Chapter Summaries

Ding Ling secretly entered the Lin Family Old Residence and stole the Evil-Exorcising Swordplay Manual, then learned its inner cultivation method. He discovered that its fierce, supremely yang energy opened three meridians, and that his powerful constitution let him withstand a method that would kill an ordinary person.

• Ding Ling slipped into the Lin Family shrine and found the kasaya hidden above a roof beam, guided by a portrait of Bodhidharma.
• Ding Ling stole the Evil-Exorcising Swordplay Manual and returned to his inn, feeling guilty about taking it from the kindhearted Lin family.
• Ding Ling read the manual once, and the Library recorded its inner cultivation method with an Inner Force Value of +100.
• The method’s surging, supremely yang energy opened three of Ding Ling’s meridians, though its violence made him realize an ordinary practitioner might die from it.
• Ding Ling attributed his survival to the body-tempering foundation he had built in the Three Kingdoms World and judged that world’s warriors physically superior to the inner-force experts he had encountered.

Ding Ling returned to the Real World after strengthening himself, while the Sky Ladder opened access to three Martial Arts Worlds for other players. Veterans hesitated at the cost of starting over, but newcomers eagerly chose their destinations.

• Ding Ling reflected on the dangers of the Evil-Exorcising Swordplay Manual and resolved to avoid risking his life against top experts until he became stronger.
• Ding Ling logged off, exchanged Achievement Medals for strength at Players' Plaza, and returned to reality as players recognized and celebrated him.
• The Sky Ladder connected The Deer and the Cauldron, Sword Stained with Royal Blood, and The Smiling, Proud Wanderer after Ding Ling completed the Path of Glory.
• Players learned that entering a Martial Arts World would convert their Three Kingdoms cultivation into energy for the Gate of Glory, potentially leaving weaker players with nothing.
• Wealthy players recruited volunteers to scout the new worlds, while many newcomers eagerly selected a Martial Arts World.

Ding Ling discovered that players had begun flooding into The Smiling, Proud Wanderer World, confirming his fear that the martial world would soon grow chaotic. After warning and aiding the Lin Family, he left Fuzhou City for Huashan to seek Feng Qingyang and learn the Nine Swords of Dugu.

• Ding Ling spotted new players in Fuzhou City who recognized him and suspected he had obtained the Evil-Exorcising Swordplay Manual.
• Ding Ling reflected on the Real World's depleted Lingji, Achievement Medals, and the danger posed by hostile players.
• Ding Ling decided to leave for Huashan before players could reach Thinking Cliff and set his sights on learning the Nine Swords of Dugu from Feng Qingyang.
• Ding Ling avoided further contact with players, including an enthusiastic female player who called him her idol.
• Ding Ling sent Lin Zhennan a warning about Yu Canghai's scheme and gave the Lin Family the Moon Shadow Swordplay before riding north from Fuzhou City.

Ding Ling left Fuzhou for Mount Hua after deciding he had done what he could for the Lin Family. During a rest stop, he cultivated the Zhongyuan Nine-Section Skill and realized his rapid progress came from inner force left behind when the skill reached its maximum level.

• Ding Ling left Fuzhou and traveled northwest toward Mount Hua, choosing not to warn Lin Zhennan directly about the danger facing the Lin Family.
• Ding Ling investigated the players after returning to reality and concluded that most accomplished players would remain in the Historical World, while weaker newcomers would struggle in The Smiling, Proud Wanderer World.
• Ding Ling cultivated the maxed-out Zhongyuan Nine-Section Skill at an inn and raised his Inner Force Value to 20.
• Ding Ling suspected that residual inner force from the skill's earlier breakthrough was fueling his rapid cultivation.
• Ding Ling decided not to practice the Evil-Slaying Swordplay yet because its formula might force him to castrate himself, and he resolved to seek more cultivation methods.

Ding Ling learned to open his Storage Bag with Inner Force, stocked it with supplies, and left town. On the official road, he spotted an ambush as a spiked fishing net dropped toward him.

• Ding Ling discovered that his Inner Force could open and close the Storage Bag, then stored the Yitian Sword and his gold inside.
• Ding Ling realized he had spent three days cultivating, settled his inn bill, and bought travel supplies, a bow, and arrows.
• Ding Ling rode his Ferghana Horse along an official road through the forest and sensed that the quiet surroundings were suspicious.
• Ding Ling cut apart a spiked fishing net with the Ju Que Sword after it fell toward him.
• An unseen attacker shouted that the ambushers should shoot Ding Ling to death.

Ding Ling fought off an ambush by the Qingcheng Four Elites, killing their archers and leaders with his twin swords. He intimidated Hou Renying and Hong Renxiong, and the battle ended with Hong Renxiong at his mercy.

• Ding Ling spotted a group of concealed archers and deflected their poisoned crossbow bolts with two swords.
• Ding Ling killed an archer and pressed into the attackers as they revealed themselves and fired repeated volleys.
• Ding Ling beheaded Hou Renying and killed the young leader when the severed head struck him.
• Ding Ling moved through the forest, killing the remaining attackers and earning achievement medals for intimidating Hou Renying and Hong Renxiong.
• Ding Ling recognized the frightened young man before him as Hong Renxiong and realized he had no need to interrogate him.

Ding Ling forced Hong Renxiong to reveal that Yu Canghai was waiting at an abandoned temple, then killed him and rode there. He spotted Yu Canghai’s group holding Lin Zhennan’s family captive and prepared to act from concealment.

• Ding Ling beat Hong Renxiong and learned that Qingcheng Sect members had pursued him using information from an escort and an Outsider.
• Hong Renxiong revealed that Yu Canghai was at an abandoned temple nearby, so Ding Ling killed him after learning his martial arts.
• Ding Ling rode to the abandoned temple and approached it through the trees while leaving his Ferghana Horses nearby.
• Ding Ling saw Lin Zhennan, his wife, and Lin Pingzhi bound inside the temple, while Yu Canghai watched a pale, clean-shaven man outside.

Ding Ling recognized Duanmu Qing as an old enemy and ambushed Yu Canghai with a barrage of powerful arrows. Yu Canghai fought back with his Pine Breeze Swordplay, but Ding Ling kept up the attack as the battle remained unresolved.

• Ding Ling recognized Duanmu Qing, who had allied himself with Yu Canghai and vowed to serve him.
• Ding Ling fired three arrows at Yu Canghai, who dodged them, leaving Duanmu Qing and several disciples struck by the arrows.
• Ding Ling launched repeated volleys, forcing Yu Canghai to deflect the arrows with his Pine Breeze Swordplay and endure their force.
• One of Ding Ling's arrows pierced Yu Canghai's thigh, but Ding Ling continued firing before Yu Canghai could recover.
• Ding Ling intensified his attack, and the chapter ended as Yu Canghai swung his sword to block another arrow.

Ding Ling drove Yu Canghai into the lake and killed the Qingcheng Sect disciples pursuing the Lin Zhennan couple, then freed the couple from their ropes. The couple thanked him, but Ding Ling left them to stand as strangers while wondering what would happen when Duanmu Qing's level reached zero.

• Ding Ling shot Yu Canghai repeatedly, forcing him into the lake, where another arrow struck him.
• Ding Ling killed the fleeing Qingcheng Sect disciples, including Yu Renhao, and received Achievement Medals for intimidating Yu Canghai, Yu Renhao, and the Lin Zhennan couple.
• Ding Ling noticed Lin Pingzhi's fear and considered investigating Duanmu Qing's disappearance and possible revival after returning to the Real World.
• Ding Ling cut the ropes binding the Lin Zhennan couple, who thanked him and offered to repay his kindness.
• Ding Ling ignored the couple's offer, believing he had cleared his conscience and had no reason to remain involved with them.

Ding Ling killed two Fuwei Escort Agency escorts who had revealed his identity to Yu Canghai, then heard Lin Zhennan offer the agency’s wealth and resources in exchange for his protection. Although Ding Ling refused to take disciples, Lin Pingzhi chose to kneel and ask to become his student.

• Ding Ling questioned two escorts about informing Yu Canghai, then killed them when they did not answer.
• Lin Zhennan offered Ding Ling Great Medicine and the Fuwei Escort Agency’s resources, prompting Ding Ling to turn back and listen.
• Lin Zhennan offered to hand over the agency and asked Ding Ling to accept Lin Pingzhi as a disciple.
• Ding Ling refused to take disciples, but Lin Pingzhi knelt and bowed before him, asking to become his student.

Ding Ling took Lin Pingzhi as his disciple, stabilized the Fuwei Escort Agency in Fuzhou, and taught him the Sword God Breathing Method on the way to Hengshan. After Lin Pingzhi demonstrated his family's Heaven Flipping Palm, Ding Ling mastered it instantly and recognized it as a top-tier technique.

• Ding Ling accepted Lin Pingzhi as his disciple, and Lin Zhennan explained that the Qingcheng Sect's looted goods remained in the Fuzhou Fuwei Escort Agency.
• Ding Ling returned to Fuzhou with the Lin family, defeated Qingcheng Sect disciples threatening the escorts, and helped Lin Zhennan restore order.
• Ding Ling set out toward Hengshan with Lin Pingzhi and Lin Zhennan's written order, teaching Lin Pingzhi the Sword God Breathing Method along the way.
• Lin Pingzhi told Ding Ling he knew the 108 Moves of the Heaven Flipping Palm and performed the technique while reciting its formula.
• Ding Ling instantly mastered the Heaven Flipping Palm and discovered that it was a high-tier palm technique that increased his attributes.

Ding Ling demonstrated the Heaven Flipping Palm to Lin Pingzhi, then trained him as they traveled to the Fuwei Escort Agency branch near Hengshan. At the branch, Ding Ling discovered that Great Medicine from this world could raise his attributes, including medicine only a hundred years old.

• Ding Ling mastered the Lin Family's Heaven Flipping Palm and demonstrated its power, leaving Lin Pingzhi astonished.
• Lin Pingzhi grew even more devoted to Ding Ling and trained in the Breathing Method and swordsmanship during their journey.
• Ding Ling and Lin Pingzhi reached the Fuwei Escort Agency branch near Hengshan, where Ding Ling arranged a medicinal bath for Lin Pingzhi.
• Ding Ling ate two-hundred-year-old Great Medicine and gained increases to strength, agility, constitution, and defense.
• Ding Ling ate several stalks of one-hundred-year-old Great Medicine and confirmed that it could also raise all four attributes.

After consuming Fuwei Escort Agency’s century-old medicinal herbs, Ding Ling’s attributes rose above 35, and he continued guiding Lin Pingzhi. A mysterious, powerful woman arrived to meet Ding Ling, and the chapter ended with her joining them for dinner.

• Ding Ling ate more than eighty hundred-year-old herbs and thirty two-hundred-year-old herbs, raising his strength, agility, constitution, and defense to over 35.
• Ding Ling reflected on how his increased strength might fare against Zuo Ci, then left the herb storehouse to find Lin Pingzhi.
• Ding Ling and Lin Pingzhi prepared to have dinner when a veiled woman in red appeared on a peach tree and asked for Ding Ling.
• The woman said she had come to see the person rumored to have Shattered Void, but Lin Pingzhi defended Ding Ling and praised his mastery.
• Ding Ling invited the woman to dinner, and she descended gracefully from the tree to join them.

Invincible East, calling herself Bai Wushuang, arrived to challenge Ding Ling and offered the Wudang Tai Chi Classics as a wager. Ding Ling agreed to spar, and the chapter ended with them exchanging powerful palm strikes.

• Bai Wushuang arrived in the courtyard and tested Ding Ling with her gaze, while Lin Pingzhi blushed and turned away.
• Bai Wushuang challenged Ding Ling and offered the Tai Chi Classics as a prize if he defeated her.
• Ding Ling suspected Bai Wushuang was Invincible East and agreed to spar without requiring a wager from himself.
• Ding Ling pushed aside his distracting thoughts about Bai Wushuang’s charms and chose to compete using palm techniques.
• Bai Wushuang and Ding Ling traded rapid, forceful palm strikes, while Lin Pingzhi retreated to watch from a safer distance.

Ding Ling fought Bai Wushuang to a draw, and she promised to give him the Tai Chi Classics if he defeated her at the Summit of Mount Hua in six months. After Bai Wushuang vanished, Ding Ling resolved to pursue powerful martial arts techniques more decisively.

• Lin Pingzhi watched Ding Ling demonstrate the Lin Family’s Heaven Flipping Palm at the Instinctive Realm and became more impressed by his teacher.
• Ding Ling and Bai Wushuang exchanged palm techniques until neither could gain the advantage.
• Bai Wushuang noted Ding Ling’s weak inner force, and Ding Ling claimed he could surpass her after several months of cultivation.
• Bai Wushuang promised to meet Ding Ling at the Summit of Mount Hua in six months and offer him the Tai Chi Classics if he won.
• Bai Wushuang left using an astonishing movement technique, while Lin Pingzhi marveled at her and Ding Ling’s power.
• Ding Ling considered seeking techniques such as the Nine Swords of Dugu and the Muscle Change Classic, and decided to act more freely in pursuing them.

Ding Ling’s state of mind grew steadier, but his search for Great Medicine led him to confront Tian Boguang at an inn. The chapter ended with Tian Boguang refusing to return the medicine and challenging Ding Ling’s martial arts.

• Ding Ling reflected on how his experiences had made him more mature and broad-minded, and Lin Pingzhi sensed a change in his aura.
• The Fuwei Escort Agency branch head told Ding Ling and Lin Pingzhi that a new batch of Great Medicine had arrived, and Lin Pingzhi authorized its release.
• The branch head returned to report that the Great Medicine had been stolen, so Ding Ling, Lin Pingzhi, and the branch head rode to an inn where the thief was being watched.
• At the inn, players recognized Ding Ling and called out to him before he entered and found Tian Boguang drinking with a beautiful nun.
• Tian Boguang admitted taking the medicine and threatened the nun, while Ding Ling demanded that he return it.
• Tian Boguang said he had already ordered the Great Medicine boiled and challenged Ding Ling to prove his martial arts were better.

Ding Ling defeated Tian Boguang in a sword fight, recovered the Great Medicine, and mutilated him. As Linghu appeared and greeted Yilin, she looked toward Ding Ling.

• Ding Ling challenged Tian Boguang and drove him back with powerful palm strikes before drawing Ju Que Sword.
• Ding Ling overwhelmed Tian Boguang’s Whirlwind Saber Technique, cut several fingers from his hand, and disarmed him.
• Tian Boguang revealed where he had hidden the Great Medicine, and Ding Ling had the helmsman retrieve it.
• Ding Ling rejected Tian Boguang’s claim that they were even and slashed him across the crotch.
• Linghu arrived and greeted Yilin, who shyly looked toward Ding Ling.

Ding Ling seized Tian Boguang’s manual and mastered the Whirlwind Saber Technique and Thousand-Mile Solo Traveler's Lightness Skill. When Linghu Chong intervened to protect Tian Boguang, Ding Ling defeated him and killed Tian Boguang.

• Ding Ling took Tian Boguang’s manual during their fight and quickly mastered its Whirlwind Saber Technique and Thousand-Mile Solo Traveler's Lightness Skill.
• Ding Ling returned the manual and demanded Tian Boguang’s internal cultivation method, but Tian Boguang refused.
• Ding Ling moved to kill Tian Boguang, but Linghu Chong blocked his sword and asked him to spare Tian Boguang.
• Ding Ling condemned Tian Boguang’s crimes, and a young girl and a scholarly man upstairs applauded his words.
• Linghu Chong tried to block Ding Ling again, but Ding Ling disarmed him and killed Tian Boguang.

Ding Ling killed Tian Boguang and left Yan Hui Inn after Qu Feiyan challenged Linghu Chong over his friendship with the notorious criminal. Linghu Chong questioned his judgment, parted from Yilin, and Ding Ling’s victory drew martial artists to the Fuwei Escort Agency.

• Qu Feiyan scolded Linghu Chong for helping Tian Boguang and praised Ding Ling before leaving with the refined man.
• Ding Ling received Achievement Medals for intimidating Tian Boguang and Linghu Chong and winning Qu Feiyan’s recognition, then sent Tian Boguang’s secret manual to Lin Pingzhi.
• Ding Ling left the inn with Lin Pingzhi and the others while Yilin remained focused on Linghu Chong.
• Linghu Chong coughed up blood and asked Yilin whether he had been wrong to save Tian Boguang; Yilin said Tian Boguang deserved his fate.
• Linghu Chong rejected Yilin’s support and walked away, leaving her distressed and ashamed that she had not thanked Ding Ling.
• News of Ding Ling killing Tian Boguang spread, and martial artists visited the Fuwei Escort Agency branch while Lin Pingzhi handled them.

Lin Pingzhi told Ding Ling that Fei Bin of the Songshan Sect had arrived and was demanding an audience, prompting Ding Ling to make him wait while he continued cultivating. Ding Ling’s attributes rose again after he consumed rare medicinal herbs, though their benefits were diminishing.

• Fei Bin arrived at the Fuwei Escort Agency and used his imposing aura to pressure Lin Pingzhi into summoning Ding Ling.
• Lin Pingzhi warned Ding Ling that the Songshan Sect was powerful but affirmed that the Fuwei Escort Agency would stand by him.
• Ding Ling told Lin Pingzhi to make Fei Bin wait one or two hours or return the next day.
• Ding Ling stopped eating two-hundred-year-old herbs because their effects had weakened, then consumed two three-hundred-year-old herbs.
• Ding Ling’s Strength, Agility, Constitution, and Defense each increased by 0.2, leaving him strong enough to defeat a top First-Rate expert with his enhanced Heaven Flipping Palm.