Chapter Summaries

After Huang Yiyi broke off their engagement to pursue Senior Brother Liu, Li Yun assessed the cutthroat life of the Celestial Martial Sect and resolved to work hard despite his Fifth Grade aptitude. As he turned back to fetch his introductory cultivation manual, the Martial Cognition System activated.

• Huang Yiyi ended her relationship with Li Yun, explaining that Senior Brother Liu had promised to provide her with resources and help her reach Innate.
• Li Yun absorbed his predecessor’s memories and learned that Outer Sect Disciples had only three years to achieve Acquired to Innate Reversal or risk expulsion.
• Li Yun recognized that his Fifth Grade aptitude made advancement unlikely but decided to strive for success rather than remain at the bottom of society.
• Li Yun saw fellow Outer Sect Disciples practicing and studying in the courtyard, felt a sense of urgency, and turned back to retrieve his Basic Stance Cultivation manual.
• The Martial Cognition System activated, awarding Li Yun thirty Cognition Points for his resolve and one for witnessing others practice martial arts.

Li Yun discovered that his system let him spend Martial Cognition Points to gain profound martial arts knowledge, and he used it to advance his Basic Stance Cultivation from the fourth stance to the seventh. He began gathering points by watching other disciples practice, but one of them confronted him for circling nearby.

• Li Yun examined his system and learned that he could earn Martial Cognition Points through observation and cultivation, then spend them to improve martial arts.
• Li Yun spent all 31 points and gained the knowledge to perform Basic Stance Cultivation through the seventh stance.
• Li Yun practiced the stances himself and found the movements smooth and correct, unlike the previous owner's flawed attempts.
• Li Yun went to the courtyard and watched other disciples practice, steadily earning points until he had 30 again.
• A disciple asked Li Yun why he kept circling around instead of cultivating and accused him of trying to steal their Stance Cultivation.

Li Yun was accused by Gu Yunzheng and his followers of secretly copying Gu Yunzheng’s Zhuang Gong, but he left rather than argue. After earning Martial Cognition Points by watching a sparring match, Li Yun used the system to reach the Initial Accomplishment Realm in Basic Stance Cultivation and broke the Outer Sect record.

• Gu Yunzheng accused Li Yun of secretly learning his Zhuang Gong, and his followers demanded that Li Yun apologize or face the Martial Arts Deacon.
• Li Yun dismissed Gu Yunzheng’s accusations and left the courtyard, prompting Gu Yunzheng to lead his group off to report him.
• Li Yun gained Martial Cognition Points by watching two young men spar, then apologized when one of them confronted him for watching.
• Li Yun found a secluded spot and spent his accumulated points cultivating Basic Stance Cultivation through all Twelve Stances.
• Li Yun reached the Initial Accomplishment Realm in Basic Stance Cultivation at 3%, setting a new record among past Outer Sect Disciples.

Li Yun faced Gu Yunzheng’s accusation that he had stolen his Zhuang Gong and disrupted his cultivation. He demonstrated his own mastery of the Basic Stance Cultivation before Xu Qing, leaving Gu Yunzheng unable to explain what Li Yun could have stolen.

• Gu Yunzheng and more than a dozen disciples blocked Li Yun and demanded he see Martial Arts Deacon Xu Qing.
• Xu Qing arrived, dismissed the other disciples, and asked Li Yun to answer Gu Yunzheng’s accusations of stealing his Zhuang Gong.
• Li Yun denied the accusations and demonstrated all Twelve Stances of the Basic Stance Cultivation, gaining five Cognition Points.
• Xu Qing was startled by Li Yun’s precise stances, while Gu Yunzheng blurted out that Li Yun’s performance was impossible.
• Li Yun pointed out that he had reached initial mastery while Gu Yunzheng had not completed the seventh stance, then mocked him for claiming his Zhuang Gong had been stolen.

Li Yun learned that his rapid progress in Basic Stance Cultivation earned him two rewards, and Xu Qing brought him to Outer Sect Elder Zhang Cong to claim them. While waiting at Zhang Cong’s residence, Li Yun discovered that studying its plaque rapidly increased his Cognition Points, then entered to meet the elder.

• Xu Qing praised Li Yun for reaching Initial Accomplishment Realm in Basic Stance Cultivation within a month and explained that he had broken the record, qualifying for two rewards.
• Li Yun left with Xu Qing to collect his rewards, while Gu Yunzheng grew furious and vowed to take revenge on him.
• Xu Qing told Zhang Cong that Li Yun had broken the record, and Zhang Cong asked to see the disciple for himself.
• While waiting outside Azure Cloud Residence, Li Yun gained Cognition Points by observing the Martial Intent in its plaque.
• Xu Qing brought Li Yun inside and advised him to be humble before Zhang Cong, and Li Yun thanked Xu Qing for his guidance.

Li Yun demonstrated that he had reached Initial Accomplishment Realm in Basic Stance Cultivation, impressing Zhang Cong despite his Rank 5 Aptitude. Zhang Cong rewarded him and promised personal martial skill instruction if he reached Proficient Realm within half a month, while Xu Qing gave him valuable Stance Cultivation Notes.

• Zhang Cong questioned Li Yun about his Rank 5 Aptitude and asked him to demonstrate Basic Stance Cultivation.
• Li Yun performed all Twelve Stances smoothly, convincing Zhang Cong that he had genuinely reached Initial Accomplishment Realm.
• Zhang Cong gave Li Yun two Qi and Blood Pills and promised two more pills and personal martial skill instruction if he reached Proficient Realm within half a month.
• Xu Qing urged Li Yun to seize Zhang Cong's offer, explaining how it could help him progress toward becoming an Inner Sect Disciple.
• Xu Qing gave Li Yun his privately purchased Stance Cultivation Notes, and Li Yun's system reacted intensely when he read them.

Li Yun advanced Basic Stance Cultivation to Minor Accomplishment and reached the Second Layer of Body Tempering. He then met Zhang Ruohan, an Inner Sect disciple and Zhang Chu’s older sister, who invited him to bring Zhang Chu so she could show them around the Inner Sect.

• Li Yun used Xu Qing’s Stance Cultivation Notes to accumulate Cognition Points while delaying his visit to Azure Cloud Residence so his progress would not seem suspicious.
• Li Yun spent his Cognition Points to raise Basic Stance Cultivation to Minor Accomplishment and smoothly performed all twelve stances.
• Li Yun’s cultivation improved from the First to the Second Layer of Body Tempering, and he decided to save Zhang Cong’s Qi and Blood Pills until his stance cultivation was perfected.
• Zhang Ruohan introduced herself as an Inner Sect disciple from the Vermilion Bird Courtyard and learned that Li Yun studied with her younger brother, Zhang Chu.
• Zhang Ruohan asked Li Yun to bring Zhang Chu to her so she could take them around the Inner Sect.

Li Yun accepted Zhang Ruohan’s invitation to visit the Inner Sect with her younger brother, Zhang Chu. Zhang Ruohan revealed that Li Yun had reached Minor Accomplishment in Basic Stance Cultivation, leaving Zhang Chu stunned and chastened.

• Li Yun found Zhang Chu and told him Zhang Ruohan wanted them to visit the Inner Sect, prompting Zhang Chu to suspect Li Yun had ulterior motives.
• Zhang Ruohan scolded Zhang Chu for questioning her and invited Li Yun along, explaining she wanted her brother to build better relationships with fellow disciples.
• Zhang Chu mocked Li Yun’s aptitude and progress, but Zhang Ruohan struck him and revealed Li Yun had reached the Minor Accomplishment Realm in Basic Stance Cultivation.
• Zhang Chu was shocked by Li Yun’s progress, and Zhang Ruohan warned him to be humble and work hard or risk failing to enter the Inner Sect.

Li Yun delayed entering the Vermilion Bird Courtyard to collect Cognition Points, then encountered Huang Yiyi and an arrogant Inner Sect Disciple. Huang Yiyi accused him of following her and rejected their marriage agreement, leaving Li Yun facing a potentially dangerous confrontation.

• Zhang Ruohan brought Li Yun and Zhang Chu to the Vermilion Bird Courtyard entrance, where Li Yun gained Cognition Points by observing the stone tablet.
• Zhang Ruohan warned Li Yun and Zhang Chu not to look around indiscriminately inside the mostly female courtyard, while Li Yun stalled to keep earning points.
• Li Yun accumulated over twenty thousand Cognition Points and recalled that perfecting Basic Stance Cultivation could help him comprehend Martial Intent.
• A group emerged from the courtyard, led by an arrogant young man, and Huang Yiyi hurried over to confront Li Yun.
• Li Yun denied knowing Huang Yiyi, but she accused him of following her and declared their marriage agreement over.

Li Yun entered the Vermilion Bird Courtyard with Zhang Ruohan and Zhang Chu after Liu Ningkong struck Huang Yiyi for accusing him of following her. Zhang Ruohan warned Li Yun about Liu Ningkong’s powerful family and offered him protection through Elder Zhang Cong, who turned out to be her clan relative.

• Huang Yiyi claimed Li Yun had followed her, but Zhang Ruohan clarified that she had brought him to the Inner Sect, and Liu Ningkong slapped Huang Yiyi twice before apologizing to Li Yun.
• Zhang Ruohan led Li Yun and Zhang Chu into the Vermilion Bird Courtyard, while Liu Ningkong privately considered using their visit to provoke Zhao Chuanfeng.
• Zhang Chu questioned Li Yun about Huang Yiyi, and Zhang Ruohan knocked him on the head for gossiping.
• Zhang Ruohan told Li Yun about Liu Ningkong’s influential family and advised him to seek Elder Zhang Cong if anyone bullied him.
• Zhang Ruohan revealed that Zhang Cong was from her clan and had to call her Aunt, prompting Zhang Chu to boast before she kicked him into the air.

Li Yun visited Zhang Ruohan’s Clear Reflection Residence and used the Sword Testing Stele and his system to accumulate Cognition Points. After pushing his Basic Stance Cultivation into the Proficiency Realm, he astonished Zhang Ruohan, while Zhang Chu failed to imitate him and was beaten by his sister.

• Zhang Ruohan brought Li Yun and Zhang Chu to Clear Reflection Residence, where Li Yun gained Cognition Points from the residence’s Martial Intent and Sword Testing Stele.
• Zhang Chu questioned how Li Yun had advanced his Basic Stance Cultivation so quickly, and Li Yun showed Zhang Ruohan the Stance Cultivation Notes he had received from Xu Qing.
• After Zhang Ruohan explained the notes’ history, Li Yun asked to meditate in the courtyard and used the system to advance his Basic Stance Cultivation to the Proficiency Realm.
• Li Yun performed the Twelve Stances before Zhang Ruohan and Zhang Chu, leaving Zhang Ruohan astonished.
• Zhang Chu tried meditating to copy Li Yun but failed, so Zhang Ruohan pinned him down and beat him.

Li Yun taught Zhang Chu the Twelve Stances of Basic Stance Cultivation, helping him reach Initial Accomplishment and earning Zhang Ruohan’s goodwill. Zhang Ruohan gave Li Yun her Entangling Silk Force, but their departure was interrupted by Zhao Chuanfeng’s arrival.

• Zhang Chu asked Li Yun to teach him, and Li Yun corrected his Green Pine Stance and explained the Twelve Stances.
• Zhang Chu reached Initial Accomplishment in Basic Stance Cultivation, while Li Yun gained 300 Cognition Points from reviewing the art as he taught.
• Zhang Ruohan gave Li Yun her Entangling Silk Force and promised to introduce him to Inner Sect disciples.
• Zhao Chuanfeng arrived at Clear Reflection Residence, and Zhang Chu warned Li Yun that he was petty.

Li Yun and Zhang Chu tried to leave Clear Reflection Residence when Zhang Ruohan’s fiancé, Zhao Chuanfeng, arrived, but Zhao stopped them and confronted Zhang Ruohan. After Zhang Ruohan rebuked him for trusting Liu Ningkong’s gossip, Zhao became flattering, then offered to show Zhang Chu and Li Yun around Azure Dragon Courtyard.

• Li Yun recognized Zhao Chuanfeng as Zhang Ruohan’s fiancé and decided he and Zhang Chu should leave to avoid trouble.
• Zhao Chuanfeng intercepted Li Yun and Zhang Chu, insisted Zhang Chu call him Brother Feng, and challenged Zhang Ruohan for sending them away.
• Zhang Ruohan told Zhang Chu and Li Yun to return to the Outer Sect, but Zhao stopped them and accused her of treating him like an outsider.
• Zhang Ruohan confronted Zhao for coming because Liu Ningkong had stirred up suspicion, and Zhao quickly apologized and flattered her.
• Li Yun realized Liu Ningkong had tried to provoke Zhao against him and resolved to deal with Liu later, once he was stronger.
• Zhao Chuanfeng suggested taking Zhang Chu and Li Yun around Azure Dragon Courtyard.

Zhao Chuanfeng forced Zhang Chu and Li Yun to tour Azure Dragon Courtyard, letting Li Yun gain a huge number of Martial Cognition Points along the way. At Windborne Residence, Zhao Chuanfeng threatened Li Yun to stay away from Zhang Ruohan and gave him an ancient booklet before ordering him to leave.

• Zhao Chuanfeng insisted that Zhang Chu and Li Yun accompany him to Azure Dragon Courtyard, while Zhang Ruohan stayed behind and warned Li Yun not to mention how they had met.
• Zhao Chuanfeng showed Zhang Chu around the Inner Sect and stopped to explain two disciples sparring, allowing Li Yun to collect Cognition Points.
• At Azure Dragon Courtyard’s entrance, Zhao Chuanfeng spent ten minutes explaining its Azure Dragon Stone Stele, and Li Yun’s Martial Cognition Points rose above two hundred thirty thousand.
• Zhao Chuanfeng brought Zhang Chu and Li Yun to Windborne Residence, prepared food and wine, and Zhang Chu soon became drunk.
• Zhao Chuanfeng warned Li Yun that he would kill him if he appeared near Zhang Ruohan again, then tossed him an ancient booklet that could improve aptitude and ordered him to leave.

After leaving Azure Dragon Courtyard, Li Yun spent the night using Martial Cognition Points to master Basic Stance Cultivation and awaken Green Pine Intent. The next morning, Gu Yunzheng revealed that Li Yun had already reached the Initial Accomplishment Realm in Zhuang Gong, leaving Wang Erdong and the other disciples stunned.

• Li Yun left Azure Dragon Courtyard after Zhao Chuanfeng insulted him, then returned to Rank 95 Academy with 240,000 Martial Cognition Points.
• Li Yun spent 30,000 Martial Cognition Points raising Basic Stance Cultivation to the Perfection Realm and discovered it could be sublimated.
• Li Yun spent another 50,000 points to comprehend Green Pine Intent, entering a vision that lasted through the night.
• Li Yun left the courtyard at dawn to practice and experience Green Pine Intent in a secluded place.
• Wang Erdong joked that he would eat dog shit if Li Yun had reached the Initial Accomplishment Realm in Zhuang Gong, and Gu Yunzheng revealed that Li Yun had achieved it days earlier.
• Wang Erdong fled Rank 95 Academy in embarrassment while the other disciples questioned Gu Yunzheng about Li Yun's progress.

Gu Yunzheng tried to turn Rank 95 Academy against Li Yun, but Zhang Chu exposed Li Yun’s greater skill and the pair’s access to the Inner Sect. Gu Yunzheng was left isolated, while Zhang Chu found Li Yun training in a secluded grove and realized he had comprehended True Intent.

• Gu Yunzheng spread suspicions that Li Yun had used crooked methods to reach the Initial Accomplishment Realm in Zhuang Gong and looked down on Rank 95 Academy.
• Zhang Chu returned from Azure Dragon Courtyard, rebuked Gu Yunzheng, and revealed that Li Yun had reached the Proficiency Realm and guided Zhang Chu to the Initial Accomplishment Realm.
• Zhang Chu left to find Li Yun, and the disciples reacted with amazement at Li Yun’s progress and his access to the Inner Sect.
• Chen Shan mentioned that Li Yun and Zhang Chu had gone to the Inner Sect to drink, prompting the disciples to turn away from Gu Yunzheng and seek Li Yun’s guidance instead.
• Gu Yunzheng left Rank 95 Academy in anger after failing to rally the disciples against Li Yun.
• Li Yun practiced Basic Stance Cultivation in a secluded grove, and Zhang Chu arrived, saw the aura surrounding him, and realized Li Yun had comprehended True Intent.

Li Yun discovered that Green Pine Intent drew Spirit Qi into his body as he cultivated, then learned Zhao Chuanfeng had set a trap by giving him the forbidden Reverse Fate Art. After Zhang Chu left to seek Zhang Ruohan’s help, Li Yun focused on studying Entangling Silk Force.

• Li Yun cultivated Green Pine Intent and sensed it drawing Spirit Qi into his body to temper him.
• Zhang Chu recognized Zhao Chuanfeng’s booklet as the forbidden Reverse Fate Art and explained that it had crippled or killed those who practiced it.
• Li Yun realized Zhao Chuanfeng had trapped him by making the booklet dangerous to cultivate and risky to report, then added Zhao Chuanfeng to his blacklist.
• Li Yun stopped Zhang Chu from rushing to confront Zhang Ruohan, warning that carrying the forbidden manual into the Inner Sect could endanger them both.
• Zhang Chu left to ask Zhang Ruohan for a solution, while Li Yun set aside his anger and began studying Entangling Silk Force.

Li Yun mastered Entangling Silk Force with the system and then began cultivating the mysterious Reverse Fate Art, hoping to improve his aptitude. He reached its Initial Completion Realm at an enormous cost in Martial Cognition Points, learning a deeper method for circulating his qi and blood but noticing no immediate change in his aptitude.

• Li Yun used Martial Cognition Points to raise Entangling Silk Force to Perfection Realm, then demonstrated its grappling techniques by twisting apart a wrist-thick tree trunk.
• Li Yun planned to improve Basic Stance Cultivation but instead took out the Reverse Fate Art Zhao Chuanfeng had given him and found that the system recognized it as a Martial Arts technique.
• Li Yun spent 10,000 Martial Cognition Points to bring the Reverse Fate Art to the Entry Realm and comprehended a peculiar breathing method.
• Li Yun spent another 100,000 Martial Cognition Points to bring the Reverse Fate Art to the Initial Completion Realm, comprehending a deeper way to circulate his qi and blood.

Li Yun discovered that brief cultivation of the Reverse Fate Art had raised his cultivation and improved his aptitude, but he feared its dangers and burned the manual. He went with Zhang Chu to visit Zhang Cong, while Gu Yunzheng watched them and asked his cousin to help drive Li Yun from the Celestial Martial Sect.

• Li Yun endured severe pain while cultivating the Reverse Fate Art, then found that he had reached Body Tempering Triple Layer and his aptitude had risen to Fifth Grade Middle.
• Li Yun decided to wait before cultivating the Reverse Fate Art again, planned to gather more Martial Cognition Points at Azure Cloud Residence, and burned the manual.
• Zhang Chu returned with his sister's advice to destroy the book, and Li Yun showed him the ashes while concealing that he had already cultivated it.
• Li Yun invited Zhang Chu to visit Zhang Cong, and Zhang Chu agreed so he could ask for a reward for reaching Initial Mastery in Zhuang Gong.
• Gu Yunzheng watched Li Yun and Zhang Chu leave and asked his cousin to help punish Li Yun and drive him out of the Celestial Martial Sect.

He Tingfeng and Xu Youwu planned to ambush Li Yun but abandoned the opportunity when he entered Azure Cloud Residence. There, Zhang Chu reminded Zhang Cong of his promise to reward Li Yun for mastering Basic Stance Cultivation, then protested that the promised reward was too small.

• Gu Yunzheng told He Tingfeng and Xu Youwu about Li Yun, and the two planned a disguised ambush while warning Gu Yunzheng to keep quiet.
• He Tingfeng and Xu Youwu followed Li Yun and Zhang Chu, but left when they entered Azure Cloud Residence.
• Zhang Chu teased Zhang Cong about their family hierarchy, then reminded him of his promise to teach Li Yun a martial skill and give him Qi and Blood Pills.
• Li Yun said Zhang Ruohan had guided his Basic Stance Cultivation, and Zhang Cong agreed to fulfill his promise if Li Yun demonstrated his progress.
• Zhang Chu interrupted Li Yun and argued that one martial skill and two Qi and Blood Pills were too small a reward for a genius.