Chapter Summaries

Shi Dong killed Jia Dachun during the birthday banquet and, with Qin Xiu’s support, took control of the Great River Gang. After the guests left, Qin Xiu and Ge Wen discussed the threat posed by Immortal Master Xiang and learned he had begun practicing martial arts because of the Age of Dharma's End.

• Shi Dong stabbed Jia Dachun, who struck him with a final punch before dying.
• Ge Wen dismissed Jia Dachun’s death, and Qin Xiu endorsed Shi Dong as the new leader of the Great River Gang.
• Shi Dong promised to uphold the city’s order, and the gang leaders left the banquet wary of the City Lord’s Mansion.
• Ge Wen and Qin Xiu discussed why they had not killed the other gang leaders and hoped younger martial artists would reach the Internal Energy realm.
• Qin Xiu worried that Immortal Master Xiang could become a hidden danger, and Ge Wen revealed that Xiang had requested martial arts manuals and cited the Age of Dharma's End.

After the birthday banquet revealed the City Lord's Mansion and the Red Fish Merchant Guild's power, Li Qing arranged for Keloda and Miao Qi to gather information while he was away. He returned to Sheng Tian with Rice Bucket, planning to wait out Qin Xiu and Ge Wen rather than confront them.

• Li Qing told Keloda he planned to leave Giant Rock City and asked him to record events and secretly watch the City Lord's Mansion and the Red Fish Merchant Guild in exchange for control of the city upon Li Qing's return.
• Li Qing suggested Keloda use four low-ranking gang members to gather information because they were unlikely to be planted agents, and Keloda agreed.
• Li Qing instructed Miao Qi to keep monitoring the Red Fish Merchant Guild, watch the Sand Crocodile Gang, and guard the blacksmith shop while he was away.
• Li Qing dug a cellar beneath the blacksmith shop, sealed himself and Rice Bucket inside, and traveled back to Sheng Tian.
• Li Qing resolved to outlast Qin Xiu and Ge Wen rather than risk fighting the two Internal Energy experts.

After returning from the Eternal Night World, Li Qing settled back into his blacksmith shop and learned from Boss Fang that Shengtian City and the jianghu had become dangerously chaotic during his absence. He discovered that a mysterious martial prodigy was killing fighters and that the Maple Guard Department’s commanders had left to investigate the massacre of the Lei Family and the Black Fiend Gang.

• Li Qing returned to his blacksmith shop with Rice Bucket, found his belongings safe, and rested after nearly nine months in the Eternal Night World.
• The next morning, Li Qing visited Boss Fang and gave him a finely crafted saber to thank him for watching over the shop.
• Li Qing asked Boss Fang about recent events and learned that a mysterious demon had been killing Martial Cultivators, while others used the killings to conceal their revenge.
• Boss Fang said the demon’s martial talent resembled Lin Yi’s and might soon let him challenge Internal Energy experts.
• Boss Fang told Li Qing that the Maple Guard Department’s commanders had gone to Qingzhou after the Lei Family and Black Fiend Gang were wiped out, their members apparently killed by the sword.

Li Qing learned that the sword killer behind the recent massacres might have been Sun Qi, whose fate remained unknown after he leaped from a cliff. After spending winter secluded in his smithy, Li Qing mastered two martial arts and decided to seek real combat to advance further.

• Li Qing asked Boss Fang about the sword killer, and they suspected Sun Qi, who had vanished after jumping from a cliff.
• Li Qing returned to his smithy, reflected on his six martial arts, and resolved to deepen his understanding of them.
• Li Qing realized that mastering martial arts could clarify the principles of Internal Energy, then practiced the Ancient Profound Hammer Technique with new insight.
• During the winter, Li Qing reached complete mastery of the Ancient Profound Hammer Technique and the True Intent of the Fierce Tiger.
• After martial law ended and winter passed, Li Qing decided to leave seclusion and find someone to spar with.

Li Qing challenged the Golden Armor Martial Arts School and effortlessly defeated several disciples while demanding to meet Zeng Jinbao. Zeng Jinbao arrived and recognized Li Qing as a young Internal Energy martial artist, setting the stage for their fight.

• Li Qing entered the Golden Armor Martial Arts School and asked to spar with Zeng Jinbao, but the disciples told him their master was absent.
• Li Qing blocked a burly disciple’s punch with one finger and pointed out how the man could reach the Outer Strength level.
• Li Qing also stopped Xiao Si’s Shattering Gold Fist with one finger, then faced the school’s chief disciple.
• The chief disciple attacked with a powerful Golden Armor Skill palm strike, but Li Qing knocked him aside with a palm of pure strength.
• Zeng Jinbao arrived at the school and remarked on the unexpected presence of a young Internal Energy martial artist in Shengtian City.

Li Qing challenged Master Zeng to test his strength, and their fight revealed how overwhelmingly powerful his fierce-tiger techniques were. Master Zeng called for the battle to stop after Li Qing cracked his armor and threatened to beat him to death.

• Zeng Jinbao warned Li Qing that losing in the Hundred Battles Realm could ruin his chance to become a Grandmaster, but Li Qing insisted on fighting.
• Li Qing set aside his Peerless Hammer and faced Zeng Jinbao without a weapon.
• Li Qing unleashed his vitality and blood, adopted the Tiger Form, and battered Zeng Jinbao with fierce-tiger attacks.
• Li Qing combined the Golden Body Technique with his fierce-tiger moves, cracking Zeng Jinbao's armor with repeated punches.
• Zeng Jinbao begged Li Qing to stop before his armor shattered and he was beaten to death.

After defeating Zeng Jinbao, Li Qing gained insights into combining the Golden Body Technique with his other martial arts and prepared to test himself against another of Shengtian City's great martial halls. He brought Rice Bucket to Hongfeng Martial Arts School, where a panicked disciple announced their arrival.

• Li Qing defeated Zeng Jinbao, who praised his strength and suggested he challenge Song Yunting or the Hongfeng Martial Arts School master next.
• Li Qing returned home and reflected on how the fight had helped him understand the Golden Body Technique and confirm his strength among Internal Energy experts.
• Li Qing spent four days in seclusion refining combinations of the Golden Body Technique with his other martial arts, including the Light Silk Leg.
• Li Qing headed for Hongfeng Martial Arts School with Rice Bucket, frightening passersby as the tiger accompanied him through the streets.
• A panicked disciple rushed into Hongfeng Martial Arts School and warned that a man was bringing a tiger toward the martial hall.

Li Qing challenged Hong Zhentian at Hongfeng Martial Arts School and defeated him in a fierce exchange of punches. Afterward, Hong Zhentian named powerful fighters across the realm, giving Li Qing a new target in the Nine Lotus Sect’s Yellow Lotus Protector.

• Li Qing arrived at Hongfeng Martial Arts School with his tiger and asked to challenge Hong Zhentian.
• Hong Zhentian accepted Li Qing’s challenge, and the two traded powerful blows.
• Li Qing and Hong Zhentian used their strongest moves, and Li Qing sent Hong Zhentian crashing into a wall.
• Hong Zhentian admitted defeat and warned Li Qing that Song Yunting’s elusive footwork would make a challenge unproductive.
• Hong Zhentian listed other formidable fighters and revealed that the Yellow Lotus Protector of the Nine Lotus Sect had defeated him.
• Li Qing thanked Hong Zhentian and decided to seek out the Yellow Lotus Protector as his next opponent.

Li Qing defeated a third renowned martial hall master, cementing his fame across Shengtian City as he pursued stronger opponents on the path to the Grandmaster Realm. After leaving Flying Cloud Martial Arts School, he considered traveling to Qingzhou to find his next challenge.

• Li Qing heard a storyteller exaggerate his feats at Drunken Moon Residence, then headed for Flying Cloud Martial Arts School.
• Qian Hong learned Li Qing had become a powerful Internal Energy expert, while Boss Fang warned his brothers not to provoke him.
• Qi Kang heard of Li Qing's achievement and wondered whether the Life-Extinguishing Art would help him surpass Li Qing.
• Li Qing defeated Song Yunting of Flying Cloud Martial Arts School by adapting to his footwork and forcing him to concede.
• Li Qing left after defeating the masters of all three great martial arts schools and decided Qingzhou was his likeliest next destination.

After a year of upheaval across the martial world, Li Qing arrived in Kaiyuan City to challenge Qingzhou’s Number One Fist, Wu Yang. The guards recognized him as Fierce Tiger as he rode into the city on Rice Bucket.

• Qian Hong wielded the Green Rainbow Sword to defeat two Internal Energy martial artists and severed both of their weapons.
• Qi Kang entered the Internal Energy realm, killed the head of the Flying Cloud Martial Arts School, and disappeared as the Maple Guard Department raised the bounty on him.
• Ning Yuan stole the Immortality Destiny Method from the Nine Lotus Sect and wounded the Green Lotus Protector while fighting three Lotus Protectors at once.
• Shen Lianyi slew two Internal Energy martial artists who sought the Demonic Blade - Crimson Lotus, frightening off others who coveted it.
• Li Qing defeated five more Internal Energy masters while roaming Qingzhou and headed to Kaiyuan City to face Wu Yang, with Rice Bucket carrying him into town.

Li Qing rode Rice Bucket into Kaiyuan City and challenged Wu Yang, Qingzhou’s Number One Fist, seeking to test himself against powerful martial artists on his path toward the Grandmaster realm. Their fierce fight began with both men exchanging blows, leaving the outcome uncertain.

• Li Qing entered Kaiyuan City on Rice Bucket and announced his challenge to Wu Yang at the Wei Estate.
• Wu Yang questioned why Li Qing wanted his title, and Li Qing said he would keep pursuing the Grandmaster realm despite the uncertainty of success.
• Li Qing set aside the Peerless Hammer and faced Wu Yang barehanded at the estate gate.
• Wu Yang attacked with his rapid Inch Punch, while Li Qing used the Golden Body Technique and the True Intent of the Fierce Tiger.
• After Wu Yang landed several punches, Li Qing chose to trade attacks, and his tiger fist struck Wu Yang as Wu Yang’s punches hit him.

Li Qing defeated Wu Yang in a brutal fight outside the Wei Estate, then agreed to hear Wei Cang’s proposal after learning the family could offer a Martial Arts Grandmaster’s insights. Wei Cang abandoned his attempt to match Li Qing with his granddaughter and began to explain the two matters he wanted done.

• Li Qing and Wu Yang traded blows until Li Qing used Internal Energy to send Wu Yang crashing into the Wei Estate gates.
• Wei Cang invited Li Qing to stay and proposed that he meet his granddaughter, but Li Qing refused.
• Wei Cang offered a Martial Arts Grandmaster’s insights in exchange for Li Qing’s help with two matters, and Li Qing agreed to enter the estate to discuss them.
• Wei Cang described the Wei Family’s decline and again praised his granddaughter’s beauty, but Li Qing rejected the match.

Li Qing agreed to forge a pair of divine curved blades for Wei Cang in exchange for martial insights and a two-hundred-year-old Bitter Profound Ginseng, and promised to aid the Wei Lineage once if it faced danger within his abilities. After Li Qing’s victory over Wu Yang became known across Qingzhou, Wei Cang hosted a banquet where his descendants met the famed Fierce Tiger.

• Wei Cang revealed that he wanted Li Qing to forge twin curved blades and help the Wei Lineage once in a future crisis, and Li Qing agreed in exchange for martial insights and a Bitter Profound Ginseng.
• Li Qing promised to finish Wei Cang’s divine weapons within a month, and Wei Cang happily accepted the deal.
• News that Li Qing had defeated Wu Yang spread throughout Qingzhou, making Li Qing famous as both Qingzhou’s Number One Hammer and Number One Fist.
• Wei Cang held a banquet and summoned his younger descendants to meet Li Qing, whom he hoped they would remember as a benefactor to the Wei Lineage.
• The Wei descendants teased Wei Qingqing about marrying Li Qing, but she refused, while Li Qing showed little interest in the match.
• Wei Cang worried about his descendants’ ability to protect the Lineage, and Li Qing reassured him that the Wei Lineage might never face a great calamity.

Li Qing tested the Wei family's mysterious Crimson Exotic Iron, which absorbed enormous amounts of heat, while forging weapons in the Wei family's smithy. Wei Qingqing, relieved that Li Qing would not marry her, secretly watched him work and blushed.

• Wei Cang gave Li Qing two pieces of Crimson Exotic Iron, said to be similar to the material used for the Demonic Blade - Crimson Lotus, and Li Qing agreed to try forging them.
• Li Qing found that the Crimson Exotic Iron rapidly absorbed the furnace's heat, so he used two forges to heat it while he hammered ordinary iron ingots.
• Wei Cang watched Li Qing forge and became convinced of his skill, then scolded Wei Qingqing when she objected to the idea of marrying Li Qing.
• Wei Qingqing learned that Li Qing would not consider marriage, left relieved, then returned to secretly observe him in the smithy.
• Wei Qingqing saw Li Qing bare-chested and intensely focused as he hammered the red iron, and her cheeks turned rosy.

Li Qing forged a matched pair of exceptional twin blades from exotic crimson iron and named them Lingering Fire. After completing the weapons and receiving a four-year lifespan reward, he sent Wei Qingqing to fetch Wei Cang and warned her to keep the blades’ quality secret.

• After seven days of smelting, the crimson iron transformed into heat-filled masses that melted Li Qing’s tongs, so he fused them with the curved-blade prototypes and waited three days for them to cool.
• Li Qing hammered the softened black-and-red iron into a matched pair of curved blades, then repeatedly quenched them until they were refined.
• Li Qing fitted the blades with handles, named them Lingering Fire, sharpened them, and received a four-year lifespan reward upon completing the Fine Mortal Artifact.
• Li Qing swung the finished blades and called for Wei Qingqing to fetch her grandfather, Wei Cang.
• Wei Qingqing recognized the blades’ value, and Li Qing told her to keep them secret before she hurried to find Wei Cang.

Li Qing delivered the twin blades Lingering Fire to Wei Cang and studied the Wei ancestor’s martial arts insight, gaining a clearer understanding of the grandmaster realm. After spending half a month with the scroll, Li Qing collected the Bitter Profound Ginseng and left the Wei family with Rice Bucket to return to Sheng Tian.

• Wei Cang admired Lingering Fire and told Wei Qingqing to keep the blades secret because they could endanger the Wei family.
• Wei Cang gave Li Qing the Bitter Profound Ginseng and access to the Wei ancestor’s martial arts insight in exchange for his promise to look after the Wei family.
• Li Qing studied the scroll’s martial intent and learned more about the Divine Intent Realm and the path toward becoming a grandmaster.
• Li Qing spent half a month contemplating the insight, then decided how he would use the Bitter Profound Ginseng.
• Li Qing declined Wei Cang’s farewell banquet and left the Wei family with Rice Bucket.

Li Qing returned to the imperial capital to unseal the Five Poisons Blood Activating Wine he had buried three years earlier. After drinking a cup and practicing through the night, he experienced a surge in martial progress and signs of Marrow Cleansing and Hair Washing, and he resolved to keep drinking the wine.

• Li Qing hurried back to the imperial capital and went straight to the blacksmith shop to retrieve the three-year-old wine.
• Li Qing broke open the vat’s seal, drank a cup of Five Poisons Blood Activating Wine, and felt his qi and blood erupt into a fierce surge.
• Li Qing practiced the Golden Body Technique and Turtle Breath Technique through the night as the wine accelerated his progress.
• Li Qing woke the next morning ravenously hungry and found a layer of grime on his skin, which he suspected was an early Marrow Cleansing and Hair Washing effect.
• Li Qing looked forward to drinking the wine for about a year, believing it could bring him a thorough transformation.

Grassland cavalry under Tuwahaer invaded Feng Kingdom, captured Wangyuan City, and pushed toward Imperial Capital Shengtian as the court struggled to respond. With war approaching the capital, Li Qing prepared to move his valuables into the Eternal Night World and sought out Qian Hong.

• Two soldiers at a border outpost spotted the advancing grassland army, but an archer killed the veteran before Dazhuang raised the wolf smoke.
• Tuwahaer led the cavalry to Wangyuan City, where General Lu Guanghong fought on despite overwhelming odds and died after killing more than a hundred enemy cavalrymen.
• Emperor Taiwen received news that Wangyuan City had fallen, and the grassland forces went on to seize much of Feng Kingdom's north while advancing toward Shengtian.
• As citizens fled south and Shengtian grew fearful, Li Qing decided the capital was no longer safe and moved his wines, wealth, and belongings into the Eternal Night World.
• Li Qing visited Qian Hong, commander of the Maple Guard Department, as she bore the strain of the crisis.

As the bandits advanced and the court planned to move south, Li Qing arranged for Gu Yu’s family to flee with the Qian family and stocked up on supplies. He then left Sheng Tian with Rice Bucket to find a quiet place to train.

• Qian Hong told Li Qing that the Qian family and the court planned to move south, and she agreed to protect Master Gu’s descendants.
• Li Qing told Qian Hong that Master Gu’s military pay had been embezzled, and she vowed to investigate the officials responsible.
• Li Qing warned Gu Yu that Sheng Tian was no longer safe and arranged for his family to travel south with the Qian family.
• Li Qing bought grain, wine, and medicinal herbs and stored the supplies in the Eternal Night World.
• Li Qing left Sheng Tian with Rice Bucket to seek a quiet place to train.

After Tuwahaer’s forces conquered Luoyun City, he offered the famous sword Moon Shadow Frost to the Yellow Robe Old Monster, who identified it as a Prototype Magical Artifact. Tuwahaer agreed to gather two more in exchange for an Immortality Cultivation Method for his descendants, while promising to keep his troops out of Little Cui Ridge and conceal the immortal’s existence.

• Tuwahaer’s bandits captured Luoyun City and retrieved Moon Shadow Frost from a fallen martial artist.
• Tuwahaer presented the sword to the Yellow Robe Old Monster, who confirmed it was a Prototype Magical Artifact and offered Talismans or Qi and Blood Pills in exchange.
• Tuwahaer asked for an Immortality Cultivation Method, but the Yellow Robe Old Monster explained that Tuwahaer had no Spirit Root and could not cultivate immortality.
• Tuwahaer requested a method for his descendants, and the Yellow Robe Old Monster agreed to provide one after Tuwahaer gathered two more Prototype Magical Artifacts.
• The Yellow Robe Old Monster ordered Tuwahaer to keep his troops out of Little Cui Ridge and never reveal his existence, and Tuwahaer promised to obey.
• Tuwahaer planned to slow his conquest, hunt martial artists for more weapons, and build a kingdom for his descendants.