Chapter Summaries

Jian Cheng Sheng broke the High Heaven Jade by cutting its spirit, then used the Jade Core fragments to stabilize his blade technique and prepare to confront Chen Chuan. As Chen Chuan and Zhao Ming traveled toward Central City, Jian Cheng Sheng left to intercept them with only hours remaining.

• High Heaven Sect delivered its remaining High Heaven Jade with a Jade Core to Jian Cheng Sheng, who repeatedly tried and failed to cut it while meditating.
• The team leader waited for Jian Cheng Sheng to finish preparing, even as intelligence reported that Chen Chuan and another target were returning to Central City.
• Jian Cheng Sheng used his blood essence to complete a slash that split the High Heaven Jade and revealed its Jade Core.
• Jian Cheng Sheng put Jade Core fragments inside his blade and used a swift slash to dispel the phantom resembling Chen Chuan.
• Jian Cheng Sheng emerged from the Training Hall and agreed to depart with the manager, while Chen Chuan’s car reached a checkpoint with Zhao Ming following overhead.

Chen Chuan joined Director Lei’s convoy and used Zhao Ming to watch for danger as they traveled toward Central City. After Chen Chuan stopped the convoy following Zhao Ming’s warning, an ambush began ahead, where attackers destroyed two scouting vehicles and charged toward the convoy.

• Director Lei met Chen Chuan’s vehicle and confirmed that the convoy’s World Token channel was working, while Chen Chuan assigned Wu Han and Wei Dong to a listen-only subchannel.
• Chen Chuan warned Wu Han and Wei Dong to prepare for possible trouble as Zhao Ming flew overhead to scout the road.
• Zhao Ming alerted Chen Chuan to suspicious activity, and Chen Chuan noticed an unusual Lianwei Heavy Drive convoy pass in the opposite direction.
• After Zhao Ming gave another urgent warning, Chen Chuan persuaded Director Lei to stop the convoy while two vehicles went ahead to investigate.
• An ambush group attacked the scouting vehicles with Combat Mantises and Implant Body combatants after domain field interference disrupted their World Tokens.
• A swordsman split one scouting vehicle in two, and the attackers charged toward the halted convoy.

Advisor Yao’s convoy fought off a coordinated ambush involving Combat Creatures, Implant Body combat personnel, and mortars, while Chen Chuan helped destroy the artillery. The battle settled into a temporary long-range exchange as Jian Cheng Sheng arrived to face the convoy’s defenders.

• Advisor Yao ordered the convoy into a defensive formation and deployed Esoteric Sect patterns as attackers advanced from both directions.
• The convoy used machine guns, long-range fire, and smoke to repel the first assaults, but enemy mortars struck vehicles inside the convoy.
• Chen Chuan emerged from the smoke and disabled both mortar positions, allowing the convoy’s long-range gunners to eliminate the artillerymen.
• Advisor Yao learned the rear attackers were stalled by tire-destroying devices, and both sides began exchanging long-range fire while the enemy’s Third Limit Fighter held back.
• Jian Cheng Sheng arrived at the front in an armored vehicle, accepted the task ahead, and stepped out carrying his blade.

Jian Cheng Sheng confronted Chen Chuan on National Avenue, where the two Third Limit Fighters began a blade duel before the watching convoys. After Jian Cheng Sheng’s precise defense halted Chen Chuan’s probing attacks, Chen Chuan expanded his Domain Field and launched a sudden assault.

• Jian Cheng Sheng approached the convoy, cut through an escort vehicle roof and the Esoteric Sect member hiding inside, then used Heart Tremor to intimidate Advisor Yao.
• Chen Chuan sensed Jian Cheng Sheng’s challenge, warned Advisor Yao that hidden enemies might attack, and left the convoy to face him.
• Jian Cheng Sheng and Chen Chuan exchanged formal salutes and took their fighting stances as both sides watched.
• Chen Chuan advanced, and Jian Cheng Sheng used Foot Ruler Step to retreat in step with him before meeting his accelerated attack.
• Jian Cheng Sheng intercepted Chen Chuan’s strikes with precise parries and dissipated their force, forcing the fighters apart.
• Chen Chuan ended the probing exchange, expanded his Domain Field, and vanished from his position in a burst of speed.

Chen Chuan battled Jian Cheng Sheng, whose blade awakened the power entrusted to him by Feng He Shou and brought his body and mind close to their limits. As the two prepared to continue, the Ferris Wheel Assault Team sent two Third Limit Fighters toward Director Lei’s convoy, while Chen Chuan resolved to finish his fight quickly.

• Chen Chuan unleashed a series of increasingly powerful strikes, and Jian Cheng Sheng defended with the Stacked Void Stance until the fourth blow overwhelmed his Mutated Tissue.
• Jian Cheng Sheng drew power from his blade at the brink of death and clashed with Chen Chuan again, triggering the transformation known as Seeing the Spirit in the Blade.
• The Third Limit Fighter recognized Jian Cheng Sheng’s awakened state, and the Ferris Wheel Company members realized he had inherited Feng He Shou’s blade technique.
• Jian Cheng Sheng reached a state near his physical and mental limits but held his position, waiting for Chen Chuan to attack.
• The Ferris Wheel Assault Team’s leader received permission to move, and two Third Limit Fighters rushed toward Director Lei’s convoy.
• Chen Chuan noticed the attack on the convoy, judged that Advisor Yao could hold them off, and prepared to resume his fight with Jian Cheng Sheng.

Chen Chuan defeated Jian Cheng Sheng in a fierce duel, surviving his opponent’s spirit-cleaving strike and killing him with the Snow Monarch Blade. After the remaining fighters fled, Chen Chuan pursued one of them while the knife-throwing fugitive suddenly began vomiting blood.

• Chen Chuan discarded his overcoat and fought Jian Cheng Sheng, who used the blade’s blood essence to reach a stronger, more coordinated state.
• As their battle moved away from National Avenue, Chen Chuan’s stored strength awakened while Jian Cheng Sheng prepared a single decisive counterattack.
• Jian Cheng Sheng unleashed a spirit-cleaving sword stroke, but Chen Chuan’s Second Self survived it and Chen Chuan pierced Jian Cheng Sheng’s heart with the Snow Monarch Blade.
• Jian Cheng Sheng died, and Chen Chuan turned from his corpse to see Advisor Yao fighting two enemies.
• The two enemies fled in different directions after Chen Chuan appeared, and Chen Chuan deflected one man’s thrown knife before chasing the other fugitive.
• The knife-throwing fighter escaped briefly, then clutched his abdomen, fell to one knee, and vomited blood.

Chen Chuan helped Advisor Yao defeat the attackers who ambushed Director Lei’s convoy, while Han Tai was killed by his own driver after fleeing. After the battle, Chen Chuan discovered that Jian Cheng Sheng’s broken blade seemed to invigorate his spirit.

• Jian Cheng Sheng killed himself with precise control after Chen Chuan caught up to him, while Han Tai ordered Captain Zhan to hold the road and cover his escape.
• Chen Chuan returned to the ruined convoy, where Director Lei remained concealed, and Advisor Yao led his men to attack the blocking force.
• Han Tai’s driver killed the telegraph operator and Han Tai, then burned their vehicle to conceal the company’s involvement.
• Advisor Yao’s forces broke through the defenders, with Wu Han and Wei Dong helping defeat the remaining Implant Body combatants.
• Chen Chuan went to Jian Cheng Sheng’s corpse, picked up his broken blade, and sensed that it had invigorated his spirit.

After returning to Central City, Chen Chuan brought Wu Han and Wei Dong to Wu Yi Academy so Wei Dong could register and move into his dormitory. Wei Dong immediately fought another new student, and Chen Chuan left with him and Wu Han to get dinner at Stretch the World Hotel.

• Central City's support team arrived, handled the attack scene, and sent people to investigate the suspected Lianwei Heavy Drive convoy before Chen Chuan's group continued to the city.
• Chen Chuan reported his return, then drove Wu Han and Wei Dong to Mystic Palace Building and arranged Wei Dong's academy registration, student card, and dormitory.
• Red Dust announced a fight between Wei Dong and student Fan Shen, and Chen Chuan took Wu Han to watch as Wei Dong defeated him after a long grappling match.
• Fan Cheng confronted his cousin Fan Shen, while Chen Chuan, Wu Han, and Wei Dong left the twentieth floor and discussed the fight and the academy's students.
• Chen Chuan took Wu Han and Wei Dong from Mystic Palace Building and drove toward Stretch the World Hotel for dinner.

After Chen Chuan hosted Wuhan and Wei Dong at his residence, the Handling Bureau confirmed that the attack on him was likely orchestrated by the Ferris Wheel Company. The chapter ended with Chen Chuan discovering that crystalline fragments hidden in a broken blade could greatly aid spirit cultivation.

• Chen Chuan treated Wuhan and Wei Dong to dinner, learned that Fusion Boundary Corporation covered his hotel bill, and noticed signs that Central City was preparing for something through increased ship and airship traffic.
• Chen Chuan brought Wuhan and Wei Dong to his Wuding District residence, showed them the training room and Ever-Victorious General, and received a call from Ni Qianqian about the investigation.
• Ni Qianqian told Chen Chuan that the attackers were foreign fighters with customized Combat Implant Bodies and that the bureau suspected the Ferris Wheel Company; the bureau had sought a strict review of the company.
• Chen Chuan examined the broken blade and found crystalline fragments hidden in its hilt that sharpened his mind and seemed useful for spirit cultivation.
• Chen Chuan failed to identify the fragments through his World Token and decided to ask Senior Brother Cao about them, while planning to have the blade repaired.

After the Ferris Wheel Company’s failed assassination attempt, Chen Chuan arranged work for Wu Han and discussed with Gao Ming how to respond to the company’s growing threat. The chapter ended with Chen Chuan learning that his requested instructor would arrive at the academy on February 1.

• A Ferris Wheel Company director learned that the attack had failed and said he would report the matter to the board.
• Chen Chuan introduced Wu Han to Lao Qi so they could work together on commissions and protect each other.
• Chen Chuan met Gao Ming, who advised him to prepare and wait for the Ferris Wheel Company to provoke a response from larger powers such as Canglong Company and Far Ocean Development Group.
• Chen Chuan warned Gao Ming to stay cautious and keep in contact because the Ferris Wheel Company might target him too.
• Chen Chuan received a message from Red Dust saying that his requested instructor would arrive at the academy on February 1.

Chen Chuan visited Senior Brother Cao and learned that his jade fragments were rare Jade Cores from High Heaven Jade, which could nurture spiritual constancy. Cao Guiqi offered to find the medicine needed to use them, while his conversation with Uncle Ding hinted at a politically sensitive exchange.

• Chen Chuan replied to Su Wei that he had no assignments and then visited familiar teachers and friends with gifts.
• Chen Chuan visited Cao Guiqi at Mo Tie Mountain and described some of his experiences in the Convergence Zone.
• Chen Chuan showed Cao Guiqi the jade fragments, and Cao Guiqi identified them as Jade Cores from the overseas High Heaven Sect's sacred High Heaven Jade.
• Cao Guiqi explained that the Jade Cores could nurture the spirit and said he knew where to find the other Combined Medicine needed to use them.
• After Chen Chuan left, Uncle Ding warned that the medicine would be difficult to obtain and that contacting its owner could invite political gossip.
• Cao Guiqi decided to exchange a Wind Cup Flower for the medicine despite Uncle Ding's warning.

After arriving at Wuyi Academy, Chen Chuan met his new instructor, Xue Shou, who explained how mental power and a steadfast goal could help a fighter advance beyond the body's limits. The lesson began with Chen Chuan attempting to control his scattered thoughts through his domain field.

• Chen Chuan returned to the Academy and waited in a practice room for his assigned teacher, who arrived late and introduced himself as Xue Shou.
• Xue Shou asked Chen Chuan about his goal, and Chen Chuan reaffirmed his desire for “a body unrestrained, a will unfettered.”
• Xue Shou explained that surpassing the body's third limit required refining mental power around a firm conviction, and he distinguished this training from Wei Wusheng's Heart's Desire method.
• Xue Shou brought Chen Chuan a bowl of medicinal liquid that reacted to domain fields and told him to quiet his thoughts until he caused no ripples within one hour.

Chen Chuan passed Teacher Xue’s test by learning to alter his mental power until the Living Water no longer reacted to him. Teacher Xue then demonstrated the Heart-Settling Method, leaving Chen Chuan with an initial lesson in concentrating and refining his mind.

• Chen Chuan tried to calm his thoughts and adjust his mental power, making the Living Water’s ripples disappear briefly.
• Chen Chuan changed the outward expression of his mental power until the Living Water stayed still for the remainder of the hour, fulfilling Teacher Xue’s requirement.
• Teacher Xue explained that mental power was easier to guide than to hold completely still, then introduced the first step of the Heart-Settling Method.
• Teacher Xue demonstrated how to quiet tangled thoughts, focus on a single object, and gather the mind into a resilient whole.
• Teacher Xue ended the guidance, warning Chen Chuan that prolonged practice could exhaust his mental reserves and endanger his life.
• Chen Chuan understood that Jian Cheng Sheng’s failed mental attack had likely destroyed its user through backlash.

Teacher Xue taught Chen Chuan methods for nurturing vital essence and the mind, along with medicinal aids and an internal platform for questions. After beginning his new practice, Chen Chuan improved his vital essence and mental clarity, then prepared to start the refinement method on his own.

• Teacher Xue taught Chen Chuan a more advanced method for gathering and nurturing vital essence, a dissipation method, and a meditation method, and gave him scented herbs.
• Teacher Xue gave Chen Chuan access to an internal Academy platform and asked whether the mind could exist apart from the body; Chen Chuan said he believed they formed a whole.
• Chen Chuan accessed the platform under the alias "Cicada Monarch," then practiced the vital essence method and accumulated more than before.
• Chen Chuan used the scented herbs while meditating, finished all three sticks, and felt his mind grow clear.
• Chen Chuan received messages from Wu Han and Lu Fang, replied to them, and decided to begin the refinement method without using his jade core.

Chen Chuan continued cultivating at Wuyi Academy while Director Lei investigated Ferris Wheel Company. He then told Wei Dong that Fusion Boundary Corporation wanted to sponsor him, and Wei Dong agreed.

• Chen Chuan spent over ten days practicing spiritual visualization and body cultivation in the Training Hall.
• Director Lei told Chen Chuan that Ferris Wheel Company might be behind the attack and that he would lead a long-term investigation into the company.
• Yan Yi asked Chen Chuan whether Fusion Boundary Corporation could sponsor Wei Dong, and Chen Chuan agreed to discuss it with him.
• Chen Chuan visited Wei Dong in the Training Hall, where Wei Dong was training under Teacher Wang, and later spoke with him over lunch.
• Chen Chuan explained Fusion Boundary Corporation's sponsorship offer, and Wei Dong agreed to accept it.

Chen Chuan identified Tai Gong Rock as a location from his memory dream and saw signs that the Handling Bureau had allowed Blood Hammer’s attack on Ferris Wheel Company. At the Training Hall, Teacher Xue confirmed Chen Chuan had mastered the Heart-Settling Method and began teaching him the dangerous Tempering Method.

• Chen Chuan arranged to attend a theater production with Tan Zhi and learned that the landscape in his memory dream was Tai Gong Rock.
• Chen Chuan read a report about Blood Hammer’s attack on Ferris Wheel Company and suspected Lianwei Heavy Drive had supported the attackers while the Handling Bureau tacitly approved the incident.
• Chen Chuan arrived at the Training Hall before nine, but Teacher Xue did not arrive until nearly noon.
• Teacher Xue assessed Chen Chuan’s progress and said he had more or less mastered settling his mind.
• Teacher Xue explained the Tempering Method and warned Chen Chuan that another person’s spiritual thoughts could influence him if the method was used carelessly.

Chen Chuan endured repeated spiritual assaults as Teacher Xue taught him external and internal tempering, then agreed to learn the stabilizing Cleansing Method. Meanwhile, Song Zicheng dealt with government inspections at Ferris Wheel Company headquarters and ordered a covert operation at Ring Fat's cargo warehouse.

• Chen Chuan repeatedly resisted a Great Sun-like blaze in the void, strengthening his Heart Jade until Teacher Xue ended the external tempering demonstration.
• Teacher Xue taught Chen Chuan the internal tempering method, explained the academy's training resources, and suggested that he consider applying for a teaching position.
• Teacher Xue warned Chen Chuan that uncontrolled mental power could lead to dangerous overconfidence and offered to teach him the Cleansing Method, which Chen Chuan accepted.
• At Ferris Wheel Company headquarters, Song Zicheng watched Lei Guangcheng's Secret Sect Review Bureau team inspect the premises and learned that they intended to station a review team there.
• Song Zicheng directed the company to let its public relations and legal teams handle the Handling Bureau's questions, then ordered an operation at Ring Fat's cargo warehouse.

Chen Chuan continued cultivating while Ferris Wheel Company’s conflict with Lianwei Heavy Drive intensified and drew pressure from government departments. After Ni Qianqian updated him on the bureau’s response, Counselor Pei contacted him to meet about the matter, and Chen Chuan hurried to Mystic Palace Building.

• Chen Chuan returned to his dormitory, cared for Zhao Ming, and practiced meditation and external refinement with Red Dust before continuing internal refinement and trying Teacher Xue’s cleansing method.
• Chen Chuan cultivated for seven days and noticed improvements in his control and understanding of techniques, then spent the evening relaxing before Rest Day.
• Ni Qianqian told Chen Chuan that Ferris Wheel was escalating the conflict to pressure the bureau, and Chen Chuan agreed with the bureau’s current handling of the matter.
• Ni Qianqian explained that Director Lei had stationed an inspection team at Ferris Wheel and that the company’s complaint against the Secret Sect Review Bureau had failed to halt the inspection.
• Counselor Pei contacted Chen Chuan and asked him to meet at Mystic Palace Building about the matter, so Chen Chuan ended his call with Ni Qianqian and headed there.

Chen Chuan visited Chen Bitong’s invitation-only training class and corrected a young trainee’s technique, teaching him how to use Unrestrained Hands force. There, Ding Mai introduced himself and challenged Chen Chuan to a spar, leaving Chen Chuan to respond.

• Counselor Pei gave Chen Chuan information about Chen Bitong’s training class and tickets to a play Chen Bitong planned to attend, advising him to build relationships while avoiding any invitation to join the group.
• Chen Chuan reviewed the materials, trained the next morning, and went to the training class on the forty-second floor.
• Chen Chuan identified that a youth was training Seizing Force incorrectly, demonstrated several powerful moves, and taught him a path toward Unrestrained Hands.
• The youth practiced Chen Chuan’s moves, felt his Mutated Fascia fatigue, and asked how to train; Chen Chuan recommended Great Unrestrained Hands before Righteous Unrestrained Hands and force methods.
• Ding Mai introduced himself to Chen Chuan, mentioned his own service in the Convergence Zone and his record against Iron Demon, then asked Chen Chuan to spar.

Chen Chuan sparred with Ding Mai and defeated him in a single exchange, then discovered that his mental power had temporarily disrupted Ding Mai’s mutated tissue and prevented him from moving or healing. After Chen Chuan removed the interference, Ding Mai recovered, leaving the onlookers questioning Chen Chuan’s unusual ability.

• Chen Chuan accepted Ding Mai’s challenge to an unarmed spar, and Fang Zhixin agreed to referee.
• Ding Mai charged Chen Chuan with his specialized Domain Field assault, but Chen Chuan stopped him with one hand and used his momentum to slam him into the floor.
• Chen Chuan struck Ding Mai’s forehead, leaving him unable to move, and the floor’s shaking caused the Puppet Chen Chuan had damaged earlier to break apart.
• Fang Zhixin and the others failed to revive Ding Mai, so Chen Chuan examined him and found that his mental power had disrupted the connection between Ding Mai’s consciousness and mutated tissue.
• Chen Chuan dispersed the lingering mental power, allowing Ding Mai to move and heal, then told the questioning onlookers that he was fine.