Chapter Summaries

Ding Ling mastered Sunset Swordplay and the remaining incomplete Sword God Arts, astonishing Wang Yue, Shi A, and Zhao Yun. Wang Yue then agreed to teach him the Sword God Breathing Method despite the risk of combining it with Tong Yuan’s Spirit Phoenix Breathing Method.

• Ding Ling mastered Sunset Swordplay and demonstrated its fearsome moves, leaving Shi A, Wang Yue, and Zhao Yun stunned.
• Wang Yue admitted Ding Ling had surpassed him and taught him the remaining incomplete moves of the Sword God Art, which Ding Ling mastered immediately.
• Wang Yue warned that Ding Ling could not safely combine two external breathing methods after learning he already knew Tong Yuan’s Spirit Phoenix Breathing Method.
• Ding Ling insisted on trying the Sword God Breathing Method, and Wang Yue agreed after warning him to stop if anything felt wrong.

Ding Ling mastered the Sword God Breathing Method instantly while keeping it in harmony with his first breathing method. He tried to learn Wang Yue’s inherited Battle General Breathing Method, but the Library left its book illusory, suggesting his body could not yet support a third method.

• Ding Ling learned the Sword God Breathing Method at max level, startling Wang Yue, Shi A, and Zhao Yun with its sharp aura and his ability to sustain two breathing methods.
• Ding Ling examined his body and found the two methods had filled and tempered him, then suspected that two was his current limit.
• Ding Ling asked Wang Yue for another external-refinement breathing method, and Wang Yue explained his family’s Battle General Breathing Method.
• Ding Ling listened to Wang Yue’s instructions, but the Library’s Battle General Breathing Method book remained illusory instead of reaching max level.
• Ding Ling concluded that his body could not yet accommodate a third method, and Wang Yue felt relieved when Ding Ling said the attempt had failed.

Ding Ling mastered several of Wang Yue’s family techniques, further astonishing the Sword God and his companions. Wang Yue began teaching him the royal secret Howling Moon Stance Training and warned him that Dong Zhuo had already plundered the Royal Arsenal.

• Wang Yue taught Ding Ling the Gale Spear Technique, which Ding Ling mastered immediately and demonstrated with his sword.
• Ding Ling mastered the Wang Family Fist Technique, earning Wang Yue’s admiration as he performed it.
• Wang Yue began teaching Ding Ling the Howling Moon Stance Training, a royal secret technique bestowed on his family for their ancestors’ military achievements.
• Wang Yue warned Ding Ling against seeking techniques in the Royal Arsenal, explaining that Dong Zhuo had left it in disarray after entering the capital.

Wang Yue recognized Ding Ling as a Super First-Rate expert with the potential to surpass Lü Bu, then taught him the imperial secret art Howling Moon Stance Training. After Ding Ling mastered it instantly, Wang Yue warned him that Luoyang had fallen into chaos and that Dong Zhuo had violated the imperial consorts.

• Wang Yue explained that his pursuit of official rank had helped him gather medicinal herbs but had also corrupted his mind, and said he had resigned to cultivate and teach Shi A.
• Wang Yue classified the experts’ strengths, placed Ding Ling among the Super First-Rate, and revealed that he had encountered Lü Bu in the imperial palace.
• Wang Yue taught Ding Ling Howling Moon Stance Training, which Ding Ling mastered immediately and which strengthened his attributes.
• Wang Yue told Ding Ling he had taught him all his martial arts and warned him that Luoyang was chaotic and Dong Zhuo had spent the night in the imperial palace violating consorts.

Wang Yue warned Ding Ling about Dong Zhuo’s atrocities and explained how difficult it would be to recover the imperial palace’s lost secret manuals. He pointed Ding Ling toward Yu Ji in Yangzhou to learn the Inner Refining Breathing Method, with a chance of eventually meeting the mysterious Zuo Ci.

• Wang Yue described Dong Zhuo’s crimes, and Zhao Yun grew furious as Ding Ling listened.
• Ding Ling asked about retrieving the imperial secret manuals, but Wang Yue said they were likely destroyed or incomplete.
• Wang Yue warned Ding Ling not to challenge Dong Zhuo’s numerous generals for the manuals and recommended that he seek out Yu Ji in Yangzhou.
• Wang Yue explained that Yu Ji might teach Ding Ling the Inner Refining Breathing Method and that meeting him could lead to an introduction to Zuo Ci.

Ding Ling learned about the dangers of cultivating multiple Breathing Methods and the power of the Heavenly Human Realm, then planned to leave for Yangzhou with Zhao Yun. Wang Yue warned that Dong Zhuo’s soldiers had trapped people in Luoyang, so Ding Ling stayed at the Wang Residence and passed the day studying.

• Wang Yue warned Zhao Yun and Shi A that combining Breathing Methods was dangerous and explained the strength of the Heavenly Human Realm to Ding Ling.
• Ding Ling decided to head for Yangzhou, and Zhao Yun insisted on accompanying him while Shi A envied their skill.
• Wang Yue told Ding Ling and Zhao Yun that Luoyang’s gates were closed to those trying to leave and warned them about Dong Zhuo’s soldiers, so they agreed to remain at the Wang Residence.
• Wang Yue urged Ding Ling not to target the Royal Arsenal again, and Ding Ling abandoned the idea.
• Zhao Yun practiced swordsmanship diligently, inspiring Shi A to train as well, while Ding Ling read chess and qin manuals and mastered both skills.

Ding Ling planned to leave Luoyang for Yangzhou and learn the Inner Refining Breathing Method, but an armed force suddenly surrounded him at his gate after identifying him and Zhao Yun. The chapter ended with Shi A rushing to his aid while Zhao Yun went to retrieve weapons.

• Wang Yue advised Ding Ling not to seek Great Medicine in Luoyang and offered to arrange his escape from the city.
• Wang Yue urged Ding Ling to find Yu Ji and Zuo Ci in Yangzhou and learn their Inner Refining Breathing Method.
• Ding Ling decided to wait for Wang Yue's arrangements and focus on becoming stronger rather than visiting beauties or searching generals' homes for manuals.
• A bearded man appeared at Ding Ling's gate, confirmed his identity and Zhao Yun's presence, and revealed several hundred elite archers aiming at them.
• Ding Ling demanded to know the man's identity as Zhao Yun went to retrieve weapons and Shi A rushed toward him.

Ding Ling fought off Hu Feng’s three hundred archers and forced him to explain why he had targeted him. With Luoyang alerted to the battle, Ding Ling and Shi A faced the need to leave quickly.

• Hu Feng ordered three hundred archers to shoot Ding Ling, but Ding Ling charged through their arrows and killed them with his sword.
• Ding Ling held his sword to Hu Feng’s neck and demanded his identity while Shi A joined him and warned that the battle had drawn attention.
• Hu Feng identified himself as Li Jue’s nephew and the Bearer of the Gilded Mace, then said Li Meng had told him to look for Ding Ling and Zhao Yun.
• Hu Feng admitted he had intended to arrest the two men and kill them if they resisted, hoping to earn a reward from Li Jue.
• Ding Ling suspected Players had revealed his whereabouts, while he and Shi A prepared to leave before more of Dong Zhuo’s troops arrived.

Ding Ling killed Hu Feng, then left Luoyang with Zhao Yun before Dong Zhuo and Li Jue's forces could surround them. A notification warned that Guo Si's elite cavalry had learned of Ding Ling's attack and would likely pursue him, while he used his geography skill to navigate toward the south gate.

• Ding Ling killed Hu Feng, and Shi A agreed that the brutal soldier could not safely be spared.
• Ding Ling said farewell to Shi A, offered him a place to settle in Ji Province, and left with Zhao Yun.
• Shi A decided to leave Luoyang and went to meet his master at their emergency rendezvous.
• Guo Si's patrol discovered the slaughtered archers and became determined to surround and kill Ding Ling.
• Ding Ling followed his memorized map toward Luoyang's south gate and wondered whether Guo Si's elite unit had already spotted him.

Ding Ling and Zhao Yun fled through Luoyang as Dong Zhuo’s forces mobilized to surround them. They encountered Dong Zhuo’s nephew Dong Huang and charged his soldiers, leaving the chapter as Ding Ling smashed through the front of their defensive formation.

• Ding Ling and Zhao Yun galloped through Luoyang, drawing Players’ attention and rumors about their recent deeds.
• War drums sounded, and Zhao Yun warned Ding Ling that Dong Zhuo’s army was gathering to surround them.
• Ding Ling and Zhao Yun encountered Dong Huang’s ceremonial procession, and the mounted general ordered them to dismount.
• Ding Ling blocked the soldiers’ arrows with his halberd and continued charging toward Dong Huang’s troops.
• The mounted general organized his soldiers into a defensive formation, but Ding Ling’s halberd swept several spears aside with tremendous force.

Ding Ling and Zhao Yun slaughtered Dong Huang’s elite guards after Ding Ling killed Wang Fang and broke the Dong banner. Ding Ling captured Dong Huang, freed the women in his carriage, and took his valuables and a secret manual, leaving Dong Huang pleading for his life.

• Ding Ling broke through the shield formation, killed Wang Fang, and cut down the Dong banner.
• Dong Huang identified himself and called for help, but Ding Ling and Zhao Yun killed the remaining soldiers.
• Ding Ling entered Dong Huang’s carriage, killed an armored coachman who shot at him, and told the frightened women to go home.
• Ding Ling wounded Dong Huang in the thigh and demanded to know whether he had any Great Medicine.
• Ding Ling collected Dong Huang’s valuables and secret manual while Dong Huang begged him to spare his life.

Ding Ling forced Dong Huang to guide him out of Luoyang and took several fine horses before mastering the royal Howling Moon Spear Art on the road. He gave the manual to Zhao Yun, while Dong Huang remained bewildered by Ding Ling’s instant mastery.

• Ding Ling questioned Dong Huang about the Howling Moon Spear Art, then spared him on the condition that he safely lead Ding Ling and Zhao Yun out.
• Ding Ling selected five excellent horses, giving two to Zhao Yun, keeping two for himself, and leaving one for Dong Huang.
• Ding Ling received an Achievement Medal for terrifying Dong Huang, then rode through Luoyang as Players watched from nearby houses.
• Ding Ling read the Howling Moon Spear Art and immediately mastered it, gaining Strength, Agility, and Constitution.
• Ding Ling handed the manual to Zhao Yun, while Dong Huang silently wondered how Ding Ling could have mastered the art so quickly.

Ding Ling ate two Great Medicine Spirit Mushrooms, rapidly increasing his Strength and Defense, then rode toward the southern gate with Dong Huang. A notice warned that Lü Bu’s Army had learned he defeated the Flying Bear Army and might attack him in groups, while Dong Huang was forced to order the gate opened.

• Ding Ling took the Howling Moon Spear Art and ate both Great Medicine Spirit Mushrooms, raising his Strength and Defense as he refined their medicinal power.
• Ding Ling rode through the streets with Dong Huang, whose presence kept patrol units from attacking him.
• Ding Ling received an achievement for intimidating Lü Bu’s Army and learned that its generals had discovered he killed the Flying Bear Army and kidnapped Dong Huang.
• Ding Ling questioned Dong Huang and learned that he had brought nearly three hundred Flying Bear Army soldiers, including Wang Fang, all of whom had been killed.
• At the southern gate, Ding Ling forced Dong Huang to berate the defending general and order the gate opened.

Ding Ling reached Luoyang’s Southern Gate with Dong Huang and demanded that Hao Meng open it, but Hao Meng refused without orders from Lü Bu or the Chancellor. Ding Ling slaughtered the defenders and pursued Hao Meng onto the wall, where he severed Hao Meng’s spear hand.

• Dong Huang tried to order the Southern Gate opened, but Hao Meng refused to disobey Marquis Wen’s command.
• Ding Ling warned Hao Meng to open the gate, then attacked when he refused again.
• Ding Ling killed hundreds of soldiers with his halberd and sword as Zhao Yun stood ready to support him.
• Hao Meng fled up the city wall, and Ding Ling followed after hurling his halberd at him.
• Hao Meng offered to open the gate, but Ding Ling attacked with the Shuo Yue Sword and severed the hand holding Hao Meng’s spear.

Ding Ling escaped Luoyang with Zhao Yun and Dong Huang after killing Hao Meng, then rested in a forest and considered how to raise his God of War reputation while continuing south to pursue further cultivation. Dong Huang offered to guide them through Si Li, and the chapter ended as he began describing the routes south.

• Ding Ling killed Hao Meng, then left Luoyang through the south gate with Zhao Yun and Dong Huang as a large force approached from the north.
• The three rested in a forest, where Ding Ling hunted wild boars and gave some meat to the hungry Dong Huang.
• Dong Huang promised to protect Ding Ling's group through Si Li in exchange for his life, and Ding Ling agreed to spare him if he proved useful.
• Ding Ling received the Awe-Inspiring in the Royal Capital achievement, raising his God of War reputation progress from 2% to 3%.
• Ding Ling decided to head south to seek Yu Ji and Zuo Ci and cultivate the Inner Refining Breathing Method.
• Dong Huang began explaining the routes south to Ding Ling and Zhao Yun.

Ding Ling chose a dangerous southern route to evade Dong Zhuo’s pursuing cavalry and prepared to meet them on an earthen slope. The chapter ended as his arrow struck the spear of the enemy’s leading general with startling force.

• Dong Huang laid out several routes into Jing Province, and Ding Ling chose the shorter second route through rivers and mountains.
• Ding Ling, Zhao Yun, and Dong Huang fled south on horseback as more than a thousand cavalry pursued them.
• Dong Huang warned that Yique City might refuse them entry, so Ding Ling asked for a slope suitable for a cavalry charge.
• Ding Ling and Zhao Yun agreed to stand together, then gathered armor onto two horses and positioned themselves atop an earthen slope.
• Ding Ling shot at the enemy’s leading general, whose spear was knocked askew by the arrow’s tremendous force.

Wei Xu and Song Xian stopped their Wolf Cavalry near Ding Ling and Zhao Yun, deciding to surround them and stall for reinforcements while avoiding harm to Dong Huang. Ding Ling began shooting the cavalry’s lower-ranking officers, forcing the Wolf Cavalry to retreat as he ordered Dong Huang to follow him.

• Wei Xu warned Song Xian that Ding Ling and Zhao Yun were more dangerous than expected and urged him not to duel Ding Ling alone.
• Wei Xu and Song Xian agreed to encircle Ding Ling and Zhao Yun until Lord Wen and Hua Xiong arrived, while remaining ready to attack if an opportunity appeared.
• Ding Ling realized the generals were hesitant because Dong Huang was with him and shifted his aim to the Wolf Cavalry’s lower-ranking officers.
• Ding Ling’s arrows killed or wounded officers and drove the Wolf Cavalry backward.
• Ding Ling recognized the cavalry’s plan and ordered Dong Huang to follow him.

Ding Ling rode after Lu Bu’s Wolf Cavalry and used his bow to kill their officers, while Wei Xu and Song Xian tried to contain him. Song Xian barely blocked Ding Ling’s arrow and withdrew into the formation, leaving the confrontation unresolved.

• Ding Ling switched to a lightly armored horse and rode down the slope, shooting Wolf Cavalry officers as Zhao Yun and Dong Huang pursued the formation.
• A Military Secretary challenged Wei Xu and Song Xian, but Ding Ling killed him with an arrow before he could finish speaking.
• Ding Ling’s arrows continued to knock Wolf Cavalry officers from their horses, and Wei Xu regretted sending light cavalry against him.
• Wei Xu identified himself and warned Ding Ling to stop, while Song Xian introduced himself and urged Ding Ling and Zhao Yun to surrender.
• Ding Ling shot at Song Xian, who used his Mountain Splitting Saber Technique to break the arrow and then retreated into the Wolf Cavalry formation.

Ding Ling forced Wei Xu and Song Xian’s Wolf Cavalry to retreat, then continued south with Zhao Yun and Dong Huang toward Yique City. At the city gates, the guard general Yang Ding received a letter from the Yellow Gate Attendant and hesitated to let them enter.

• Ding Ling threatened the Wolf Cavalry until Wei Xu and Song Xian agreed to withdraw at least ten li, and the cavalry retreated.
• Ding Ling received an Achievement Medal for intimidating the Wolf Cavalry and decided to focus on improving his strength as he headed south to learn the Inner Refining Breathing Method.
• Ding Ling, Zhao Yun, and Dong Huang rode to Yique City, where Dong Huang ordered the guards to open the gates.
• Yang Ding received a letter bearing the Yellow Gate Attendant’s seal, became hesitant, and drew Dong Huang’s angry rebuke.

Ding Ling failed to persuade Yang Ding to open Yique City's gates and attacked the defenders with his Five Stone Bow. He left most of the gatehouse archers dead or wounded and sent the shield soldiers flying, while Yang Ding watched in dread.

• Yang Ding refused Dong Huang's demands to open the gates, citing Chancellor Dong's orders, and Dong Huang returned to Ding Ling frightened and humiliated.
• Players told Yang Ding's men about Ding Ling's deeds in Luoyang, while Ding Ling realized he would have to use force to get through Yique City.
• Ding Ling shot down archers on the gate tower as Zhao Yun deflected incoming arrows and supplied him with more.
• Ding Ling rode closer and fired at the sword-and-shield and spear-and-shield soldiers, sending their shields and bodies flying.
• Yang Ding watched the defenders fall into disorder and asked a soldier how he could stop Ding Ling.