Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• The rookie ranking matches begin in Tai'a Divine City, with the summoning bell marking the start of the competition.
• Yi Yun is called up to compete on the central Divine Desolation Platform against Feng Hai, one of the Four Little Tyrants from the Hong Dao Society, in the first match of the day.

Character Developments

• Yi Yun remains calm and unfazed despite the pressure and attention, displaying his mental resilience.
• Feng Hai, one of Yi Yun's opponents, shows excitement and eagerness to fight Yi Yun on the central platform.

Significant Themes

• The importance of mental fortitude and composure in competition, as demonstrated by Yi Yun's calm demeanor.
• The significance of the rookie ranking matches in determining the future of the trialists and the attention they receive.

Character Interactions

• Qin the Bald, Yi Yun's drill instructor, encourages Yi Yun and the other new recruits, emphasizing the importance of fighting for their camp's honor.
• The referee announces the matches, drawing attention to Yi Yun's first match against Feng Hai on the central platform.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yi Yun's first match in the Tai'a Divine City tournament is against Feng Hai, one of the Four Little Tyrants of the Capital.
• Yi Yun chooses to use a brick (Sky-Flipping Seal) instead of his Thousand Army Saber, surprising everyone.
• Yi Yun bets five thousand Dragon Scale Runes that he will fight more than twenty matches.
• Feng Hai demonstrates his family's 'Bell Sound Steps' and 'Golden Wind Saber' techniques but is ultimately defeated by Yi Yun with two blows from the brick.

Character Developments

• Yi Yun displays his calm and composed demeanor, even in the face of adversity, and his unique way of handling problems.
• Feng Hai shows off his family's techniques but is later humiliated by his defeat.

Significant Themes

• The power of unconventional methods and thinking outside the box (Yi Yun using a brick).
• The importance of composure and confidence in the face of challenges.

Character Interactions

• Yi Yun and Feng Hai's interaction is brief but intense, with Feng Hai underestimating Yi Yun and paying the price.
• The audience, including the Hong Dao Society members and other Heavenly Prodigies, react with shock and disbelief to Yi Yun's victory.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yi Yun knocks out Feng Hai, the first of the Four Little Tyrants, using a brick, shocking everyone.
• Yi Yun borrows the Sky-Flipping Seal (brick) from the referee.
• Yi Yun's next opponent is Sun Yuan, another of the Four Little Tyrants.

Character Developments

• Feng Hai is defeated and suffers a mental blow.
• Yi Yun's strength and progress are noticed by Qin the Bald.
• Sun Yuan, the skinny monkey, is confident in his speed and agility.

Significant Themes

• The power of simplicity and directness (Yi Yun's use of a brick).
• The importance of adaptability and strategy in combat.
• The impact of mental state on performance (Feng Hai's defeat).

Character Interactions

• The Four Little Tyrants are determined to avenge Feng Hai and restore their reputation.
• Qin the Bald shows interest in Yi Yun's progress and interacts with him.
• Sun Yuan taunts Yi Yun before their match.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yi Yun uses a brick to challenge Sun Yuan on the Divine Desolation Stage.
• Sun Yuan uses the Sun family's Phantom Step, creating multiple afterimages to confuse Yi Yun.
• Sun Yuan attacks with a soft sword and hidden weapons, but Yi Yun evades using his speed and strikes Sun Yuan with a brick.
• Yi Yun defeats Sun Yuan with two bricks, winning his Space Ring.

Character Developments

• Yi Yun demonstrates his confidence and skill, defeating Sun Yuan with minimal effort.
• Sun Yuan shows his pride and overconfidence, underestimating Yi Yun's abilities.

Significant Themes

• The power of simplicity and directness over flashy techniques (Yi Yun's brick vs. Sun Yuan's Phantom Step).
• The consequences of underestimating one's opponent (Sun Yuan's defeat).

Character Interactions

• Yi Yun and Sun Yuan's duel showcases Yi Yun's strength and Sun Yuan's overconfidence.
• The fat member of the Four Little Tyrants watches in dismay as his brother is defeated and their wealth is lost.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The author announces a significant update: a 5,000-character chapter followed by two 6,000-character chapters, totaling 11,000 characters.
• This update comes after a previous three-chapter update, making it a total of seven chapters and 20,000 characters in two days.
• The author expresses the difficulty of maintaining the pace and complexity of the story, "True Martial," written by Cocooned Cow.

Character Developments

• No character developments are mentioned in this chapter as it primarily focuses on the author's update announcement.

Significant Themes

• The theme of dedication and hard work is evident as the author pushes their limits to provide a substantial update.
• The importance of reader support, both through monthly tickets and subscriptions, is emphasized.

Character Interactions

• The author directly addresses the readers, expressing gratitude for their support and requesting more. This creates a sense of interaction and community.

Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yi Yun continues his challenge matches, defeating the shortest of the Four Little Tyrants, Sun Yuan, with a single brick hit.
• Sun Yuan requests Yi Yun to switch weapons, but Yi Yun refuses, causing Sun Yuan to attack furiously with a clone technique (actually a puppet).
• Yi Yun easily defeats Sun Yuan and his puppet with two bricks, leaving him unconscious.
• Hong Dao Society members, realizing Yi Yun's strength, discuss strategies to counter his 'Brick Technique,' believing it to be a powerful secret skill.

Character Developments

• Yi Yun: Demonstrates his immense strength and confidence, using a brick as his weapon.
• Sun Yuan: Shows cowardice and desperation, trying to avoid defeat by a brick hit.

Significant Themes

• The power of underestimation: Yi Yun's opponents underestimate him due to his youth and the unconventional weapon he uses.
• The fear of humiliation: Sun Yuan's reluctance to be defeated by a brick highlights the importance of dignity in the Martial Arts Path.

Character Interactions

• Yi Yun vs. Sun Yuan: Yi Yun's calm and confident demeanor contrasts with Sun Yuan's desperation and cowardice.
• Hong Dao Society members: They discuss strategies to counter Yi Yun's 'Brick Technique,' revealing their fear and desperation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Hong Dao Society youths analyze Yi Yun's combat style and weaknesses, planning to target his brick.
• Li Hong, the Hong Dao Society President, scolds the youths for their foolish plan and realizes Yi Yun's true prowess.
• Li Hong admits defeat on behalf of the Hong Dao Society and advises his members to surrender rather than suffer humiliating losses.
• Yi Yun wins several matches without resistance as opponents surrender or are swiftly defeated.

Character Developments

• Li Hong: Realizes Yi Yun's strength, feels demoralized, and decides to admit defeat to minimize losses.
• Yi Yun: Proves his strength and intelligence by outmaneuvering Li Hong and the Hong Dao Society.
• Wan Kai and other Hong Dao Society members: Face the reality of their strength gap and choose to surrender rather than suffer humiliating defeats.

Significant Themes

• Hubris and Humility: Li Hong and the Hong Dao Society members initially underestimate Yi Yun, leading to their downfall. Yi Yun's humility and patience allow him to outwit his opponents.
• Strategy and Tactics: Yi Yun's strategic planning and understanding of his opponents' psychology lead to his victories, while the Hong Dao Society's lack of strategy results in their defeat.

Character Interactions

• Li Hong and Yi Yun: Li Hong finally acknowledges Yi Yun's strength and admits defeat, while Yi Yun maintains his composure and accepts the victories.
• Hong Dao Society members and Yi Yun: The society members initially underestimate Yi Yun but are forced to acknowledge his strength and surrender.
• Wan Kai and Yi Yun: Wan Kai, one of the Four Little Tyrants, chooses to surrender rather than face Yi Yun, demonstrating his understanding of the power dynamics.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yi Yun wins all five matches on the first day, with opponents conceding the remaining seven, earning him a significant amount of Dragon Scale Runes and Space Rings.
• Liu Yuxing, ranked sixth among newcomers, agrees to challenge Yi Yun the next day for a fee of eight thousand Dragon Scale Runes from Li Hong.

Character Developments

• Yi Yun demonstrates his strength and confidence, earning respect and envy from other trialists.
• Liu Yuxing shows his arrogance and confidence in his abilities, looking down on Yi Yun due to his background.
• Li Hong is desperate to stop Yi Yun's winning streak to avoid paying the full fifty thousand Dragon Scale Runes.

Significant Themes

• The power dynamics and hierarchies within Tai'a Divine City, with those from noble families looking down on commoners like Yi Yun.
• The importance of wealth and resources in Tai'a Divine City, with Dragon Scale Runes being a key currency.

Character Interactions

• Yi Yun interacts with the Hong Dao Society members, taunting them after their defeat and taking their Dragon Scale Runes and Space Rings.
• Li Hong approaches Liu Yuxing to challenge Yi Yun, with Liu Yuxing agreeing for a high fee.
• Yi Yun's actions and victories earn him respect from other trialists like Zhou Kui and Song Zijun.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yi Yun's challenge tokens are redistributed daily, and no one wants to challenge him due to his formidable strength.
• Liu Yuxing, ranked 10,006th, takes Yi Yun's challenge token using his "Star Picking Hand" technique, indicating he will fight Yi Yun.
• Liu Yuxing punishes a bald youth for using the word "challenge" to describe his fight with Yi Yun, demonstrating his cultivation method's power without physically touching the youth.

Character Developments

• Yi Yun remains unaware of his upcoming opponent, Liu Yuxing.
• Liu Yuxing shows his arrogance, strength, and mysterious cultivation method, the "Star Picking Hand."
• The bald youth learns the hard way not to underestimate or disrespect powerful cultivators like Liu Yuxing.

Significant Themes

• The power dynamics and hierarchies within the Tai'a Divine City and the kingdom.
• The importance of respect and caution when dealing with powerful cultivators.
• The mysterious and secretive nature of some cultivation methods.

Character Interactions

• Liu Yuxing takes Yi Yun's challenge token, indicating he will fight Yi Yun.
• Liu Yuxing punishes the bald youth for using the word "challenge" to describe his fight with Yi Yun.
• Zhou Kui informs Yi Yun about his upcoming fight with Liu Yuxing.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yi Yun learns about Liu Yuxing, a powerful newcomer ranked sixth, known for his 'Star Picking Hand' technique.
• Yi Yun faces Liu Yuxing in the Divine Desolation Stage arena.
• Liu Yuxing offers Yi Yun a challenge: force him to draw his sword within ten moves to witness the 'Star Picking Hand'.
• Yi Yun accepts the challenge, throwing Liu Yuxing's words back at him.
• The battle begins with Liu Yuxing attacking first, using his sword's sword Qi and movement technique to great effect.

Character Developments

• Yi Yun: Shows arrogance and confidence in his abilities, willing to accept Liu Yuxing's challenge.
• Liu Yuxing: Exhibits extreme arrogance and confidence in his 'Star Picking Hand' technique, underestimating Yi Yun.

Significant Themes

• Arrogance and overconfidence leading to underestimation of opponents.
• The importance of hidden strength and not revealing all one's capabilities.
• The clash of powerful techniques and the desire to witness and learn from others' methods.

Character Interactions

• Yi Yun and Liu Yuxing: Their interaction is marked by intense rivalry and mutual underestimation, leading to a fierce battle.
• Zhou Kui: Briefly mentioned as the one who informed Yi Yun about Liu Yuxing.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Liu Yuxing's sword is incredibly fast, making it nearly impossible for opponents to see or dodge his attacks.
• Yi Yun uses his Subtle Movement technique to evade Liu Yuxing's sword strikes, reaching the Great Accomplishment level.
• Liu Yuxing draws his sword and increases his attack speed, but Yi Yun continues to dodge without drawing his saber.
• Yi Yun hits Liu Yuxing with a brick, disrupting his movement technique and causing him to retreat.
• Liu Yuxing prepares to use his ultimate technique, the "Star Picking Hand."

Character Developments

• Yi Yun demonstrates his exceptional movement technique, reaching the Great Accomplishment level in Subtle Movement.
• Liu Yuxing becomes increasingly frustrated and enraged as he fails to defeat Yi Yun, eventually deciding to use his trump card, the "Star Picking Hand."

Significant Themes

• The theme of speed and agility is emphasized, with Liu Yuxing's fast swordplay and Yi Yun's evasive movements.
• The importance of not underestimating one's opponents is highlighted, as Liu Yuxing initially believed Yi Yun to be beneath him.

Character Interactions

• Yi Yun and Liu Yuxing engage in a high-speed battle, with Yi Yun consistently dodging Liu Yuxing's attacks.
• Yi Yun's calm and composed demeanor contrasts with Liu Yuxing's growing frustration and anger.
• The audience watches the battle with anticipation and amazement, reacting to the unexpected turns of events.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yi Yun faces Liu Yuxing in the arena. Liu Yuxing uses his signature technique, "Star Picking Hand," which involves thirteen flying swords and a hidden finger attack.
• Yi Yun blocks the flying swords with the Sky-Flipping Seal and counters with a brick, knocking Liu Yuxing unconscious.
• The audience is shocked and amused by Liu Yuxing's defeat, with some planning to send recordings back to the capital.

Character Developments

• Yi Yun demonstrates his strength and resourcefulness, using a simple brick to defeat a powerful opponent.
• Liu Yuxing's pride is humiliated, and his reputation is likely to be tarnished upon his return to the capital.

Significant Themes

• The power of simplicity and resourcefulness (Yi Yun's use of a brick).
• The consequences of underestimating one's opponent (Liu Yuxing's overconfidence).

Character Interactions

• Yi Yun and Liu Yuxing: A tense and competitive rivalry, with Yi Yun ultimately emerging victorious.
• Zhou Kui and Yi Yun: Zhou Kui is impressed by Yi Yun's strength but feels disheartened by his modesty.
• Song Zijun and Yi Yun: Song Zijun asks Yi Yun about the final attack, showing his curiosity and respect for Yi Yun's knowledge.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yi Yun explains 'Star Picking Hand' to Song Zijun, revealing its true nature and limitations.
• Yi Yun wins twenty consecutive matches, defeating Liu Yuxing with a single brick.
• Yi Yun's wealth surpasses one hundred thousand Dragon Scale Runes, placing him on the Dragon Scale Ranking.
• Yi Yun's ranking on the Human Ranking reaches over six thousand, placing him in the middle tier.

Character Developments

• Yi Yun demonstrates his understanding of martial techniques and perception abilities.
• Liu Yuxing and the Hong Dao Society suffer significant losses.
• Yi Yun's fame grows, attracting the attention of powerful veteran trialists and Prince Chu's Estate.

Significant Themes

• The importance of perception and awareness in martial cultivation.
• The limitations of sneak attacks and the advantage of open, righteous paths.
• The accumulation of wealth and its role in Tai'a Divine City's rankings.

Character Interactions

• Yi Yun shares his knowledge with Song Zijun, fostering their camaraderie.
• Yi Yun's victory over Liu Yuxing further solidifies his status among the newcomers.
• Lan Bai, representing Prince Chu's Estate, approaches Yi Yun with an offer, signaling potential alliances.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yi Yun and other newcomers learn about the dangers of soul contracts from Xu Qingyun.
• Xu Qingyun invites Yi Yun to join the Ling Xiao Alliance, Tai'a Divine City's top guild.
• On the fifth day of the newcomer ranking competition, top newcomers challenge senior trial-takers.
• Chu Xiaoran, one of the strongest newcomers, challenges Fang Jihai, a senior trial-taker ranked around 3,700.

Character Developments

• Yi Yun: Shows caution and wisdom in understanding contracts; considers joining a guild.
• Xu Qingyun: Demonstrates care and concern for Yi Yun's future, inviting him to join the Ling Xiao Alliance.
• Chu Xiaoran: Exhibits confidence and determination in challenging a senior trial-taker.
• Fang Jihai: Proves his strength and experience as a senior trial-taker, using his signature move against Chu Xiaoran.

Significant Themes

• Caution in signing contracts to avoid exploitation.
• The importance of experience and seniority in competition.
• The appeal of joining guilds for protection and resources.

Character Interactions

• Yi Yun and Xu Qingyun: Yi Yun shows appreciation for Xu Qingyun's guidance, and Xu Qingyun invites Yi Yun to join the Ling Xiao Alliance.
• Chu Xiaoran and Fang Jihai: They face off in a high-stakes challenge, with Chu Xiaoran confident and Fang Jihai determined to defend his rank.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chu Xiaoran faces Fang Jihai in a trialist battle.
• Fang Jihai uses his 'Fire Refining Savage Desolation' technique, engulfing Chu Xiaoran in flames.
• Chu Xiaoran, using her soft sword and the True Meaning of 'Hardness and Softness', blocks Fang Jihai's spear and counterattacks.
• Chu Xiaoran defeats Fang Jihai, ranked 3,780 on the Earth Ranking, without using her full power.

Character Developments

• Chu Xiaoran: Demonstrates her strength, skill, and comprehension of the True Meaning of 'Hardness and Softness'. She is confident, composed, and strategic in battle.
• Fang Jihai: Shows his prowess as a veteran trialist but is ultimately defeated by Chu Xiaoran. He is shocked by her strength and comprehension of laws.

Significant Themes

• The importance of cultivation methods and laws in elevating one's strength.
• The gap between noble families and commoners in cultivation resources and guidance.
• The True Meaning of 'Hardness and Softness'—one hard, one soft, leveraging a small force to overcome a large one.

Character Interactions

• Chu Xiaoran vs. Fang Jihai: A battle showcasing Chu Xiaoran's skill and Fang Jihai's shock at her strength.
• Yi Yun's reaction: Yi Yun acknowledges Chu Xiaoran's formidable strength and realizes the importance of cultivation methods and laws.
• Qin the Bald: Praises Chu Xiaoran's performance and asks Yi Yun if he feels the same.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Top-ten rookies, including Chu Xiaoran, challenge veteran trialists but lose.
• Rookie Gu Mu, ranked 20th, surprises everyone by defeating a veteran trialist ranked around 5,000, entering the top 5,000.
• Qiu Niu, ranked 10,200, challenges Bai Mingwu, ranked 3,960, in a highly anticipated match.

Character Developments

• Gu Mu: Proves his strength and potential, showing that he had a fortunate encounter despite coming from a less prominent family.
• Qiu Niu: Demonstrates immense strength and power, using heavy armor and weapons to overwhelm his opponent.

Significant Themes

• Fortuitous encounters and their impact on one's cultivation journey.
• The importance of a good cultivation method for a family's standing.
• The clash between speed and strength in martial arts combat.

Character Interactions

• Qiu Niu and Chu Xiaoran: Their friendly rivalry is highlighted as Qiu Niu aims to not lose before facing Chu Xiaoran.
• Qiu Niu and Bai Mingwu: Their match showcases Qiu Niu's extraordinary strength and Bai Mingwu's frustration at being overpowered.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Qiu Niu, a newcomer, defeats Bai Mingwu, a top 4,000 ranked trial-taker, by disarming him and sending him flying with a shield bash.
• Qiu Niu throws Bai Mingwu's weapon back at him, causing Bai Mingwu to concede due to the immense force and fear of being injured.
• The newcomer ranking competition ends, sparking debates among trial-takers about who is stronger between Qiu Niu and Chu Xiaoran.
• Betting pools are set up to predict the winner between Qiu Niu, Chu Xiaoran, and Yi Yun (compared to Gu Mu).

Character Developments

• Qiu Niu demonstrates his immense strength and unique fighting style, proving himself a formidable opponent.
• Bai Mingwu shows his inability to adapt to Qiu Niu's unconventional tactics and loses confidence after losing his weapon.
• Yi Yun is compared to Gu Mu in betting pools, with many supporting him due to his impressive victories.

Significant Themes

• The power of unconventional tactics and adaptability in combat.
• The importance of confidence and mental fortitude in battles.
• The impact of betting pools and public perception on trial-takers' reputations.

Character Interactions

• Qiu Niu and Bai Mingwu's battle showcases Qiu Niu's strength and Bai Mingwu's lack of adaptability.
• Zhou Kui expresses his support for Yi Yun, highlighting their friendship.
• Trial-takers discuss and debate the strengths of Qiu Niu, Chu Xiaoran, and Yi Yun, reflecting their growing reputations.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yi Yun reflects on his strengths and weaknesses after watching Chu Xiaoran and Qiu Niu's matches.
• He decides to improve his swordsmanship and visits Sword Scar Palace.
• He encounters an old man who offers to guide him to a special trial ground for a hefty price: ten thousand Dragon Scale Runes and one Glory Point.
• Yi Yun agrees, and the old man leads him to the trial ground.

Character Developments

• Yi Yun becomes more self-aware of his strengths and weaknesses, showing a desire to improve and become well-rounded.
• The old man is revealed to be a staff member of Tai'a Divine City with a mysterious connection to a high-priced trial ground.

Significant Themes

• The importance of continuous self-improvement and addressing one's weaknesses.
• The value of resources and opportunities in cultivation, and the willingness to invest in them.

Character Interactions

• Yi Yun and the old man interact, with the old man acting as a guide and potentially a mentor figure.
• Yi Yun's internal dialogue reveals his thoughts and motivations, showing his determination to improve.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yi Yun follows an old man to an ancient tomb beneath the Tai'a Divine City, which predates the city by millions of years.
• The tomb was once looted, but its dojo remains and is used to fortify the Tai'a Divine City.
• Yi Yun is pushed into the tomb chamber, which contains a stone coffin with a groove for a saber, suggesting the coffin was for a saber, not a person.
• He finds four saber marks on the walls with accompanying phrases, hinting at a peerless saber technique.

Character Developments

• Yi Yun: Demonstrates courage and curiosity, showing eagerness to learn the saber technique implied by the inscriptions.
• The Old Man: Reveals knowledge of the ancient tomb's history and its connection to the Tai'a Divine City, suggesting he holds a significant position or has extensive knowledge.

Significant Themes

• The power of sabers and their unique characteristics, contrasting with swords.
• The importance of the heart and will in determining one's invincibility.

Character Interactions

• Yi Yun interacts with the old man, who provides him with information about the ancient tomb and its significance.
• Yi Yun's interaction with the tomb chamber and its inscriptions leads him to reflect on the Way of the Saber and his own understanding of it.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yi Yun enters an ancient tomb to study four lines of text, likely left by the tomb's owner.
• The text contains profound saber techniques and principles, which Yi Yun struggles to comprehend.
• Yi Yun realizes that the old man who brought him here expects him to grasp even a tiny bit of these principles for immense benefit.
• Yi Yun activates his energy vision to examine the characters, discovering something unexpected.

Character Developments

• Yi Yun demonstrates his extraordinary comprehension but is still far from understanding the principles in the text.
• Yi Yun shows determination to persist on the difficult Martial Arts Path.
• Yi Yun's energy vision improves, allowing him to see beyond the superficial appearance of things.

Significant Themes

• The Martial Arts Path's difficulty and the importance of starting from the origin.
• The value of comprehension and enlightenment in cultivation.
• The potential of Yi Yun, as recognized by the old man.

Character Interactions

• Yi Yun interacts with the old man indirectly through his thoughts and expectations.
• Yi Yun compares himself to other cultivators like Qin Haotian and Luo Huo'er.