Chapter Summaries

Ding Ling fought Zuo Ci inside the Eight Trigrams Formation and defeated the Ghost General summoned to aid him. He repeatedly struck Zuo Ci until the weakened sorcerer demanded the Heavenly Book of Dun Jia, leaving Ding Ling to question how Zuo Ci knew he had learned it.

• Ding Ling repeatedly cut Zuo Ci apart with the Flying Snow Frost Pearl Flower Sword Diagram, while Zuo Ci re-formed from smoke and grew weaker.
• Zuo Ci summoned a towering Ghost General, but Ding Ling used the Human Emperor Swordplay and the Eight Trigrams Formation to suppress and behead it.
• Ding Ling overwhelmed Zuo Ci with two swords and multiple supreme arts, then pierced his skull and erased his escaping smoke with sword diagrams.
• Zuo Ci reappeared faint and demanded that Ding Ling hand over the Heavenly Book of Dun Jia in exchange for his life.
• Ding Ling asked how Zuo Ci knew he had learned the Heavenly Book of Dun Jia, and Zuo Ci connected the rumor to Daoist Yu Ji.

Ding Ling defeated Zuo Ci and completed the Path of the War God missions, but Zuo Ci claimed he was immortal and would return. After receiving the completion notice, Ding Ling wondered whether he had truly killed Zuo Ci.

• Ding Ling repeatedly cut Zuo Ci apart until Zuo Ci offered to answer questions in exchange for his life and the Heavenly Book of Dunjia.
• Zuo Ci asked how Ding Ling had advanced so quickly, and Ding Ling credited his innate talent.
• Zuo Ci threatened that killing him would bring trouble because countless others like him remained, so Ding Ling attacked again.
• Zuo Ci dissolved into foul liquid and declared that he was immortal and would return to find Ding Ling.
• Ding Ling received confirmation that he had completed every Path of the War God mission and questioned whether Zuo Ci had truly died.

Ding Ling defeated Zuo Ci, but the Daoist left only foul-smelling liquid behind, leading Ding Ling to suspect he had destroyed one of Zuo Ci’s powerful avatars. Ding Ling reunited with Diao Chan and the others, reassured them, and remained wary of the Three Kingdoms World’s hidden depths before leaving.

• Ding Ling used his observations of Zuo Ci and his knowledge of ancient texts to conclude that Zuo Ci might kill him without restraint, so he fought without holding back.
• After the battle, Ding Ling found only thick liquid where Zuo Ci should have left a body and suspected that he had killed one of Zuo Ci’s powerful avatars.
• Ding Ling decided not to leave the Three Kingdoms World immediately because he still had matters and people he cared about there.
• Diao Chan and the others rushed to check on Ding Ling, while Zhuge Liang claimed he had always trusted Ding Ling to win.
• Ding Ling explained that Zuo Ci had turned into thick liquid, and the group recognized how dangerous the Daoist had been.

After defeating Zuo Ci, Ding Ling returned toward Chang'an while Zhuge Liang and the others admired his strength. Players’ extravagant offers and rumors about Ding Ling spread his fame further, leaving potential enemies wary of confronting him.

• Zhuge Liang watched Ding Ling’s victory and decided to devote more attention to martial arts while continuing his scholarly studies.
• Diao Chan, Xiao Qiao, Du Qingcheng, and Zhen Jiang checked Ding Ling for injuries, then relaxed when they found him unharmed.
• Ding Ling and his companions mounted their horses to return to Chang'an as players shouted offers of money for his instruction.
• Ding Ling ignored a wealthy player’s offer of a billion and rode away, prompting players to speculate about his hidden identity and spread stories of his power.
• Players in the Real World debated the supernatural battle and grew more cautious about schemes against Ding Ling.
• People called out to Ding Ling along the road, including devoted female fans whose remarks made the women blush.

Ding Ling finished preparing to leave Chang'an after failing to find Zuo Ci, then settled his completed missions and received six Glory Medals. He opened the Path of Glory prompt and called his companions to ride with him to the outskirts of Chang'an, uncertain whether he would be able to return.

• Ding Ling waited several months for Zuo Ci and ordered his spies to search the Nine Provinces and ten lands, but they found no trace of him.
• Ding Ling observed the martial progress of Diao Chan, Xiao Qiao, Da Qiao, Du Qingcheng, Zhen Jiang, Zhao Xiaoyu, and Zhao Bingxuan, while Pan Feng and Zhao Feng served as generals.
• Ding Ling completed the remaining achievements and secret-manual collection, leaving him with 103 Ordinary and 22 E-rank Achievement Medals.
• Ding Ling redeemed his completed missions and received six Glory Medals after the settlement calculated his progress.
• Ding Ling opened the Path of Glory prompt, learned that its location could not be changed once selected, and called his companions to ride with him to the outskirts of Chang'an.

Ding Ling selected the pavilion outside Chang'an as his departure point, summoning the Path of Glory from the heavens. As the Sky Ladder appeared before him, he told his companions he would leave to pursue a stronger path in a wider world.

• Ding Ling left Chang'an with his companions, while spies reported his departure to Cao Mengde.
• Ding Ling confirmed his selection of the ancient pavilion outside Chang'an, and the sky darkened as icy winds, thunder, and snow swept across the mortal world.
• Cao Mengde and the people of Chang'an witnessed a shaft of light dispel the storm, and Guan Yu and the other generals rode toward the outskirts.
• The light formed a Sky Ladder before Ding Ling, and Diao Chan, Xiao Qiao, Zhao Yun, and the others realized it had come for him.
• Ding Ling explained that he would follow the Path of Glory to pursue a stronger martial path, leaving Diao Chan with reddened eyes.

Ding Ling left the Three Kingdoms World and received first-clearer rewards at the Gate of Glory. After choosing The Smiling, Proud Wanderer as his next Martial Arts World, he was carried to its Great Path to Heaven.

• Ding Ling comforted Diao Chan, Xiao Qiao, Da Qiao, Du Qingcheng, Zhen Jiang, and the others, then stepped onto the Sky Ladder.
• Ding Ling reached the Gate of Glory and learned that he had become the first person to clear the Portal to the Historical World, earning rewards including a return opportunity and the right to choose a Martial Arts World.
• Ding Ling chose the Yitian Sword, Ju Que Sword, two sets of clothing, two Ferghana Horses, and The Smiling, Proud Wanderer.
• Ding Ling spent ten Achievement Medals and one Glory Medal to open the Gate of Glory.
• Ding Ling was carried to the Great Path to Heaven for The Smiling, Proud Wanderer, accompanied by his Ferghana Horses and two hundred taels of gold.

Before entering The Smiling, Proud Wanderer, Ding Ling found a hidden counter that sold storage bags and pills for medals. He bought a Mundane Rank 4 Storage Bag and a Genuine Rank 1 Pill, but was left unsure how to use either item.

• Ding Ling discovered rows of counters beside the Great Path to Heaven, though only the first counter and its goods were accessible to him.
• He spent 80 Ordinary Achievement Medals and 16 E-Rank Achievement Medals to buy a Mundane Rank 4 Storage Bag.
• Ding Ling could not figure out how to open or use the storage bag, so he put it away for later.
• He spent all five of his Glory Medals on a Genuine Rank 1 Pill.
• Ding Ling examined the pill, which resembled a longan, and wondered whether he should eat it directly.

Ding Ling used a Glory Medal to buy and consume a Dragon-Eye Great Pill, raising his bone structure to 2 before entering The Smiling, Proud Wanderer plane. In the End of the Qin Dynasty, Xiang Yu learned that Ding Ling had shattered the void and resolved to pursue the heavenly ladder and martial immortality.

• Ding Ling suspected the treasures in the exchange area were limited and decided to spend his surplus medals on supplies.
• Ding Ling consumed the Dragon-Eye Great Pill, endured its transformation, and saw his bone structure rise from 1 to 2.
• Ding Ling entered The Smiling, Proud Wanderer Great Path to Heaven as the golden light carried him toward that plane.
• Xiang Yu witnessed a heavenly ladder appear outside Chang'an after the skies erupted with thunder and frost.
• A player told Xiang Yu that Ding Ling had shattered the void and gone to a stronger world to pursue martial immortality.
• Xiang Yu took Ding Ling's journey as proof that he too could climb the heavenly ladder and seek martial immortality.

After Ding Ling was swept into the Heavenly Palace, Diao Chan and the others resolved to grow strong enough to follow him together, while Xiang Yu and the Three Kingdoms heroes considered ascending the Sky Ladder. The chapter ended with Liu Bei accepting that he needed to cultivate harder before he could join Guan Yu and Zhang Fei.

• Xiang Yu climbed thousands of meters up the Sky Ladder, returned to the ground, and decided to settle his affairs before ascending with Consort Yu and his companions.
• Xiang Yu set out south on his Uzhui horse to bring Consort Yu and handle matters there, while Li Shimin accelerated his reforms and campaigns as his warriors grew eager to climb the Sky Ladder.
• Diao Chan stepped onto the Sky Ladder but turned back after seeing the Qiao sisters and the others grieving, resolving that they would grow stronger and seek Ding Ling together.
• Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and the other Three Kingdoms heroes found they could walk on the Sky Ladder, while Liu Bei was barred from it.
• Guan Yu concluded that Ultra-First-Rate strength was likely required to ascend, and Zhang Fei urged Liu Bei to cultivate until he qualified.

After Ding Ling departed, Cao Mengde mourned the loss of the Great Wei’s guardian while feeling relieved to be free of Ding Ling’s shadow. Ding Ling had anticipated that emperors might resent his influence, and Cao Mengde soon began weakening the power of generals loyal to him.

• Guan Yu, Liu Bei, and Zhang Fei left the Sky Ladder, and other martial artists tested it, renewing many people’s resolve to practice.
• Cao Mengde reflected on how Ding Ling’s power had overshadowed him and how he had spent years catering to Ding Ling and his family.
• Cao Mengde ordered heavy troops to guard the Sky Ladder and bar unauthorized visitors.
• Ding Ling recalled sensing Cao Mengde’s unease and explained that he had focused on strengthening Diao Chan and the others rather than visiting the Imperial Palace.
• After Ding Ling departed, Cao Mengde began weakening the military influence of generals aligned with Ding Ling, so Pan Feng moved his family to join Zhao Yun, Diao Chan, and the others.

Pan Feng asked to join Zhao Yun and the others on their future climb of the Sky Ladder, while Tong Yuan and Wang Yue resolved to train Ding Ling’s women. Outside Chang'an, Zhou Yu abandoned the imperial examination to pursue martial training and encountered Xiao Qiao, whose devotion to Ding Ling confirmed his resolve to defeat him.

• Pan Feng told Zhao Yun that he had resigned as a general to pursue martial arts and asked to join the group climbing the Sky Ladder.
• Zhao Yun agreed to take Pan Feng with them, while Tong Yuan and Wang Yue resolved to train Ding Ling’s women until they reached Ultra-First-Rate.
• Gan Ning and Zhou Yu arrived outside Chang'an, where Gan Ning wished he could compete with Ding Ling again and Zhou Yu decided to train for a future rematch.
• Gan Ning pointed out Xiao Qiao, and Zhou Yu saw that she was following Diao Chan and living as one of Ding Ling’s women.
• Xiao Qiao greeted Zhou Yu politely, and Zhou Yu walked away, more determined to defeat Ding Ling and prove himself to her.
• Da Qiao watched Zhou Yu leave, then spotted someone whose face startled her.

Zuo Ci climbed the Sky Ladder to reach the upper realm, while Diao Chan and the others worried about Ding Ling and resolved to grow stronger. After entering the Gate of Glory, Zuo Ci was swept along the Great Path to Heaven, and Ding Ling awoke in an unknown place.

• Zuo Ci confronted Diao Chan, Pan Feng, Zhao Yun, and the others, then stepped onto the Sky Ladder and vanished toward the upper realm.
• Xiao Qiao, Da Qiao, and Du Qingcheng worried that Zuo Ci might threaten Ding Ling, but Diao Chan, Wang Yue, and Tong Yuan reassured them and urged them to cultivate further.
• Xiao Qiao and Da Qiao qualified to step onto the Sky Ladder, but they chose to stay until Zhen Jiang and the others could leave with them.
• Zuo Ci reached the Gate of Glory, considered whether it was a trap, and entered it with an avatar.
• Golden light seized Zuo Ci and carried him along the Great Path to Heaven, while Ding Ling awoke in an unfamiliar landscape of mountains and forest.

Ding Ling explored his strength after entering The Smiling, Proud Wanderer World and activated its Path of Glory. He realized he could continue cultivating Outer Refining Breathing Methods in this world.

• Ding Ling tested his swordplay and concluded that his strength matched his Real World level because the Three Kingdoms World’s heavenly might no longer empowered him.
• Ding Ling rode toward a stream and checked his character panel, which showed him at Level 2 and offered to activate the Path of Glory.
• Ding Ling activated the Path of Glory and learned that he must defeat powerful fighters, overcome the world’s strongest person, and make his name as the World's Finest.
• Ding Ling examined the Library in his Sea of Consciousness and realized that the new world let him cultivate another Outer Refining Breathing Method.

Ding Ling mastered the Medicine King Breathing Method and reached a stall outside Fuzhou City, where he recognized two disguised strangers. As a group of riders arrived, their arrogant leader grew murderous toward Ding Ling, who sat down to watch him.

• Ding Ling chose the Medicine King Breathing Method for its healing and poison-countering abilities and mastered it instantly, gaining more charm.
• Ding Ling resolved to grow stronger and someday return to teach Diao Chan and the others how to attain immortality.
• Ding Ling rode east, found a stall outside Fuzhou City, and recognized the old man and young woman there as disguised figures.
• A frivolous young man arrived with a group of riders, coveted Ding Ling's horses, and developed murderous intent after feeling intimidated by Ding Ling.
• Ding Ling recognized the young man's hostility, postponed going to Fuzhou, and sat nearby to observe him.

Ding Ling recognized Yue Lingshan and Lao De Nuo disguised as a stall owner and her helper, while Yu Renyan harassed Yue Lingshan. Lin Pingzhi arrived and intervened, confirming Ding Ling’s guess that he had reached the stall outside Fuzhou City; the confrontation was just beginning.

• Ding Ling identified the disguised girl as Yue Lingshan and the old man as Lao De Nuo, then ordered food while watching Yu Renyan.
• Yu Renyan berated Yue Lingshan over the food and demanded that she pour his wine, while Ding Ling pretended not to notice.
• Lin Pingzhi arrived with a group of riders, and Yu Renyan grew jealous when Yue Lingshan stared at the handsome newcomer.
• Yu Renyan grabbed Yue Lingshan’s hand and invited her to go with him to Fuzhou City, while she struggled to get free.
• Lin Pingzhi stood up and demanded that Yu Renyan release Yue Lingshan, and Ding Ling recognized the scene as the stall outside Fuzhou City.

Ding Ling intervened when Yu Renyan attacked Lin Pingzhi, then swiftly defeated Yu Renyan and killed his men with the Ju Que Sword. His display of power left Lin Pingzhi and Yue Lingshan frightened and astonished.

• Yu Renyan revealed he was Yu Canghai’s son, resumed harassing the pockmarked girl, and fought Lin Pingzhi.
• Yu Renyan drove the fight toward Ding Ling and repeatedly threatened him with his sword.
• Ding Ling used Dawn Swordplay to knock away both men’s swords, struck Yu Renyan, and pinned his calf to the floor with the Yitian Sword.
• Yu Renyan’s men charged Ding Ling, who drew the Ju Que Sword and killed them with Breeze Swordplay.
• Ding Ling sheathed his sword as Lin Pingzhi, Yue Lingshan, and the others reacted to his overwhelming strength.

Ding Ling forced Yu Renyan to reveal the Qingcheng Sect's Zhongyuan Nine-Section Skill and instantly mastered it, gaining internal force as qi surged through his meridians. He began transforming, while Yu Renyan remained at his mercy.

• Ding Ling threatened Yu Renyan and demanded that he recite and demonstrate the Qingcheng Sect's cultivation techniques.
• Yu Renyan asked Ding Ling to send Yue Lingshan, Lin Pingzhi, and the others away before revealing the sect's secrets.
• Yu Renyan described the Zhongyuan Nine-Section Skill and began invoking his father, Yu Canghai, but Ding Ling struck him and ordered him to recite the technique.
• Yu Renyan recited the skill's mental cultivation formulas, and Ding Ling's Library recorded the technique as mastered and raised his Inner Force Value by 100.
• The Zhongyuan Nine-Section Skill became instinctive in Ding Ling, drawing in worldly energy that condensed into qi and forced open his meridians.

Ding Ling mastered the Zhongyuan Nine-Section Skill and Pine Breeze Swordplay after learning them from Yu Renyan. He killed Yu Renyan despite the captive’s pleas and left a tael of gold on the table.

• Ding Ling completed the Zhongyuan Nine-Section Skill, opening several meridians while his Inner Force Value fell to zero.
• Ding Ling made Yu Renyan recite and demonstrate the Pine Breeze Swordplay, then mastered it after three demonstrations.
• Ding Ling tested the Pine Breeze Swordplay and recognized it as a powerful Qingcheng Sect art.
• Yu Renyan revealed that Yu Canghai had not taught him the Heart Shattering Palm, then pleaded for his life and invoked his father.
• Ding Ling pierced Yu Renyan’s forehead with the Pine Breeze Swordplay, then took a tael of gold from his bag and left it on the table.

After Ding Ling left, Lao De Nuo and Yue Lingshan discussed his mysterious bearing and ancient swords, while Lao De Nuo suspected he had come for the Evil-Slaying Swordplay. Ding Ling reached the Lin Family Old Residence in Fuzhou and prepared to sneak in at night to find the manual.

• Ding Ling rode toward Fuzhou, leaving Yue Lingshan, Lao De Nuo, Lin Pingzhi, and the escorts behind.
• Lao De Nuo identified one of Ding Ling's swords as the Ju Que Sword and speculated that the other was the Yitian Sword or Emei Sect's treasured sword.
• Yue Lingshan picked up the gold Ding Ling had left and agreed to tell her father about the encounter.
• Ding Ling resolved to obtain the Evil-Slaying Swordplay Manual and hired a local old man to guide him to the Lin Family Old Residence in Xiangyang Alley.
• Ding Ling left his Ferghana Horse at an inn and, after night fell, used the Flying Swallow Skill to leap from his room toward the residence.