Chapter Summaries

After killing a green wolf, Lu Chuan awakened the Heaven Rewards Diligence entry, which let him raise cultivation and martial-skill proficiency through practice without ever regressing. He confirmed the power worked and set out to train his archery toward perfection.

• Lu Chuan waited for a green wolf to enter bow range, then killed it with a single arrow.
• The bronze ancient tree absorbed the wolf’s origin essence, matured its purple-gold fruit, and revealed the Heaven Rewards Diligence entry and Lu Chuan’s status panel.
• Lu Chuan learned that the entry let him improve cultivation and martial skills through practice and keep his attained realms permanently.
• Lu Chuan shot a distant target and saw his Basic Archery proficiency rise from 87 to 88.
• Lu Chuan decided to spend the day grinding archery to perfection.

After his Archery reached Perfection, Lu Chuan gained the skills and physique of a Divine Archer, bringing his strength close to that of a Martial Artist. He hurried back to Fengle City, intent on becoming a Martial Artist and escaping the Outer City's exploitation.

• Lu Chuan killed a Black Bear with an arrow and received a System notification that his Basic Archery had reached Perfection.
• Memories and abilities from a lifetime of archery transformed Lu Chuan, raising his physical strength to about eight hundred pounds and improving his speed and vision.
• Lu Chuan took the Black Bear's paws and gallbladder, leaving the rest behind because the Fierce Tiger Gang would seize it.
• Lu Chuan raced back toward Fengle City before nightfall and saw Martial Artists returning from the wilderness with Fierce Beast corpses.
• At the city gate, Lu Chuan reflected that becoming a Martial Artist could let him enter the protected Inner City.

Lu Chuan returned home to find Yang Zuo pressuring his mother to send his young sister Wangshu to the Fierce Tiger Gang’s Hall Master in exchange for money to repay their debt. He drove Yang Zuo away at bowpoint and resolved to cultivate Internal Strength before the debt came due in ten days.

• Lu Chuan rushed home after neighbors told him Yang Zuo had gone to see his family.
• Lu Chuan found Yang Zuo and two gang members threatening Liang Ya and proposing that Wangshu become the Hall Master’s goddaughter in exchange for compensation.
• Lu Chuan aimed his bow at Yang Zuo and counted down until Yang Zuo led his men away.
• Lu Chuan told Liang Ya that Wangshu would stay home and that he would find a way to repay the debt.
• Lu Chuan decided to stop hunting and focus on Five Elements Stance Training so he could cultivate Internal Strength and become a Martial Artist within ten days.

Lu Chuan comforted his younger sister, then consumed a bear gallbladder and discovered that practicing Five Elements Stance Training increased his proficiency through the System. As he trained at home, Yang Zuo plotted to use Lu Chuan’s father’s debt to imprison him and seize Lu Wangshu.

• Lu Chuan reassured Lu Wangshu and helped her fall asleep, then gave the bear paw to Liang Ya to prepare.
• Lu Chuan swallowed the Black Bear’s gallbladder to absorb its energy and began practicing Five Elements Stance Training.
• Lu Chuan’s System confirmed that each training session raised his proficiency, so he continued practicing with renewed confidence.
• Yang Zuo dismissed the possibility that Lu Chuan could soon attain Martial Arts Reaching Rank and rejected his lackeys’ suggestion to abduct Lu Wangshu by force.
• Yang Zuo planned to use Lu Chuan’s father’s overdue debt to have Lu Chuan imprisoned, leaving Liang Ya and Lu Wangshu vulnerable.

After Five Elements Stance Training rapidly strengthened Lu Chuan and drove his appetite to extraordinary heights, he cultivated at home for five days until the technique reached perfection. The chapter ended with him developing Internal Strength and achieving Martial Arts Reaching Rank.

• Lu Chuan raised Five Elements Stance Training to proficient, gained enough physical strength to rival an ordinary Martial Artist, and discovered that his body needed enormous amounts of food.
• Lu Chuan decided to stay home and cultivate, while Liang Ya spent the family’s savings buying meat to feed him.
• Over five days, Lu Chuan cultivated almost constantly, ate as much as a hundred jin of meat per day, and advanced Five Elements Stance Training to the brink of perfection.
• Lu Chuan completed another set of Stake Technique, developed Internal Strength that tempered his skin and flesh, and celebrated achieving Martial Arts Reaching Rank.

After reaching the Ninth Rank Skin Refining Realm, Lu Chuan decided to keep improving Five Elements Stance Training and planned to settle his father’s debt. He waited through the storm and killed Yang Zuo with an arrow, leaving the Fierce Tiger Gang’s response uncertain.

• Lu Chuan discovered that he had reached the Ninth Rank Skin Refining Realm and wondered whether Five Elements Stance Training could improve beyond perfection.
• Lu Chuan planned to hunt beasts, repay his father’s debt, and obtain his Martial Artist Badge, then decided Yang Zuo would die that night.
• Lu Chuan left home after his mother Liang Ya and sister Lu Wangshu fell asleep and waited on a rooftop overlooking the Fierce Tiger Gang’s bar.
• Yang Zuo left the bar in the rain, saying he had to return because something was nearly ripe.
• Lu Chuan shot an arrow from three hundred meters away, piercing Yang Zuo’s skull and killing him.

Lu Chuan entered Python Mountain alone to hunt Fierce Beasts, relying on his newly strengthened body and archery. After a Rock Wolf ambushed him and narrowly missed, Lu Chuan fired an arrow at it.

• Lu Chuan heard that Liu Bao was personally investigating Yang Zuo’s death and resolved to be cautious around the Fierce Tiger Gang.
• Lu Chuan passed on joining hunting teams and traveled alone into the wilderness.
• Lu Chuan crossed more than a hundred li, reached Python Mountain, and entered its dangerous forest.
• A Rock Wolf ambushed Lu Chuan, but he dodged its claw and recognized it as a First-Rank Fierce Beast.
• Lu Chuan drew his bow and shot an arrow at the Rock Wolf.

Lu Chuan killed a First-Rank Rock Wolf and discovered that the Bronze Ancient Tree had begun growing a new branch after his archery proficiency surged. He collected the beast’s Crystal Core and continued hunting, determined to earn enough to repay his father’s loan.

• A Rock Wolf charged at Lu Chuan after an arrow pierced its eye, but he dodged and killed it with three arrows that struck the same point in its skull.
• Lu Chuan saw his Basic Archery proficiency rise from 119 to 219 and noticed a new bud growing on the Bronze Ancient Tree.
• Lu Chuan cut open the Rock Wolf and retrieved its Crystal Core, which he planned to sell rather than use directly.
• Lu Chuan continued through the forest using the Forest Penetrating Deer move, hoping to hunt enough Fierce Beasts to repay his father’s loan.

Lu Chuan chased and killed a valuable Red Fox, then was ambushed by an Ink Cloud Blood Leopard while collecting his prize. Unable to escape the First-Order Peak Fierce Beast, he drew his dagger and charged at it.

• Lu Chuan spotted a Red Fox and pursued it through the jungle, improving his Forest Penetrating Deer Movement Technique as he ran.
• Lu Chuan used a four-arrow volley to pierce the Red Fox and kill it, then collected its body for its valuable fur and eyes.
• An Ink Cloud Blood Leopard ambushed Lu Chuan as he approached the Red Fox's corpse, and he fled with the carcass in his backpack.
• The Ink Cloud Blood Leopard caught up and narrowly missed crushing Lu Chuan with a powerful leap.
• Lu Chuan decided he could not escape, drew his dagger, and charged at the Ink Cloud Blood Leopard.

Lu Chuan awakened powerful mental power when the Ink Cloud Blood Leopard nearly killed him, and his mental shock destroyed the beast. After discovering his new mental-power rank and collecting the leopard’s valuable remains, he left the cause of his awakening unresolved.

• Lu Chuan attacked the Ink Cloud Blood Leopard but its blow sent him crashing into a tree, leaving him badly injured and unable to escape.
• As the leopard moved in to kill him, Lu Chuan’s Bronze Ancient Tree shone, and a mental shock burst from him and exploded the beast’s head.
• Lu Chuan inspected his Sea of Consciousness and System Panel, finding that the tree’s second branch had grown and his Mental Power was now Mortal Grade High Rank.
• After resting, Lu Chuan dissected the leopard and stored its First-Order Peak Crystal Core in his backpack.
• Lu Chuan extracted the leopard’s gallbladder and lamented that he had to sell it to Inner City pharmaceutical companies rather than use it himself.

Lu Chuan returned from Python Mountain with a large haul from the Ink Cloud Blood Leopard and brought it to Wanchun Hall to sell. Chen Qingfeng recognized the Crystal Cores among the materials and realized Lu Chuan had cultivated Internal Strength and reached Martial Arts Reaching Rank.

• Lu Chuan dissected the Ink Cloud Blood Leopard, packed its valuable parts, and left the rest behind because his backpack could not hold it all.
• Lu Chuan returned to Fengle City at night, drawing attention with the Killing Intent radiating from him and his bulging backpack.
• Lu Chuan went to Wanchun Hall and met Chen Qingfeng, who welcomed him and led him to a VIP Reception Room.
• Lu Chuan poured the materials from his backpack onto the floor, and Chen Qingfeng spotted Crystal Cores and realized Lu Chuan had reached Martial Arts Reaching Rank.
• Chen Qingfeng refrained from asking how Lu Chuan had cultivated Internal Strength and began assessing the materials.

Lu Chuan sold his Fierce Beast materials to Chen Qingfeng and learned about the Martial Dao realms and the Skin Refining Methods available to him. After coming to terms with the Inner City factions’ control of resources, he decided to buy the Savage Elephant Skin Refining Method and several pieces of equipment.

• Chen Qingfeng valued Lu Chuan’s materials at 1.5 million, and Lu Chuan agreed to the price.
• Lu Chuan stopped Chen Qingfeng’s transfer and asked about buying a Cultivation Method, learning that Chen Qingfeng had a Low-grade Skin Refining Method called the Savage Elephant Skin Refining Method.
• Chen Qingfeng explained the Junior Martial Artist stages and the costs and limits of Low-, Mid-, and High-grade Skin Refining Methods.
• Lu Chuan grew angry at the Inner City factions’ monopoly, but Chen Qingfeng argued that their forebears had earned those resources through sacrifice.
• Lu Chuan reflected on survival and competition, then agreed to buy the Savage Elephant Skin Refining Method, a bow and arrow, a War Blade, and a Combat Suit.

Lu Chuan bought martial supplies and the Savage Elephant Skin Refining Method, paid off his father’s bank loan, and planned to improve his strength and move his family to the Inner City. Meanwhile, Liu Bao ordered a subordinate to kill Lu Chuan outside the city and bring his mother and sister to him.

• Lu Chuan spent most of his money at Wanchun Hall on Qi and Blood Potions, weapons, armor, and the Savage Elephant Skin Refining Method.
• Lu Chuan decided to perfect his Five Elements Stance Training before cultivating the new method and dreamed of moving his mother and younger sister to the Inner City.
• Lu Chuan paid off his father’s 120,000 loan at Great Xia Bank, including 20,000 in interest.
• Liu Bao learned that Lu Chuan had cultivated Internal Strength and repaid the loan, making it harder to coerce him into handing over his sister.
• Liu Bao ordered a bald subordinate to kill Lu Chuan after he left the city, then bring his mother and sister to him willingly.

Lu Chuan broke the Five Elements Stance Training’s limit, awakened Fierce Tiger Intent, and advanced to the Ninth Rank Mid Stage. He began studying the Savage Elephant Skin Refining Method to continue improving his cultivation.

• Lu Chuan’s Five Elements Stance Training broke its limit, and his punch demolished a tree as Fierce Tiger Intent surged through him.
• Lu Chuan hurried home to avoid attracting attention, then saw that his cultivation had risen to the Ninth Rank Mid Stage and his stance training had gained Fierce Tiger Intent.
• Lu Chuan estimated that Fierce Tiger Intent could let him unleash around ten thousand jin of force, while reflecting that other Martial Artists could also amplify their strength through their own skills.
• Lu Chuan decided to cultivate the Savage Elephant Skin Refining Method after his Five Elements Stance Training could no longer gain proficiency.
• Lu Chuan reviewed the method’s twenty-one forms and learned how its stages corresponded to Ninth Rank cultivation and Stone Skin.

Lu Chuan reached the Ninth Rank Skin Refining Realm Late Stage and brought the Savage Elephant Skin Refining Method to Great Accomplishment after a month of training. He decided to leave the city to hunt Fierce Beasts, unaware that Brother Qiang’s men were watching for him to go.

• Lu Chuan practiced the Savage Elephant Skin Refining Method, but stopped when the thirteenth form caused intense pain.
• Lu Chuan spent a month cultivating and broke through to the Ninth Rank Skin Refining Realm Late Stage, reaching Great Accomplishment in the Savage Elephant Skin Refining Method.
• Lu Chuan decided to leave the city to hunt Fierce Beasts after using all his Basic Potions, and resolved to test his strength.
• Brother Qiang questioned two youths who were watching Lu Chuan and ordered them to alert him as soon as Lu Chuan prepared to leave the city.

Lu Chuan left the city to hunt in Python Mountain, where his Basic Archery broke its limit and greatly increased his arrow speed. He then encountered Tian Qiang of the Fierce Tiger Gang, who demanded that he kneel and beg for mercy.

• Lu Chuan traveled through the Wilderness Area toward Python Mountain and killed attacking wild beasts with his bow.
• After killing a giant wild boar, Lu Chuan's Basic Archery broke its limit and gained the Rapid Speed state.
• Lu Chuan realized his arrows could now exceed the speed of sound and believed he could defeat the Ink Cloud Blood Leopard with three shots.
• Lu Chuan entered a patch of brushwood and recognized Tian Qiang, a notorious Ninth Rank Mid Stage expert of the Fierce Tiger Gang.
• Tian Qiang drew his War Blade, approached Lu Chuan, and demanded that he kneel, kowtow, and beg for mercy.

Lu Chuan defeated Tian Qiang and learned that Liu Bao had ordered the ambush to remove him and target his sister, though Tian Qiang did not know why she was special. Unsatisfied with Tian Qiang’s answers, Lu Chuan killed him, leaving the mystery of his sister’s importance unresolved.

• Lu Chuan countered Tian Qiang’s attack with one blow, badly injuring him and realizing that his Rapid Speed state increased his overall speed.
• Lu Chuan chased down Tian Qiang, held a blade to his throat, and forced him to kneel and answer questions.
• Tian Qiang confessed that Liu Bao had sent him to kill Lu Chuan so Liu Bao could target Lu Chuan’s sister without interference.
• Tian Qiang said he did not know why Liu Bao considered Lu Chuan’s sister special and begged Lu Chuan to spare him.
• Lu Chuan rejected Tian Qiang’s answer and beheaded him.

After killing Tian Qiang, Lu Chuan headed back to Python Mountain to strengthen himself before confronting Liu Bao. He discovered a Hundred-Year Great Medicine in a valley packed with Fierce Beasts and watched from a hidden ledge.

• Lu Chuan considered Tian Qiang’s warning about his sister and decided to grow stronger before confronting Liu Bao.
• Lu Chuan returned to Python Mountain and searched its outskirts for Fierce Beasts.
• Lu Chuan caught the scent of a Great Medicine and followed it toward the southeast, suspecting it had drawn the local Fierce Beasts together.
• Lu Chuan found more than a hundred Fierce Beasts gathered in a valley and climbed to a concealed ledge overlooking it.
• Lu Chuan spotted a blood-red tree bearing three jade-white fruits and recognized it as a Hundred-Year Great Medicine nearing sentience.

Lu Chuan watched over a hundred Fierce Beasts fight over three Hundred-Year Great Medicine in a valley, then used his bow from the cliff to stop them from reaching the fruits. He continued picking off the beasts from above while planning to learn ranked archery and blade techniques.

• Lu Chuan spotted three Hundred-Year Great Medicine guarded by over a hundred Fierce Beasts and realized he could not take them by force.
• A White Ape attacked the fruit in the pool, triggering a brutal melee among the Fierce Beasts.
• Lu Chuan waited on the cliff, then shot down a Rock Wolf that reached the white jade boulder.
• Lu Chuan wounded an eagle vulture that tried to seize the Great Medicine, forcing it to flee.
• Lu Chuan continued shooting at Fierce Beasts approaching the fruit and planned to ask Chen Qingfeng for ranked archery and blade techniques.

Lu Chuan harvested three White Jade Dragon Rock Fruits after killing Fierce Beasts in the valley, but an armed group from the Inner City confronted him and demanded the fruits. He faced them alone as the young leader threatened to kill him if he refused.

• Lu Chuan killed twenty-five Fierce Beasts with arrows and hurried down to the pool’s center.
• Lu Chuan plucked the three scorching White Jade Dragon Rock Fruits and sealed them in a medicinal-herb box.
• Lu Chuan tried to uproot the small blood-red tree, but he dodged an arrow that shattered the jade-white rock.
• Lu Chuan confronted a group of nine powerful Martial Artists led by an azure-clad young man, and he assessed the middle-aged man and the ordinary-looking man as especially dangerous.
• The young man demanded that Lu Chuan hand over the fruits and threatened to kill him if he refused.