Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhou Heng, a 17-year-old with exceptional diligence, has been stuck at the initial stage of Body Refining Layer One for nearly a decade, despite practicing the Zhou Family's secret technique, the Blazing Sun Art.
• The Blazing Sun Art harnesses sunlight to accelerate food absorption and boost conversion efficiency, but Zhou Heng's body refuses to progress.
• Zhou Heng's father, Zhou Dinghai, is a cultivation genius, but Zhou Heng is considered a waste and a disappointment.

Character Developments

• Zhou Heng: Despite being ridiculed and underestimated, Zhou Heng remains determined and optimistic, driven by a secret hope that one day he will overcome his cultivation barrier.
• Zhou Dinghai: A cultivation genius and one of the Zhou Family's six elders, he is respected and admired by the family.

Significant Themes

• Talent vs. Effort: Zhou Heng's peers believe that talent is more important than effort, while Zhou Heng's persistence challenges this notion.
• Perseverance: Zhou Heng's unyielding dedication to his cultivation, despite the lack of visible progress, highlights the theme of perseverance.

Character Interactions

• Zhou Heng and Zhou Yuanyang: Zhou Yuanyang, Zhou Heng's uncle, feels sorry for Zhou Heng but believes he lacks talent. He offers him words of comfort but also expects him to accept his limitations.
• Zhou Heng and his peers: Zhou Heng's peers ridicule and disrespect him, blaming him for their own struggles during training. Zhou Heng remains undeterred by their contempt.
• Zhou Heng and the young man who blocks his path: This encounter symbolizes the ongoing disrespect and challenges Zhou Heng faces from his peers.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhou Heng encounters Zhou Kan, who blocks his path and taunts him. Zhou Kan's father, Zhou Jianming, harbors resentment towards Zhou Dinghai, Zhou Heng's father, due to his own talent being overshadowed.
• Zhou Kan reminds Zhou Heng of the Zhou Family's rule: those who haven't entered the Flesh Refining Realm by the age of 18 will be struck from the family register and forced into business.
• Zhou Heng returns home, furious and determined to break through to the Flesh Refining Realm.
• After four days, the Black Broken Sword in Zhou Heng's Dantian begins to tremble, causing him immense pain. Zhou Heng suppresses the sword using his will.
• After a prolonged struggle, the Black Broken Sword stops trembling and transmits the Nine Sword Styles to Zhou Heng.

Character Developments

• Zhou Heng: Despite facing constant humiliation and setbacks, Zhou Heng remains determined and resilient. His willpower is significantly strengthened during his struggle with the Black Broken Sword.
• Zhou Kan: Zhou Kan is arrogant and malicious, using his grandfather's status to bully Zhou Heng. His actions reveal his jealousy and resentment towards Zhou Heng.

Significant Themes

• Resilience and determination in the face of adversity (Zhou Heng)
• The consequences of jealousy and resentment (Zhou Jianming and Zhou Kan)
• The importance of willpower and mental fortitude (Zhou Heng's struggle with the Black Broken Sword)

Character Interactions

• Zhou Heng and Zhou Kan: Zhou Kan taunts and bullies Zhou Heng, while Zhou Heng remains calm and determined, refusing to engage in a physical altercation despite his anger.
• Zhou Heng and the Black Broken Sword: Zhou Heng engages in a mental and spiritual battle with the Black Broken Sword, ultimately suppressing it and gaining access to the Nine Sword Styles.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhou Heng wakes up after the Black Broken Sword's influence and feels different, realizing he can now cultivate.
• He starts practicing the Blazing Sun Art, successfully converting food into True Essence Power.
• The Black Broken Sword releases a flood of free energy at midnight, allowing Zhou Heng to advance rapidly.
• Zhou Heng discovers the Nine Sword Styles in his mind and begins practicing them.

Character Developments

• Zhou Heng's cultivation journey begins, and he experiences joy, excitement, and determination.
• He shows resilience in facing challenges, such as the difficulty of mastering the Nine Sword Styles.

Significant Themes

• The struggle and eventual triumph of Zhou Heng's cultivation journey.
• The contrast between the slow, painful process of ordinary cultivation and the rapid advancement granted by the Black Broken Sword.

Character Interactions

• Zhou Heng interacts with the Black Broken Sword, initially fearing it might steal his power again, but later benefiting from its release of free energy.
• Zhou Heng's determination and resolve are tested and strengthened by the challenges he faces.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhou Heng sleeps and wakes up to dedicate his day to understanding and practicing the first sword style of the Heaven-Soaring Nine Swords.
• He absorbs energy from the Black Broken Sword every midnight, rapidly advancing his cultivation.
• After three months, he aims to showcase his progress at the Year-End Ceremony.
• Zhou Heng breaks through to Body Refining Tier Three in just nineteen days.
• He enters the Heaven-Leveling Mountain Range to gain real combat experience.

Character Developments

• Zhou Heng demonstrates immense patience and determination, persevering despite his late start in cultivation.
• He gains confidence and ambition, planning to astonish his family at the Year-End Ceremony.
• Zhou Heng's cultivation progresses rapidly, exceeding expectations.

Significant Themes

• Patience and perseverance lead to eventual success.
• Fortuitous opportunities can greatly aid one's cultivation journey.
• Real combat experience is crucial for martial artists to reach their full potential.

Character Interactions

• Zhou Heng's interactions with his family are mentioned but not detailed in this chapter. His determination is fueled by his desire to prove himself to them.
• Zhou Heng's encounter with a Black Bear in the Heaven-Leveling Mountain Range is the first indication of his willingness to engage in real combat to improve his skills.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhou Heng kills a Black Bear with a single sword strike using the First Form of Heaven-Soaring, consuming 30% of his True Essence Power.
• He reaches the peak of the Fourth Layer of Body Refining and breaks through to the Fifth Layer after ten days of intense training.
• Zhou Heng encounters a Three-Tailed Wolf Eagle, a demonic beast of the Flesh Refining Realm, and engages in a fierce battle.

Character Developments

• Zhou Heng's skills and confidence grow as he gains a deeper understanding of the Heaven-Soaring Nine Styles and improves his combat abilities.
• He becomes more determined to prove himself to his father and the Zhou Family.

Significant Themes

• The importance of actual combat in improving one's skills and understanding of martial arts.
• The power and danger of demonic beasts, which possess both True Essence Power and immense brute strength.

Character Interactions

• Zhou Heng's internal struggle with his family's expectations and his desire to prove himself.
• His intense, life-threatening battle with the Three-Tailed Wolf Eagle, testing his skills and resolve.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhou Heng faces a powerful Three-Tailed Wolf Eagle, which he manages to kill after entering a special state and grasping the form of the First Form of Heaven-Soaring.
• He discovers that the Black Broken Sword is reacting to something behind a boulder, which the Three-Tailed Wolf Eagle was guarding.
• Eight martial artists from White Jade Valley appear, intending to claim the Three-Tailed Wolf Eagle's corpse and drive Zhou Heng away from the area.

Character Developments

• Zhou Heng demonstrates his determination and obsession with martial arts, willing to risk his life to improve. He successfully grasps the First Form of Heaven-Soaring and shows a desire for revenge against the White Jade Valley disciples.
• The White Jade Valley disciples display arrogance, greed, and a lack of respect for Zhou Heng, underestimating his abilities.

Significant Themes

• The importance of strength and power in the martial world.
• The ruthlessness and greed that can exist among martial artists.
• The value of treasure and resources in the martial world.

Character Interactions

• Zhou Heng faces off against the Three-Tailed Wolf Eagle, demonstrating his skill and determination.
• Zhou Heng interacts with the White Jade Valley disciples, showing restraint despite his anger and planning for future retribution.
• The White Jade Valley disciples interact with each other, displaying their arrogance, greed, and disregard for Zhou Heng.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhou Heng kills Triangular Eyes with a single sword strike, which consumes nearly half of his True Essence Power.
• Zhou Heng plucks an Ink Fruit, guarded by a Three-Tailed Wolf Eagle and recognized by the Black Broken Sword.
• Zhou Heng is chased by the remaining six cultivators but manages to lose them in the dense forest and heavy rain.
• Zhou Heng takes shelter in a cave and consumes the Ink Fruit, which causes his Dantian to expand more than twice its original size.

Character Developments

• Zhou Heng demonstrates his powerful swordsmanship, killing Triangular Eyes with a single strike.
• Zhou Heng shows strategic thinking and resourcefulness in evading his pursuers.
• Zhou Heng's Dantian expands significantly after consuming the Ink Fruit, hinting at future benefits.

Significant Themes

• The power of the Ink Fruit and its potential benefits.
• Zhou Heng's determination and resilience in the face of adversity.
• The consequences of underestimating one's opponent, as seen with Triangular Eyes and the pursuing cultivators.

Character Interactions

• Zhou Heng's encounter with Triangular Eyes and the other cultivators highlights the dangerous and competitive nature of their world.
• Zhou Heng's actions, from killing Triangular Eyes to evading his pursuers, showcase his growing prowess and cunning.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhou Heng explores a cave and finds a secluded valley with a corpse of an expert who might have crossed the Ascension Path.
• He discovers a cultivation technique, "Moon Shadow Heart Art," and a token with the words "Nine Spirits" and "Su" from the corpse.
• Zhou Heng cultivates using the new technique and finds it significantly more efficient than his previous method.
• He decides to pass the technique on to his father, Zhou Dinghai, to help him advance faster.
• At midnight, the Black Broken Sword releases its energy, and Zhou Heng refines it using the Moon Shadow Heart Art.
• A mysterious figure appears on the cliff wall above the pond, startling Zhou Heng.

Character Developments

• Zhou Heng demonstrates resilience and determination as he navigates the cave and discovers the valley.
• He shows curiosity and eagerness to learn when he finds the cultivation technique.
• Zhou Heng reveals his caring nature for his father, planning to help him advance faster in cultivation.
• He displays caution and vigilance when the mysterious figure appears.

Significant Themes

• The importance of time in cultivation and the struggle against the enemy of time.
• The pursuit of stronger cultivation techniques to advance faster.
• The existence of powerful experts who have crossed the Ascension Path and their potential dangers.

Character Interactions

• Zhou Heng interacts with the corpse, treating it with respect by burying it and its belongings.
• There are no other character interactions in this chapter, as Zhou Heng is alone throughout.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhou Heng discovers a mysterious pool in Absolute Valley, with a figure walking on water at night.
• He learns a mystical footwork, which he names the Flying Cloud Steps, by observing the figure.
• Over a month, he masters the form of the Flying Cloud Steps and advances to the Sixth Layer of Body Refining.
• He decides to return home, staying one more night in the valley.

Character Developments

• Zhou Heng's curiosity and adventurous spirit drive him to learn the Flying Cloud Steps.
• His dedication and hard work lead to his mastery of the footwork and significant progress in his cultivation.
• He becomes more introspective and patient, agonizing over fully understanding the Heaven-Soaring Nine Styles.

Significant Themes

• Learning and growth: Zhou Heng's determination to learn the Flying Cloud Steps and his persistent practice of the Heaven-Soaring Nine Styles highlight his dedication to growth and self-improvement.
• Observation and understanding: Zhou Heng's ability to learn the footwork by observing the figure emphasizes the importance of careful observation and understanding in learning new skills.
• Patience and perseverance: Zhou Heng's struggle to fully grasp the Heaven-Soaring Nine Styles underscores the importance of patience and perseverance in mastering complex skills.

Character Interactions

• Zhou Heng interacts with a mysterious figure on the mountain wall, though it's unclear if the figure is aware of his presence.
• There are no other characters in this chapter, as Zhou Heng is alone in the valley.

Plot Points and Events

• Zhou Heng learns the first form of the Heaven-Soaring Nine Styles, significantly increasing his power and efficiency.
• He leaves the valley and encounters Lin Fuxiang, a skilled martial artist, fighting a Green-Eyed Ape.
• Zhou Heng watches Lin Fuxiang's swordsmanship, sees its flaws, and decides to engage her in a duel.

Character Developments

• Zhou Heng:
  • Masters the first form of the Heaven-Soaring Nine Styles, demonstrating significant progress.
  • Shows pride and confidence in his abilities.
• Lin Fuxiang:
  • Displays her skill and pride in her sword technique.
  • Becomes angry and determined when Zhou Heng criticizes her technique.

Significant Themes

• The importance of mastering the essence of a technique over just learning the moves.
• The pride and confidence that come with skill and progress in martial arts.

Character Interactions

• Zhou Heng and Lin Fuxiang:
  • Zhou Heng watches Lin Fuxiang's fight, then criticizes her technique, leading to a duel.
  • Lin Fuxiang becomes angry and determined to prove Zhou Heng wrong.

Plot Points and Events

• Zhou Heng and Lin Fuxiang's fight ends when Zhou Heng demonstrates his superior skill, convincing Lin Fuxiang of his prowess.
• Zhou Heng restores the Flying Waterfall Sword Technique for Lin Fuxiang, greatly improving its power and giving her a chance to break into the Blood Refining Realm.
• Jin Xiuming and his group arrive, recognizing Zhou Heng as the one who killed their comrade. They mock Lin Fuxiang for addressing Zhou Heng as 'Senior' and provoke a fight.

Character Developments

• Lin Fuxiang: Recognizes Zhou Heng's skill, addresses him as 'Senior', and becomes grateful for his guidance. She also shows concern for his well-being.
• Zhou Heng: Initially reluctant to fight Lin Fuxiang, he eventually demonstrates his skill to convince her. He also shows restraint in not harming her and later guides her in improving her sword technique.
• Jin Xiuming: Shows arrogance and disrespect towards Zhou Heng and Lin Fuxiang, provoking a fight.

Significant Themes

• The power of martial arts and skill.
• Respect for elders and those with greater skill.
• Gratitude and repaying kindness.
• Arrogance and disrespect leading to conflict.

Character Interactions

• Zhou Heng and Lin Fuxiang: Initially hostile, they develop a respectful and teacher-student-like relationship after Zhou Heng demonstrates his skill and guides her.
• Lin Fuxiang and Jin Xiuming: Hostile, with Lin Fuxiang defending Zhou Heng against Jin Xiuming's disrespect.
• Zhou Heng and Jin Xiuming: Hostile, with Jin Xiuming provoking a fight and Zhou Heng remaining calm and collected.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Fuxiang and Jin Xiuming's battle: Lin Fuxiang, with her improved Flying Waterfall Sword Technique, gains the upper hand against Jin Xiuming and his three lackeys, forcing them to retreat.
• Zhou Heng reveals his age (17) to Lin Fuxiang, causing her to realize she had been calling him 'Senior' inappropriately, leading to her embarrassment and anger.
• Lin Fuxiang challenges Zhou Heng to help her find a New Year's gift for her father as compensation for her embarrassment.

Character Developments

• Lin Fuxiang: Becomes more formidable after improving her Flying Waterfall Sword Technique. Her pride is hurt when she learns Zhou Heng is younger than her, leading to embarrassment and anger.
• Zhou Heng: Remains calm and composed throughout the events. He reveals his age to Lin Fuxiang without any attempt to deceive her.

Significant Themes

• Pride and embarrassment: Lin Fuxiang's pride is hurt, leading to her anger and desire for compensation.
• Age and experience: The revelation of Zhou Heng's age challenges Lin Fuxiang's initial assumptions about his martial prowess and experience.

Character Interactions

• Lin Fuxiang and Zhou Heng: Their interaction is tense due to Lin Fuxiang's embarrassment and anger. She challenges Zhou Heng to find a New Year's gift for her father as a way to 'teach him a lesson.'
• Lin Fuxiang and Jin Xiuming: Their battle highlights Lin Fuxiang's growth in martial prowess and Jin Xiuming's cowardice and vulgarity.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhou Heng and Lin Fuxiang spend ten days together, with Lin Fuxiang hoping to find treasures to prove her worth.
• Zhou Heng's Black Broken Sword reacts to something underground, leading them to a cave where they encounter a Six-Legged Giant-Headed Beast.
• Zhou Heng uses the Heaven-Soaring Nine Styles to attack the beast, dealing a significant blow but failing to kill it.

Character Developments

• Zhou Heng demonstrates his prowess with the Heaven-Soaring Nine Styles, showing that he's more powerful than his cultivation level suggests.
• Lin Fuxiang shows her knowledge about demonic beasts and their strengths.

Significant Themes

• The power of the Heaven-Soaring Nine Styles is hinted at, showing that it can amplify a martial artist's strength beyond their cultivation level.
• The ferocity and defensive capabilities of demonic beasts are emphasized.

Character Interactions

• Zhou Heng and Lin Fuxiang continue to travel together, with Zhou Heng showing some consideration for Lin Fuxiang's well-being (e.g., saving half a roasted rabbit for her).
• Lin Fuxiang's competitive nature is shown as she wants to prove herself by finding treasures.
• Zhou Heng's impulsive decision to check out the cave leads them to encounter the Six-Legged Giant-Headed Beast.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhou Heng encounters a Six-Legged Giant-Headed Beast while protecting Lin Fuxiang.
• Zhou Heng, at the Sixth Layer of Body Refining, fights the demonic beast at the Bone Refining Peak.
• Zhou Heng uses Lin Fuxiang's sword to wound the beast but cannot deliver a fatal blow.
• The beast turns to attack Lin Fuxiang, but Zhou Heng saves her using the Heaven-Soaring Second Style, killing the beast.
• They explore the demonic beast's lair and discover Earth Rock Cloud Stone.

Character Developments

• Zhou Heng demonstrates his prowess and bravery, proving himself capable even against a powerful demonic beast.
• Lin Fuxiang shows initial disdain for Zhou Heng but later acknowledges his strength and follows him into the beast's lair.

Significant Themes

• Power and strength: Zhou Heng's abilities and determination allow him to face and defeat a powerful demonic beast.
• Courage and selflessness: Zhou Heng risks his life to save Lin Fuxiang, demonstrating his bravery and selflessness.

Character Interactions

• Zhou Heng and Lin Fuxiang: Initially hostile, their relationship evolves as they face the demonic beast together. Lin Fuxiang comes to respect Zhou Heng's strength, and they explore the beast's lair together.
• Zhou Heng and the Six-Legged Giant-Headed Beast: Zhou Heng's determination and skill allow him to overcome the powerful demonic beast, showcasing his growth as a character.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhou Heng learns about Earth Rock Cloud Stone and its use in forging Dharma Artifacts from Lin Fuxiang.
• Lin Fuxiang explains the martial arts realms: Body Refining Realm, Spirit Gathering Realm (including the Three Heavens), and the existence of realms beyond Spirit Gathering.
• Zhou Heng discovers the value of his expanded Dantian space and the potential power he could wield.
• Lin Fuxiang offers Zhou Heng a spot as her father's disciple in the Nine Spirits Sect after the New Year.

Character Developments

• Zhou Heng: Shows curiosity and eagerness to learn about the martial arts realms. Realizes the value of his expanded Dantian space and the potential power he could wield.
• Lin Fuxiang: Patiently explains the martial arts realms to Zhou Heng. Reveals her loyalty by promising to share the Earth Rock Cloud Stone Mine discovery and offering Zhou Heng a spot as her father's disciple.

Significant Themes

• The importance of knowledge and understanding in martial arts progression.
• The value of loyalty and sharing achievements with others.
• The potential power and advantages of having a larger Dantian space.

Character Interactions

• Zhou Heng and Lin Fuxiang: Zhou Heng asks Lin Fuxiang about Earth Rock Cloud Stone, leading to a detailed explanation of the martial arts realms. Lin Fuxiang offers Zhou Heng a spot as her father's disciple, showing her trust and loyalty towards him.
• Lin Fuxiang's Father: Mentioned as a potential master for Zhou Heng, indicating Lin Fuxiang's respect and trust in her father's judgment.

Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhou Heng and Lin Fuxiang part ways after their adventure, each with their own goals.
• Zhou Heng reflects on his journey and the wealth of the Nine Spirits Sect, contrasting it with his own clan's resources.
• He encounters a group of five young men battling a Golden-Crowned Snake, a powerful beast at the Ninth Layer of Body Refining.

Character Developments

• Zhou Heng: He becomes more confident in his abilities and looks forward to surprising his family with his new skills. He also learns about the value of beast meat and the importance of comprehension in martial arts.
• Lin Fuxiang: Though not present, her actions and words continue to influence Zhou Heng's thoughts and understanding of the martial world.

Significant Themes

• Wealth and resources: The contrast between the Zhou Family and the Nine Spirits Sect highlights the importance of resources in martial cultivation.
• Comprehension vs. accumulation: Zhou Heng realizes that while accumulating True Essence Power is important, comprehension is even more crucial on the martial path.
• Risk and reward: Zhou Heng weighs the risks and potential rewards of engaging with the Golden-Crowned Snake, demonstrating his growing maturity and confidence.

Character Interactions

• Zhou Heng and Lin Fuxiang: Though they've parted ways, their shared adventure and Lin Fuxiang's influence continue to shape Zhou Heng's thoughts and actions.
• Zhou Heng and the five young men: Zhou Heng observes their battle with the Golden-Crowned Snake, considering whether to intervene and assessing their strengths.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhou Heng saves four Shi family members from a Golden-Crowned Snake but is disappointed by their ingratitude.
• He kills the Golden-Crowned Snake using the Heaven-Soaring Second Style and the Flying Cloud Steps, suffering severe injuries.
• The four Shi family members return, intending to claim the snake's body and kill Zhou Heng.
• Zhou Heng swears to kill them and uses the Flying Cloud Steps to escape, vowing to take revenge.

Character Developments

• Zhou Heng demonstrates his prowess by killing a Ninth Layer Body Refining demon beast at the Sixth Layer of Body Refining.
• The four Shi family members show their ungrateful and shameless nature, turning against Zhou Heng.

Significant Themes

• Ingratitude and betrayal: The Shi family members repay Zhou Heng's kindness with ingratitude, highlighting the theme of untrustworthiness in this world.
• Revenge: Zhou Heng swears to take revenge on the Shi family members, emphasizing the theme of retribution for wrongdoings.

Character Interactions

• Zhou Heng and the four Shi family members: Zhou Heng saves them, but they turn against him, leading to a confrontation.
• Zhou Heng and the Golden-Crowned Snake: Zhou Heng fights and kills the demon beast, showcasing his skills and determination.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhou Heng recovers and breaks through to the Bone Refining Realm, increasing his strength to 4000 jin.
• He tracks down Shi Gang and his companions, who are eating Golden-Crowned Snake meat.
• Zhou Heng confronts them, killing one in a single strike and wounding Shi Gang.

Character Developments

• Zhou Heng: He breaks through to the Bone Refining Realm, demonstrating increased strength and combat prowess. His killing intent towards the Shi Family grows.
• Shi Gang: He shows his skill with the Wind-Cloud Saber Technique but fails to defeat Zhou Heng, revealing his frustration and desperation.

Significant Themes

• Power and Strength: Zhou Heng's cultivation progress and increased strength highlight the importance of power in the martial world.
• Gratitude and Betrayal: The Shi Family's ungrateful and greedy behavior contrasts with Zhou Heng's initial kindness, emphasizing the theme of betrayal.

Character Interactions

• Zhou Heng vs. Shi Family: The confrontation between Zhou Heng and the Shi Family members escalates, with Zhou Heng demonstrating his superior combat skills and killing intent.
• Zhou Heng's Internal Struggle: Zhou Heng grapples with his desire for revenge and his initial kindness towards the Shi Family, leading to a more ruthless demeanor.

Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhou Heng easily defeats Shi Gang and his men, killing two and injuring Shi Gang.
• Shi Gang escapes, but Zhou Heng is confident he won't return.
• Zhou Heng returns to Raw Stone Town and finds his father, Zhou Dinghai, severely injured.

Character Developments

• Zhou Heng's strength and confidence grow after defeating Shi Gang.
• Zhou Dinghai's injury reveals his vulnerability and the harsh reality of the Zhou Family politics.

Significant Themes

• Family and belonging: Zhou Heng's longing for his father and the Zhou Family.
• Power dynamics: Zhou Heng's rise in strength contrasts with his father's vulnerability, highlighting the importance of power in the Zhou Family.

Character Interactions

• Zhou Heng and Shi Gang's duel showcases Zhou Heng's growth and Shi Gang's underestimation of him.
• Zhou Heng and Zhou Dinghai's reunion is filled with concern, love, and tension due to Zhou Dinghai's injury.

• Zhou Heng discovers his father, Zhou Dinghai, gravely injured after competing for a divine medicine.
• Zhou Heng reveals he can now cultivate and shows Zhou Dinghai the Moon Shadow Heart Art, a powerful cultivation technique.
• Zhou Dinghai warns Zhou Heng about the technique's secrecy and advises him to focus on cultivation.
• Zhou Heng confronts a servant, Zhao Si, who has been mistreating and insulting Zhou Dinghai, leading to Zhao Si's death.
• Zhou Heng vows to avenge his father, no matter the enemy's strength or background.