Chapter Summaries

Qin Lie confronted Zhou Yu and Zhou Liang over his crippled condition, the failed secret prescription, and their treatment of him. Zhou Liang expelled Qin Lie from his discipleship and struck him down, then ordered Sun Shun to send him home.

• Qin Lie accused Zhou Yu of pitying him as a cripple and confessed his feelings, but Zhou Yu pushed him away and said she had only ever regarded him as a junior brother.
• Zhou Liang, Sun Shun, and Chen Qing entered after hearing the commotion, and Qin Lie accused Zhou Liang of deceiving him with a useless prescription and using him as a shield.
• Qin Lie blamed Zhou Liang for his injuries and demanded that he avenge him against Gao Sheng, while Zhou Liang rejected his accusations and expelled him from the sect.
• Qin Lie called Zhou Liang a hypocrite, and Zhou Liang struck him in the chest, sending him crashing into the wall and collapsing.
• Zhou Liang ordered Sun Shun to send Qin Lie home and left, while Chen Qing noticed his master's stooped back.

Chen Qing refused an unfamiliar, heavily promoted Blood Gathering Pill and let his mother investigate a potential match, then learned that Qin Lie had returned to Zhou Academy raving mad. Qin Lie’s sister arrived to take him away, weeping over the brother who had been her family’s only hope.

• Chen Qing bought Blood Vitality Pills at Renhe Hall but declined the shopkeeper’s offer of the unfamiliar Blood Gathering Pill.
• Madam Han told Chen Qing that Auntie Zhang wanted to introduce him to Qiaolan, and he asked his mother to look into the match first.
• Song Yufeng told Chen Qing that Qin Lie had gone mad, and Chen Qing found him ranting and acting out scenes of battle at Zhou Academy.
• Qin Lie begged Chen Qing for mercy, struck his forehead against the ground, and continued laughing and crying until Zhou Liang ordered Sun Shun to fetch his sister.
• Qin Lie’s elder sister arrived and wept at the sight of him, while the academy disciples watched in sorrow.

After Qin Lie was taken away from Zhou Academy, Chen Qing resolved to build his strength carefully and encouraged Song Yufeng to persevere. Zhou Liang learned that illicit Blood Gathering Pills were circulating in Gaolin County and that the Green Scale Gathering would begin in a month, with rumors that someone planned to make a rising star famous by defeating established schools.

• Qin Lie's sister, helped by disciples, dragged the furious Qin Lie out of Zhou Academy, while Zhou Liang pressed a purse into Qin Yue's hand.
• Chen Qing recalled Qin Lie's rise and fall, vowed to strengthen himself cautiously, and urged Song Yufeng to give his training everything.
• Shen Zhenzhong and Liu Ze warned Zhou Liang about cheap Blood Gathering Pills that appeared to be illicit medicine, and Zhou Liang told them to caution their disciples against buying it.
• Liu Ze told Zhou Liang that the Green Scale Gathering would begin in one month and that the five schools were building their strength.
• Shen Zhenzhong warned Zhou Liang that someone intended to establish their authority at the gathering, and Liu Ze urged him not to let Zhou Academy become a stepping stone.

Chen Qing accepted Wu Manqing’s invitation to dine and discuss peace after their fight at Niangniang Temple Wharf. Wu Manqing offered the Wu Family’s full support for his bid to become Martial Champion, and Chen Qing left to consider her proposal.

• Chen Qing received Wu Manqing’s invitation and went to Linfu Restaurant in the Inner City.
• Wu Manqing welcomed Chen Qing, put their past fight behind them, and served him a rare three-year-old Silver Shuttle Spirit Fish.
• Wu Manqing explained that the Silver Shuttle cost five hundred taels and that the Wu Family specialized in selling Spirit Fish.
• Wu Manqing asked Chen Qing to lend the Wu Family a hand and promised its full support for his bid to become Martial Champion.
• Chen Qing said he needed time to consider and left, while Wu Manqing told Wu Zhong she valued his loyalty and sense of responsibility.

Chen Qing declined to pursue a marriage match with Liu Qiaolan after Madam Han learned that Qiaolan had once loved a poor scholar. As Zhou Academy weakened and Zhou Liang sought a refuge for his disciples, Chen Qing reached the consummate realm of Tongbei Fist and broke through to Transformation Force.

• Chen Qing returned from Linfu Restaurant and decided not to tie himself to the Wu Family, then agreed with Madam Han that they should not rush into a marriage with Liu Qiaolan.
• Over the next half month, Song Yufeng left Zhou Academy after failing to reach Bright Strength, while Luo Qian and Zheng Ziqiao grew increasingly absent.
• Zhou Yu gave Sun Shun and Chen Qing Lark Herbs from Qin Lie's allotment to help them prepare for the Green Scale Gathering.
• Zhou Liang wrote to Zhang Shitong of the Sihai Escort Agency, hoping to secure places there for his disciples as Shi Wenshan threatened Zhou Academy.
• Chen Qing completed his Tongbei Stance training in the courtyard and broke through to Transformation Force.

Chen Qing reached Transformation Force and continued cultivating before returning to Zhou Academy for a sparring match between its disciples and Liu Academy's. Liu Nianbo defeated Sun Shun decisively, leaving the academy gathered to witness the result.

• Chen Qing reached Transformation Force, then stayed home to study it and train Tongbei Stance and Toad Catching Strength.
• Bai Rui told Chen Qing that Zhou Academy's disciples would spar with Master Liu's disciples, and Chen Qing went to the academy that afternoon.
• Chen Qing arrived to find Zhou Liang and Liu Ze presiding while Sun Shun and Liu Nianbo prepared to spar.
• Liu Nianbo used Mantis Fist to exploit Sun Shun's opening and struck near his Zhangmen acupoint, pulling back his force to signal victory.
• Sun Shun acknowledged his defeat and praised Liu Nianbo's skill.

Chen Qing revealed extraordinary defensive and striking abilities when Liu Ze unexpectedly tested him and then attacked in earnest. Liu Ze acknowledged Chen Qing’s strength and congratulated Zhou Liang on Zhou Academy’s promising successors.

• Liu Nianbo defeated Sun Shun and challenged the Zhou Academy disciples, but Chen Qing declined to spar with him.
• Liu Ze sensed something unusual about Chen Qing and launched a probing strike at his throat.
• Chen Qing diverted Liu Ze’s attack with an invisible force field, even holding a drifting leaf suspended above his shoulder.
• Liu Ze attacked again with Mantis Fist, and Chen Qing met him with Tongbei Fist’s Mountain Collapse Style.
• The clash drove both men backward, and Liu Ze praised Chen Qing and congratulated Zhou Liang on Zhou Academy’s worthy successors.

Chen Qing revealed that he had broken through to Transformation Force, stunning the Zhou Academy and restoring Zhou Liang’s confidence in the academy’s future. After the disciples congratulated him and the crowd dispersed, Zhou Yu gave him two boxes of Three Yang Grass medicine and advised him on using it safely.

• Chen Qing explained that hard training, precious medicine, and a fortunate coincidence had helped him break through to Transformation Force, and Zhou Liang praised his solid foundation.
• Chen Qing declined a public ceremony and promised to focus on consolidating his new strength; Zhou Liang then left with Liu Ze to tell Shen Zhenzhong the news.
• Liu Xiaolou, Qi Wenhan, Zheng Ziqiao, and Sun Shun congratulated Chen Qing, while Luo Qian regretted not befriending him earlier and Liu Nianbo left with the Liu Academy disciples.
• After the academy’s disciples resumed training and later dispersed, Zhou Yu asked Chen Qing to follow her to the backyard.
• Zhou Yu gave Chen Qing two boxes of three-year-old Three Yang Grass on Zhou Liang’s behalf and explained how to prepare and take the medicine.

After Chen Qing broke through to Transformation Force, local families and officials sent gifts to curry favor with him, while he focused on cultivating Toad Catching Strength. Meanwhile, Pang Qinghai used his feigned grave injury to investigate corruption across Gaolin County and ordered his men to gather irrefutable evidence as his net began to tighten.

• Zhao Yousan and other local stewards, prominent families, and associates visited Chen Qing with gifts after news of his breakthrough spread.
• The Cheng Family steward brought Chen Qing a one-hundred-tael banknote, and Madam Han marveled at how their fortunes had changed.
• Chen Qing brewed and drank the Three Yang Grass medicine, which greatly accelerated his Toad Catching Strength cultivation.
• Pang Jiu reported that Renhe Pharmacy, the Huang Family, Zhu Mansion, the Blood River Gang, Songfeng Martial Arts School, and Canal Transport Office were implicated in illicit trade and corruption.
• Pang Qinghai ordered Pang Jiu to keep investigating and collect complete evidence while preserving the illusion of his grave injury.

During a heavy snowfall, Chen Qing visited Yang Huiniang at Wang's Cloth Shop, congratulated her on becoming a steward, and gave her more than fifty taels in gratitude for her past support. On his way home, he encountered the fallen Liang Badou and gave him silver for winter necessities before continuing through the snow.

• Chen Qing left the Wang Residence after giving Wang Zhi an unspoken warning to look after Yang Huiniang.
• Chen Qing visited Yang Huiniang at Wang's Cloth Shop, praised her for earning her steward position, and reminisced with her about their childhood.
• Chen Qing insisted that Yang Huiniang accept a pouch of more than fifty taels, repaying her for the dowry savings she had once given him to practice martial arts.
• Chen Qing left the shop, bought meat, and encountered Liang Badou peddling goods in the snow after Liang Badou's family lost its property and status.
• Chen Qing gave Liang Badou several pieces of silver for warm clothes and firewood, then continued home.

Chen Qing attended the Green Scale Gathering with Zhou Liang and met Gaolin County’s leading martial artists. The arrival of Songfeng Martial Arts School and Gao Sheng stirred dread among the Zhou Academy disciples, who remembered how he had crippled Qin Lie.

• Chen Qing entered the Green Scale Gathering with Zhou Liang and was welcomed by Wu Peng and Cao Tieshan after Zhou Liang introduced him as a newly advanced Transformation Force disciple.
• Zhou Liang introduced Chen Qing to Zhang Shicheng and other prominent martial artists, including Zhao Kaishan, Liu Suifeng, Lin Hongyu, and Deng Feihu.
• Liu Ze and Shen Zhenzhong arrived with their disciples and greeted Zhou Liang.
• Shi Wenshan arrived with Songfeng Martial Arts School, warmly congratulated Zhou Liang, and concealed a chilling hostility beneath his smile.
• The Zhou Academy disciples recognized Gao Sheng behind Shi Wenshan and recalled how he had crippled Qin Lie at the Martial Arts Examination.

At the Green Scale Gathering, Gao Sheng challenged Zhou Academy and overwhelmed its disciples with his vicious Mountain Breaker Hand. After Sun Shun and Liu Nianbo were badly injured, Gao Sheng singled out Chen Qing and demanded that he fight.

• Shi Wenshan traded barbs with Zhou Liang before the Green Scale Gathering officially began.
• Jiang Bei defeated Wang Zhiyuan and two more of Zhang Yuan's disciples in succession.
• Gao Sheng challenged Zhou Academy, and Sun Shun stepped forward but was badly wounded in fewer than ten moves.
• Liu Nianbo fought Gao Sheng next, but Gao Sheng broke his arm and sent him crashing beside Sun Shun.
• Gao Sheng taunted Zhou Academy and pointed at Chen Qing, demanding that he come fight.

Chen Qing accepted Gao Sheng’s cross-realm challenge and defeated him with a single exchange before crippling his spine with a deliberate follow-up strike. The match left Gao Sheng paralyzed, while Chen Qing confronted Wu Peng and invoked the rule that sparring leaves life and death to fate.

• Shi Wenshan assured Qu Yaohui that Gao Sheng could use Chen Qing as a whetstone and that Wu Peng would protect him from a fatal blow.
• Chen Qing calmly accepted Gao Sheng’s challenge and stepped onto the arena.
• Gao Sheng attacked with Mountain Breaker Hand’s Myriad Ravines Hear Thunder, but Chen Qing countered with Spirit Monkey Asks for the Way and sent him flying.
• Chen Qing followed with White Ape Holds Seal, shattering Gao Sheng’s vertebrae and severing the central great tendons in his spine.
• Wu Peng rushed to stop Chen Qing but arrived too late, and Chen Qing told him that life and death in a sparring match were left to fate.

After Chen Qing crippled Gao Sheng, Qu Yaohui entered the arena to defend Songfeng Martial Arts School’s honor. Chen Qing and the seasoned Transformation Force expert exchanged their first attacks, each wounding the other as the contest continued.

• Gao Sheng was carried off to the infirmary after Chen Qing shattered his spine, leaving Zhou Academy jubilant and Songfeng Martial Arts School stunned.
• Shi Wenshan sent his chief disciple Qu Yaohui to challenge Chen Qing, and the crowd braced for a clash between Transformation Force experts.
• Chen Qing steadied his Qi and Blood and took the opening stance of Tongbei Fist as Qu Yaohui approached.
• Qu Yaohui launched a silent, penetrating palm strike at Chen Qing’s chest, and Chen Qing countered by targeting Qu Yaohui’s wrist.
• Qu Yaohui diverted most of Chen Qing’s force, but Chen Qing took a glancing hit while his fingertips left a small wound on Qu Yaohui’s wrist.

Chen Qing defeated Qu Yaohui in a fierce arena clash, overcoming Qu’s killing moves with Tongbei Fist and Toad Catching Strength. Qu was knocked unconscious, and Shi Wenshan called for Doctor Sima as the stunned crowd watched.

• Qu Yaohui attacked Chen Qing with Mountain Breaker Hand, but Chen dodged and countered with Tongbei Fist, wounding Qu’s arm and shoulder.
• Qu launched a faster, life-threatening combination, and Chen met it head-on with Tongbei Fist’s Mountain Collapse Style.
• The two fighters were driven backward by the collision, but Qu suffered internal injuries and his arms went numb.
• Chen seized the opening and struck Qu in the chest with Reverse Arm Whip Hand, sending him off the arena unconscious.
• Shi Wenshan examined Qu and ordered his disciples to fetch Doctor Sima from Qing Nang Hall.

After defeating Qu Yaohui, Chen Qing recovered while the Green Scale Gathering continued. Wu Peng and Cao Tieshan proposed a Gaolin Chamber of Commerce backed by the Zhu Clan and Huang Family, leaving several factions committed to join and others, including Zhou Academy, undecided.

• Shi Wenshan carried the badly injured Qu Yaohui to Qing Nang Hall, while Wu Peng declared that the Green Scale Gathering would continue.
• Chen Qing returned to the Zhou Academy seats, assured Zhou Liang he was all right, and reflected on his battle with Qu Yaohui.
• Wu Peng announced the proposed Gaolin Chamber of Commerce to coordinate transport, trade, and security, and Chen Qing suspected it could help the Zhu Clan and Huang Family expand their influence.
• Liu Suifeng and Zhao Kaishan agreed to join the chamber, followed by Deng Feihu and Lin Hongyu, while Zhang Shicheng and several others declined.
• Liu Ze and Zhou Liang said they needed time to consider the proposal, and Shen Zhenzhong also declined for the moment.

After Chen Qing’s victory at the Green Scale Gathering, Zhou Liang warned him about Shi Wenshan and explained the path to Embracing Dan Strength. Wu Manqing learned of Chen Qing’s rise and decided to prepare a personal gift for him when the time was right.

• Zhou Liang praised Chen Qing’s performance, warned that Shi Wenshan would seek revenge, and urged him to stay cautious.
• Zhou Liang explained that Embracing Dan Strength required reaching the Extreme Realm, igniting a Martial Dao True Intent spark, and obtaining an orthodox cultivation method.
• Zhou Liang revealed that he had studied in the Haisha Sect’s Outer Sect and described how young Transformation Force experts could qualify for its Inner Sect.
• Wu Manqing heard that Chen Qing had crippled Gao Sheng and severely wounded Qu Yaohui, and she recognized his extraordinary potential.
• Wu Manqing declined her steward’s offer to send an ordinary gift and resolved to prepare a generous gift for Chen Qing herself.

Xu Fang and Xu Xiuhua learned that Chen Qing had become a formidable martial artist and regretted underestimating him. Huang Chengzong and Shi Wenshan discussed Chen Qing’s victory and agreed to postpone settling the score while the Gaolin Chamber of Commerce secured its position.

• Xu Xiuhua urged Xu Fang to cultivate Huang Mingxuan’s favor so they would have support after Master’s death.
• Xiao Cui reported that Chen Qing had crippled Gao Sheng and severely injured Qu Yaohui at the Green Scale Gathering, shocking Xu Fang and Xu Xiuhua.
• Huang Chengzong questioned Shi Wenshan about his disciples’ injuries, and Shi said Gao Sheng’s martial career was ruined while Qu Yaohui’s foundation had been damaged.
• Huang Chengzong warned that Chen Qing could become a serious threat if they could not recruit him, but advised Shi Wenshan to delay retaliation until the chamber’s position was stable.

As the year drew near, Chen Qing visited the Dragon King Temple at Yazi Bay and confronted Zhao Si over the bruise on Er Ya’s wrist. He learned that Xiao Chun had disappeared and Li Hu remained missing, then left the gathering amid snow and memories of old friends.

• Chen Qing completed his Tongbei Fist practice and judged that he could now face powerful fighters with greater confidence.
• Chen Qing donated ten taels of silver at the Dragon King Temple, astonishing the gathered fishermen.
• Chen Qing warned Zhao Si against using his strength to hurt Er Ya, and Zhao Si promised to treat her well.
• Liang Badou told Chen Qing that Xiao Chun had been taken away again and had not been seen since.
• Liang Badou said that Li Hu had been out of contact for a long time, with no word of whether he was alive or dead.
• Chen Qing left the Dragon King Temple and walked through the snowy reeds at Yazi Bay.

The Gaolin Chamber of Commerce strangled the livelihoods of martial arts academies, driving disciples to consider leaving and leaving Zhou Academy in distress. Zhou Liang revealed that the Chamber was secretly transporting contraband, and he, Liu Ze, and Shen Zhenzhong agreed to support one another while avoiding involvement.

• The Gaolin Chamber of Commerce took over work that had supported martial arts academies, and disciples began leaving as their income dried up.
• Chen Qing continued training Toad Catching Strength and advised Bai Rui to think carefully before deciding whether to leave Zhou Academy.
• Zhou Liang, Liu Ze, and Shen Zhenzhong discussed the Chamber’s pressure on the academies and learned that Master Liu and Master Mao had joined it.
• Zhou Liang revealed that the Chamber was using transport routes to smuggle Blood Gathering Pills and Bone-corroding Paste to the Huang Family's Renhe Pharmacy, Wangyuan Escort Agency, and Weapon Forging Shop.
• Zhou Liang, Liu Ze, and Shen Zhenzhong agreed to share information and support one another while staying clear of the Chamber’s contraband operation.