Chapter Summaries

Chen Chuan accepted Nian Fuli’s demand that he become independent within two months and went to Wu Yi University to pursue his own plan. The chapter ended as he entered the academy to find the admissions examination office, while the dark figure identical to him continued to appear.

• Nian Fuli told Chen Chuan to find his own way and give himself two months before setting up his own household, and Chen Chuan agreed.
• Yu Wan gave Chen Chuan a bundle of money and asked whether he intended to seek out the Meng Family Girl, but he said he would not.
• Chen Chuan dreamed of encountering a Dome Mirror in his previous life and relived a vision of his own body growing from infancy before everything went dark.
• Chen Chuan woke early, dressed in his formal student clothes, and rode his bicycle through Yangzhi City toward Wu Yi University.
• Chen Chuan found the admissions examination sign, dismounted, and pushed his bicycle through the university’s side gate as the identical boy watched him.

Chen Chuan registered for Wu Yi Academy’s entrance exam despite having no combat training, then entered the assessment sparring area. A senior student named Dan Xiong, angered by Chen Chuan’s interaction with a female student, came at him with a vicious kick.

• Chen Chuan joined the applicants and learned that wealthy candidates could enter Wu Yi Academy directly with Recommendation Certificates.
• Chen Chuan registered, paid the application fee, and was warned that the exam would test how he adapted during sparring.
• Dan Xiong persuaded Liu Cai to arrange him as Chen Chuan’s sparring opponent so he could teach Chen Chuan a lesson.
• Liu Cai recognized Chen Chuan’s Patrol Bureau shoulder bag and tried to stop Dan Xiong, but the sparring match had already been called.
• Dan Xiong put on Gauntlets and launched a high whip kick at Chen Chuan.

Chen Chuan passed Wuyi Academy’s entrance examination after defeating Dan Xiong with help from his Second Self, then discovered that the victory had strengthened their connection. At home, he examined a black recommendation-like card and the pebble tied to his former self’s death, but an incoming telephone call interrupted his thoughts.

• Dan Xiong’s kicks failed to harm Chen Chuan, and Chen Chuan knocked Dan Xiong unconscious by overlapping with his Second Self.
• Lecturer Bian Feng passed Chen Chuan, and Zhen Ping warned him that Dan Xiong might seek trouble outside the academy.
• Chen Chuan realized that his Second Self had recovered and that their daily overlap limit had increased by about twelve seconds.
• Chen Chuan returned home, found a black metal card resembling a recommendation certificate in his parents’ suitcase, and decided not to use it until he learned more about it.
• Chen Chuan examined the pebble that had killed his former self and wondered who had murdered him before the telephone rang.

Chen Chuan learned that his classmate Han Lao San had joined Mo Lan Company and told Nian Fuli’s family that he had passed Wuyi Academy’s entrance exam. Nian Fuli brought him to the Patrol Bureau to seek Mr. Wen’s training, but Mr. Wen warned that he might not want to teach Chen Chuan.

• Ding Jiao called Chen Chuan, invited him to meet their classmates, and told him Han Lao San had joined Mo Lan Company.
• Chen Chuan mapped locations from the Martial Affairs Record while preparing for Wuyi Academy’s entrance retest and keeping a low profile after his predecessor’s murder.
• At dinner, Chen Chuan revealed that he had passed Wuyi Academy’s entrance exam, and Nian Fuli offered to find him a martial arts teacher.
• Nian Fuli took Chen Chuan to the Patrol Bureau, where Mr. Wen taught patrol officers how fear and instinct could disrupt their balance and reactions.
• Nian Fuli asked Mr. Wen to train Chen Chuan for the retest, but Mr. Wen warned that he did not want to delay Nian Fuli’s nephew.

Chen Chuan rejected the warnings about his lack of combat training and followed Nian Fuli’s advice to seek out Yu Gang. After paying for training, Chen Chuan declared that he wanted to become stronger and remain unbound by his limits.

• Mr. Wen warned Nian Fuli that Chen Chuan had missed the ideal age for combat training, while Wei Laohu mocked Chen Chuan and wagered that he would fail at Wu University.
• Chen Chuan reassured Nian Fuli that he still intended to pursue combat training, and Nian Fuli gave him an address and advice to learn from Yu Gang.
• Chen Chuan tried to use the Second Self to observe the outside world, sensing that the ability might become possible with more practice.
• Chen Chuan rode to the abandoned school where Yu Gang trained students and met Yu Gang’s disciple, Lu Ke.
• Yu Gang agreed to train Chen Chuan after he paid fifty yuan, then asked why he had applied to Wu Yi Academy.
• Chen Chuan said martial combat meant remaining unbound and surpassing himself, and Yu Gang warned that his goal would not be easy.

With only two months to prepare for Wu Yi University's second-round examination, Chen Chuan began Yu Gang's dangerous Breathing Method training. The chapter left him struggling to keep his breathing steady as medicinal paste caused intensifying pain.

• Yu Gang explained the second-round sparring examination and offered to teach Chen Chuan a Breathing Method to improve his chances.
• Chen Chuan accepted, and Yu Gang taught him the breathing steps and demonstrated how to link them into a seamless rhythm.
• Yu Gang explained that the method had to be paired with medicine to stimulate vitality and guide qi and blood, then gave Chen Chuan medicinal powder prepared for Lu Ke.
• Lu Ke brought back five jin of Black Rat Meat, which Yu Gang sent him to stew.
• Yu Gang applied the medicinal mixture to Chen Chuan and told him to practice the Breathing Method under a blanket.
• As the medicine caused sharp, worsening pain and reddened Chen Chuan's skin, his concentration faltered and his breathing fell into disarray.

Chen Chuan used the Second Self to study how the medicinal stimulation responded to his breathing as he repeatedly practiced Yu Gang’s Breathing Method. After four exhausting attempts, he sensed the hidden current of qi that formed a whole and believed he had found the trick.

• Chen Chuan shifted the pain and some of the medicinal damage to the Second Self, stabilized his breathing, and completed his first attempt as Yu Gang watched.
• Chen Chuan studied the Second Self’s fading marks during his second attempt and adjusted his breathing to make them converge.
• Chen Chuan continued through a third attempt despite growing weak, and Yu Gang allowed him one final try.
• Chen Chuan used Nutrient Paste and the Second Self’s damage as a guide during his fourth attempt while Lu Ke watched and Yu Gang explained the importance of luck in cultivation.
• Chen Chuan sensed a hidden current of qi gathering his scattered breaths into a whole, then told Yu Gang he thought he had found the trick.

Chen Chuan mastered the Breathing Method quickly, prompting Yu Gang to begin his formal physical training ahead of schedule. The next morning, Chen Chuan ran to Fist Home and prepared to demonstrate his foundation to Yu Gang.

• Chen Chuan ate medicinal black rat meat and pumpkin porridge while Yu Gang explained the food and praised his rapid mastery of the Breathing Method.
• Yu Gang gave Chen Chuan a training booklet, explained his upcoming exercises, and told him to run to Fist Home while practicing the Breathing Method.
• At home, Chen Chuan discovered that mastering the Breathing Method had increased how long he could overlap with his Second Self.
• The next morning, Chen Chuan ran a flatter route to Fist Home and passed a youth named Wei Dong training in an alley.
• Yu Gang explained the Breathing Method's limits and asked Chen Chuan to punch him so he could assess Chen Chuan's foundation.

Chen Chuan trained in Great Unrestrained Hands and discovered that the Breathing Method was rapidly improving his abilities. After Yu Gang paired him with Lu Ke for sparring, their first match began with Lu Ke launching an unexpected attack.

• Chen Chuan revealed his strength to Yu Gang, who began teaching him Great Unrestrained Hands and explained the difference between Old Martial and New Martial.
• Chen Chuan trained daily, learned to coordinate his breathing with his techniques, and steadily improved his physical fitness and control of the Second Self.
• Chen Chuan told Yu Gang that his body had begun growing warm after breathing practice, and Yu Gang recognized this as an unusually early sign that he was ready for the next training stage.
• Yu Gang assigned Lu Ke to train with Chen Chuan, and they practiced offensive and defensive drills before beginning actual sparring.
• As Chen Chuan and Lu Ke saluted before their first sparring round, Lu Ke suddenly punched toward Chen Chuan's chest and abdomen.

Chen Chuan fought Lu Ke in a sparring match and won the first round without using the Second Self. Yu Gang stopped the match and evaluated both fighters, awarding Chen Chuan two points.

• Lu Ke feinted and hit Chen Chuan early, then used evasive footwork and kicks to keep him at a distance.
• Chen Chuan stayed composed, studied Lu Ke’s habits, and waited for him to move near a wall pillar.
• Chen Chuan caught Lu Ke’s kick, disrupted his balance, and struck beneath his chin with the Coiling Palm Thrust from the Great Unrestrained Hands.
• Yu Gang stopped the fight and criticized Lu Ke’s predictable tactics and Chen Chuan’s poor distance judgment.
• Yu Gang praised Chen Chuan for seeking opportunities and awarded him two points for the first round.

Chen Chuan and Lu Ke trained through daily sparring under Yu Gang, with Chen Chuan improving his combat skills and enduring Lu Ke’s increasingly varied attacks. At the end of June, new visitors arrived at the training grounds, and Yu Gang went out to deal with them.

• Chen Chuan won the first sparring match against Lu Ke, while Yu Gang corrected their mistakes and explained the need to follow the rules.
• Chen Chuan and Lu Ke drew the second match, then Lu Ke earned a point in the third, but Chen Chuan won the day overall.
• Yu Gang arranged daily sparring and gradually taught Chen Chuan more Great Unrestrained Hands techniques while lifting restrictions on their matches.
• Chen Chuan noticed Lu Ke secretly taking something after training and stopped asking Yu Gang to increase the number of daily matches.
• Yu Gang told Chen Chuan it was time to pay again, but noisy newcomers arrived, so Yu Gang went outside with Lu Ke to meet them.

Mr. Qi came to recruit Yu Gang into the Iron Chain Gang and proposed a match between their fighters to settle Yu Gang’s answer. After Lu Ke fell ill during his bout with Ding Shuo, Chen Chuan stepped in to fight, leaving the contest about to begin.

• Mr. Qi invited Yu Gang to join the Iron Chain Gang and offered to help with his troubles, but Yu Gang proposed a student match instead.
• Mr. Qi sent Ding Shuo to fight Lu Ke, who struggled to defend against Ding Shuo’s attacks.
• Chen Chuan noticed Lu Ke’s abnormal condition and spotted an open medicine bottle beside his water bottle.
• After Lu Ke fell twice and Yu Gang called him back, Chen Chuan volunteered to take his place.
• Yu Gang agreed to the substitution, and Chen Chuan warmed up before facing Ding Shuo.

Chen Chuan used his Second Self and a rapid offensive to defeat Ding Shuo under the match’s rule that techniques had to stop at the point of contact. After Yu Gang accepted victory, he told Mr. Qi he would join the association in half a year if it still welcomed him.

• Chen Chuan used a high whip kick and follow-up attacks to keep Ding Shuo on the defensive.
• Ding Shuo countered Chen Chuan’s clinch attempt with Sleeve Shaking Strength, forcing them apart.
• Chen Chuan launched a fast barrage, then used the Hooking Capture Hand and Coiling Palm Thrust to set up a finishing move at Ding Shuo’s throat.
• Mr. Qi accepted that Chen Chuan had won after the burly middle-aged man identified the final move as the Curtain-Ripping Hand.
• Yu Gang told Mr. Qi he would join the association in half a year if it still welcomed him.

Mr. Qi and the Iron Chain Gang left after Yu Gang agreed to meet with them after the New Year, and Chen Chuan asked Yu Gang about the techniques behind Ding Shuo’s strength. Yu Gang taught him about force and the Mixed Origin Strength Posture, then sent him off to his graduation gathering.

• Mr. Qi secured Yu Gang’s agreement to meet in half a year and said he hoped to recruit Chen Chuan as well.
• Ding Shuo complained that Chen Chuan had beaten him, but Mr. Qi explained that their goal of approaching Yu Gang had been achieved.
• Chen Chuan apologized to Yu Gang for acting on his own, and Yu Gang praised his fighting instincts and explained that Ding Shuo’s resilience came from specialized training.
• Yu Gang described the Breathing Method’s advanced branches and explained that Ding Shuo had used Sleeve Shaking Strength to break Chen Chuan’s hold.
• Yu Gang demonstrated the Mixed Origin Strength Posture and explained how force worked and what risks it carried.
• Yu Gang praised Chen Chuan’s tactical judgment, gave him the evening off, and Chen Chuan headed back after asking whether Little Brother Lu was all right.

After defeating Ding Shuo, Chen Chuan suspected his overlap with the Second Self had increased and went to his school’s graduation gathering, where he encountered the Xiu Jiang Boxing Club. He took a flyer after asking about sparring, and Sheng Hai sensed that Chen Chuan had trained seriously before.

• Chen Chuan considered how to face opponents who had mastered force and decided to ask Yu Gang for advice.
• Chen Chuan dressed in his formal student outfit and cycled to the rooftop graduation gathering at Duyi Hotel.
• Chen Chuan watched Sheng Hai demonstrate Show General Fist and heard Liang Tong promote the Xiu Jiang Boxing Club.
• After students dismissed the club’s flyers, Chen Chuan asked Liang Tong for one and inquired about training and sparring.
• Sheng Hai told Liang Tong that Chen Chuan seemed to have trained before, sensing a quality he had noticed in veteran fighters and coaches.

Chen Chuan reunited with Ding Jiao and their classmates at a gathering, where they caught up on their lives and discussed classmates who had found promising paths. The chapter left off as Han Shu, newly training at Mo Lan Company, approached Chen Chuan and Ding Jiao.

• Chen Chuan ran into his close friend Ding Jiao, who offered to help him as he worked to get established in a new place.
• Chen Chuan and Ding Jiao joined their classmates at the gathering, where Chen Chuan learned that the three students with private tutors were unlikely to attend.
• Ding Jiao asked about Gao Ming, and Chen Chuan said their classmate and relative was probably out of town.
• Ding Jiao told Chen Chuan that Guan Xiaohui had fled to the countryside after her father gambled away money and used her as collateral to a gang.
• Han Shu arrived to a crowd of classmates, and Ding Jiao remarked that Han Shu was only training at Mo Lan Company before Han Shu approached them.

At a class reunion, Chen Chuan endured Han Shu’s mockery over his plans to learn boxing, then revealed that he had been admitted to Wu Yi University. Meng Shu urged him to abandon the path, but Chen Chuan remained confident in his choice as she left him a calling card for Central City.

• Han Shu teased Chen Chuan for staying in Yangzhi City and considering a boxing gym, while Ding Jiao defended him.
• Chen Chuan told Ding Jiao that he liked learning boxing, though it did not have to mean training at a boxing gym.
• Meng Shu arrived with an attendant and bodyguards and asked Chen Chuan to speak with her.
• Meng Shu revealed that Chen Chuan had been admitted to Wu Yi University, surprising the classmates and shocking Han Shu.
• Meng Shu warned Chen Chuan that he would fail Wu Yi’s second examination and gave him a calling card to use when she returned to Central City.
• Chen Chuan declined to respond to her offer and reflected on his path as Second Self appeared behind him.

After earning admission to Wu University pending a retest, Chen Chuan returned home and learned that Yu Gang had protected him from Mr. Qi’s recruitment. He asked Yu Gang how to handle opponents who used force during the retest, and Yu Gang demonstrated a dangerous method for drawing out greater strength.

• Chen Chuan declined his classmates’ attempts to stay in touch, celebrated with Ding Jiao, and returned home after the gathering.
• Nian Fuli told Chen Chuan to keep learning from Yu Gang and avoid Mr. Qi if he returned, while Yu Wan saw Nian Fuli off as he went back to deal with Resistance Organization trouble.
• At Fist Home, Lu Ke thanked Chen Chuan for standing up for Yu Gang, and Chen Chuan asked Yu Gang how common force was and how to counter it in the Wu University retest.
• Yu Gang explained that disrupting an opponent’s breathing rhythm could create an opening, then offered to teach Chen Chuan a method that increased speed and strength at the cost of bodily damage.
• Yu Gang punched through a sandbag to demonstrate the method, then suddenly attacked Chen Chuan.

Chen Chuan learned Yu Gang’s Surprise God Fist, also called the Limit Breaking Strike, and practiced until he successfully used it at a boxing club. He returned home excited by his progress, while Coach Gu asked Little Liang to notify him if Chen Chuan came back.

• Yu Gang taught Chen Chuan the Surprise God Fist and warned him not to practice it too often or strike empty air.
• Chen Chuan practiced the move at Fist Home, jolting a training dummy with a Coiling Palm Thrust before Yu Gang told him to stop for the day.
• Chen Chuan went to a Xiu Jiang Boxing Club and tried the strike on a sandbag, breaking a fist-sized hole through it from the inside.
• Coach Gu examined the damaged sandbag, learned that a student-looking young man had used it, and told Little Liang to notify him if the young man returned.
• Chen Chuan returned home excited that he had successfully attempted the Limit Breaking Strike and resolved to train harder.

Chen Chuan prepared to leave for Wu University while Lu Ke revealed his hardship and taught him the Throwing Method. On his final run before enrollment, Chen Chuan was trapped in an alley by Brother Qi’s gang and activated Second Self as they closed in.

• Chen Chuan trained through July, received Wu Yi University’s enrollment and retest instructions, and prepared to leave.
• Brother Qi and the man in the floral shirt planned to break Chen Chuan’s legs in revenge for his fight with Old Three.
• Lu Ke told Chen Chuan about his family’s illness and his crippled sister, then toasted Chen Chuan before teaching him the Throwing Method.
• Chen Chuan learned the basics of throwing polished stones and suspected that Zhang Mountain might hold clues about the pebble that killed his body’s previous owner.
• Brother Qi’s gang blocked both ends of the alley as Chen Chuan ran home, and Chen Chuan activated Second Self to charge at them.