Chapter Summaries

Chen Chuan confronted Wei Wusheng and revealed a burst of speed that let him stab and wound his opponent. Wei Wusheng survived, showed a second powerful force within his body, and the two prepared to continue fighting without weapons.

• Teacher Bai spotted an unknown Third Limit expert near the coach and ordered the students to stay inside while Chen Chuan and Wei Wusheng clashed nearby.
• Chen Chuan released his restrictions and struck Wei Wusheng six times, piercing his abdomen, but Wei Wusheng blocked most of the attacks and trapped the blade in his body.
• Wei Wusheng slammed his hammer down, and Chen Chuan caught and redirected the blow before Wei Wusheng followed with a second force to pin him in place.
• Wei Wusheng abandoned his hammer and grabbed for Chen Chuan, who evaded and took the hammer; both fighters then discarded their weapons.
• Wei Wusheng pulled the Snow Monarch Blade from his body as his wounds rapidly closed, and Chen Chuan recognized that he possessed a second, normally separate power.
• Chen Chuan removed his hat and loosened his collar, preparing to fight Wei Wusheng with his hands and feet.

Chen Chuan fought Wei Wusheng at the intersection and overwhelmed him with superior speed and strength. After the bureau restored the domain field, Central City saw Chen Chuan standing over the battered Wei Wusheng.

• The bureau discovered that Wei Wusheng had faked the timestamp on his photograph and sent three limits Fighters to the scene.
• Ni Qianqian suspected Chen Chuan had gone to confront Wei Wusheng and believed he might win despite the odds.
• Chen Chuan released his mutated tissue and used the Furnace Breathing Method to strike Wei Wusheng, then evaded his attacks and battered him with a series of blows.
• Wei Wusheng changed his breathing and intensified his grappling assault, but Chen Chuan parried him and kicked him into a streetlamp.
• The bureau restored the domain field, revealing Wei Wusheng battered beside the streetlamp and Chen Chuan standing unharmed.
• Director Wu ordered the bureau to lift the blackout, allowing people across Central City to see the two fighters.

Chen Chuan defeated Wei Wusheng in a brutal fight broadcast to an arena audience, but Wei’s hidden will took over his body and awakened as Xiong Jianyi. Chen Chuan crushed the heart within Wei’s chest, killing him and gaining Divine Resonance.

• The Arena Competition was delayed as organizers redirected the venue’s screens and resources to show Chen Chuan fighting Wei Wusheng at a ruined crossroads.
• Wei Wusheng recovered from Chen Chuan’s earlier blows, but Chen Chuan overwhelmed him with rapid attacks and slammed him into the ground.
• Chen Chuan battered Wei Wusheng until he stopped breathing and fractured his skull, then walked away from his body.
• Han Lao Mao tried to take Wei Wusheng’s head for the bounty, but the body rose and tore Han Lao Mao in half.
• Chen Chuan realized Xiong Jianyi’s will had taken over Wei Wusheng’s body, then plunged his arm into Wei’s chest and crushed its heart.
• Chen Chuan sensed a powerful restraint release and felt a resonant force spread through his body.

Chen Chuan broke through to the Third Limit after defeating Wei Wusheng, and the fight drew attention across Central City. He left the scene as the Handling Bureau took over, while a teacher from Wuyi Academy urged him to remain at school and make use of its resources.

• Chen Chuan held fast to his mind through the strange sensations of his breakthrough and entered the Third Limit.
• The audience watched Chen Chuan defeat Wei Wusheng, while a secret group considered recruiting Chen Chuan before stopping its investigation after it touched the General Affairs Bureau.
• Elder Yu Hongming told Guan Chengqi to learn from Wei Wusheng's fate and sent Xiao Guang to retrieve Wei Wusheng's body.
• The Handling Bureau confirmed Wei Wusheng's death, and Chen Chuan left after Ni Qianqian told him that senior officials wanted to meet him.
• Teacher Bai returned Chen Chuan's coat and hat, then advised him to remain at Wuyi Academy because it offered resources unavailable elsewhere.

After killing Wei Wusheng, Chen Chuan returned to the Academy as a newly recognized Third Limit Fighter and visited Cao Guiqi to ask how to advance. Cao Guiqi explained that the Third Limit was called “Shattering Illusory Reality,” leaving Chen Chuan to connect the stage with the strange sights he had already witnessed.

• Chen Chuan retrieved Wei Wusheng’s hammer and returned to the Academy, receiving excited messages and the transferred bounty along the way.
• Footage of Chen Chuan’s victory spread, and An Cheng discussed Chen Chuan’s sudden rise with Sun Rao.
• Lu Ke and Yu Gang watched a relay of the fight in the Underground District and confirmed Chen Chuan had reached the Third Limit.
• Chen Chuan visited Cao Guiqi at the Cao Family Manor and asked how to proceed after reaching the Third Limit.
• Cao Guiqi named the Third Limit “Shattering Illusory Reality” and described the unusual perceptions Fighters could gain at that stage.

After reaching the Third Limit, Chen Chuan learned from Cao Guiqi how to cultivate essence blood and keep his Divine Thought constant, then considered his next steps and a trip home. The Handling Bureau watched footage of his victory over Wei Wusheng and decided to wait before approaching him with further information.

• Cao Guiqi explained that Third Limit cultivation focused on accumulating essence blood and refining Divine Thought, and gave Chen Chuan a supernatural record and cultivation methods.
• Cao Guiqi warned Chen Chuan that Third Limit medicines were expensive and that another cultivation path would be explained by the academy or the Handling Bureau within one or two months.
• Cao Guiqi told Uncle Ding not to mention his own past to Chen Chuan, while Uncle Ding hoped Chen Chuan might fulfill Cao Guiqi's unfinished wish.
• Chen Chuan decided to return to Yangzhi, notified Wu Bei, Lao Qi, and other acquaintances, and planned to take Zhao Ming with him.
• Chen Chuan compared Cao Guiqi's medicine list with the supplies left by Teacher Wu and You Xing, finding enough medicines to support his cultivation for one or two months.
• Assistant Ling reviewed Chen Chuan's fight with Wei Wusheng and decided the Handling Bureau should wait before explaining matters to him.

Chen Chuan read reactions to his battle with Wei Wusheng, while Lu Fang watched a recording of their fight and took inspiration from Chen Chuan’s achievement. Meanwhile, Meng Shu considered how to focus her company’s resources on promising Fighters and heard that a suitable candidate had been found.

• Chen Chuan browsed discussions praising his victory over Wei Wusheng and criticizing Han Lao Mao, while reflecting on the danger of Wei Wusheng’s attempted recovery.
• Lu Fang trained at the underground Fighting Hall, then watched a recording of Chen Chuan’s battle with Wei Wusheng and reaffirmed his determination to keep advancing.
• Meng Shu listened as the Female Butler explained the company’s failed investments in Fighters and the limits of its Implant Body resources.
• The Female Butler advised Meng Shu to concentrate the company’s resources on high-potential Fighters and revealed that they had already found a suitable candidate.

Meng Shu decided to arrange a meeting with Chen Chuan to recruit him, while Chen Chuan returned to the Central City Handling Bureau and received rewards for defeating Wei Wusheng. The chapter left him discussing what custom weapon he wanted as part of his new Third Limit Fighter benefits.

• The Female Butler recommended recruiting Chen Chuan, and Meng Shu agreed to arrange a meeting despite having failed to recruit him before.
• Meng Shu rejected the Female Butler’s suggestion to use their past connection to discourage other companies from recruiting Chen Chuan.
• Chen Chuan returned to the Central City Handling Bureau, where Director Qiu asked about his advancement, medication, academy plans, and expectations.
• Chen Chuan received fifty thousand for defeating Wei Wusheng and was promoted from reserve to formal law enforcer, assigned to the Special Operations Execution Team.
• Director Qiu offered Chen Chuan a Third Limit Fighter uniform and a custom weapon, and Chen Chuan was asked what weapon he needed.

Chen Chuan prepared to leave Central City for a month at home in Yangzhi, receiving a new short blade order and Throwing Pills from the Handling Bureau before saying goodbye to Ni Qianqian. He departed with Zhao Ming and his belongings, while Red Dust watched from a rooftop.

• Chen Chuan chose a short blade, and Director Qiu ordered it forged and gave him Throwing Pills from Director Wu.
• Director Qiu told Chen Chuan that Yu Hongming had paid compensation and taken Wei Wusheng's body back.
• Chen Chuan invited Ni Qianqian to lunch at Stretch the World, where she told him about the proposed Skyline Project linking Central Cities.
• Chen Chuan bought gifts, packed for a month-long stay in Yangzhi, and prepared to travel with Zhao Ming.
• Chen Chuan drove away from the Mystic Palace Building in the Garde Car as Red Dust watched and he waved to her.

Chen Chuan drove from Central City to Yangzhi, noticing a strange presence in the car that vanished when he ignored it. He reached his old neighborhood and reunited with Nian Fuli, Yu Wan, and the children.

• Chen Chuan drove through the night toward Yangzhi, dismissed a strange sensation in the back seat, and continued after it disappeared.
• Chen Chuan arrived in Yangzhi after passing the checkpoint and stopped at the Patrol Bureau family housing district.
• Patrol officers and neighbors recognized Chen Chuan and discussed his position and return from Central City.
• Nian Fuli, Yu Wan, Nian Mo, and Nian Lu came out to welcome Chen Chuan home.
• Chen Chuan introduced Zhao Ming as a Bird Lizard, and Nian Mo and Nian Lu eagerly played with it.

Chen Chuan returned to Yangzhi for summer break, visited his aunt and uncle, and caught up on changes in the city and his old acquaintances. He arranged to reunite with his friends and went to visit his former teacher Cheng Zitong with a book of strange Central City accounts.

• Chen Chuan gave Nian Fuli, Yu Wan, and his young cousins gifts, including a Pocket Parrot, and told them about his Handling Bureau position and life in Central City.
• Chen Chuan and Nian Fuli walked through the park, discussing changes in Yangzhi, the Patrol Bureau, the former Mo Lan site, and Chen Chuan's cousin's possible military posting.
• Nian Fuli gave Chen Chuan the contact address left by Lu Ke and suggested he consider helping Yu Gang's disciple.
• Chen Chuan spent time with his aunt's family, took his young cousins to an amusement park, and called Ding Jiao to arrange a gathering with old friends.
• Chen Chuan called Cheng Zitong, then drove to Wu Yi Academy with a Strange Tale Record Book as a gift for his former teacher.

Chen Chuan returned to Wu Yi Academy and reunited with Cheng Zitong, telling his teacher that he had become a Third Limit Fighter. After leaving the Logistics Department, he went to the dormitories, where an older student recognized him and the dormitory supervisor joked about his pension.

• Chen Chuan drove into Wu Yi Academy and headed to the Administration Building as teachers and applicants reacted to his Central City Handling Bureau uniform.
• Chen Chuan visited Cheng Zitong and revealed that he had entered the Third Limit two days earlier.
• Cheng Zitong congratulated Chen Chuan, warned him to be careful when facing choices related to the Third Limit, and offered to connect him with his second uncle for guidance.
• Chen Chuan gave Cheng Zitong a notebook of strange tales and information from Central City, then left so his teacher could continue preparing for the retake exam.
• Chen Chuan passed the empty Recruitment Office and walked to the dormitories, where an older student recognized him and the dormitory supervisor joked about his pension increase.

Chen Chuan returned to Wuyi Academy, greeted the cadets and dormitory supervisor, and made plans to reconnect with people in Yangzhi. He revisited his old house, where an unexplained second shadow appeared, and considered visiting the address left by his parents now that he had reached the Third Limit.

• Chen Chuan visited Wuyi Academy, encouraged the cadets preparing for exams, and gave the dormitory supervisor a photo album from Central City.
• Chen Chuan called He Nan and arranged to visit her, Director Lei, and Xiao Ying on the coming Rest Day.
• Chen Chuan ate at the Han Family Restaurant, where he spoke with Xiaolan and her father, then heard a radio report about the Patrol Bureau's proposed operation against a supposed Resistance Organization stronghold.
• Chen Chuan drove to his old house, saw an extra shadow appear beside his own, and calmly cleaned and settled in.
• Chen Chuan reflected that reaching the Third Limit made him ready to investigate the address his parents had left behind, then left the house before evening.

Chen Chuan returned to Yangzhi City, sought guidance on the Furnace Breathing Method, and studied Zhu Yi Record while considering how to control anomalies. At home, Nian Fuli explained Instructor Che’s growing influence in the Patrol Bureau and an operation targeting a village; then Che arrived asking to meet Chen Chuan.

• Chen Chuan passed Yuan'an Company's heavily guarded outpost, sent a telegram to He Xiaoxing, and agreed to meet Ding Jiao and Wei Changan for gatherings.
• Chen Chuan practiced the Breathing Method and read Zhu Yi Record, reflecting on how calmness could help him avoid anomalies and mental disturbances.
• Nian Fuli told Yu Wan that Instructor Che was pressuring patrol officers, building his own network, and positioning himself against Director Guan.
• Nian Fuli explained that the bureau planned to raid a village suspected of harboring Resistance Organization members, but Che had reassigned him from leading the operation.
• A bureau messenger announced that Instructor Che had arrived and wanted to meet Chen Chuan.

Che Lie tried to recruit Chen Chuan for an operation against villages outside Yangzhi, but Chen Chuan refused and suspected Che wanted to keep him from interfering. After Che led his forces out that night, he was found dead near a village, and Chen Chuan went with Nian Fuli to the bureau.

• Che Lie met Chen Chuan and challenged his apparent sympathy for the Resistance Organization while inviting him to join an operation against villages outside the city.
• Chen Chuan declined Che Lie's invitation, and Nian Fuli concluded that Che had wanted to prevent Chen Chuan from disrupting the operation.
• Nian Fuli learned that Che Lie had taken his forces out earlier than planned, and Chen Chuan returned to his room to practice his Breathing Method.
• At five in the morning, Nian Fuli learned that Che Lie had died outside a village the previous night.
• Nian Fuli prepared to go to the bureau, and Chen Chuan decided to accompany him.

Chen Chuan examined Che Lie’s murder and concluded that the Third Limit Fighter had been killed almost instantly, while the villagers who fled Caijia Village remained missing. Later, Instructor Wen arrived to take over as Chief Instructor and offered to teach Chen Chuan the Furnace Breathing Method, leaving Chen Chuan to wonder whether Wen had been involved in Che Lie’s death.

• Nian Fuli rode with Chen Chuan to the murder scene near Caijia Village, where patrol officers had found Che Lie’s headless body.
• Chen Chuan examined Che Lie’s injuries and told the Brigade Commander that Che Lie had been killed quickly without putting up effective resistance.
• Chen Chuan reported the situation to Director Guan, learned that support was already on the way, and left to spend the day with Ding Jiao and their old classmates.
• After Chen Chuan returned home, Instructor Wen introduced himself as Wen Tong and said he would serve as acting Chief Instructor while teaching Chen Chuan the Furnace Breathing Method.
• Chen Chuan recalled Wen’s Skull Splitting technique and wondered if it was connected to Che Lie’s death, but decided not to investigate.

After settling back in Yangzhi City, Chen Chuan visited his former company and then met Instructor Wen to begin learning advanced applications of the Furnace Breathing Method. Instructor Wen explained the combat factions and guided Chen Chuan through his first lesson, which ended after three hours when pressure began building in Chen Chuan’s head.

• Chen Chuan returned home, focused on stabilizing his foundations, and used his Breathing Method in place of sleep.
• Chen Chuan visited the Entrusted Company, where Ren Shu and the former partners showed him their commission records and asked for help with difficult strange tale cases.
• Chen Chuan called Instructor Wen and drove to the camp outside Dongbao District for his first lesson.
• Instructor Wen explained the Purity Faction, the Implant Faction, and why Chen Chuan should not assume members of either faction were allies or enemies.
• Instructor Wen assessed Chen Chuan’s Furnace Breathing Method and taught him how to coordinate it with Divine Thought and blood essence to improve his combat abilities.
• Instructor Wen transmitted the basic techniques through breathing guidance, and he stopped the lesson after Chen Chuan had stood there for three hours and felt pressure building in his head.

Chen Chuan honed the techniques Instructor Wen taught him, visited Director Lei, and reunited with Wei Changan’s group in Yangzhi City. The gathering ended with everyone learning that Chen Chuan had become a Third Limit Fighter and considering a future move to Central City.

• Chen Chuan practiced the techniques from Instructor Wen’s resonance teaching for three days, then received further guidance and found that the training helped him control his Divine Constancy.
• Chen Chuan visited Director Lei, who said he, Senior Apprentice He, and Xiao Ying planned to move to Central City next year.
• Chen Chuan met Wei Changan and the others at the Duyi Hotel, described life in Central City, and offered to help them obtain long-term residence permits.
• Feng Xiaoqi said he, Luo Kaiyuan, and Wei Dong would take the Grade C Defense Certificate exam in hopes of earning a recommendation to Central City.
• After Chen Chuan left, Lin Xiaodi revealed that he was already a Third Limit Fighter, shocking Wei Changan’s group and strengthening their resolve to reach Central City.

Chen Chuan learned a new training technique from Instructor Wen and visited Fallen Sun Cave with his classmates, where they stayed near the entrance. After an expedition there returned with three men missing for twelve years, the men died mysteriously, and Chen Chuan agreed to investigate.

• Instructor Wen taught Chen Chuan the Cloud Shattering Hand and ended his guidance.
• Chen Chuan and his classmates visited Fallen Sun Cave, explored less than a hundred meters inside, then climbed Clip Mountain.
• Ren Shu told Chen Chuan that three men from an expedition lost twelve years earlier had returned from the cave and believed only three days had passed.
• The three returned men died that night, their flesh and skin gone and their clothes tattered and rusted, and Chen Chuan agreed to investigate.

Chen Chuan investigated the expedition deaths and learned that a forbidden Sun Worship Sect had attempted a Sun Source Ritual in Fallen Sun Cave. He entered the cave, found the ritual site and the Sun Wheel Stone, and saw the Snow Monarch Blade’s mist weaken the stone’s influence just as he approached it.

• Chen Chuan searched the inn and found an amulet and patterned waterproof bags that suggested the expedition was connected to an earlier incident twelve years before.
• Chen Chuan learned that the expedition’s financier was the son of the businessman involved in the earlier incident, then called Director Lei with his suspicions.
• Director Lei identified the group as Sun Worship Sect followers and explained that they had likely performed a Sun Source Ritual using living sacrifices and a dangerous Sun Wheel Stone.
• Chen Chuan accepted the task of finding the stone and entered Fallen Sun Cave, following the expedition’s traces and collecting a bundle of documents along the way.
• Chen Chuan found a ritual circle containing mummified bodies, three barely living people, and a red crystal-like stone he recognized as the Sun Wheel Stone.
• As Chen Chuan approached the stone, the Snow Monarch Blade released white mist that briefly wrapped around it and sharply reduced its influence on him.