Chapter Summaries

Meng Chuan asked Zhao Huanzhen and Wang Ye about the True Martial Emperor’s Dharma Realm and learned how faith, aptitude, and the Emperor’s favor shaped access to his teachings. After Meng Chuan left, the Great Emperor’s statue grasped the transformed Demon-Slaying Heroic Sword in Jade Void Palace.

• Meng Chuan teased Zhao Huanzhen and Wang Ye about their injuries before asking about their experiences in the True Martial Emperor’s Dharma Realm.
• Zhao Huanzhen and Wang Ye described the Emperor’s palace, attendants, heavenly generals, and divine dragons, and Zhao explained the teachings he had received.
• Meng Chuan learned that Wang Ye’s deep faith could make it easier for him to enter the Dharma Realm, while the Emperor judged candidates by faith, aptitude, and favor.
• Zhao Huanzhen and Wang Ye said they had not visited the Black Tortoise Dharma Realm, and Meng Chuan left them to continue their sparring.
• At Jade Void Palace, the Great Emperor’s statue grasped the Demon-Slaying Heroic Sword as its blade shone with cold light and lightning rippled along it.

Chen Tuan took up the Demon-Slaying Heroic Sword and performed a ritual that drew thunder from the storm. On Top Pillar Peak, Meng Chuan was struck by the sword’s unleashed lightning and clung to consciousness as a warm sensation stirred memories of the mountain’s foot.

• Chen Tuan received the Northern Black Galloping Horned Demon-Slaying Sword and recited the Proclamation of the Mysterious Heaven Dao scripture.
• Meng Chuan sensed a mountain storm approaching and climbed Top Pillar Peak to activate his Nine Heavens Thunder Kill Talisman.
• The storm cleared the mist around Jade Void Palace, allowing Meng Chuan to see Chen Tuan emerge and raise his sword.
• Chen Tuan drew the lightning from the clouds into the sword, unleashing its power across the mountain.
• The lightning shattered Meng Chuan’s defenses and left him gravely hurt, but his Will of Martial Arts endured as warmth welled up within him.

Meng Chuan was struck by Chen Tuan’s Demon-Breaking Divine Lightning after using a thunder talisman, and his soul was drawn into the Black Tortoise Dharma Realm. Chen Tuan and Zhao Shousui guarded his body, believing the ordeal might bring him an opportunity, while Cheng Miaochang arrived to ask about the situation.

• Meng Chuan resisted the lightning’s destructive force as his soul neared a crack between worlds.
• Chen Tuan discovered Meng Chuan’s scorched body and found that a barrier and blue True Martial Power had formed around him.
• Zhao Shousui arrived and learned that Chen Tuan had dispersed the Emperor’s power, which Meng Chuan had caught with his thunder talisman.
• Chen Tuan explained that the Emperor’s power had drawn Meng Chuan’s soul into the Dharma Realm and might turn the misfortune into a blessing.
• Chen Tuan and Zhao Shousui sat beside Meng Chuan to guard him, and Cheng Miaochang arrived asking how he was.

Meng Chuan's spirit crossed a long, empty passage into the True Martial Emperor's Dharma Realm and discovered a realm filled with unseen Concept-Type Sky Demons. After a mysterious voice noticed him, he was pulled into a magnificent hall.

• Chen Tuan told Cheng Miaochang and Zhao Shousui to wait for Meng Chuan and listen to his report, while warning Zhao Shousui not to spread the matter.
• Meng Chuan's spirit traveled through darkness until his senses returned and he found himself on a stone road surrounded by enormous ribs.
• Meng Chuan examined the rib-like bones and realized they belonged to a colossal solid-type Heavenly Demon.
• Meng Chuan sensed Concept-Type Sky Demons beyond the ribs and sent out a thread of heartfire energy, which was swallowed by a powerful presence.
• A mysterious voice noticed Meng Chuan and pulled him into a grand hall paved with golden bricks.

Meng Chuan found himself in the True Martial Dharma Realm after being struck by lightning and persuaded the True Martial Emperor that his arrival in the Fengdu Great Cave was accidental. He asked to learn the Emperor’s martial arts, and the chapter ended with True Martial challenging him to prove his talent and his words.

• Meng Chuan realized the lightning strike had sent him into the True Martial Dharma Realm and recognized the Fengdu Great Cave as the prison for Heavenly Demons.
• True Martial questioned Meng Chuan about entering the cave, and Meng Chuan explained that he had been struck by lightning and vouched for himself by naming his connections to Wudang.
• When True Martial offered to send him out, Meng Chuan asked to learn martial arts and displayed his mastery of the Giant Turtle Toughness Art.
• Meng Chuan requested several of True Martial’s methods, but the Emperor questioned his sincerity and asked about his Will of Martial Arts.
• Meng Chuan declared that he worshiped neither immortals nor Buddhas and sought truth through fist and foot, prompting True Martial to ask how he would prove his claims.

Meng Chuan fought a Celestial Soldier formed from a Concept-Type Sky Demon and True Martial Emperor’s incense power to prove his strength. His full-force thunderfire strike blasted the Celestial Soldier, leaving its armor blackened as the fight continued.

• True Martial Emperor captured a Concept-Type Sky Demon, fitted it with Incense Armor, and challenged Meng Chuan to fight the resulting Celestial Soldier.
• Meng Chuan recognized that immortals and Buddhas could use incense power to control Concept-Type Sky Demons, much as the demons could steal incense power for themselves.
• The Celestial Soldier attacked with a spear and a shield of True Martial Power, while Meng Chuan gathered Bing Fire Yang Lightning into his fist.
• Meng Chuan hurled a golden lotus of thunderfire at the Celestial Soldier, whose shield failed to suppress the attack.
• The thunderfire exploded through the hall and courtyard, and True Martial Emperor restored the damaged surroundings as Meng Chuan watched the Celestial Soldier’s armor turn black.

Meng Chuan defeated the Concept-Type Sky Demon and asked True Martial Emperor to teach him the Devil-Subduing Divine Power in exchange for accepting the Profound Martial Method. True Martial explained that faith was tied to cultivating the divine power, but Meng Chuan pressed him to let him try.

• Meng Chuan destroyed the wounded heavenly soldier and asked True Martial Emperor whether he had passed the trial.
• True Martial Emperor offered Meng Chuan the Profound Martial Method, but said he could not teach him the Devil-Subduing Divine Power without belief.
• Meng Chuan reasoned that Black Tortoise wanted his Martial Arts Aura and proposed binding his fate to Wudang's lineage in exchange for guidance.
• True Martial Emperor explained that faith and contemplation were essential to learning the divine power and its later derivations.
• Meng Chuan insisted that True Martial teach him, confident he could find a way to master the art even without faith.

Meng Chuan received the True Martial Seal containing the Profound Heaven True Martial Demon-Subduing Mystic Scripture, then Black Tortoise began passing its power to him. The transmission branded seven points along his spine and formed three marks in his Sea of Consciousness, leaving him with an ancient Daoist verse he could not fully understand.

• True Martial agreed to imprint the Profound Heaven True Martial Demon-Subduing Mystic Scripture into Meng Chuan’s mind and warned him that the seal would allow only one attempt to learn it.
• True Martial pressed a torrent of power into Meng Chuan’s Sea of Consciousness, where it formed the True Martial Seal.
• Black Tortoise approached Meng Chuan and began passing its power to him as True Martial explained that it had formed from wandering souls displaced by demons.
• When Meng Chuan tried to withdraw his hands, an unseen force held them against Black Tortoise and the spirit snake.
• A vision of the Big Dipper appeared, and seven silver threads branded ice-and-fire acupoints along Meng Chuan’s spine.
• Three marks formed in Meng Chuan’s Sea of Consciousness, and an ancient Daoist verse began, though he could not understand its full meaning.

Meng Chuan received the Black Tortoise’s seals and techniques before being expelled from the transmission and waking on Top Pillar Peak. Meanwhile, Zhao Shousui learned that Great Chu’s forces were preparing a massive Grand Ritual of Cosmic Salvation against Mountain Whispers.

• The Black Tortoise gave Meng Chuan three seals, including the Turtle and Snake Generals’ techniques and the Ren-Gui Profound Martial Imperishable Grand Dao Scripture, then dissolved into starlight.
• True Martial Emperor told Meng Chuan that he was not yet qualified to discuss the Black Tortoise’s bond with him and urged him to cultivate the scripture’s prerequisites.
• Meng Chuan began to thank True Martial Emperor, but his body turned insubstantial and he was sent back to Top Pillar Peak.
• Cheng Miaochang told Chen Tuan that Daoists, Buddhists, United University, and the military were drafting plans for the Grand Ritual of Cosmic Salvation at Dragon-Tiger Mountain.
• Zhao Shousui realized the ritual would unite Great Chu’s martial world to surround and kill Mountain Whispers, with Zhang Daoling presiding and nearly a hundred Martial Arts Heavenly Kings attending.
• Chen Tuan noticed Meng Chuan waking and fed him Wudang’s healing pill for his internal injuries.

Meng Chuan recovered from his injuries with a Wudang Treasure Elixir and learned that the lightning lodged in his body was precious True Rhyme Qi drawn from Chen Tuan’s Divine Venerable Dharma Realm. He offered to return it to Chen Tuan, though the chapter left its fate unresolved.

• Cheng Miaochang introduced himself to Meng Chuan, then left to notify Taiyi’s True Persons and True Lords about a meeting.
• Chen Tuan used Inch Step to take Meng Chuan and Zhao Shousui back to Zhao Shousui’s home, where Meng Chuan refined the elixir.
• Meng Chuan discovered that the elixir was healing his body but could not remove a strand of lightning that had badly injured him.
• Meng Chuan considered using the lightning as an anchor to channel lightning-aspected qi and strengthen his body.
• Chen Tuan explained that the lightning was True Rhyme Qi, comparable to innate lightning, and that Meng Chuan had absorbed it with his lightning talisman.
• Meng Chuan offered to return the precious True Rhyme Qi to Chen Tuan.

Meng Chuan recovered from the Emperor’s gifts and Chen Tuan’s advice, while Luo Qin witnessed Dao Lord Zhang and other powerful figures arrive at the Celestial Master Mansion. The chapter left the reason for their visit unexplained.

• Chen Tuan told Meng Chuan to recover before teaching him how to use resonance and the Emperor’s demon-subduing methods.
• Meng Chuan revealed that the Emperor had given him the complete Black Tortoise series, the Profound Heaven True Martial Demon-Subduing Mystic Scripture, and four seals.
• Chen Tuan promised to teach Meng Chuan two true-art methods and gave him a piece of Immortal Tear Gold as an apology gift.
• Meng Chuan returned to recuperate, and Zhao Shousui warned him not to use lightning talismans so dangerously again.
• Luo Qin sensed dozens of figures arriving at Dragon-Tiger Mountain and found Purple Sun True Lord welcoming Dao Lords and Heavenly Kings, including Dao Lord Zhang.
• Dao Lord Zhang asked to speak with the Celestial Master and praised his disciple Zhao Huanzhen while comparing him with Luo Qin.

Zhang Jingshi and Zhang Ziyu left after Zhao Huanzhen’s victory over Luo Qin, whose Master noted his dedication to hard-body training. At Crane Cry Creek Valley, the Dragon-Tiger Celestial Master gathered Martial Arts Heavenly Kings to arrange the Grand Ritual of Cosmic Salvation, while Yi Lan urged them to choose next year’s New Year’s Eve so Sui Chunqiu could join after breaking through the Seventh Limit.

• Zhang Jingshi departed with Zhang Ziyu after reminding Luo Qin that Zhao Huanzhen had reached the Second Limit before him.
• Purple Sun True Lord questioned Luo Qin’s choice to focus on hard-body training and told him a Tiger Saliva Jujube was on the way.
• Martial Arts Heavenly Kings gathered at Crane Cry Creek Valley to discuss arrangements for the Grand Ritual of Cosmic Salvation at Taihang.
• The Dragon-Tiger Celestial Master presented two possible dates for the ritual: the final day of December or next year’s New Year’s Eve.
• Yi Lan recommended next year’s New Year’s Eve so Sui Chunqiu could join after breaking through the Seventh Limit.

Zhang Daoling and Xu Daoxian discussed humanity’s struggle against the Sky Demon Realm and the sacrifices needed for the Grand Ritual of Cosmic Salvation. Meanwhile, Meng Chuan continued recovering at Wudang and promised his uncle he would attend his sister’s wedding next year.

• Zhang Daoling emerged from the Three Pure Ones Dharma Realm and reunited with Xu Daoxian.
• Zhang Daoling and Xu Daoxian reflected on the young martial artists’ potential, the sacrifices of past warriors, and humanity’s hope of surpassing the demon gods.
• Zhang Daoling and Xu Daoxian bowed to the Three Pure Ones and returned to the encampment to bring their fellow Daoists news.
• Meng Chuan took a Vein Nourishing Spirit Pill and began treating the internal injuries from Headmaster Chen Tuan’s strike.
• Xue Na and Meng Yongzhi called Meng Chuan, and he promised to attend his sister’s wedding and protect her from her future husband.

Meng Chuan continued recovering and cultivating at Wudang Mountain while Great Chu prepared for a dangerous situation near Mount Taihang. He mastered Nine Palaces Taiji Force and used the last of his Immortal Tear Gold to advance his spiritual foundation, but reaching the Amber Foundation would require far more resources.

• Meng Chuan reassured his family that he would keep working and help them if needed, then resumed cultivation while waiting for his injuries to heal before attempting the Baxia Technique.
• Great Chu evacuated residents from six towns near Mount Taihang and placed the area under military control, while demonic path powerhouses gathered nearby to look for an opportunity.
• Zhou Yun monitored the Demon Nest from the Mountain Whispers observation post and expected the Grand Ritual of Cosmic Salvation to judge the trapped demons.
• At Wudang Mountain, Meng Chuan mastered Nine Palaces Taiji Force and confirmed that his Dragon Demon had recovered its vitality.
• Meng Chuan's Dao Heart finished polishing the Immortal Tear Gold, spreading golden threads across his Mystic Iron spiritual foundation and bringing him closer to the Amber Foundation.

Meng Chuan tested his improved spiritual power and modified black pearl artifact while recovering from his injuries, then began training against Ma Hongju using only fist-and-foot techniques. The sparring began as Meng Chuan sought to push his martial arts toward a breakthrough and learn from Ma Hongju’s combat skill.

• Meng Chuan used his Mystic Iron spiritual foundation to control the black pearl, turning it into a concealed explosive weapon that could also carry Killing Intent and momentum.
• Meng Chuan decided to keep the artifact and planned to learn from Martial Uncle Zhao how to attach spiritual power to his fists, feet, and weapons.
• Two weeks later, Meng Chuan’s injuries had healed enough for him to practice punches, though he still avoided techniques that strained his organs and qi.
• Meng Chuan continued cultivating the Longevity and Peace Method and focused on Bajiquan and Tai Chi while his injuries healed.
• Wang Ye introduced Meng Chuan to Ma Hongju, a peak Second Great Limit fighter, and Meng Chuan challenged him to a spar using only fist-and-foot arts.
• Ma Hongju took up a Tai Chi Cloud Hands stance as Wang Ye, Jack, and Zhao Huanzhen watched and discussed the matchup.

Meng Chuan fought Ma Hongju in a Wudang venue, overwhelming him with immense strength and seemingly inexhaustible true qi. Ma Hongju’s inner breath began to run dry as Meng Chuan’s relentless assault continued.

• Ma Hongju hurled a huge boulder at Meng Chuan, who stopped it with true qi and dropped it beside himself.
• Meng Chuan and Ma Hongju exchanged hundreds of powerful attacks, devastating the surrounding mountain terrain.
• Ma Hongju tried to seize and unbalance Meng Chuan, but Meng Chuan’s body resisted his grappling force and he countered with a Heaven Piercing Palm.
• Meng Chuan pressed Ma Hongju with a barrage of punches and kicks, while his own body endured Ma Hongju’s strikes.
• Ma Hongju’s inner breath dwindled as he struggled to repair his injuries and sustain his attacks.
• Meng Chuan landed a Quaking River Broken Cable Elbow on Ma Hongju’s waist and abdomen, scattering his stance.

After defeating Ma Hongju, Meng Chuan practiced until he attained Rhyme, Forget Form in his fist-and-foot arts and triggered a surge of Qi and blood. Quaking River Eight Extremities then broke its limit, granting him the Overturning River trait.

• Meng Chuan defeated Ma Hongju in their martial duel, and Ma Hongju conceded that he could not win.
• Meng Chuan explained to himself how he had combined Fist Before Intent with instinct to attain Rhyme, Forget Form.
• Meng Chuan practiced with an empty mind, letting his body perform varied martial arts by instinct.
• The practice stirred hidden Qi and blood within Meng Chuan, strengthening his body and lighting nearly fifteen stars in his Martial Arts Sky.
• Quaking River Eight Extremities broke its limit, and Meng Chuan gained the intermediate Overturning River trait with Flood Dragon Tendons and Tide Rider effects.

After breaking Bajiquan’s limit and entering the Rhyme Realm of Combat Skill, Meng Chuan’s strength and blood vitality increased sharply. He returned to Wudang Martial University and prepared to seek Zhao Shousui’s guidance on the new realm.

• Meng Chuan adapted to the Flood Dragon Tendons, unleashed a punch that split the air, and judged he could defeat Daoist Ma within thirty moves.
• Meng Chuan tested at 14,606 blood vitality, while Wang Ye, Jack, and Zhao Huanzhen reacted with astonishment to his rapid growth and breakthrough into the Rhyme Realm.
• Zhao Huanzhen explained that reaching the Rhyme Realm involved drawing primordial qi from heaven and earth, which transformed into blood vitality.
• Wang Ye invited Meng Chuan to ask his master about the breakthrough during the next day’s Dao lecture.
• After Zhao Shousui finished teaching, he sent Wang Ye away and began discussing the Dao privately with Meng Chuan.

Meng Chuan asked Zhao Shousui about the principles of Combat Skill Rhyme and the nature of vital energy and qi. He learned how martial arts draw on heaven and earth, while the discussion left him pondering why qi vanished and whether it had stalled humanity’s development.

• Zhao Shousui told Meng Chuan that the realm of rhyme began a deeper study of combat skills and connected fist practice to the Heavenly Dao.
• Zhao Shousui explained that vital energy entered through the body and transformed into qi and blood, while hard techniques could not draw it in without training the meridians.
• Zhao Shousui described vital energy as the power of heaven and earth and said martial artists could rarely sense it directly.
• Zhao Shousui explained that innate ancestral qi once enabled ancient qi refiners to draw on the world, but its disappearance contributed to the decline of qi cultivation.
• Meng Chuan wondered whether the loss of qi had stagnated the human world, but Zhao Shousui said he did not know, leaving Meng Chuan regretful and wary of returning to the True World.

Zhao Shousui explained the Rhyme Realm of Combat Skill and taught Meng Chuan about mental-power attacks, urging him to learn Wudang’s method of attaching mental power to the body. The two prepared to practice, with Zhao Shousui shifting their surroundings to begin training.

• Zhao Shousui explained the three steps of the Rhyme Realm of Combat Skill: Knowing Self, Knowing Heaven and Earth, and Knowing Origin.
• Meng Chuan asked how to use his solid mental power to attack, and Zhao Shousui described the different methods used by Daoist and Buddhist schools.
• Meng Chuan asked to learn Quanzhen Sect’s Heart Light Method, but Zhao Shousui told him it required Martial True Gang and recommended Wudang’s close-range method instead.
• Zhao Shousui explained how mental power could harm Concept-Type Sky Demons, while Meng Chuan’s Fist Blade could only harm manifested spiritual bodies.
• Zhao Shousui told Meng Chuan to attack him for practical instruction, then shifted the surrounding light and shadows.