Chapter Summaries

Ding Ling tracked the Lightning Mink to the Manggu Toad’s poison pool and escaped its first attack with Zhong Ling. He returned alone, knocked the Manggu Toad unconscious, and prepared to capture it alive.

• Zhong Ling recognized the Manggu Toad as the King of All Poisons and warned Ding Ling to flee.
• Ding Ling carried Zhong Ling away as the Manggu Toad sprayed poison gas at his former position.
• Ding Ling left Zhong Ling with Ling Yanqiu and returned to Misty Cloud Valley to capture the toad.
• Ding Ling dodged the Manggu Toad’s poison gas and struck it with One Finger Shooting Zen and Fingertip Divine Skill.
• Ding Ling knocked the Manggu Toad unconscious and took out a furnace to capture it.

Ding Ling refined a Myriad Poisons Immunity Pill from the Manggu Vermilion Toad and gained complete immunity to poisons. He also recovered a strange antidote flower and a mysterious green pearl before leaving the valley.

• Ding Ling gathered herbs and materials from the valley, then spent several hours refining three emerald-green pills.
• Ding Ling swallowed one pill, gained a Myriad Poisons Immunity physique, and found that the poisonous miasma and pool could no longer harm him.
• Ding Ling ate a second pill and gained one more Physique point, then stored the last pill away.
• Ding Ling collected a strange flower that could neutralize poisons and retrieved a green pearl from the bottom of the deep pool.
• Ding Ling observed that the poisonous mist and water began clearing after the pearl was removed, then stored it and flew out of the Serpent Path cave.

Ding Ling returned after capturing and refining the Manggu Zhu Toad, then gave its pill to Zhong Ling and helped her gain immunity to poison. The group set out toward the Wuliang Sword Sect, where they encountered a veiled woman whom Zhong Ling recognized as Sister Mu.

• Ding Ling returned to Zhong Ling and Ling Yanqiu, then told them he had refined the Manggu Zhu Toad into a pill.
• Ding Ling gave the pill to Zhong Ling, who ate it and gained immunity to poison with his help.
• Ling Yanqiu confided that she envied Zhong Ling for having Ding Ling care for her, and Zhong Ling shared in her feelings about the person Ling Yanqiu liked.
• Ding Ling planned to visit the Wuliang Sword Sect, Dali Tianlong Temple, and Leigu Mountain, then traveled north with Zhong Ling and Ling Yanqiu.
• Ding Ling's group encountered a veiled woman leading a fine horse, and Zhong Ling greeted her as Sister Mu.

Ding Ling encountered Yu Hua Tian, who threatened the group and attacked him after identifying Ling Yanqiu as a rebel. Ding Ling killed Yu Hua Tian and freed Mu Wanqing, whose veil was torn away in the struggle.

• Zhong Ling recognized the masked Mu Wanqing, but Mu Wanqing denied knowing her to protect her from Yu Hua Tian.
• Yu Hua Tian confronted Ling Yanqiu, demanded to know Zhao Huaian’s whereabouts, and attacked Ding Ling with his sword.
• Ding Ling repelled Yu Hua Tian’s attack with the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms, disarmed him, and sent him crashing to the ground.
• Yu Hua Tian seized Mu Wanqing and threatened to kill her, but Ding Ling knocked his sword aside with One Finger Shooting Zen.
• Yu Hua Tian tried to grab Mu Wanqing again, but Ding Ling’s finger strikes fatally wounded him; Yu Hua Tian tore off Mu Wanqing’s veil before dying.

Ding Ling killed Yu Hua Tian and saved Mu Wanqing, who struggled with her vow to marry the first man to see her face. Zhong Ling confessed her love for Ding Ling and agreed to marry him alongside Mu Wanqing, leaving Mu Wanqing emotionally conflicted as they prepared to travel together.

• Yu Hua Tian died regretting that he had underestimated Ding Ling.
• Zhong Ling reunited with Mu Wanqing and introduced Ding Ling as the man who had saved her.
• Mu Wanqing tried to kill herself because Ding Ling had seen her face, but Zhong Ling stopped her and explained her marriage vow.
• Zhong Ling asked Ding Ling to marry her, and he agreed; she then offered to marry him together with Mu Wanqing.
• Ding Ling offered his Ferghana Horse to Zhong Ling and Mu Wanqing, and Mu Wanqing's thoughts of suicide began to fade.

Ding Ling's group found Duan Yu after Mu Wanqing recounted how Yu Hua Tian had attacked them, and Ding Ling offered to take Duan Yu to the Fairy Sister he had met at Wuliang Mountain. Duan Yu eagerly agreed and handed Ding Ling the Northern Darkness Divine Art and Lingbo Microstep manual.

• Mu Wanqing told Zhong Ling how Yu Hua Tian had wounded Black Rose, killed the Shennong Gang members, and knocked Duan Yu unconscious while demanding the antidote.
• Ding Ling changed course to search for Duan Yu, and Mu Wanqing led the group to where he had fainted.
• Duan Yu emerged from hiding when Mu Wanqing called for him and learned from Zhong Ling that Ding Ling had killed Yu Hua Tian.
• Ding Ling identified Duan Yu as the Prince of Zhennan and offered to take him to the Fairy Sister; Duan Yu eagerly agreed.
• Duan Yu confirmed that he had found a martial arts manual in Langhuan Paradise and handed Ding Ling the Northern Darkness Divine Art and Lingbo Microstep.

Ding Ling mastered the Nine Northern Darkness Divine Art and Lingbo Microstep after reading their manuals, greatly increasing his power and understanding how the arts complemented each other. Mu Wanqing grew more admiring of Ding Ling and considered marrying him, while the group saw his extraordinary talent.

• Duan Yu handed the Nine Northern Darkness Divine Art manual to Ding Ling, who read it and instantly mastered the art.
• Ding Ling gained Northern Darkness True Qi, which could dissolve, absorb, and store inner force while strengthening his defenses.
• Mu Wanqing admired Ding Ling and considered accepting him as a husband, while Zhong Ling asked about his rapid cultivation.
• Ding Ling read and mastered the Lingbo Microstep and its inner cultivation formula, gaining attributes and another strand of Northern Darkness True Qi.

Ding Ling took Duan Yu and the others out of Wuliang Mountain, stopping Lingjiu Palace envoys who tried to block their way. Duan Yu learned that Ding Ling had mastered One Finger Shooting Zen to the first grade, while Ding Ling kept his origins secret and continued toward Tianlong Temple.

• Duan Yu struggled to learn the Lingbo Microstep from the secret scroll and marveled at Ding Ling’s martial talent.
• Ding Ling carried Duan Yu toward Tianlong Temple, then brought him down and used Lingbo Microstep as Duan Yu guided him out of Wuliang Mountain.
• Two Lingjiu Palace envoys blocked the group and ordered them to turn back, but Ding Ling sealed their acupoints with One Finger Shooting Zen and later released them.
• Duan Yu asked how Ding Ling knew One Finger Shooting Zen, and Ding Ling revealed that he had cultivated it to the first grade.
• Zhong Ling dismissed Duan Yu’s guess that Ding Ling was a Duan family relative, while Ding Ling kept his identity secret and continued discussing knowledge with Duan Yu.

Ding Ling impressed Duan Yu with his knowledge and talents, then brought him and the others to Tianlong Temple to demonstrate his first-grade One Finger Shooting Zen. The Abbot was unable to judge Ding Ling’s skill and summoned Uncle Ku Rong, while questioning how someone named Ding had learned the Dali Duan Family’s secret art.

• Duan Yu competed with Ding Ling in scholarship and the arts, lost decisively, and gained deep admiration for him.
• Ding Ling healed Black Rose, and the group traveled to Tianlong Temple after nightfall.
• Duan Yu announced their visit, and the Abbot received them in a side hall.
• Ding Ling demonstrated One Finger Shooting Zen by piercing a wooden door with his finger force.
• The Abbot admitted he could not determine Ding Ling’s level and said Uncle Ku Rong might be able to assess it.
• The Abbot asked Ding Ling how he had learned the Dali Duan Family’s secret art despite not being named Duan.

Ding Ling offered to stop Koumachi from taking Tianlong Temple’s Six Meridian Divine Sword Manual in exchange for a chance to study it. Master Kurong agreed to let him read the manual after Ding Ling wagered that he could master the technique at once, promising to become a monk and protect the temple if he failed.

• Ding Ling told Abbot Benyin that he would stop Koumachi if he could examine the Six Meridian Divine Sword Manual.
• Abbot Benyin brought Ding Ling and the others to meet Master Kurong, who recognized Ding Ling’s One Finger Shooting Zen as the First Grade Realm technique of the Dali Duan Family.
• Master Kurong asked about Ding Ling’s family, then concluded that he was likely connected to a branch of the Duan Family.
• Master Kurong said Ding Ling would have to join Tianlong Temple and become a monk to learn the Six Meridian Divine Sword Manual, prompting Mu Wanqing and Zhong Ling to object.
• Ding Ling wagered that he could master the Six Meridian Divine Sword after reading its manual once and promised to become a monk and defend Tianlong Temple if he failed.
• Master Kurong accepted the wager and agreed to let Ding Ling read the manual.

Ding Ling learned and mastered the Six Meridian Divine Sword Manual within moments, proving his extraordinary talent to Tianlong Temple. Master Kurong accepted that Ding Ling had not come to join the temple, while Duan Yu hoped he could soon leave with Ding Ling.

• Master Kurong gave Ding Ling the Six Meridian Divine Sword Manual under their wager, and Ding Ling finished reading it in a few dozen breaths.
• Ding Ling instantly mastered the manual, gained strength, and practiced the Six Meridian Divine Sword before the stunned Tianlong Temple masters.
• Ding Ling returned the manual to Master Kurong, who and Abbot Benyin struggled to believe he had mastered it so quickly.
• Duan Yu hoped Ding Ling would take him away from Tianlong Temple, while Zhong Ling rejoiced and Mu Wanqing felt relieved and began to recognize her feelings for Ding Ling.
• Master Kurong asked whether Ding Ling had learned the manual before, and Ding Ling pointed out that otherwise he would not have made the wager.

Ding Ling defeated Tianlong Temple’s experts and agreed to drive Koumachi away, then faced the Great Wheel Bright King in a Buddhist debate over the Six Meridian Divine Sword Manual. The debate began with Ding Ling’s knowledge of Buddhism at the Transformation Realm.

• Master Kurong accepted Tianlong Temple’s loss of the wager, and Ding Ling said he would drive Koumachi away before leaving.
• Ding Ling arranged for Duan Yu and Ling Yanqiu to hide elsewhere while Mu Wanqing and Zhong Ling stayed with him.
• Over several days, Ding Ling defeated Abbot Benyin, Benguan, Benxiang, Benshen, and Master Kurong, bringing his task progress to six of twenty.
• Abbot Benyin told Ding Ling that Koumachi had arrived, and Ding Ling met him in Tianlong Temple’s main hall.
• Koumachi challenged Ding Ling to a Buddhist debate, wagering that Tianlong Temple would lend him the Six Meridian Divine Sword Manual if he won.
• Ding Ling began debating Koumachi, drawing on his mastery of Tianlong Temple’s Buddhist texts.

After losing a Buddhist debate to Ding Ling, Koumachi refused to accept Tianlong Temple’s decision and challenged its monks to a fight. Ding Ling defeated Koumachi’s Shaolin finger techniques, leaving the monks to suspect he had learned them in the lower realm.

• Ding Ling won a Buddhist debate against Koumachi, who admitted his scholarly defeat but refused to submit on the matter at Tianlong Temple.
• Koumachi offered three Shaolin Temple supreme arts in exchange for the Six Meridian Divine Sword Manual, but Master Kurong’s reminder persuaded Abbot Benyin and the others to refuse.
• Koumachi attacked Abbot Benyin, defeated him and the other monks, and forced them to ask Ding Ling for help.
• Ding Ling challenged Koumachi to honor his promise and sent a Tala Leaf Finger strike that Koumachi could barely dispel with ten finger forces.
• Koumachi was shocked by Ding Ling’s mastery of the Tala Leaf Finger, while Master Kurong and the others suspected Ding Ling had learned his techniques in the lower realm.

Ding Ling forced Koumachi to honor his defeat at Tianlong Temple, then offered to trade martial arts with him. After teaching Koumachi the Flying Bear Breathing Technique, Ding Ling asked him to explain the Little Phaseless Skill.

• Koumachi tried to flee rather than fulfill the wager, but Ding Ling struck him down and ordered him to stay.
• Master Kurong entrusted Duan Yu to Ding Ling, who then left Tianlong Temple with Mu Wanqing and Zhong Ling.
• Ding Ling offered to exchange his true arts for Koumachi's martial arts, and Koumachi agreed.
• Ding Ling taught Koumachi the Flying Bear Breathing Technique, which Koumachi quickly learned and used to increase his power.
• Koumachi considered challenging Ding Ling, but Ding Ling knocked him down with a Void Palm strike and asked him to describe the Little Phaseless Skill.

Ding Ling mastered the Little Phaseless Skill and learned nearly twenty of Shaolin Temple's Seventy-Two Supreme Arts from Koumachi, reaching Great Perfection in each. Koumachi chose to follow Ding Ling north, hoping to learn more martial arts.

• Koumachi recited the Little Phaseless Skill's formulas, and Ding Ling mastered it at maximum level, gaining inner force and using it to imitate other arts.
• Ding Ling asked Koumachi to teach him Shaolin Temple's Seventy-Two Supreme Arts, and Koumachi recited every art he knew.
• Ding Ling mastered nearly twenty additional supreme arts at Great Perfection, increasing his Strength, Agility, and Constitution.
• Koumachi admitted he knew only the Flame Blade beyond those arts, then insisted on following Ding Ling and asked to learn more from him.
• Ding Ling warned Koumachi to obey his orders, then led Mu Wanqing, Zhong Ling, Ling Yanqiu, Duan Yu, and Koumachi north.

Ding Ling’s fame spread as he traveled with Koumachi, Duan Yu, Mu Wanqing, and Zhong Ling toward Suzhou Yanzhi Dock, while his rising Constitution made him estimate that he could live for several centuries. The group settled at an inn, where Duan Yu was stung by a swarm of bees and collapsed, suspecting poison.

• Players recognized Ding Ling everywhere, and Duan Yu told the group that Ding Ling was a Prince and the One-Worded Equal Rank King in the lower realm.
• Mu Wanqing and Zhong Ling became more devoted to Ding Ling after learning about his status, while Duan Yu envied his good fortune.
• The group traveled toward Suzhou Yanzhi Dock, and Ding Ling planned to visit the Huanshi Water Pavilion and Langhuan Jade Grotto to increase his attributes.
• Ding Ling reflected that his Constitution had exceeded 70 and that he might live three or four hundred years in the Real World.
• At the inn, Duan Yu lay awake thinking about his Fairy Sister before a swarm of bees flew into his room and stung him unconscious.

Ding Ling rescued Duan Yu and the others from an attack by Drunken Bees sent by Mantuo Manor, then subdued five of Li Qingluo’s old women and learned why they had come. With the group safe for the moment, he recognized that even his Myriad Poisons Immunity might not protect him from every toxin.

• Duan Yu’s shout awakened Ding Ling, who carried Mu Wanqing and Zhong Ling out of the inn before the Drunken Bees could reach them.
• Ding Ling returned to the inn, absorbed the inner force of an old woman dragging Duan Yu, and knocked her unconscious.
• Ding Ling subdued four more old women and absorbed their inner force, while the swarm of bees was driven away by fire.
• Ding Ling questioned one of the old women and learned that Mantuo Manor’s Li Qingluo had ordered them to capture the men and women for her.
• Ding Ling identified the bees as Drunken Bees, learned their venom caused several days of paralysis, and realized that Myriad Poisons Immunity might not protect him from it.
• Mu Wanqing apologized to Ding Ling, and he learned the old women had recognized him, Duan Yu, and Mu Wanqing through information supplied by players.

Ding Ling defeated the women who tried to capture him, comforted Mu Wanqing, and revived Duan Yu and the others. The group reached Suzhou Yanzhi Dock as Ding Ling learned that players had already transformed the martial world through their actions.

• Ding Ling killed several of the old women after they tried to capture him, earning Achievement Medals for intimidating Granny Rui and Granny Ping.
• Ding Ling accepted Mu Wanqing as his wife, and Zhong Ling celebrated with her.
• Ding Ling gathered herbs and made medicine that awakened Duan Yu, Koumachi, and the others, who thanked him for saving them.
• The group resumed their journey and arrived at Suzhou Yanzhi Dock around noon on Qingming Festival.
• Ding Ling learned that players had caused upheaval at Leigu Mountain, exposed Qiao Feng as Xiao Feng, and suffered the Life and Death Talisman at Ethereal Peak.

Ding Ling crossed Taihu Lake toward Yanziwu but was attacked by an armed fleet, whose forces he swiftly defeated with the Six Meridian Divine Sword. He absorbed the Inner Force of the old woman and the scholar, increasing his True Force Value, while Duan Yu resolved to learn martial arts.

• Ding Ling and his companions were blocked on Taihu Lake by the old woman and hundreds of armed men, who fired a volley of arrows at them.
• Ding Ling used his movement techniques and Void Palm to protect his companions and send the arrows flying back unharmed.
• Ding Ling unleashed the Six Meridian Divine Sword, killing or disabling the seven or eight hundred attackers and making Duan Yu eager to learn martial arts.
• Ding Ling knocked the old woman's staff aside, absorbed her Inner Force with Northern Darkness Divine Art, and left Koumachi to interrogate her.
• Ding Ling subdued the scholar leading the attackers and absorbed his Inner Force, raising his True Force Value to 13 points.

Ding Ling killed Gongye Qian after learning that Madam Wang and Canhe Manor had arranged multiple lake ambushes against him. He headed for the next force with Mother Yan and began cutting through its archers with his martial arts.

• Ding Ling absorbed the Inner Force of hundreds of surviving attackers, then learned from Gongye Qian that he was a Murong bodyguard invited by Madam Wang to kill him.
• Ding Ling killed Gongye Qian, earned Achievement Medals for intimidating him and Mother Yan, and learned that three more manors were preparing ambushes.
• Ding Ling took Mother Yan west across Taihu Lake while Koumachi, Duan Yu, Zhong Ling, Mu Wanqing, and Ling Yanqiu remained behind.
• The next boat force’s leader ordered his archers to shoot Ding Ling, but Ding Ling deflected the arrows and charged through them.
• Ding Ling reached a boat and unleashed the Six Meridian Divine Sword, sending five streams of sword qi through the attackers.