Chapter Summaries

Jiang Qiu struggled to learn the Ancient Martial Arts Spear Technique after his teacher made spearhead recognition a condition for becoming a martial arts candidate. As he practiced at home, a mysterious display appeared in his vision, offering a way to improve.

• Jiang Qiu endured exhausting martial arts foundation training and remained determined to enter Northwest Martial Arts University.
• Jiang Qiu returned to his poor home in Eighth Shanty Town and reflected on his parents' deaths and his limited future if he failed the entrance examination.
• Wu Shan announced that Class Eight students had to demonstrate the first eight moves of the Ancient Martial Arts Spear Technique to qualify to Receive Spearhead.
• Jiang Qiu watched the instructional video and practiced the spear forms with a length of hard rubber tubing, but struggled to copy them properly.
• A display appeared in Jiang Qiu's vision reading “Ancient Martial Spear (Not Yet Initiated)” and “Practice once 1/100.”

Jiang Qiu used his Modifier to practice the Ancient Martial Arts Spear Technique and then competed for a chance to qualify for college entrance resources. After Wu Shan demonstrated the spear’s power, Jiang Qiu resolved to master the technique during the three days of instruction.

• Jiang Qiu completed sixteen spear practice sessions in one night and improved his form enough to perform a full set without the video.
• Wu Shan told Class Eight that only the top three ordinary-class students could Receive Spearhead after a Proficiency Test in three days.
• Wang Guanjia demonstrated polished spear skills, while Wu Shan criticized most students and dismissed more than half from the opportunity.
• Jiang Qiu performed the spear forms fluently, earning Wu Shan’s silent approval and remaining among the fifty-two students who qualified to continue.
• Wu Shan thrust his wooden spear into an iron stake, demonstrating the Ancient Martial Arts Spear Technique’s force, then began three days of instruction.

Jiang Qiu trained in the Ancient Martial Arts Spear Technique under Wu Shan and discovered that practicing its moves advanced his Deep Practice progress. After an exhausting lesson, Wu Shan announced that he would teach the remaining moves the next morning, while a wealthy student expected to secure a quota to Receive Spearhead.

• Wu Shan explained the First Eight Moves and demonstrated Block, Grab, Thrust Spear before sending Wang Guanjia and other students to collect wooden spears.
• Wu Shan drilled the class in the spear technique, criticizing their poor form and ordering a student who collapsed to leave.
• Jiang Qiu practiced with focus, using his strong foundation and prior training to master the movement and raise his Deep Practice progress to 17/100.
• As the students grew exhausted, Wu Shan taught the essentials of the First Four Moves and said he would teach the Last Four Moves the next morning.
• A thin young man told his classmates that his father had prepared resources and arranged for him to get the quota to Receive Spearhead.

Jiang Qiu endured several days of spear training and initiated the Ancient Martial Spear Technique during sparring, while Wang Guanjia remained the class’s leading contender. After class, a student group chat revealed growing frustration over the limited Receive Spearhead slots ahead of the Proficiency Test.

• Jiang Qiu trained through severe soreness and raised his Ancient Martial Spear Technique progress to 80/100 as more students quit.
• Wu Shan began combat practice, and Jiang Qiu overwhelmed Li Xueming in a spar, initiating the Ancient Martial Spear Technique.
• Jiang Qiu watched Wang Guanjia spar confidently with Wu Shan and resolved to surpass him.
• Wu Shan praised Wang Guanjia’s skill and focused most of his instruction on him while giving little attention to most students.
• Zhang Shan and Li Si complained in the class group chat, so Qian Cheng muted them and announced that the Proficiency Test would take place the next day.

Jiang Qiu demonstrated a powerful Ancient Martial Arts Spear Technique in Class Eight’s proficiency test and waited to learn whether he had made the three available slots. After Wu Shan announced Wang Guanjia and Hu Yeye as the first two, Director Zhao and an inspection team arrived just as the third name was about to be read.

• Wu Shan held a proficiency test in which Wang Guanjia impressed the class with his spear technique, and the other students demonstrated their skills in turn.
• Jiang Qiu performed the Ancient Martial Arts Spear Technique with an aura that astonished the students and unsettled Wang Guanjia and Qian Cheng.
• Wu Shan finished evaluating the nineteen students, and Jiang Qiu expected the three slots to go to Wang Guanjia, himself, and one of the stronger students.
• Wu Shan announced Wang Guanjia in first place and Hu Yeye in second, leaving Jiang Qiu anxiously awaiting the final result.
• Director Zhao and an inspection team entered the Training Hall before Wu Shan could announce third place.

Jiang Qiu challenged Class Eight monitor Wang Guanjia after Qian Cheng received the final slot to Receive a Spearhead. Director Zhao approved a match, and the two faced off as the students watched, with the outcome still undecided.

• Wu Shan named Qian Cheng as the third student eligible to Receive a Spearhead, prompting anger and disbelief among the students, including Jiang Qiu.
• Jiang Qiu stepped forward and asked Director Zhao for a trial against Wang Guanjia, determined to win a slot through battle.
• Director Zhao approved the match and declared that Jiang Qiu would receive one of the slots if he defeated Wang Guanjia.
• Wang Guanjia stepped out to face Jiang Qiu, resentful of the challenge and confident in his spear skill.
• Jiang Qiu and Wang Guanjia took fighting stances as Wu Shan judged that Jiang Qiu was unlikely to overcome Wang's advantage.

Jiang Qiu defeated Wang Guanjia with a spear technique that demonstrated his mastery of Ming Jin, earning an additional Outstanding Student spot from Zhao Gongzheng. As Jiang Qiu accepted the opportunity to pursue Northwest Martial Arts University, Liu Zili stepped forward to challenge Qian Cheng.

• Wang Guanjia pressed Jiang Qiu with a fierce spear assault, but Jiang Qiu held his ground and countered with Block, Grab, Thrust Spear.
• Jiang Qiu’s spear broke through Wang Guanjia’s Wooden Spear and stopped within three inches of his forehead, leaving Wang Guanjia stunned.
• Zhao Gongzheng praised Jiang Qiu’s Spear Tip Pierces Armor and approved an additional Outstanding Student spot for him.
• Jiang Qiu thanked Zhao Gongzheng and resolved to seize the opportunity he had earned through battle.
• Liu Zili stepped forward and asked to challenge Qian Cheng, the third person on the qualification list.

Jiang Qiu’s challenge exposed the unfairly protected spearhead quotas, and Liu Zili won the final place by defeating Qian Cheng. The Proficiency Test ended with Jiang Qiu, Wang Guanjia, Hu Yeye, and Liu Zili selected as Outstanding Students, while Liu Zili left determined to pursue martial arts and attend Northwest Martial Arts University.

• Liu Zili challenged Qian Cheng after Jiang Qiu defeated Wang Guanjia, and Zhao Gongzheng stopped their dangerous duel once Liu Zili had won.
• Zhao Gongzheng declared Jiang Qiu, Wang Guanjia, Hu Yeye, and Liu Zili eligible for spearheads and warned Wu Shan about his martial arts instruction.
• Jiang Qiu reflected that he needed to show the school his potential, while Li Xueming congratulated him and Wang Guanjia left in defeat.
• Liu Zili thanked Jiang Qiu and offered to treat him to a meal, but he told her she had earned her place through her own effort.
• After Jiang Qiu left, Liu Zili cried with relief and resolved to enter Northwest Martial Arts University.

Jiang Qiu enjoyed the privileges of being an Outstanding Student and learned that Wu Shan would teach Class Eight the Ancient Martial Arts Spear Technique for seven days before resigning. As Wu Shan led the four Outstanding Students to receive spearheads, he explained that their training and resource allocations would depend on their strength, leaving Jiang Qiu uneasy about Wu Shan’s pointed warning.

• Jiang Qiu ate a lavish cafeteria meal and reflected on how gaining status could help him escape the limits of his Slum Area upbringing.
• Wu Shan announced that he would resign after the college entrance examination and teach Class Eight the spear technique’s essentials for seven days.
• Class Eight students discussed how Jiang Qiu had beaten Wang Guanjia during the Proficiency Test and revealed his talent to the school’s inspection team.
• Jiang Qiu and the other three Outstanding Students gathered to receive their spearheads, which were costly weapons and essential to their training.
• Wu Shan led the students to the Elite Training Hall and said he would teach them for seven days before assessing their strength for resource allocation.
• Jiang Qiu sensed that Wu Shan’s remarks about the limited training period and coming allocation were directed specifically at him.

Jiang Qiu and the other newly selected students entered the Elite Training Hall, chose spears, and met Xie Kuang, who mocked Wang Guanjia and challenged Jiang Qiu. Wu Shan explained that their training would focus on earning Martial Spirit Incense through strength, leaving the group facing a competitive and dangerous path.

• Wu Shan took Jiang Qiu, Wang Guanjia, Hu Yeye, and Liu Zili to the armory, where Jiang Qiu chose a black shaft and a double-curved sword-shaped spearhead.
• The four entered Field No. 8 and saw Xie Kuang defeat another student before he recognized Wang Guanjia and taunted him about his past loss.
• Xie Kuang mocked Wang Guanjia and challenged Jiang Qiu, while Liu Zili protested that Jiang Qiu had not yet learned a complete Ancient Martial Arts Spear Technique.
• Wu Shan arrived, had the four introduce themselves, and said they must compete for Martial Spirit Incense allocations, which depended on their strength.

Jiang Qiu learned the Zhou Tian Qi Art and the dangers of mastering the Ancient Martial Arts Spear Technique’s Last Twelve Moves without proper training and resources. As he headed home with Liu Zili, he learned that Xie Kuang might try to stop him from qualifying for Martial Spirit Incense.

• Wu Shan led Jiang Qiu, Wang Guanjia, Liu Zili, and Hu Yeye into the Small Room and explained the Zhou Tian Qi Art and its connection to the Ancient Martial Arts Spear Technique.
• Wu Shan demonstrated the Subtle Force of the Last Twelve Moves, leaving a deep groove in an Iron Stake with his spear shaft.
• Jiang Qiu and the others practiced the Zhou Tian Qi Art, and his cultivation registered as one practice toward Mortal Body.
• Jiang Qiu left the Elite Training Hall and met Liu Zili on the way home, where she warned him that Xie Kuang might oppose his bid for Martial Spirit Incense.

Jiang Qiu trained his body with the Zhou Tian Qi Art and arrived early at school in his Outstanding Student uniform, where Wu Shan corrected his spear practice. Following the instruction, Jiang Qiu completed a cycle of Qi-Martial Integration training and improved both his spear skill and Mortal Body.

• Jiang Qiu practiced fist forms with the Zhou Tian Qi Art at home, raising his Mortal Body progress to 6/100.
• Jiang Qiu wore his Outstanding Student uniform to school, and vendors in the Slum Area recognized his achievement.
• Xie Kuang challenged Jiang Qiu to compare spear skills, but Jiang Qiu declined and went to practice with Liu Zili.
• Wu Shan coached the students in the Ancient Martial Arts Spear Technique, correcting Jiang Qiu's breathing and posture.
• Jiang Qiu followed Wu Shan's advice, completed one Qi-Martial Integration training cycle, and reached Ancient Martial Spear (Beginner) 41/500 and Mortal Body 7/100.

Jiang Qiu rapidly advanced in the Ancient Martial Arts Spear Technique and resolved to obtain Martial Spirit Incense, even as he avoided fighting Xie Kuang without reason. When Xie Kuang challenged him, Wang Guanjia intervened, and the two clashed over their rivalry and past humiliation.

• Jiang Qiu’s spear practice improved sharply, and Liu Zili explained how Outstanding Students competed for monthly portions of Martial Spirit Incense.
• Jiang Qiu vowed to secure Martial Spirit Incense as he and Liu Zili trained for three more days under Wu Shan.
• Jiang Qiu reached proficiency in the Ancient Martial Arts Spear Technique and demonstrated a powerful Spear Momentum, prompting Wu Shan to emphasize concealed Subtle Force.
• Xie Kuang challenged Jiang Qiu to fight, but Wang Guanjia stepped in and attacked Xie Kuang instead.
• Xie Kuang taunted Wang Guanjia about his progress and past humiliation, provoking killing intent as their spear fight continued.

Jiang Qiu intervened when Xie Kuang nearly crippled Wang Guanjia, then faced Xie Kuang before Wu Shan stopped the confrontation. After Wu Shan fined the three fighters for the damaged tiles, Jiang Qiu resolved to train for the Martial Spirit Incense allocation and cultivate Copper Skin.

• Xie Kuang overwhelmed Wang Guanjia with Subtle Force and thrust at his left shoulder, but Jiang Qiu stepped in and knocked the spearhead to the floor.
• Jiang Qiu challenged Xie Kuang, and the two prepared to fight before Wu Shan arrived and ended the confrontation.
• Wu Shan ordered Jiang Qiu, Wang Guanjia, and Xie Kuang to each pay two thousand for the broken tiles, and Wang Guanjia offered to pay Jiang Qiu's share.
• After the others left, Wu Shan examined a tile shard and concluded that Jiang Qiu had comprehended at least five parts of Subtle Force.
• Walking home with Liu Zili, Jiang Qiu recognized Xie Kuang's Copper Skin Realm and decided to intensify his training to compete for Martial Spirit Incense in three days.

Jiang Qiu and Wang Guanjia sparred under Wu Shan’s orders, and Jiang Qiu proved superior despite Wang Guanjia’s desperate surge of strength. Wu Shan forced the students to fight more fiercely by threatening to withhold Martial Spirit Incense, while his thoughts revealed a grudging admiration for Jiang Qiu and lingering resentment toward him.

• Wu Shan assigned Wang Guanjia to spar with Jiang Qiu and Liu Zili to spar with Hu Yeye, ordering them to fight without holding back.
• Jiang Qiu repeatedly countered Wang Guanjia’s spear attacks and disrupted his Subtle Force, pushing him into a defensive struggle.
• Wang Guanjia recalled his past defeat by Li Juefeng and his ambitions, then unleashed a stronger burst of force that briefly knocked Jiang Qiu’s spear aside.
• Wu Shan berated the students for fighting without killing intent and threatened to deny them Martial Spirit Incense unless they fought harder.
• Hu Yeye suffered a deep cut to her forearm while fighting Liu Zili and charged at him in anger.
• Wu Shan watched Jiang Qiu’s growing advantage and privately recognized his exceptional talent, while resenting that Jiang Qiu had exposed his secrets to Zhao Gongzheng.

Jiang Qiu’s recent training had strengthened his body and spear technique as he waited to learn who would receive Martial Spirit Incense. Wu Shan named several recipients and stopped just before announcing the final two portions, leaving Jiang Qiu, Xie Kuang, and the others in suspense.

• Over three days, Jiang Qiu improved his Ancient Martial Spear technique and began transforming his skin through the Zhou Tian Qi Art.
• Jiang Qiu watched the injured Hu Yeye endure mockery from other students while Xie Kuang stood among the strongest contenders.
• Wu Shan arrived at Field No. 8 with the Martial Spirit Incense and began announcing the recipients.
• Wu Shan awarded one portion each to Wang Guanjia, Zhang Shan, Li Si, Pi Wu, and Xie Kuang, surprising the students who expected Xie Kuang to receive two.
• Wu Shan began announcing who would receive the final two portions, but the chapter ended before he named them.

Wu Shan awarded Jiang Qiu two portions of Martial Spirit Incense, prompting Xie Kuang to challenge him for the reward and leadership of Field No. 8. Jiang Qiu deflected Xie Kuang’s opening thrust, but the spear tip remained only inches from his body as the chapter ended.

• Wu Shan announced that Jiang Qiu would receive the final two portions of Martial Spirit Incense, drawing protests from the students at Field No. 8.
• Xie Kuang challenged Jiang Qiu, and Wu Shan made the winner the recipient of two portions of incense and the field’s leading Outstanding Student.
• Xie Kuang and Jiang Qiu faced off with their spears as the students watched.
• Xie Kuang launched a powerful thrust and declared that students from regular classes did not deserve Martial Spirit Incense.
• Jiang Qiu swept his spear upward and knocked Xie Kuang’s thrust off course, but the spear tip still threatened his torso.

Jiang Qiu defeated Xie Kuang in one exchange, earning the title of Field No. 8’s first Outstanding Student and two portions of Martial Spirit Incense. The chapter ended with the students receiving their resources as Jiang Qiu prepared to use the precious body-tempering medicine.

• Jiang Qiu shattered Xie Kuang’s spear shaft with Spear Shaft Shatters Armor and won their match.
• Wu Shan named Jiang Qiu Field No. 8’s first Outstanding Student and awarded him two portions of Martial Spirit Incense.
• The students recognized Jiang Qiu’s rapid progress, while Wang Guanjia accepted that he could not compete with him for the title.
• Wu Shan gave Jiang Qiu two vials of Martial Spirit Incense and warned the students to absorb as much as possible during their first medicinal bath.
• The Outstanding Students collected their vials and drifted into separate groups, leaving Xie Kuang with few companions.

After receiving two portions of Martial Spirit Incense, Jiang Qiu discovered he had no tub for using them and searched the district for one. Liu Zili brought him her family’s wooden barrel to borrow, leaving him ready to prepare the medicinal bath.

• Wu Shan dismissed the students, ordered Xie Kuang to clean up, and told him they would discuss replacing the broken spear shaft.
• Wang Guanjia advised Jiang Qiu to use only one portion of Martial Spirit Incense the first time, while Liu Zili noticed that his wound was minor because he had developed Copper Skin.
• Jiang Qiu returned home with the incense, found no bathtub, and searched local shops and online listings for a suitable tub.
• Jiang Qiu failed to find a tub that could be delivered to the shanty town, then encountered Liu Zili carrying a large wooden barrel.
• Liu Zili lent Jiang Qiu her family’s barrel for his medicinal bath and hurried away before he could pay her.

Jiang Qiu used Martial Spirit Incense in a medicinal bath to temper his body, then ignored the warning and added a second portion. He collapsed after the stronger assault, but awakened Iron Flesh and the Body Metamorphosis prompt.

• Jiang Qiu filled a huge wooden barrel with hot water and added one portion of Martial Spirit Incense for his first medicinal bath.
• The incense caused intense pain as it forced filth from Jiang Qiu's body, and a High-Quality Body Refinement raised his Copper Skin progress to 270/500.
• Jiang Qiu decided to risk using the second portion, believing he could endure the strain and start over if his martial foundation was damaged.
• The second dose overwhelmed Jiang Qiu, but before he lost consciousness another High-Quality Body Refinement transformed his Copper Skin into Iron Flesh at 20/1000.
• Jiang Qiu sensed that the metamorphosis was not complete as the Body Metamorphosis prompt appeared.