Recaps

Liu Zhixiang assessed Canglang Martial Hall’s disciples for Sihe Trading Company investment and invited Cheng Ran to a banquet. Cheng Ran decided to bring Jiang Ning and recommend him for funding, leaving Jiang Ning hopeful of gaining resources despite the risk of competing for a Patrol Office slot.

• Liu Zhixiang identified Cheng Ran, Xiao Peng, and Zhao Hu as the disciples Sihe Trading Company most wanted to invest in, then invited Cheng Ran and went to approach Xiao Peng.
• Cheng Ran told Jiang Ning he would favor whichever investor offered greater benefits, while admitting Jiang Ning needed investment more than he did.
• Cheng Ran considered Jiang Ning a possible threat to his Patrol Office prospects but resolved to invite him to Sihe Trading Company’s banquet and recommend him for funding.
• Jiang Ning accepted Cheng Ran’s invitation, hoping to gain resources to advance his martial arts and protect his family.
• Cheng Ran happily patted Jiang Ning’s shoulder after Jiang Ning agreed to attend.

Wang Jin brought Shen Congyun into the Martial Arts Hall’s front yard, where Shen surveyed the disciples as a possible source of talent for Myriad Blossom Pavilion. Zhou Xing saw a chance to win Shen’s favor and resolved to display himself, while Jiang Ning questioned how much such attention could change Cheng Ran’s prospects.

• Wang Jin and Shen Congyun arrived, and the disciples greeted them as Cheng Ran eagerly anticipated watching the ferocious tiger fight.
• Jiang Ning asked Cheng Ran about Shen Congyun, and Cheng Ran said Shen’s regard could transform his fate.
• Wang Jin asked Shen to assess his disciples, and Shen agreed to look for anyone worth Myriad Blossom Pavilion’s investment, though he expected little.
• Zhou Xing recognized Shen Congyun and renewed his hope of gaining Myriad Blossom Pavilion’s support for himself and the Zhou Family.
• Zhou Xing clenched his fists and resolved to enter the field and show Shen Congyun what he could do.

At the Martial Arts Hall, Shen Congyun assessed the gathered disciples and initially dismissed Cheng Ran and Jiang Ning as ordinary. After sensing Jiang Ning’s heartbeat and the lingering scent of Essence of Sunlight, he realized Jiang Ning had achieved significant progress in the Inner Alchemy Nourishing Life Skill, though he concealed his discovery from Wang Jin.

• Shen Congyun judged Zhou Xing talented but considered his strong medicinal scent evidence of a good family background, making him only average in comparison.
• Wang Jin ordered disciples to carry the fierce tiger’s cage into the west courtyard, and the tiger’s roar silenced the yard.
• Cheng Ran hoped to use a chance to face the tiger and impress Shen Congyun, while Jiang Ning considered seeking the Pavilion Master’s support.
• Shen Congyun first judged Cheng Ran mediocre and Jiang Ning commonplace, then noticed Jiang Ning’s powerful heartbeat and the scent of Essence of Sunlight.
• Shen Congyun concluded that Jiang Ning had reached Initiation in the Inner Alchemy Nourishing Life Skill, with attainments comparable to Wang Jin’s, but told Wang Jin that nothing was wrong.

Shen Congyun recognized Jiang Ning as a remarkably talented practitioner of the Inner Alchemy Nourishing Life Skill and decided to investigate him before choosing how much to invest. Meanwhile, Cao Bin learned that Jiang Ning was staying at Wang Jin’s Canglang Martial Hall and continued planning how to pressure Jiang Li.

• Shen Congyun sensed that Jiang Ning had cultivated the Inner Alchemy Nourishing Life Skill to Initiation without Secret Medicine and judged him a top-tier Innate Spiritual Awakened.
• Shen Congyun decided to invest his quota in Jiang Ning but resolved to investigate Jiang Ning’s martial arts experience and talent first.
• Wang Jin asked Shen Congyun what he thought of his disciples, and Shen Congyun replied that they were not bad, disappointing Wang Jin.
• Xu Yunfeng told Cao Bin that Jiang Ning had moved into Wang Jin’s Canglang Martial Hall after Jiang Li’s children became his intended leverage.
• Cao Bin said he would not abandon the plan to use Jiang Li to force the County Magistrate’s position, then considered what Xu Yunfeng should do next.

Cao Bin ordered Xu Yunfeng to frame Jiang Li and Jiang Ning as members of the God Worshipping Sect and have them arrested. Meanwhile, Jiang Ning studied the martial hall’s fight with a ferocious tiger and prepared to resume training with the wild ginseng he had received.

• Cao Bin told Xu Yunfeng to frame Jiang Li and his family, and to target Jiang Ning as well.
• At Canglang Martial Hall, Wang Jin and Shen Congyun watched the disciples fight a ferocious tiger.
• Cheng Ran told Jiang Ning he had fought the tiger to improve his Tiger Form Fist and impress Shen Congyun, then planned to keep reflecting on the fight.
• Jiang Ning found ten stalks of Wild Ginseng delivered by Zhou Xing and looked forward to regaining his faster training progress.
• Jiang Ning replayed the disciples’ battle with the ferocious tiger from memory and deepened his understanding of Tiger Form Fist.

Jiang Ning used half of his Ten-Year Wild Ginseng to fuel an intense night of fist practice and grasped both the spirit and form of the Ferocious Tiger, bringing his Tiger Form Fist to Great Completion. He ended the night with improved practice gains and followed Aunt Sun to eat.

• Jiang Ning replayed the tiger’s movements while practicing and ate half of his Ten-Year Wild Ginseng to restore his strength.
• Jiang Ning practiced through the evening until his Five Animal Frolics Fist gained two Experience Points in a round, confirming that his Tiger Form Fist had reached Great Completion.
• Jiang Ning realized that Great Completion qualified him to become Wang Jin's Direct Disciple and continued practicing to consolidate his insights.
• Aunt Sun checked on Jiang Ning repeatedly and kept his dinner warm while he trained.
• Jiang Ning stopped at the third watch, saw that his Five Animal Frolics Fist had gained 23 Experience Points that evening, and followed Aunt Sun to eat.

After reaching 10.1 Source Energy, Jiang Ning broke through the limit of his Firewood Chopping Blade Technique and gained the Understand by Analogy trait. He decided to tell Wang Jin that he had met the requirement to become a Direct Disciple, hoping to gain his support and access to a blade and blade technique.

• Jiang Ning ate a large meal, practiced his fist technique twice, and went to sleep with 9.2 Source Energy.
• Jiang Ning woke to find his Source Energy had risen to 10.1 after absorbing the wild ginseng.
• Jiang Ning spent 9.0 Source Energy to break through his Firewood Chopping Blade Technique and gained the Understand by Analogy trait.
• Jiang Ning decided to seek a blade and blade technique from Wang Jin and tell him that his Tiger Form Fist had reached Great Success, qualifying him to become a Direct Disciple.
• Jiang Ning sensed his increased strength and left his room to find Wang Jin.

Jiang Ning tested his strength and found that his right arm could lift more than three hundred jin while his left could lift three hundred, then resumed training. As he practiced absorbing the Essence of Sunlight, Shen Congyun watched in shock that Jiang Ning dared to do so without the Inner Alchemy Nourishing Life Skill’s follow-up Guiding Method.

• Jiang Ning lifted a three-hundred-jin Stone Dumbbell with each arm, but could not raise a four-hundred-jin one fully.
• Jiang Ning estimated that a blade combined with his Breakthrough-level Firewood Chopping Blade Technique could let him contend with a five-hundred-jin opponent, and planned to grow stronger before facing Xu Yunfeng again.
• Jiang Ning practiced Five Animal Frolics Fist, gained four experience points and six strands of qi and blood, and reached Minor Completion 86/500.
• After sunrise, Jiang Ning absorbed the fierce Essence of Sunlight and gained one experience point in Inner Alchemy Nourishing Life Skill.
• Shen Congyun watched Jiang Ning from a distant building and was horrified that he breathed in the Essence of Sunlight without the follow-up Guiding Method.

Jiang Ning demonstrated that his Tiger Form Fist had reached Great Success, satisfying Wang Jin’s test and officially becoming his Direct Disciple. Meanwhile, Shen Congyun observed Jiang Ning cultivating the Inner Alchemy Nourishing Life Skill and resolved to wait for an investigation report before judging him.

• Shen Congyun watched Jiang Ning absorb the Essence of Sunlight and suspected he had a complete cultivation method for the Inner Alchemy Nourishing Life Skill.
• Jiang Ning checked his progress, ate breakfast, and decided to tell Wang Jin that his Tiger Form Fist had reached Great Success.
• Jiang Ning demonstrated the fist technique, and Wang Jin confirmed that he had achieved Great Success in less than half a month.
• Wang Jin accepted Jiang Ning as his Direct Disciple, and Jiang Ning presented him with tea to complete the ceremony.

Wang Jin showed Jiang Ning the Middle Grade Canglang Saber Technique but said he was not yet qualified to learn it because he had not mastered Force. He urged Jiang Ning to complete the Five Animal Frolics Fist so he could pursue a place in the Patrol Office, and Jiang Ning turned back to ask for a saber to practice.

• Wang Jin explained that Canglang Martial Hall was named after the Canglang Saber Technique and that learning it required exceptional comprehension.
• Wang Jin gave Jiang Ning the manual, and Jiang Ning read it while gaining Literacy Experience Points and memorizing its contents.
• Jiang Ning learned that the Canglang Saber Technique required Ninefold Force even for Initiation and could unleash the power of nine slashes at its Perfected Realm.
• Wang Jin told Jiang Ning to master the Five Animal Frolics Fist and Five Animal Force, saying he would help him seek a Patrol Office opportunity if he progressed quickly.
• Jiang Ning saw Canglang Saber Technique listed on his panel, wondered whether he could learn it early, then turned back to ask Wang Jin for a saber.

Jiang Ning obtained Wang Jin’s Ebony Long Saber and began practicing the Canglang Saber Technique, discovering that his panel could track its progress. He left the courtyard determined to advance in the saber technique while keeping the Five Animal Frolics Fist as his foundation.

• Jiang Ning asked Wang Jin for a saber so he could practice the Canglang Saber Technique, and Wang Jin gave him the Ebony Long Saber.
• Jiang Ning returned to his courtyard and found that the saber felt natural in his hands, then cut a drifting leaf in half with a casual swing.
• Jiang Ning recalled the Canglang Saber Technique and performed its moves smoothly, earning one experience point and sensing a force that might be Jin Force.
• Jiang Ning practiced the technique again, raising it to Not Yet Initiated 2/10 and realizing that it consumed less physical strength than the Five Animal Frolics Fist.
• Jiang Ning resolved to keep progressing in the Canglang Saber Technique while prioritizing the Five Animal Frolics Fist as the foundation for strengthening his body and Blood Qi.

Jiang Ning trained Canglang Saber Technique to Initiation and discovered that its Ninefold Force gave him a devastating but physically damaging attack. He decided to keep training toward mastery so he could use its power as a trump card against Xu Yunfeng.

• Jiang Ning practiced Canglang Saber Technique until it reached Initiation, and he gained insight into the technique as Jin Force condensed within him.
• Jiang Ning unleashed Ninefold Force in a saber strike that nearly split apart a Hundred-Year Ironwood training post.
• Jiang Ning realized the force had torn his right arm, but his circulating qi and blood quickly eased the injury.
• Jiang Ning praised his Ebony Long Saber for withstanding the strike without damage.
• Jiang Ning resumed training, aiming to master Canglang Saber Technique and gain a stronger killing move against Xu Yunfeng.

Jiang Ning spent the day practicing the Canglang Saber Technique, using wild ginseng to sustain himself as he neared a breakthrough. At dusk, Cheng Ran arrived to take him to a banquet, and Jiang Ning brought his ebony saber for protection.

• Wang Jin saw Jiang Ning practicing the Canglang Saber Technique and left, believing Jiang Ning was attempting something beyond his current ability.
• Jiang Ning practiced through the day and consumed one Ten-Year Wild Ginseng, raising the Canglang Saber Technique to Initiation 43/100.
• Jiang Ning expected to master the Middle Grade martial art the next day and gain the ability to unleash two layers of Jin Force.
• Cheng Ran arrived by carriage and called Jiang Ning to join him for the banquet.
• Jiang Ning brought his Ebony Long Saber, and Cheng Ran examined it before privately wondering whether Jiang Ning had become Wang Jin's Direct Disciple.

Cheng Ran brought Jiang Ning and Old Zheng to Bright Moon Pavilion to negotiate with Liu Zhixiang over Sihe Trading Company’s offer. Cheng Ran demanded that the company offer Jiang Ning the same terms as him, but Liu Zhixiang refused to commit, and Cheng Ran left in anger with Jiang Ning.

• Two Green Snake Gang members spotted Jiang Ning leaving the martial hall, and one went to inform Master Xu.
• Cheng Ran, Jiang Ning, and Old Zheng arrived at Bright Moon Pavilion, where Liu Zhixiang welcomed them to the private room.
• Liu Zhixiang presented Sihe Trading Company’s terms, which Jiang Ning saw were inferior to Zhou Xing’s offer.
• Cheng Ran agreed to Sihe Trading Company’s terms on the condition that it offer Jiang Ning the same deal.
• Liu Zhixiang said he lacked the authority to approve the extra offer, angering Cheng Ran, who left with Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning and Cheng Ran left Bright Moon Pavilion after Sihe Trading Company rejected Cheng Ran’s request to invest in Jiang Ning. Xu Yunfeng later confronted them on their way to Canglang Martial Hall, leaving their carriage halted in the street.

• Liu Zhixiang rejected Cheng Ran’s request to invest in Jiang Ning and decided to increase Sihe Trading Company’s support for Xiao Peng instead.
• Cheng Ran apologized to Jiang Ning for the failed meeting, reaffirmed their friendship, and said Jiang Ning’s talent would soon protect him from Cao Bin.
• Jiang Ning spotted Xu Yunfeng waiting nearby and prepared his lime and Ebony Long Saber, but accepted Cheng Ran’s offer to escort him rather than risk a fight.
• Cheng Ran and Jiang Ning rode toward Canglang Martial Hall in a carriage, but Xu Yunfeng stepped in front of it and forced the horses to stop.

Xu Yunfeng stopped Cheng Ran’s carriage and demanded to search it for Jiang Li, revealing that he had reached Martial Dao Entry Rank. As Old Zheng hesitated to fight because of his declining strength, Jiang Li left the carriage prepared to kill Xu Yunfeng and resist being taken away.

• Xu Yunfeng stopped Cheng Ran’s carriage on Cao Bin’s order and demanded to inspect it for a fugitive, but Cheng Ran challenged his authority.
• Old Zheng emerged and warned Cheng Ran that Xu Yunfeng had reached Martial Dao Entry Rank, while Jiang Li weighed whether his blade skills and Ninefold Force could kill him.
• Xu Yunfeng offered to let Old Zheng and Cheng Ran leave, then revealed he intended to take Jiang Li and use him to pressure Jiang Ning into confessing.
• Old Zheng admitted that age and declining bodily functions had weakened him, and pressed Cheng Ran back rather than risk a fight.
• Jiang Li decided to rely on his own strength, left the carriage with his long blade, and prepared to attack Xu Yunfeng.

Jiang Ning faced Xu Yunfeng in the Inner City until Wang Jin arrived and forced the constable to withdraw after he wounded himself to avoid Wang Jin’s retaliation. Jiang Ning returned toward the Martial Arts Hall with Cheng Ran, warned to stay cautious while he continued his training.

• Jiang Ning stepped from the carriage to face Xu Yunfeng, while Cheng Ran tried to stop him from confronting the men sent by the Cao Family.
• Wang Jin arrived and demanded that Xu Yunfeng leave Jiang Ning alone.
• After Wang Jin ordered Xu Yunfeng to stop, Xu Yunfeng stabbed himself in the abdomen to make amends and avoid giving Wang Jin cause to attack him.
• Wang Jin told Jiang Ning to focus on martial arts, then departed as Jiang Ning thanked him for intervening.
• Cheng Ran apologized and urged Jiang Ning to avoid leaving the Martial Arts Hall, then offered to take him back in the carriage.

After Xu Yunfeng nearly harmed Jiang Ning, Wang Jin warned him to focus on strength, and Jiang Ning trained until his Canglang Saber Technique reached mastery. He gained the ability to unleash double-layered Jin Force, but his body could not yet withstand its power.

• Cheng Ran apologized to Jiang Ning for bringing him into danger, then discussed with Old Zheng why they had been unable to confront Xu Yunfeng.
• Wang Jin told Jiang Ning that strength determined the truth and warned him to stay inside while the danger remained.
• Jiang Ning wondered why Xu Yunfeng had dared attack him, then trained his Canglang Saber Technique through the night.
• By noon the next day, Jiang Ning's Canglang Saber Technique reached mastery, granting him the ability to unleash double-layered Jin Force.
• Jiang Ning realized the doubled force could more than double his saber's might, but using it risked tearing his flesh and bursting his blood vessels.

Jiang Ning assessed his rapid progress, decided to focus on strengthening his physique and gaining entry to the Patrol Office, and kept his Mastery-level Canglang Saber Technique secret. Shen Congyun reviewed information about Jiang Ning and recognized him as an exceptionally promising martial talent.

• Jiang Ning saw that his Source Energy had risen to 2.0 and that his Canglang Saber Technique had reached Mastery, which he resolved to conceal from Wang Jin and others.
• Jiang Ning concluded that his weak physique limited how much Jin Force he could unleash, so he shifted his focus to the Five Animal Frolics Fist and strengthening his blood qi.
• Jiang Ning planned to reach the Ninth Rank of the Martial Dao within three months so he could enter the Patrol Office, while vowing not to spare Xu Yunfeng.
• At Myriad Blossom Pavilion, Shen Congyun received the collected materials about Jiang Ning and learned that he had trained for only a little over ten days.
• Shen Congyun concluded that Jiang Ning was an exceptionally gifted Innate Spiritual Awakened and a promising future grandmaster, making him even more worthy of attention than Wang Jin.

At Myriad Blossom Pavilion, Shen Congyun and Qingyi discussed whether Jiang Ning was worth investing in, while Jiang Ning rapidly improved his martial arts using Wild Ginseng. The chapter ended as Cheng Ran rushed to warn Jiang Ning that Cao Bin was coming, just as two Captains and more than twenty constables arrived at Canglang Martial Hall.

• Qingyi examined Shen Congyun’s report on Jiang Ning but judged him ordinary despite Shen Congyun noting his qi and blood progress.
• Jiang Ning’s Source Energy rose to 5.8 as he practiced Five Animal Frolics Fist and consumed Wild Ginseng, bringing him closer to Great Success in both his fist technique and Blood Qi.
• Jiang Ning counted his remaining Wild Ginseng and decided he would need to find another way to earn money for medicinal supplements.
• Cheng Ran hurried to Canglang Martial Hall, fearing Cao Bin would arrest Jiang Ning and hoping he could warn him in time.
• More than twenty constables led by two Captains arrived near Canglang Martial Hall, drawing attention from people at the nearby tea stalls.

Cao Bin arrived at Canglang Martial Hall with constables to arrest Jiang Ning, accusing his brother Jiang Li of colluding with the Evil God Church. Jiang Ning prepared to flee, but Wang Jin intervened and, after sensing Jiang Ning’s Ninefold Force, resolved to protect him despite the Cao Family.

• Cao Bin led the constables to Canglang Martial Hall while Wang Desheng reluctantly accompanied him, and Cao Bin claimed he had ironclad evidence against Jiang Ning.
• Cheng Ran warned Jiang Ning that Cao Bin was coming to arrest him and urged him to escape, but the constables arrived before they could leave.
• Cao Bin announced that Jiang Ning would be taken in because Jiang Li was accused of colluding with the Evil God Church, and Jiang Ning prepared to fight his way out.
• Wang Jin leaped into the front yard and stood between Jiang Ning and the constables, prompting Jiang Ning to touch his shoulder and pass him Ninefold Force.
• Wang Jin recognized Jiang Ning’s extraordinary saber talent and resolved to protect him even if it meant confronting the Cao Family.

Wang Jin confronted Cao Bin at Canglang Martial Hall and seized him after Cao Bin accused him of shielding a wanted criminal. Cao Rong arrived armed with a bow, and as he challenged Wang Jin, he aimed his next arrow at Jiang Ning.

• Cao Bin demanded that Wang Jin hand over Jiang Li’s brother, but Wang Jin ordered him to leave.
• Wang Jin rushed forward, grabbed Cao Bin by the throat, and demanded that Cao Rong come instead.
• Wang Jin spotted Cao Rong aiming at him from a distant tower and realized the younger Martial Scholar could rival his strength.
• Cao Rong shot at Wang Jin, who dodged the arrows as Cao Rong advanced and challenged him to fight.
• Cao Rong shifted his aim from Wang Jin to Jiang Ning, forcing Wang Jin to protect the person he valued.

Wang Jin protected Jiang Ning from Cao Rong’s arrows until Shen Congyun intervened and forced Cao Rong to stand down. Shen Congyun and Qingyi then accompanied Cao Rong toward Canglang Martial Hall, while Qingyi wondered why Shen Congyun had risked punishment to help Jiang Ning.

• Cao Rong fired an arrow at Jiang Ning, and Wang Jin intercepted it with a saber that broke under the impact.
• Cao Rong realized that Jiang Ning was Wang Jin’s weakness and drew another arrow, but Shen Congyun aimed an Inner Breath-coated leaf at him.
• Shen Congyun asked Cao Rong to spare Jiang Ning, and Cao Rong lowered his bow and agreed.
• Qingyi questioned Shen Congyun’s decision to interfere in the county’s disputes, but he said he had chosen to help Jiang Ning.
• Cao Rong asked why Shen Congyun cared about Jiang Ning, and Shen Congyun repeated that he simply found the boy pleasing to the eye.
• Shen Congyun, Qingyi, and Cao Rong walked together toward Canglang Martial Hall.

Jiang Ning realized the Cao Family’s attack had put his older brother and sister-in-law’s family in immediate danger, while Cao Rong’s arrival left him exposed to a powerful Martial Dao Rank 7 archer. Shen Congyun intervened on Jiang Ning’s behalf, and Cao Rong accepted that Shen’s regard for him was too great to ignore.

• Jiang Ning hid behind the Martial Arts Hall wall as Wang Jin faced Cao Rong, and he feared the Cao Family had already sent his older brother and sister-in-law to prison.
• Wang Desheng announced Cao Rong, Shen Congyun, and Qingyi, and Shen Congyun secretly told Wang Jin to bring Jiang Ning out.
• Wang Jin told the disciples that Shen Congyun had come to help Jiang Ning, and Jiang Ning followed him outside, confused by the intervention.
• Shen Congyun used Inner Breath to ease Cao Bin’s injuries and gave him a healing pill, prompting Cao Rong to recognize how highly Shen regarded Jiang Ning.
• Cao Rong sighed and decided to accept the situation.

Shen Congyun intervened to stop the Cao Family from pursuing Jiang Ning’s family, then revealed that Jiang Ning was an Innate Spiritual Awakened who had mastered the Inner Alchemy Nourishing Life Skill unusually quickly. He gave Jiang Ning its later cultivation methods and asked him to visit Myriad Blossom Pavilion by the next day, warning that they might not meet again for a long time.

• Shen Congyun persuaded Cao Rong and Cao Bin to end their pursuit of Jiang Li’s family, and Cao Rong ordered Cao Bin to release them.
• Cao Bin questioned whether they should comply because Shen Congyun might be punished, but Cao Rong insisted they could not deny him this favor.
• Shen Congyun told Jiang Ning he had helped because Jiang Ning was an Innate Spiritual Awakened who had reached Initiation in the Inner Alchemy Nourishing Life Skill in about a week.
• Shen Congyun explained that the skill was a Peerless Art and asked Jiang Ning to owe him one favor in the future.
• Shen Congyun gave Jiang Ning golden pages containing the skill’s methods for reaching great success and told him to memorize them and visit Myriad Blossom Pavilion by the next day.
• Shen Congyun assured Jiang Ning that the Cao Family would leave him alone, then used Sound Transmission into Secrecy to repeat his warning about visiting soon.