Chapter Summaries

Chen Chuan learned how guidance instructors shaped students’ training and resources, then reviewed the available instructors and submitted applications to several. He left the choice to the instructors’ decisions, while Shu Han and Shen Shao wondered whether Chen Chuan resembled a senior apprentice they knew.

• Shu Han explained the academy’s class system and described three potential guidance instructors, while Shen Shao cautioned him not to decide for Chen Chuan.
• Shen Shao and Shu Han explained the academy’s departments and recommended their own instructor, Chi Youfu, as another option.
• Chen Chuan learned that he needed a guidance instructor’s approval to obtain Kai Lian Powder from the Medicine Repository.
• After touring the academy, Chen Chuan collected a list of guidance instructors and submitted applications to several of them.
• Shu Han said Chen Chuan reminded him of Senior Apprentice, but Shen Shao insisted they were different people.

Gao Shi arranged for Cheng Zitong to take responsibility for Chen Chuan after the instructors refused to teach him. Chen Chuan trained and met his dormitory neighbors, then encountered the upperclassman who had introduced him to the Mutual Aid Society and was asked to speak privately.

• The instructors declined to teach Chen Chuan, so Gao Shi called Cheng Zitong and arranged for him to take the student on temporarily.
• Chen Chuan visited the Martial Arts Arena and unsettled the Class B Students by noticing flaws in their techniques.
• Chen Chuan ran by Spring Autumn Lake, trained until evening, and returned to the dormitory.
• Feng Xiaoqi introduced himself to Chen Chuan and asked him to support his nomination as dormitory group leader; Chen Chuan agreed and met Luo Kaiyuan.
• The upperclassman who had introduced Chen Chuan to the Mutual Aid Society arrived and said someone had asked him to speak privately with Chen Chuan.

Yu Ruizhi visited Chen Chuan and invited him to join the Mutual Aid Society, offering tailored training, medicine, and access to Implant Bodies. Chen Chuan refused and chose to continue on his own, while Yu Ruizhi hinted that they would meet again.

• Luo Kaiyuan told Chen Chuan to call him if he needed help as Chen Chuan let Yu Ruizhi into the dorm.
• Yu Ruizhi introduced himself as a second-year Wrestling Department student and invited Chen Chuan to join the Mutual Aid Society.
• Yu Ruizhi claimed Chen Chuan had overdrawn his potential and offered training, medicine, and Implant Bodies as ways to improve his prospects.
• Chen Chuan asked how Implant Bodies worked, and Yu Ruizhi explained that their power depended on the host’s capacity.
• Chen Chuan rejected the invitation, and Yu Ruizhi left him a name card while warning that the world was more complicated than Chen Chuan thought.

Chen Chuan’s new supervising teacher, Cheng Zitong, warned him that the Breathing Method was causing dangerous Mutated Tissue to grow rapidly in his body. He promised to teach Chen Chuan advanced methods to control it, and Chen Chuan committed himself to the training.

• Cheng Zitong visited Chen Chuan and explained that he had chosen him as a student after reviewing his record.
• Cheng Zitong showed Chen Chuan medical records of former Wu Yi University students whose Mutated Tissue had caused serious illnesses and required surgery.
• Cheng Zitong explained that the Breathing Method caused Mutated Tissue to grow, and that uncontrolled growth could damage Chen Chuan’s health or threaten his life.
• After examining Chen Chuan, Cheng Zitong estimated that his tissue might become difficult to restrain within two or three months and said he would teach him a higher-level Breathing Method and help him master force.
• Chen Chuan told Cheng Zitong that the possibility of surpassing ordinary human limits made him happy, and vowed to give the training everything he had.

Cheng Zitong became Chen Chuan’s supervising instructor and explained the dangers and progression of Mutated Tissue. He provided medicine and prepared to teach Chen Chuan a Breath Regulation Method to speed his growth and prepare him to practice force.

• Cheng Zitong explained that Mutated Tissue could grow in stages, and that students with exceptional talent faced greater risks if they could not master force in time.
• Cheng Zitong and Chen Chuan signed the form making Cheng Zitong his supervising instructor, and Cheng revealed that he worked in the Logistics Department.
• Cheng Zitong went to the Medicine Repository, returning with Kai Lian Powder for Chen Chuan’s friend and a month’s supply of medicine for Chen Chuan.
• Chen Chuan decided not to slow or suppress his Mutated Tissue’s growth, believing he needed to accelerate it to master force.
• Cheng Zitong offered suppressants, which Chen Chuan refused, then began teaching him a Breath Regulation Method.

Cheng Zitong taught Chen Chuan the Breath Regulation Method and supervised his practice with Aperture Opening Pills. Chen Chuan used his Second Self to absorb the resulting damage and continued training until mastery seemed close.

• Cheng Zitong demonstrated the Breath Regulation Method, and Chen Chuan learned its rhythm through bodily resonance.
• Cheng Zitong gave Chen Chuan an Aperture Opening Pill and explained how the method and its medicinal power stimulated Mutated Fascia.
• Chen Chuan struggled to guide the breathing on his own, then practiced repeatedly while taking more pills and using his Second Self to bear the harm.
• Chen Chuan persuaded Cheng Zitong to let him exceed the recommended daily limit, and Cheng Zitong allowed him five additional pills before checking that he was unharmed the next day.
• Chen Chuan spent the following days training in the room, maintaining the basic Breathing Method as Mutated Tissue spread deeper through his body.
• Chen Chuan suddenly felt that mastery of the Breath Regulation Method was within reach.

Chen Chuan initially mastered the Breath Regulation Method in nine days, and Cheng Zitong approved him to begin force training. Cheng Zitong then reported Chen Chuan’s progress to Gao Shi, Yue Hong, and Bian Feng, who began discussing what kind of force Chen Chuan should cultivate.

• Chen Chuan used his Dantian and other points as breath apertures until his Mutated Tissue resonated in a unified rhythm, impressing Cheng Zitong.
• After Chen Chuan finished practicing, Cheng Zitong said he had initially mastered the Breath Regulation Method and explained that his progress was unusually fast.
• Cheng Zitong told Chen Chuan to rest the next day and visit his family, then advised him to meet his classmates.
• Chen Chuan went to the Recruitment Office and asked Gao Shi for tea before Cheng Zitong called Yue Hong and Bian Feng to join them.
• Cheng Zitong reported Chen Chuan’s nine-day progress, and Bian Feng warned that Chen Chuan needed to master force quickly because his Mutated Tissue had a high upper limit.
• Cheng Zitong, Gao Shi, Yue Hong, and Bian Feng began discussing Chen Chuan’s next training direction and which force he should cultivate.

Cheng Zitong persuaded the teachers not to examine Chen Chuan, arguing that his Insight Faction nature meant he should choose his own training, and they agreed to let him consult Old He's Force Manual. Chen Chuan settled into school life, then rode home with Wei Changan, who paid him his share of a commission and explained that the search for Scarface remained unresolved.

• Cheng Zitong convinced Gao Shi, Yue Hong, and Bian Feng to avoid a physical examination and let Chen Chuan choose a suitable force for himself.
• Gao Shi gave Cheng Zitong a document about whether the students should be tested, and Cheng Zitong took it back to discuss with them.
• Chen Chuan ate with Feng Xiaoqi and Luo Kaiyuan, learned about their supervising teachers and the upcoming Monthly Exam, and saw Zhuang Zhi, Feng Sheng, and Zhuang Zhongshan at the dormitory.
• Wei Changan called Chen Chuan and arranged to pick him up the next day for a trip home and a discussion.
• Wei Changan gave Chen Chuan his share of the commission for finding Chou Huzi and said the Patrol Bureau was still searching for Scarface, who had handled Chou Huzi's dealings with Fang Dawei.

Chen Chuan spent his Rest Day visiting Lu Ke and bringing him Kai Lian Powder before returning to Wuyi Academy, where Cheng Zitong explained the Arms Certificate Selection Exam. Chen Chuan decided to pursue the certificate despite its demanding requirements and the risk of being downgraded if he failed.

• Wei Changan drove Chen Chuan home and told him that Cheng Zitong would be his instructor, noting that Cheng could provide plentiful training resources.
• Chen Chuan visited Lu Ke at Fist Home, gave him Kai Lian Powder, and told him about Wuyi Academy.
• Chen Chuan returned home and told Nian Fuli about school and Wei Changan, then went back to Wuyi Academy the next morning.
• Chen Chuan trained alone and felt his punches had grown stronger, while he worried that his Mutated Tissue was advancing dangerously fast.
• Cheng Zitong explained the Arms Certificate Selection Exam's requirements, rewards, and risk of downgrading, and Chen Chuan resolved to obtain the certificate.

Cheng Zitong brought Chen Chuan to the Hall of Inquiry to begin teaching him how to master force and restrain his growing Mutated Tissue. After explaining the First Limit and its Old Era origins, Cheng Zitong invited Chen Chuan to ask questions, and Chen Chuan formally requested instruction.

• Chen Chuan accepted the risks of pursuing the examination, and Cheng Zitong promised to support his sole student while helping him meet the requirements.
• Cheng Zitong drove Chen Chuan to Wu Yi Academy’s Hall of Inquiry and checked that he had no symptoms from the Breath Regulation Method.
• Cheng Zitong explained the Hall of Inquiry’s tradition of mutual criticism between teacher and student.
• Cheng Zitong taught Chen Chuan that guiding Mutated Tissue was called the First Limit, known in the Old Era as Nurturing True Seed, and answered his question about how earlier fighters dealt with its growth.
• Chen Chuan bowed and asked Cheng Zitong to teach him the methods of force.

Cheng Zitong explained how force methods shape a fighter’s combat style and the growth of Mutated Tissue, then showed Chen Chuan the academy’s available methods. Chen Chuan asked about Primal Chaos Force, and Cheng Zitong began describing the Mutated Tissue it formed in the Dantian.

• Cheng Zitong explained that fighters should build combat systems around their own needs and described how Wrapped Clothing Force and Grappling Department methods affected the body.
• Cheng Zitong discussed Chen Chuan’s fight with Zhong Wu and said that timing and opportunity had made the decisive difference.
• Cheng Zitong told Chen Chuan to choose a force method suited to his style and preferences, while offering to advise him or decide for him.
• Chen Chuan asked to review the academy’s force methods, and Cheng Zitong explained Grinding Hoof Force, Python Body Force, and stance training.
• Chen Chuan asked about Primal Chaos Force, and Cheng Zitong identified it as the Freehand Department’s standard method and began explaining how it developed Mutated Tissue in the Dantian.

Chen Chuan examined the academy’s force techniques and rejected Profound Appearance Force in favor of Zhou Yuan Force, believing his Second Self could overcome its lack of specialization. His choice drew Cheng Zitong’s concern as the academy and recommended students watched to see what he would pick.

• Cheng Zitong explained the major and Small Forces to Chen Chuan and showed him the academy’s manuals.
• Yue Hong, Gao Shi, and Bian Feng discussed Cheng Zitong’s visit to the Hall of Inquiry, while Lin Mian and other recommended students watched from North Peak and speculated about the school’s intentions.
• Chen Chuan examined Profound Appearance Force but decided it did not suit him, despite Cheng Zitong describing its history and high entry requirements.
• Chen Chuan asked for a force technique that accounted for every trait, and Cheng Zitong brought him the old manual for Zhou Yuan Force.
• Chen Chuan studied Zhou Yuan Force and chose it, trusting that his Second Self and physical foundation could make up for its lack of specialization.

Chen Chuan chose the overlooked Zhou Yuan Force, and Cheng Zitong accepted his decision and began exploring how to train it. After the method was filed, Gu Shi ordered a student to make the first move, while Cheng Zitong prepared to teach Chen Chuan the Righteous Unrestrained Hands.

• Cheng Zitong drove Chen Chuan back to the dormitory and agreed to help him study and train the Zhou Yuan Force.
• Cheng Zitong filed Chen Chuan’s choice at the Recruitment Office despite Yue Hong’s objections, and Gao Shi registered the form in Chen Chuan’s archive.
• Yue Hong and Bian Feng discussed whether they could persuade Teacher He to return, and Yue Hong decided they should keep calling him.
• Gu Shi examined Chen Chuan’s newly filed form and told a young teacher to have the students below make the first move.
• Cheng Zitong found that the Zhou Yuan Force could be trained through martial forms and announced that he would teach Chen Chuan the Righteous Unrestrained Hands.

Chen Chuan trained in Righteous Unrestrained Hands and began learning stake methods while Fenxin Society members wrongly suspected the Mutual Aid Society had pressured him to abandon Profound Appearance Force. Shu Han confronted Chen Chuan, who agreed to fight him in his room to end the disturbance.

• Cheng Zitong taught Chen Chuan how to combine Flowing Stake and Fixed Stake, explaining the use of shouted exhalations and medicinal support.
• Chen Chuan continued his Breathing Method training and grew stronger as more than ten days passed.
• Fenxin Society members discussed Chen Chuan abandoning Profound Appearance Force and suspected the Mutual Aid Society had forced him to quit.
• Shu Han went with Shen Shao to Chen Chuan's dormitory and offered Fenxin Society's support if he had faced pressure.
• Chen Chuan said he had given up Profound Appearance Force by choice, then accepted Shu Han's challenge and insisted they fight in the room.

Chen Chuan decisively defeated Shu Han in their rematch, using his knowledge of Shu Han’s fighting style to stop his charge and take him down with one hand. Shu Han accepted the loss but remained determined to persuade Chen Chuan to pursue the path favored by his Senior Apprentice.

• Shu Han returned to his starting position and challenged Chen Chuan to fight in the cleared space.
• Shu Han rushed in close, but Chen Chuan’s faster hand disrupted his movement and lifted him by the collar.
• Chen Chuan struck Shu Han’s chest, slammed him to the floor, and let him retreat; Shu Han admitted defeat.
• Shu Han left with Shen Shao, convinced that Chen Chuan had beaten him through a genuine gap in strength.
• Shu Han told Shen Shao he could not watch Chen Chuan waste his talent and vowed to keep trying to persuade him.

After the Fenxin Society decided to persuade Chen Chuan to adopt the Profound Appearance Force, he continued training until the Monthly Exam arrived. Cheng Zitong brought him to his examiner, Ni Xiaolin, where Assistant Qiu set him against nearly twenty upper-year students as his exam question.

• Shu Han told the Fenxin Society that Chen Chuan had given up the Profound Appearance Force of his own accord, and the members resolved to persuade him during the Monthly Exam.
• Senior Jiang and other Mutual Aid Society members discussed Chen Chuan’s choice and waited to see whether the Fenxin Society could change his mind.
• Cheng Zitong told Chen Chuan that his Monthly Exam examiner would be Ni Xiaolin and warned him to stay alert.
• Assistant Qiu led Chen Chuan into a room with nearly twenty upper-year students and told him to make them give up or find a way to escape to pass.

Teacher Ni arranged for Cheng Zitong to assess her student Feng Xiaoqi, while Chen Chuan faced pressure from Fenxin Society members to abandon his chosen Force Method. Chen rejected their persuasion and prepared to challenge them under the examination rules.

• Teacher Ni greeted Cheng Zitong and arranged for him to assess Feng Xiaoqi, Chen Chuan's dormitory neighbor.
• Lu Fang introduced Chen Chuan to Fenxin Society members gathered in the training hall before his Monthly Exam.
• Lu Fang asked Chen Chuan which Force Method he had chosen, and Chen said he was training in the Zhou Yuan Force Method.
• Several students criticized Chen's choice and urged him to change instructors, but Chen defended his decision and Teacher Cheng.
• Lu Fang warned Chen that he needed a better Force Method and the support of a group to survive the schemes at Wuyi Academy.
• Chen removed his outer jacket and challenged the gathered students to let him persuade them under the examination rules.

Chen Chuan faced the Fenxin Society’s group assault during the Monthly Exam and defeated the upperclassmen who surrounded him. After Assistant Qiu declared that he had passed, Chen Chuan left, telling Lu Fang that he would be the exception to the rule that no one could be an exception.

• Lu Fang refused Chen Chuan’s request for a one-on-one fight, and the Fenxin Society members attacked him together.
• Chen Chuan quickly knocked down the first attackers and evaded coordinated assaults using techniques including Piercing Cover Hand and Surprise God Fist.
• The attackers surrounded Chen Chuan, but he broke through their formation and escaped Bi Yang’s grasp.
• Chen Chuan defeated the ceiling-running attacker and the Fox Walk user, then sent Lu Fang flying with Millstone Hand.
• Assistant Qiu stopped the fight and ruled that Chen Chuan had passed the Monthly Exam.
• Lu Fang said Chen Chuan had lost despite winning, and Chen Chuan replied that he would be the exception before leaving.

After Chen Chuan defeated the club members and rejected Profound Appearance Force, Teacher Ni gave him the Snow Monarch Blade, and Cheng Zitong urged him to learn saber techniques and pursue an Arms Certificate. Meanwhile, the white-haired old man and Senior Jiang continued watching Chen Chuan, who had chosen the Zhou Yuan Force Method.

• Lu Fang treated the club members' injuries and said they would wait to see whether Chen Chuan pursued a higher level without Profound Appearance Force.
• Cheng Zitong introduced Chen Chuan to Teacher Ni, who gave him the Snow Monarch Blade after learning he preferred long sabers.
• Chen Chuan tested the heavy saber and found it suited him, then reflected that Teacher Ni's company reminded him of the Old Era.
• Cheng Zitong offered to teach Chen Chuan basic saber techniques and said he would help him complete the commissions needed for registration and an Arms Certificate.
• The white-haired old man dismissed further interference, saying someone would come to whet the blade that had been sharpened.
• Senior Jiang read the Zhou Yuan Force Method, called it trash, and told his students to keep watching Chen Chuan.

Chen Chuan accompanied Ren Xiaotian on his first commission, traveling to Jiao Mountain to retrieve an item from Lao Mi. At the village marker, Lao Mi revealed the Village Chief wanted them to enter Nangou Village for the trade, and Ren Xiaotian threatened him at gunpoint to hand over the item.

• Cheng Zitong told Chen Chuan he could begin taking commissions and sent Ren Xiaotian to guide him.
• Ren Xiaotian drove Chen Chuan toward Jiao Mountain and gave him a notebook explaining commission procedures and precautions.
• Chen Chuan and Ren Xiaotian crossed into Jiao Mountain territory and met Lao Mi at the marker for Nangou Village.
• Lao Mi said the Village Chief wanted them to enter the village to negotiate the trade.
• Ren Xiaotian pressed a revolver to Lao Mi's forehead and demanded the item.