Chapter Summaries

At No. 8 High School’s commendation ceremony, Principal Lu and Zhang Xinglie publicly honored Zhou Leng’s perseverance and questioned West Sea Martial University’s decision to deny him a supplementary admission examination. Zhang Xinglie began explaining his own view of the matter, leaving the audience waiting for his point.

• Zhou Leng spoke with Sun Xiong, who praised his Freshman Ranking 503 and advised him to thank Principal Lu after the ceremony.
• Principal Lu introduced the guests and the school’s history before presenting awards to students, including Mo Hai.
• Zhang Xinglie unexpectedly arrived to accept his award, then stayed onstage to present a special award with Principal Lu.
• Principal Lu recounted Zhou Leng’s hardships and Martial Examination results, arguing that he had the talent to attend West Sea Martial University.
• Principal Lu displayed Zhou Leng’s martial test scores and challenged West Sea Martial University’s refusal to let him take its supplementary admission examination.
• Zhang Xinglie told the audience he was a genius and began describing his elementary school record.

Zhang Xinglie explained how Zhou Leng had supported him when others dismissed him, and why he returned to make Zhou Leng’s achievements visible. After Zhou Leng received the new Zhou Leng Progress Award and an Origin-Replenishing Pill, Zhang Xinglie asked him to keep advancing in Martial Dao and prove West Sea Martial University did not deserve him.

• Zhang Xinglie recounted how Zhou Leng accepted and defended him as a child, even after Zhang Xinglie became a celebrated genius.
• Zhang Xinglie said he became furious when he learned West Sea Martial University had revoked Zhou Leng’s supplementary admission eligibility, so he returned to help others see Zhou Leng’s potential.
• Principal Lu invited Zhou Leng to receive the school’s first Zhou Leng Progress Award, and Zhang Xinglie presented him with the trophy as the audience applauded.
• Principal Lu gave Zhou Leng an Origin-Replenishing Pill, and Zhang Xinglie declared that West Sea Martial University did not deserve him before leaving the stage with Zhou Leng.
• In the car, Zhang Xinglie told Zhou Leng that he had needed an opportunity, not pills, and asked him to keep climbing the Martial Dao rankings to prove West Sea Martial University did not deserve him.

Tu Rong explained why he refused to provoke No. 8 High School, while leaders at West Sea Martial University pushed to establish a Divine Script Academy. Deng Zhijue arranged a possible subsidy for Zhou Leng, who arrived at a gathering at Hongfa Restaurant.

• Tu Rong told Tao Bing that Principal Lu Tainan had once dismantled a gang after it attacked No. 8 High School students, and that Tu Rong had personally been spared by Lu.
• West Sea Martial University leaders discussed the bad publicity from the commendation ceremony and the university's effort to secure a Divine Script Academy.
• Deng Zhijue reasoned that the academy master favored Zhou Leng and proposed granting him an honorary doctoral-student title and teaching assistant subsidy.
• Wang Boxiong approved Deng Zhijue's plan to pursue the subsidy if Zhou Leng met the requirements.
• Zhou Leng entered Hongfa Restaurant's large private room, and the students at the tables turned to look at him.

Zhou Leng joined his former classmates for a celebratory meal and discussed the differences between martial training programs, Yunhua Martial University, and the power of Extraordinary Bodies. He left with Xu Qingjin, Hu Yi, and Feng Wenhao while Mo Hai stayed behind with the others.

• Hu Yi toasted Zhou Leng for winning the “Zhou Leng Progress Award,” and Zhou Leng thanked his classmates with three drinks.
• Zhou Leng described how harsh military training at the Martial Arts Gym had changed the students’ attitudes and made them more mature.
• Zhou Leng told his classmates about Yunhua Martial University’s demanding training and Zhang Xinglie’s growing strength.
• Mo Hai explained that Shanhe Yuan’s Giant Bloodline gave him overwhelming physical power and that Grandmasters could cultivate Extraordinary Bodies to narrow the gap between humans and Giants.
• Zhou Leng secretly messaged Feng Wenhao, and he, Xu Qingjin, Hu Yi, and Feng Wenhao left the gathering together.
• Mo Hai watched them leave and urged the remaining classmates to drink until they were drunk.

Zhou Leng discussed Hu Yi’s decision to live casually after quitting Pioneer Corporation, then used his second Origin-Replenishing Pill and improved his training results. On Monday, Instructor Deng Zhijue explained scholarship options and asked Zhou Leng about qualifications that could earn him clerical subsidies.

• Hu Yi told Zhou Leng and Feng Wenhao about his family’s financial trouble, his conflict with Jiang Yan, and his decision to take odd jobs and live without ambition.
• Zhou Leng and Feng Wenhao offered Hu Yi support and urged him to learn basic skills, and Zhou Leng later sent the drunk Hu Yi and Feng Wenhao home.
• Zhou Leng took his second Origin-Replenishing Pill, ran for five minutes and thirty-one seconds, and completed nineteen cycles of the Standing Elephant Chapter’s first move.
• Class 01 students discussed Zhou Leng’s chances in the Practical Combat Tournament and predicted he could reach the semifinals before running out of true qi.
• Deng Zhijue met Zhou Leng to explain scholarships and subsidies, then asked what subjects Zhou Leng had researched or could earn a qualification in.

Zhou Leng discussed taking the Junior Divine Script Researcher examination and asked for help unsealing his network account, while Chen Shouhu arranged assistance after learning about Zhou Leng’s exceptional martial test results. At the academy’s Practical Combat Test, Deng Zhijue warned Zhou Leng that his lack of Blood-Circulating advancement would make the continuous fights difficult and left him to decide how to proceed.

• Zhou Leng told Deng Zhijue he had studied Divine Scripts, and Deng Zhijue proposed that he take the Junior Divine Script Researcher examination after class.
• Zhou Leng asked Deng Zhijue to help unseal his network account, and Deng Zhijue contacted Wang Boxiong, who sought help from Chen Shouhu.
• Chen Shouhu persuaded his Second Uncle to arrange the account unsealing, then ordered that Zhou Leng receive an honorary Martial Arts Brigade private identity once his battle merits reached 100.
• Chen Shouhu reviewed Zhou Leng’s outstanding martial test results and decided to arrange further opportunities for him.
• At Ru University Affiliated Martial Arts Academy, Deng Zhijue explained the continuous-battle format of the Practical Combat Test and warned Zhou Leng that opponents could wear him down because he had not advanced to Blood-Circulating.

Zhou Leng chose an aggressive strategy and defeated Yan Jianhua with a swift combination of martial techniques, then advanced to the top-eight-to-top-four round against Du Qianfang. The chapter left Zhou Leng pursuing her across the arena as she evaded his attacks.

• Zhou Leng drew Yan Jianhua as his first opponent, and Yan planned to prolong the fight until Zhou Leng's true qi ran low.
• Zhou Leng abandoned distractions, warned Yan about his techniques, and broke Yan's rib with a combination of Mystic Tide Art and Wave-Stacking Palm.
• The Class 04 instructor conceded before Zhou Leng's finishing kick landed, and Zhou Leng stopped and showed mercy to Yan.
• Zhou Leng meditated to recover, then began his next match against Du Qianfang, who excelled at footwork and leg techniques.
• Zhou Leng charged after Du Qianfang, but she repeatedly evaded him as they darted around the arena.

Zhou Leng defeated Du Qianfang and fought Dai Gangde in a punishing semifinal, reaching the championship bout badly injured and nearly out of true qi. Xu Kang'an then beat him to claim the title, while Zhou Leng was carried off for treatment.

• Zhou Leng used Wave-Stacking Palm and a series of strikes to defeat Du Qianfang, and the instructor stopped him before he could kick her again.
• Zhou Leng and Dai Gangde traded heavy blows, but Zhou crippled Dai's left arm before the coach halted the fight.
• Zhou Leng advanced to the final against an almost uninjured Xu Kang'an, despite his own injuries and dwindling true qi.
• Xu Kang'an knocked Zhou Leng down with a straight punch and won the championship, while Zhou conceded and congratulated him.
• Deng Zhijue found Zhou needed bone-setting and called for a stretcher.

After recovering from his injuries, Zhou Leng collected his exam rewards and learned more about martial academy training and cultivation resources. He ended the chapter preparing to take the Divine Script exam, proctored by expert Zhao Nandi.

• Deng Zhijue helped Zhou Leng recover at the infirmary, and the doctor treated him with a Treatment Demon Spirit Device and Demon Energy Potion.
• Huang Jingqiu awarded the top students their prizes, and Xu Kang'an traded his Origin-Replenishing Pill for Zhou Leng's Qi-Nourishing Pills and Blood-Replenishing Pills.
• Xu Kang'an explained the importance and limits of core pills, while Zhou Leng planned to save resources for reaching the Blood-Circulating Stage.
• Deng Zhijue explained the martial academy's training requirements, upcoming student elections, and opportunities to earn military merit.
• Deng Zhijue brought Zhou Leng to the proctoring room, where Divine Script Research Expert Zhao Nandi appeared to oversee his exam.

Zhou Leng passed the Divine Script exam, and Zhao Nandi recognized his unusual insight after a new correction confirmed his answer. After a week of training, he reached Qi-Nourishing Perfection and learned that Shanhe Yuan had cleared the seventh level of the Bronze Man Formation.

• Zhou Leng completed the Divine Script exam, and Zhao Nandi awarded him 135 out of 150 points.
• Zhao Nandi saw that Zhou Leng's answer to the final question matched a correction published after the exam, so she decided to expedite his Junior Divine Script Researcher certificate and invite him to an intermediate qualification exam.
• Zhou Leng followed his daily routine of study and cultivation for a week while Chang Luan became class monitor.
• Zhou Leng broke through to Qi-Nourishing Perfection, then tested his qi-powered run and lasted 6 minutes 2 seconds.
• Wei Hong told the class that Shanhe Yuan had cleared the seventh level of the Bronze Man Formation before running out of true qi on the eighth.

Zhou Leng earned recognition and a monthly stipend, cared for Big Yellow, and advanced his cultivation faster than expected. He demonstrated Qi-Driven Mist Burst and prepared to pursue the pills needed to break through to the Blood-Circulating Stage.

• Zhou Leng read discussions about Shanhe Yuan clearing seven levels of the Bronze Man Formation and decided to challenge the formation after reaching the Blood-Circulating Stage.
• Zhou Leng became a Junior Divine Script Researcher and received an honorary doctorate and part-time teaching assistant position, along with a six-thousand-yuan stipend.
• Zhou Leng bought pork knuckles and potatoes for Big Yellow, then promised to take the dog for a spirit beast examination.
• Zhou Leng cultivated beneath the Frost Giant Tree and reached the state of a perfectly round aura shrouding his body in just three days.
• Zhou Leng circulated his true qi in the bathhouse, bursting the shower droplets into mist and demonstrating Qi-Driven Mist Burst.

Zhou Leng advanced to the Blood-Circulating Stage with Huang Jingqiu's protection and received guidance and pills from Deng Zhijue. Deng then warned him that the monthly exam would likely be the Mountains-Rivers-Lakes Joint Examination, where Zhou Leng could compete for substantial rewards.

• Zhou Leng told Deng Zhijue that his True Qi had reached Perfection and arranged for Huang Jingqiu to protect him during his advancement.
• With Huang Jingqiu guiding his True Qi, Zhou Leng circulated the Blood-Circulating Formula, formed new qi channels, and completed the advancement without abnormalities.
• Huang Jingqiu explained the Blood-Circulating stages and their cultivation requirements, while Deng Zhijue gave Zhou Leng an Origin-Replenishing Pill and Blood-Replenishing Pills.
• Deng Zhijue told Zhou Leng that the monthly exam would likely be the Mountains-Rivers-Lakes Joint Examination and described its rewards and the possibility of placing in the top eight.
• Deng Zhijue said the examination would likely take place in Water Continent Demon City because ordinary Martial Universities could not deploy Resource Demon City.

After advancing to the Blood-Circulating Stage, Zhou Leng demonstrated his improved combat ability and strength at the martial arts hall. That night, he discovered Big Yellow had found a bone from an Innate Realm Hornback Demon Ox and carried it toward Old Tower Street.

• Deng Zhijue explained competing theories about the Heavenly Stair and told Zhou Leng about joint examinations, the Grand Joint Examination, and training camps.
• Zhou Leng sparred with Lu Juncai, Wei Hong, and other classmates, defeating them all without conceding a point.
• Zhou Leng tested his strength, lifting 7 kilograms without true qi and 3029 kilograms with true qi, then trained with weights and ran for 9 minutes 10 seconds.
• After his advancement left him ravenous, Zhou Leng ate repeatedly at the cafeteria, where the auntie congratulated him and gave him extra chicken drumsticks.
• Zhou Leng found a large black bone beside Big Yellow and identified it as likely belonging to an Innate Realm Hornback Demon Ox.
• Late at night, Zhou Leng wrapped the bone in an old bedsheet and carried it toward Old Tower Street.

Zhou Leng sold an Innate Demonic Bull bone at Old Tower Street's ghost market despite Ni San trying to scare buyers away on behalf of Bada Pioneer Corporation. After the sale, Ni San and his accomplice confronted Zhou Leng outside the market and asked where he had obtained the bone.

• Zhou Leng visited Old Tower Street, browsed the stalls, and decided against buying privately made pills because he could not verify their quality.
• Zhou Leng set up a stall to sell an Innate Demonic Bull bone and initially struggled to price it.
• Ni San tried to buy the bone cheaply and warned Zhou Leng that Bada Pioneer Corporation had taken an interest in it, driving away several prospective buyers.
• A burly man judged to be at least in the Body-Refining Stage bought the bone from Zhou Leng for fifty-eight thousand underground currency.
• Ni San and his accomplice confronted Zhou Leng after he left the ghost market and asked where he had found the bone.
• Zhou Leng claimed his eldest uncle was a Force-Generating Stage expert and offered to take Ni San to meet him.

Zhou Leng ambushed Ni San and his companion after they demanded money, then hid the evidence and practiced with a Blood-Replenishing Pill. The next morning, Tian Wenhu ordered a search for the attacker while warning his men to avoid trouble as Ru City approached a period of chaos.

• Zhou Leng tricked Ni San and his companion with a bedsheet, then beat them unconscious and crippled their dantians.
• Zhou Leng took their pills and belongings, destroyed Ni San's phone and clothes in a sewer, and went to Xiaoru Village.
• Zhou Leng calmed down beneath the Frost Giant Tree, promised Big Yellow meat, and swallowed a Blood-Replenishing Pill to cultivate.
• Ni Huzi told Tian Wenhu and Tian Wenbao that Ni San had identified the attacker’s techniques and suspected he was a young martial arts talent.
• Tian Wenhu ordered his men to search surveillance footage and forensic traces, continue seeking the secret treasure, and avoid provoking experts as Ru City grew unstable.

Tian Wenbao’s suspicious behavior continued as Zhou Leng encountered a school drill honoring the fight to reclaim Sea Demon City. Deng Zhijue then led Zhou Leng and five classmates into a Martial Guard operation, where they confronted a blood-soaked home covered in writhing magic arrays.

• Tian Wenbao left Tian Wenhu’s villa, berated his subordinates, and Jiang Yan privately blamed him for the trouble at work.
• Zhou Leng passed No. 59 Middle School and remembered how the Sirens had seized West Sea City and turned it into West Sea Demon City.
• Deng Zhijue summoned Zhou Leng, Lu Juncai, Feng Wenhao, Wei Hong, Xu Yuan, and Qian Baichuan, then told them they had been temporarily conscripted as probationary Martial Guards.
• Deng Zhijue and six Martial Guards brought the students to Yulong Bay Residential Complex, where materials showed five mutilated corpses and blood magic arrays in an apartment.
• Zhou Leng and the others entered Apartment 1, where the arrays writhed and Feng Wenhao vomited from the stench and horror.

During an on-site investigation of a massacre, Zhou Leng identified signs of a Despair Priest summoning and suspected the victims had been influenced by another demon. He recognized similar bloodshot eyes on a coworker and joined Deng Zhijue’s team as they raced to National Cloud Pioneer Company to investigate the suspected Endless Candle Serpent’s power.

• Deng Zhijue tested the students at a bloody crime scene, and Zhou Leng concluded that a Despair Priest had been summoned and slaughtered the five victims.
• Zhou Leng reasoned that another demon’s power had likely influenced the victims, then noticed that the two murdered children had attended his former school, No. 59 Middle School.
• After reviewing the investigation report and thinking over the victims’ bloodshot eyes, Zhou Leng told Deng Zhijue that his deputy team leader at National Cloud Pioneer Company had similar eyes.
• Deng Zhijue confirmed that the deputy team leader was still at the company and brought Zhou Leng along with six Martial Guards to investigate.
• On the drive, Deng Zhijue explained the Martial Guards’ need for speed, and Zhou Leng learned that Hall Master Wang suspected the Endless Candle Serpent.

Zhou Leng joined Deng Zhijue’s investigation into possible Candlebearer influence at National Cloud Pioneer Company’s slaughterhouse. The blood tests exposed abnormal signs in Jiang Yan and three other employees, and the investigators turned their attention to the managers responsible for them.

• Zhou Leng explained the Endless Candle Serpent and the Molten Candle Legion before Deng Zhijue warned him not to ask inappropriate questions.
• Deng Zhijue and Zhou Leng brought blood-testing equipment to the slaughterhouse and tested its employees.
• Jiang Yan showed abnormal eye blood vessels when he became agitated, so Deng Zhijue ordered him taken to the bureau for further examination.
• The Martial Guards tested more than a thousand factory workers, found twelve with slightly elevated Demonic Beast auras, and took four with eyes like Jiang Yan’s for investigation.
• Deng Zhijue noted that the four employees had worked under Tian Wenbao and other slaughterhouse managers, whose eyes the team decided to examine.

Deng Zhijue’s Martial Guards tried to arrest Tian Wenbao, but he transformed and escaped after fighting them. He reached Tian Wenhu, who agreed to help him leave and learned Zhou Leng might have crippled one of his underlings.

• Zhou Leng and Deng Zhijue coordinated their inspection before surrounding Tian Wenbao and ordering him to come to the Martial Guard Bureau.
• Tian Wenbao transformed as the Martial Guards tried to handcuff him, broke through the encirclement, and escaped using a burst of speed.
• Deng Zhijue pursued Tian Wenbao with the Force-Generating Stage guards while Zhou Leng and the others returned to the martial arts school.
• Tian Wenbao appeared bloodied at Tian Wenhu’s guest room and told him he had escaped the Martial Guard Bureau.
• Tian Wenbao identified Zhou Leng as the trainee who had stopped him and was likely responsible for crippling Tian Wenhu’s underling.
• Tian Wenhu helped Tian Wenbao downstairs, and Tian Wenbao said he planned to join the Demon-Worshiping Cult and help his brother’s business.

Tian Wenhu tried to take his demonically transformed younger brother Tian Wenbao to surrender, but the pursuing martial guards killed Tian Wenbao during their fight. Afterward, Deng Zhijue reported to Wang Boxiong, who ordered him to keep Zhou Leng’s role out of the official report and warned Zhou to stay at the martial arts hall.

• Tian Wenhu drove Tian Wenbao away from the villa, but Deng Zhijue and twelve martial guards pursued them and forced their car to crash.
• Tian Wenhu carried Tian Wenbao on his back and fought the martial guards, refusing to surrender his brother until he could no longer stand.
• Tian Wenbao denied colluding with the Demon-Worshiping Cult and died from his injuries; Tian Wenhu then agreed to go with Deng Zhijue.
• Zhou Leng asked Deng Zhijue about the operation and was told to remain in the martial arts hall in case the force behind Tian Wenbao retaliated.
• Deng Zhijue reported the events to Wang Boxiong, who instructed him to credit himself alone and exchange important information with Zhou Leng verbally.
• Wang Boxiong told Deng Zhijue to notify Zhou Leng about his bonus and leave the plaque concerning Ni San with him.