, combining practical knowledge with combat techniques while continuing to strengthen his martial cultivation. As Gaoye City's factions stirred around him, he remained unaware and focused on growing strong enough to overturn the situation.

• Wang Yuan assessed that he could not survive a direct clash with Hua Jin Great Martial Masters and decided to study poison arts as another path to strength.
• Wang Yuan used the Hundred Poisons True Understanding to learn about poisons, their effects, and methods of identification, defense, and treatment.
• Wang Yuan gathered poisonous plants and venomous insects, overcame early accidents, and prepared Drunken Snake Paralysis Powder, Heart Rot Powder, and mixed viper venom.
• Wang Yuan studied concealed poisoning methods from the Incense God Poison Scripture and practiced using poison with his hands, spear, movement, terrain, and wind.
• Wang Yuan continued nourishing his qi and blood with the Crimson Blood Poria King and Black Tai Sui Flesh while studying Force Power.
• The Huang Family, Black Wind Bandits, Gao and Ye Families, and Incense God Cult continued maneuvering in Gaoye City while Wang Yuan remained in seclusion, unaware of their activities.

With Wang Yuan missing, Zheng Shan and the academy worried over his fate as the Gao, Ye, and Huang families pressed Panshi Fist Academy to help defend Gaoye City. The families threatened Wang Yuan’s safety to force Zheng Shan’s agreement, and he agreed to act.

• Shi Long and Zheng Ying worried that Wang Yuan had vanished, while Zheng Shan kept his family calm with a cover story about a private trip to Prefecture City.
• Representatives of the Gao, Ye, and Huang families arrived together at Panshi Fist Academy to request Zheng Shan’s help against the Black Wind Bandits and Incense God Cult.
• Zheng Shan refused to involve the academy, saying its disciples were not prepared for battle and city defense belonged to the authorities and families.
• Ye Mang and Huang Chengye threatened Wang Yuan’s safety, claiming the families knew his whereabouts and linking it to Zheng Shan’s decision.
• Zheng Shan agreed to send Panshi Fist Academy into action against the Black Wind Bandits and Incense God Cult.

Zheng Shan accepted the Three Great Families’ terms to help defend Gaoye City while ordering the Panshi Fist Academy to prepare for battle and secretly search for Wang Yuan. After reaching Major Accomplishment in Sea Covering True Energy, Wang Yuan prepared a disguise and set out for Gaoye City to study the Mountain Rock Diagram and seek his master’s protection.

• Zheng Shan demanded supplies for his disciples, command of an independent unit, and brief access to each family’s Fundamental Diagram, and Gao Wenli agreed on behalf of the Three Great Families.
• Huang Chengye warned Zheng Shan that the families would watch for Wang Yuan, prompting Shi Long and Zheng Ying to protest the threat.
• Zheng Shan ordered the academy to prepare Gaoye City’s defenses and quietly search for Wang Yuan without alerting the Three Great Families.
• Wang Yuan completed his training and assessed his martial skills, concluding that he needed the Mountain Rock Diagram to advance into Force Entry.
• Wang Yuan prepared disguises and powders, concealed his spear and supplies, and left the cave at night to return to Gaoye City.

Wang Yuan infiltrated Gaoye City and reached Panshi Fist Academy, where Zheng Shan initially mistook him for an enemy and attacked. After recognizing his disciple, Zheng Shan welcomed him back, and Wang Yuan asked to study the Mountain Rock Diagram so he could break through to Force Entry.

• Wang Yuan slipped over Gaoye City's western wall, disguised himself as a laborer, and made his way toward Panshi Fist Academy.
• Wang Yuan entered the courtyard of Zheng Shan's Quiet Room, where Zheng Shan sensed his powerful Vital Blood and attacked with the Mountain Suppressing Style.
• Wang Yuan countered with Panshi Fist, and their clashing Fist Intents shattered the courtyard's stone paving.
• Wang Yuan revealed himself, and Zheng Shan recognized his voice and welcomed him back with relief.
• Wang Yuan told Zheng Shan that he had reached a cultivation bottleneck and urgently needed to study the Mountain Rock Diagram to attempt a breakthrough to Force Entry.

Wang Yuan entered the Fist Academy’s secret chamber to study the Mountain Rock Diagram and attempt to condense Force while Zheng Shan guarded him. Outside Gaoye City, Yuan Gang confronted the Three Great Families, accused them of abusing the poor, and rallied his bandits to attack.

• Wang Yuan refused to tell his family where he was, accepted the secret-chamber key from Zheng Shan, and set out to study the Mountain Rock Diagram and break through to Force Entry.
• A day later, Huang Chengzong, Gao Shiqing, and Ye Xiong faced Yuan Gang and hundreds of Black Wind Bandits outside Gaoye City’s western gate.
• Yuan Gang rejected the families’ demands that he retreat and accused the Gao Family of ruining his family through rent and abuse.
• Yuan Gang condemned the Ye Family for exploiting dockworkers and the Huang Family for usury, and he blamed Huang Yao’s death on her own cruelty.
• Yuan Gang admitted his alliance with the Incense God Cult and urged the bandits and Gaoye City’s people to overthrow the Three Great Families.
• The Black Wind Bandits roared in response to Yuan Gang’s call for battle.

Yuan Gang led the Black Wind Bandits into battle against the Three Great Families, while Gao Shiqing and Ye Xiong fought to hold him back. As the battle raged, Huang Chengzong claimed the Incense God Cult had sparked unrest inside Gaoye City and withdrew with half the Huang Family elites, leaving Gao Shiqing and Ye Xiong to face Yuan Gang.

• Gao Shiqing rejected Yuan Gang's accusations and threatened to destroy the Black Wind Bandits unless they surrendered.
• Yuan Gang charged the Three Great Families' forces, and Gao Shiqing and Ye Xiong joined forces against him.
• The Black Wind Bandits and the allied family guards clashed in a bloody battle, with neither side gaining the advantage.
• Huang Chengzong announced that the Incense God Cult was causing unrest inside Gaoye City and said he needed to return to suppress it.
• Huang Chengzong led Huang Kui and roughly half the Huang Family elites away, while Yuan Gang fought even more fiercely to keep Gao Shiqing and Ye Xiong occupied.

Zheng Shan led the Outer City martial halls into Gaoye City to suppress the Incense God Cult’s unrest, leaving Zheng Ying and Shi Long to guard Panshi Fist Academy. In the academy’s secret chamber, Wang Yuan uncovered an ancient scroll and prepared to enter seclusion.

• Zheng Shan agreed to lead the Outer City martial halls against the Incense God Cult after the Three Great Families called for help.
• Yun Feiyang and the other martial hall masters gathered at Panshi Fist Academy, and Zheng Shan organized their forces and assigned them to assemble at the south gate.
• Zheng Shan told Zheng Ying and Shi Long to defend the academy and keep everyone away from the inner courtyard’s secret chamber.
• Zheng Shan led more than two hundred martial artists into the city to suppress the Incense God Cult’s followers.
• Wang Yuan used a bronze key to open a concealed niche in the secret chamber and retrieved an ancient scroll.

Wang Yuan used the Mountain Rock Diagram to begin condensing his own Force Power in a secluded chamber. Meanwhile, Zheng Shan and the other martial masters fought the Incense God Cult at an underground stronghold in Gaoye City, where they surrounded its Hua Jin Branch Cult Master.

• Wang Yuan ate Black Tai Sui Flesh and rare Fifth-tier Monster Beast meat before opening the Mountain Rock Diagram.
• Wang Yuan studied the diagram, which guided his Vital Blood and Panshi Fist Intent toward forming a faint, unstable thread of Force Power.
• Zheng Shan held off an Incense God Cult elder with his spear while Yun Feiyang, Zhao Tieying, Feng Qianlie, and the others fought cult elders, deacons, and followers.
• Zheng Shan and Yun Feiyang pressed the hooded, pale-eyed Branch Cult Master, whose aura revealed him to be a Hua Jin Great Martial Master.

Wang Yuan condensed Mountain Rock Force, advanced both the Panshi Fist and Vajra Skill to Force Entry, and awakened the second layer of Dragon Tendon Tiger Bone. After learning that his master might be in danger at the abandoned City God Temple, he raced south to help.

• Wang Yuan condensed Mountain Rock Force, which brought the Panshi Fist and Vajra Skill to Force Entry.
• Wang Yuan awakened the second layer of Dragon Tendon Tiger Bone, greatly enhancing his physique and strength.
• Wang Yuan left the secret chamber and learned from Zheng Ying and Shi Long that his master had gone to suppress an Incense God Cult stronghold beneath the abandoned City God Temple.
• Wang Yuan ordered Zheng Ying and Shi Long to seal the Fist Academy and keep out everyone, especially the Huang Family.
• Wang Yuan raced toward the south of the city after suspecting his master was in danger.

Huang Chengzong, Zhao Tieying, and Feng Qianlie betrayed Zheng Shan and Yun Feiyang during the battle in the City God Temple, helping the Incense God Cult Branch Cult Master ambush them. Yun Feiyang was critically wounded and Zheng Shan was badly injured, leaving the enemy with a crushing advantage as Huang Chengzong taunted them.

• Zheng Shan and Yun Feiyang prepared to join forces against the Incense God Cult Branch Cult Master when Huang Chengzong arrived with fighters from the allied force.
• Huang Chengzong gave the signal and attacked Yun Feiyang from behind, while Zhao Tieying struck at Zheng Shan and Feng Qianlie attacked Yun Feiyang.
• Yun Feiyang was stabbed through the shoulder and had his calf shattered by Feng Qianlie’s kick, leaving him gravely wounded.
• Zheng Shan repelled Zhao Tieying’s poisoned palm with his spear but was then struck in the chest by the Branch Cult Master’s strange force.
• Huang Chengzong surveyed the badly wounded Zheng Shan and Yun Feiyang and taunted them as the enemy forces gained a decisive advantage.

Huang Chengzong revealed his plan to join forces with the Black Wind Bandits and the Incense God Cult to seize control of Gaoye City, then moved to kill Zheng Shan and the other wounded martial artists. Wang Yuan arrived by smashing through the underground chamber wall and stopped Zheng Shan from sacrificing himself as Feng Qianlie attacked.

• Huang Chengzong explained that he had colluded with Yuan Gang and the Incense God Cult to overthrow the Gao and Ye Families and take control of Gaoye City.
• Zheng Shan prepared to burn his life essence to protect the wounded martial artists, but Huang Chengzong mocked him and prepared to attack.
• A violent tremor shook the underground chamber, and Wang Yuan broke through a thick stone wall to enter.
• Zheng Shan urged Wang Yuan to flee and warn the Gao and Ye Family Heads, while the Incense God Cult's Branch Cult Master sensed Wang Yuan's unusual strength.
• Feng Qianlie recognized Wang Yuan and charged at him with his Blazing Wind Heart-Shattering Kick to avenge his son.
• Wang Yuan pressed Zheng Shan's shoulder, suppressing his burning Vital Blood and the evil poison, and told his master to rest while he handled everything.

Wang Yuan killed Feng Qianlie with one punch, stunning the fighters gathered underground. Huang Chengzong tried to recruit Wang Yuan, but Wang Yuan rejected him and hinted at a deeper personal grudge against the Huang Family.

• Feng Qianlie attacked Wang Yuan with a fierce kick, but Wang Yuan dodged and shattered Feng Qianlie’s leg with one punch.
• Wang Yuan’s punch sent Feng Qianlie crashing into a stone wall, killing him instantly and leaving Huang Chengzong and the others stunned.
• Huang Chengzong treated Wang Yuan as a dangerous opponent and offered him wealth, martial resources, and a place in the Huang Family’s plans.
• Wang Yuan rejected Huang Chengzong’s offer, condemning his alliance with the Black Wind Bandits and the Incense God Cult.
• Wang Yuan said he had a personal grudge against the Huang Family, prompting Huang Chengzong to recall Huang Yao and Situ Ming.

Wang Yuan revealed his involvement in Huang Yao and Situ Ming’s deaths, then attacked Huang Chengzong, the Incense God Cult’s Branch Cult Master, and Zhao Tieying. He shattered Huang Chengzong’s sword and killed Zhao Tieying with one punch, while the fight against the remaining opponents continued.

• Wang Yuan taunted Huang Chengzong by implying that he had killed Huang Yao and Situ Ming, then charged at him.
• Huang Chengzong raised a sword barrier, the Branch Cult Master unleashed Chaos Incense Aura, and Zhao Tieying blocked Wang Yuan’s path with his Iron Palms.
• Wang Yuan activated the Blood Burning Technique and smashed through Huang Chengzong’s soft sword, forcing him to stagger backward.
• Wang Yuan ignored the Incense Cult Master’s aura and punched through Zhao Tieying’s Iron Palms, shattering his body and killing him.

Wang Yuan unleashed his full Mountain Rock Force and defeated the Incense God Cult Branch Cult Master and Huang Chengzong despite their desperate joint attack. With both enemies dead, the underground space fell silent.

• The Incense God Cult Branch Cult Master urged Huang Chengzong to join forces against Wang Yuan, and they launched their strongest attacks together.
• Wang Yuan activated Mountain Rock Force and Immovable as a Mountain, resisting Huang Chengzong's Shadow Bone Corroding Palm and the Branch Cult Master's mind-bending art.
• Wang Yuan shattered the Incense Deity phantom and killed the Branch Cult Master with a single punch.
• Huang Chengzong fled, but Wang Yuan caught him and crushed him beneath a stomp.

Wang Yuan killed Huang Chengzong and two other powerful enemies, treated the wounded, and raced toward the western city gate to expose the conspiracy and stabilize the battle. Outside the gate, Ye Xiong and Gao Shiqing were struggling against Yuan Gang in a fight that remained undecided.

• Wang Yuan's display of strength stunned Zheng Shan, Yun Feiyang, Master Flying Eagle, and Master Stone Gate, while the surviving Incense God Cult followers fled.
• Wang Yuan treated Zheng Shan and Yun Feiyang, then sent the injured and survivors back to Panshi Fist Academy while he headed for the western city gate.
• Wang Yuan raced through the streets toward the battlefield after warning that the Gao and Ye Family Heads might be in danger.
• Yuan Gang pressed Ye Xiong and Gao Shiqing with his saber, leaving Ye Xiong badly wounded and forcing both men onto the defensive.

Yuan Gang defeated Gao Shiqing and Ye Xiong and prepared to destroy Gaoye City, but Wang Yuan appeared and ordered him to leave. Yuan Gang mistook Wang Yuan for a pawn sent by Huang Chengzong and challenged him.

• Yuan Gang struck Gao Shiqing in the chest, grievously injuring him and leaving him unable to fight.
• Yuan Gang severed Ye Xiong's right arm, leaving the allied forces of the Gao and Ye families in despair as the Black Wind Bandits cheered.
• Yuan Gang vowed to kill Gao Shiqing and Ye Xiong and raze Gaoye City to avenge his father and sister.
• Wang Yuan arrived from the western city gate and told Yuan Gang to take his people and leave without entering Gaoye City.
• Yuan Gang mocked Wang Yuan as a young nobody and demanded that Huang Chengzong come out.