Chapter Summaries

Shang Ruyi lost his connection to Mountain Venerable and sought guidance from Tiger King Liu Ruixiang. Three days later, Meng Chuan received the pills and Wen Dao Incense he had bought with battle merits, cleared the pills of lingering demonic influence, and planned to ask Daoist Qi about Five Elements Soup.

• Shang Ruyi watched the tiger in his cultivation vanish and wondered whether his mastery of Tiger Form had caused him to lose contact with Mountain Venerable.
• Shang Ruyi called Tiger King Liu Ruixiang to ask for guidance.
• Meng Chuan received his Merit Armory order, checked the contents, and registered for a delivery-service discount at the courier's insistence.
• Meng Chuan used his aura to dispel the Heavenly Demon remnants from the ten Pulse-Moistening Spirit Pills and stored them and the Wen Dao Incense for later.
• Meng Chuan decided to ask Daoist Qi about Five Elements Soup during his trial lesson the next day.

Meng Chuan returned to class and reflected on the foundations needed to cultivate Divine Arts before testing a new spirit pill and meeting Daoist Qi for private instruction. He asked to study the principles of the Five Elements, and Daoist Qi began assessing how to teach him.

• Meng Chuan returned to Martial Theory Class, where his classmates and Chen Qiushui teased him about becoming the Divine Dragon Great Sage's disciple and receiving a Divine Technique.
• Chen Qiushui taught that students needed to study many martial arts and accumulate their understanding before forging their own path toward Divine Arts.
• At Huaqing Pool, Meng Chuan tested a Pulse-Moistening Spirit Pill, found its effects especially strong, and considered how to control the Daoxin and complete Dao Heart Demon Seeding.
• Meng Chuan visited Daoist Qi's lush, wood-infused courtyard for their arranged lesson and learned that Daoist Qi practiced Taiji and the Wood and Water attributes of Five Elements Fist.
• When Daoist Qi asked what he wanted to learn, Meng Chuan said he wanted to understand the principles of the Five Elements and how to learn fist arts better.

Meng Chuan practiced the Five Elements Spirit Breath Fist at Daoist Qi’s courtyard, where Daoist Qi recognized that Meng Chuan had created the art himself and offered guidance on improving it. Daoist Qi taught him the Qi-Gazing Technique, and the chapter ended with Meng Chuan quickly grasping it and seeing it marked as awaiting a limit break.

• Meng Chuan asked about the cost of Daoist Qi’s richly planted courtyard, then accepted Daoist Qi’s invitation to practice there whenever he liked.
• Daoist Qi recognized the principles in Meng Chuan’s Five Elements Spirit Breath Fist, learned Meng Chuan had created it, and advised him on two ways to develop it further.
• Daoist Qi taught Meng Chuan the Qi-Gazing Technique, explaining how breath and attention could sense Spiritual Essence in the natural world.
• Meng Chuan asked about Primordial Qi and told Daoist Qi about Advanced Five Elements Soup; Daoist Qi cautioned that external aids depended on what Meng Chuan could afford.
• Dong Yue arrived with liquor and roast chicken, and by nine that night Meng Chuan had sensed the plants’ breath and gathered Spirit Breath through the Qi-Gazing Technique.
• Daoist Qi and Dong Yue praised Meng Chuan’s comprehension, and Meng Chuan saw the Qi-Gazing Technique listed on his status panel as Beginner (1%) and awaiting a limit break.

Meng Chuan broke through the limit of Tiger Roar Lung Forging and gained the Tiger Breath trait, which made his breathing steadier and his Qi Consumption smoother. He then went with Chen Jing to the finals of the second Supernova Competition, where he prepared to commentate on a match between Shaolin and Wudang finalists.

• Meng Chuan broke through the limit of Tiger Roar Lung Forging and gained the beginner trait Tiger Breath, which improved his breathing and helped his Qi Consumption flow more smoothly.
• Meng Chuan considered breaking through the limits of Shaolin's Iron Crotch Technique and the Qingming Dragon-Locking Body, then received Chen Jing's call to head down the mountain.
• Chen Jing praised Meng Chuan's progress toward the Second Great Limit, and Meng Chuan asked him for Chen Xuan's contact information so he could ask about the National Talent Database.
• Meng Chuan and Chen Jing arrived at the Yong'an City Provincial Martial Arts Competition Center and reviewed the profiles of the Shaolin and Wudang finalists.
• Meng Chuan took his seat at the commentary desk for the Supernova Competition finals, and the venue erupted as the camera focused on him.

Meng Chuan received the Great Brahma core legacy and learned that his recent Demon Nest experiences could draw the state's attention for a National Talent Database assessment. A month later, as the New Year approached and Yong'an froze, he checked in with his aunt and discussed when he would come home.

• Meng Chuan attended the martial arts competition, where Bai Junfeng told him a secure package from Quandutong was waiting at the Martial Association.
• After the competition, Meng Chuan opened the package and found a golden kasaya and the scripture The Sutra of Great Brahma's Questions to the Buddha and His Resolution of Doubts.
• Meng Chuan called Chen Xuan to ask about the National Talent Database assessment, and Chen Xuan explained that officials might secretly watch people after shocking experiences.
• Meng Chuan concluded that his Temple-related Demon Nest achievements could have prompted an assessment and decided to let events unfold while proving his worth.
• On January 20, Meng Chuan called Xue Na, urged her to keep Meng Yongzhi warm, and heard her ask when he would come home for the New Year.

As extreme cold and proliferating Demon Nests disrupted martial arts training across Great Chu, Meng Chuan kept improving through daily sparring while worrying about the worsening crisis. After Lu Zhuxiao returned from suppression work discouraged by his stalled Stake Technique, Shang Ruyi was left unable to reach the Mountain Venerable for guidance.

• Meng Chuan promised his aunt he would return home before the New Year, then reflected on the cold and the Demon Nests interfering with training across Great Chu.
• Meng Chuan defeated successive groups of Grandmaster Class students in the Northern United University arena while keeping his strength under control.
• Lu Zhuxiao told Meng Chuan that the Cold Crow and Snow Demon Deer nests had been suppressed, while the Bell Maiden nest remained sealed pending a Great Sage.
• Meng Chuan invited Lu Zhuxiao to spar and recognized that his teacher's progress toward the Third Limit was stalled by the demands of Second Limit Stake Technique.
• Shang Ruyi contacted the Mountain Venerable through the Beast King Chart, but the beast told him to train on his own and cut off the connection.

Meng Chuan broke the limits of two water-element fist techniques and used one of their traits to advance Five Qi Towards Origin to its third tier. He discovered that the Five Skandhas Universe Method could no longer raise the core trait’s tier without further development, and began planning to integrate it with Spirit Breath Fist while continuing to prepare for the Second Great Limit.

• Meng Chuan sparred with Lu Zhuxiao on the frozen Lotus Creek, where his hardbody defense and improved spear technique impressed his teacher.
• Meng Chuan broke the limits of Snow-Walking Fist and Piercing Palm Fist by drawing on the snow’s natural Spirit Breath.
• Meng Chuan used Frost Condensation to complete the Five Skandhas Universe Method’s third limit break and advance Five Qi Towards Origin to a third-tier core.
• Meng Chuan found that the Five Skandhas Universe Method could no longer supply the trait needed to raise Five Qi Towards Origin further, so he concluded that he needed to revitalize it by integrating it with another martial art.
• Meng Chuan decided to prioritize breaking the limits of Spirit Breath Fist, Running Thunder Scattered Hands, and Five Thunders Striking the Peak as he prepared to reach the Second Great Limit.
• Meng Chuan cultivated his Core Method for two hours, and his Dao Heart Demon Seeding reached Level Four at 45%.

Meng Chuan refined his blood and qi until his sinews and bones were tempered again, giving his aura a dangerous new sharpness as he neared the requirements for breaking the Second Great Limit. Meanwhile, Pei Shan tested prospective students at the God-Striking Martial Hall for spiritual talent, and Meng Chuan continued his punishing Brahma Prison-Suppressing Technique training.

• Meng Chuan reviewed the requirements for breaking the Second Great Limit and concluded that perfecting the fourth layer of [Dao Heart Demon Seeding] would bring him to the necessary Martial Dao Outline standard.
• After investing more blood and qi, Meng Chuan broke through a hidden blockage and tempered his sinews and bones, causing his aura to surge with a blade-like sharpness.
• Meng Chuan contained his newly strengthened aura, deciding not to release it until he could master Martial Momentum.
• A couple in Fu City credited their increased energy and resistance to cold to worshipping Lu Zu, while their neighbors discussed enrolling Xiao Song at the God-Striking Martial Hall.
• Pei Shan used a crystal sphere to test children registering at the God-Striking Martial Hall, admitting those with core spiritual talent and directing unsuitable applicants elsewhere.
• Meng Chuan endured the strain of Brahma Prison-Suppressing Technique training, gritting his teeth and continuing despite his exhausted, overheated body.

Meng Chuan sought a faster way to improve his understanding of Buddhist doctrine so he could cultivate the Brahma Prison-Suppressing Technique, and contacted Jueming about visiting Shaolin. As the year-end approached, he brought Running Thunder Scattered Hands to 99% but held back from breaking through its limit.

• Meng Chuan concluded that the Brahma Prison-Suppressing Technique was progressing slowly because he lacked Buddhist understanding, and decided to visit a Zen Sect sacred site to experience the Buddha Rhyme.
• Meng Chuan messaged Jueming about visiting Shaolin, then practiced the Qi-Gazing Technique with Dong Yue and Daoist Qi and quickly reached Proficient.
• Dong Yue offered to protect Meng Chuan during his Second Limit breakthrough, but Meng Chuan said his master would return soon; he also confirmed Qi Refining Methods did not improve his qi and blood.
• As the end of the year neared, Meng Chuan practiced Running Thunder Scattered Hands on Li Mountain until it reached 99%, then resisted breaking through its limit.

Meng Chuan trained two Five Elements fist techniques to prepare for integrating them with the Five Aggregates Universe Method, while nearing his Second Limit. After discussing the lingering Demon Nest threat and his plans to visit Wudang and Shaolin, he left Li Mountain for Yong'an as spring approached.

• Meng Chuan learned Earth-Bearing Four Symbols Fist and Generation-Restraint Silk-Entangling Hands, quickly reaching entry level and gaining a minor insight while practicing.
• Meng Chuan discussed Lingnv and his plans to visit Wudang and Shaolin with Principal Yang, who promised the school would support his trip.
• Principal Yang told Meng Chuan that Zhou Sheng would eventually return to handle Lingnv, while Meng Chuan said he expected to break the Second Limit soon.
• Meng Chuan left campus on February 15, and Chen Jing told him that Chen Xuan had broken the Second Limit and wanted to spar with him.
• Meng Chuan asked Chen Jing to tell Chen Xuan he could challenge him anytime, then arrived in Yong'an as the snow began to melt and spring drew near.

Meng Chuan visited Secretary Wang to discuss the National Talent Database and identified rare treasures he hoped to obtain for his master and himself. Back home, he spent time with his family, continued training near the Second Limit, and reunited with Liu Sanduo and Chen Xuewu, who had begun practicing a hard-body technique.

• Meng Chuan met Deputy Division Chief Zong at the Yong'an Municipal Administration Building and discussed the National Talent Database with Secretary Wang, who assured him he would be selected.
• Meng Chuan considered seeking a Millennium Snow Lotus to help Luo Guanyun and Gold of Immortal Tears to strengthen his spiritual foundation and potentially upgrade Blue Stone.
• Meng Chuan returned home, reunited with Meng Yongzhi, and learned that Meng Yiyi's flight had been delayed.
• Meng Chuan refused the Huayun Mansion property manager's request to appear in a New Year's promotional video and returned to training.
• Meng Chuan met Liu Sanduo and Chen Xuewu by the artificial lake, recognized Chen Xuewu's progress in Iron Cloth Shirt, and encouraged him to keep practicing.

Meng Chuan tested his strength against Liu Sanduo in a fierce spar, revealing power that rivaled a Second Limit master and impressing Liu with his combat instincts. The fight continued as Meng Chuan asked Liu to teach him the Liu Family’s Baji technique if he won.

• Liu Sanduo learned that Meng Chuan was close to breaking through the Second Limit, while Chen Xuewu struggled to comprehend how quickly Meng had advanced.
• Meng Chuan and Liu Sanduo began sparring, and their opening palm strike sent Chen Xuewu flying and cracked the lake’s thick ice.
• Liu Sanduo countered Meng Chuan’s strength with Iron Chain Across the River, but Meng answered with a powerful Thunderclap Salute that forced Liu to defend at full strength.
• Meng Chuan countered Liu Sanduo’s grappling attempt with Cross Hammer, and Liu neutralized it with Dragon-Subduing Form and Single Side Saves the Lord.
• Meng Chuan asked Liu Sanduo to teach him the Liu Family’s Baji if he won, and Liu agreed if the fight satisfied him.
• Liu Sanduo faced Meng Chuan’s rapid flurry of fists and realized he had to unleash his full strength.

Meng Chuan fought Liu Sanduo on the artificial lake, enduring the old master’s River-Shaking Baji before overpowering him with Five Elements Kidney Water Fist. Liu Sanduo survived with external injuries, and the fight ended with Meng Chuan victorious.

• Liu Sanduo unleashed River-Shaking Baji and battered Meng Chuan, but Meng Chuan’s body remained unbroken.
• Liu Sanduo charged with his True Technique Baji killing move, Sinking Boat Lean, and Meng Chuan redirected the attack with Turning-Block Hammer.
• Meng Chuan borrowed the lake’s momentum to counter with Kidney Water Fist, forcing Liu Sanduo to retreat.
• Meng Chuan stacked Tide Marks and struck Liu Sanduo with the final blow of Layered Wave Rock-Shattering Fist, sending him into the lakebed.
• Liu Sanduo surfaced and made it to shore with external injuries, while Chen Xuewu hurried to check on him.
• Meng Chuan asked Liu Sanduo if he was all right.

After seriously injuring Liu Sanduo in their spar, Meng Chuan learned River-Shaking Baji and quickly reached its beginner level, gaining the River-Overturning Trait. As he prepared for mental cultivation, Luo Guanyun said he would arrive the next night, and the university offered Meng Chuan a task to investigate a missing martial hall master.

• Meng Chuan gave the injured Liu Sanduo a Cloud Water Pill, then listened as Liu explained River-Shaking Baji and offered him a Six Harmony Great Spear manual.
• Meng Chuan practiced River-Shaking Baji, mastered its forms apart from Sinking Boat Lean, and reached the fist art's beginner level after five hours.
• Meng Chuan saw that River-Shaking Baji's Limit-Breaking Trait was River-Overturning and reasoned that it would help him use hardness to overcome softness.
• Luo Guanyun messaged Meng Chuan that he would reach Yong'an the next night, and Meng Chuan reminded him to watch where he was flying.
• The United University task system offered Meng Chuan a task to investigate the disappearance of Fu City's Flying Star Martial Hall master, a veteran Martial Arts Master with Second Great Limit strength.

Meng Chuan passed on his suspicion that the missing Flying Star Hall master was linked to the Demon Summoning Hall and said he would reach the Second Limit within three days. Meanwhile, Great Sage Zhou Yun, Lu Ang, and Wuyang prepared to attack Lingnv’s Demon Nest, while Meng Chuan watched his friends prepare to join the recruitment mission.

• Meng Chuan decided not to accept the high-difficulty mission to find the missing Flying Star Hall master, but suggested to Police Chief Long that the Police Station investigate the Demon Summoning Hall; he said he would break through to the Second Limit within three days.
• At Lingnv’s Demon Nest, Great Sage Zhou Yun ordered the Martial Arts Grandmasters to handle Lingnv while he destroyed the Node, with Lu Ang and Wuyang guarding against demons escaping from Ancestral Dragon.
• As they reached the Node, Wuyang said the Eight Immortals had to be nailed down because of the risk of Demonic Infection, and Lu Ang reminded him that the hermitage’s legacy and martial fortune remained.
• The next day, Meng Chuan saw the seven-day recruitment mission to help clear Lingnv’s Demon Nest and realized he would be unable to join after his breakthrough and recovery.
• Meng Chuan thought that Xu Qingfeng, the Dragon-Tiger Brothers, and Chu Yanlong were progressing quickly, and hoped his friends would keep climbing the martial path alongside him.

Meng Chuan reunited with Luo Guanyun, discussed Fang Jianxing and the Parasite Society’s fragmentary chapters, and prepared for his imminent breakthrough to the Second Great Limit. He left the day focused on cultivation, while Luo Guanyun offered to help guard his breakthrough and revealed progress on a secret art.

• Meng Chuan met Luo Guanyun for breakfast, and Luo secretly discussed the Parasite Society’s four fragmentary chapters and Fang Jianxing’s likely hunt for them.
• Luo Guanyun warned Meng Chuan that Fang Jianxing might be waiting for him to reveal himself, and Meng Chuan agreed to stay cautious while they watched the Parasite Society.
• Meng Chuan told Luo Guanyun that he was close to breaking through the Second Great Limit and asked him to stand guard; Luo assessed his cultivation and judged the breakthrough nearly certain.
• Luo Guanyun said he had nearly completed Shiva Elephant Washing, and Meng Chuan taught him the Brahma Prison-Suppressing Technique in return.
• Meng Chuan confirmed that he had hidden the tortoise shell bearing the Fear Chapter, then spent New Year’s Eve cultivating while his sister admired his dedication.

Meng Chuan completed his breakthrough to the Second Great Limit while people across the martial world watched his progress and prepared for rivalries and dangers around him. The chapter ended with Lu Zhuxiao seeing a Great Demon from the [Ultimate Darkness] confront Daoist Lord Wuyang inside the [Lingnv] Demon Nest.

• Xue Na and Meng Yiyi left Meng Chuan undisturbed as he cultivated in the attic, and he completed the fourth level of Dao Heart Demon Seeding.
• Fang Jianxing weighed whether to pursue Luo Guanyun’s Core Chapter or return to the Island Country for four fragments, deciding to seek the Core Chapter if Luo Guanyun was alone.
• Sui Chunqiu warned Yang Huan to use his eye sparingly and told him to protect Meng Chuan during his planned travels after the New Year.
• Wu Hong delayed his Second Limit breakthrough because he feared he could not defeat Meng Chuan, and Shang Ruyi urged him to focus on his Dao.
• Zheng Chengcheng trained after reaching the Second Limit, while Chen Xuan planned to seek a sparring match with Meng Chuan after the New Year.
• Lu Zhuxiao and his companion encountered a Great Demon from the [Ultimate Darkness] facing Daoist Lord Wuyang, then retreated and went to warn Chu Yanlong and the others.

Meng Chuan broke through to the Second Limit on Caixia Mountain, forming a Celestial Star System and overcoming a trial of Inner Demons. He succeeded with Luo Guanyun guarding him, completing the breakthrough.

• Meng Chuan began his breakthrough as Luo Guanyun watched over him on Caixia Mountain.
• Meng Chuan stabilized his six main apertures and formed star tracks, then used his vitality to materialize 355 secondary stars.
• Meng Chuan set the stars into motion with Qi and anchored them in their proper positions using his Foundation of Blue Stone.
• Luo Guanyun guided Meng Chuan through the trial of Martial Will, where Inner Demons taunted him over his past and his awakened panel.
• Meng Chuan accepted the Inner Demons' accusations and punched them all apart, affirming the choices that had brought him to this point.
• Meng Chuan established the Celestial Star System and successfully broke through to the Second Limit, relieving Luo Guanyun.

Meng Chuan completed his breakthrough to the Second Limit, while Wu Hong also finished his metamorphosis and learned that Meng Chuan had caught up with him. The chapter ended with Guardian Lu rushing to help Dao Lord Wu at a Demon Nest as a black-robed figure unleashed a devastating attack.

• Meng Chuan expanded his Spring Eye fourfold and completed Cellular Metamorphosis, becoming a Second Limit martial arts expert under Luo Guanyun’s protection.
• Luo Guanyun invited friends to celebrate Meng Chuan’s breakthrough, while Zhao Shousui joked that Meng Chuan should transfer to Wudang for a gift.
• Wu Hong overcame his Inner Demon trial and completed his own breakthrough as Shang Ruyi advised him to defeat She Yu before challenging Meng Chuan.
• Shang Ruyi learned that Meng Chuan had also broken through and worried that Wu Hong would face mounting pressure against his rival.
• Luo Guanyun remembered the request for help at a Level Three Lingnv Demon Nest, where Guardian Lu departed to assist Dao Lord Wu.
• At the Demon Nest’s Node, a black-robed figure appeared and struck with a demonic sword that split the void and corroded space.

Daoist Lord Wuyang and Lu Ang fought Yueyin Jun while Zhou Yun destroyed the Node and drove back the Ancestral Dragon’s forces. Afterward, Wuyang agreed to cooperate with the state over the corrupted incense, and the Lingnv cleanup operation continued before Xu Qingfeng called Lao Meng.

• Wuyang overcame his grief at seeing Lu Dongbin’s Demonic Infection and joined Lu Ang in battling Yueyin Jun.
• Zhou Yun destroyed the Node with a sword of light and a feather-forged spear, while the Ancestral Dragon vowed to devour him when it reached the mortal world.
• Wuyang agreed that the Eight Immortals Hermitage would cooperate with the state, and Lu Ang told him the other Seven Immortals might also be infected and their incense offerings had to be cut off.
• Lu Ang said the state would transfer its share of Lingnv’s resources to the hermitage, apart from Zhou Sheng’s portion, and Wuyang accepted.
• Xu Qingfeng, Chu Yanlong, and the others ended their Lingnv deployment early, and Xu Qingfeng called Lao Meng after emerging with a pack of loot.