Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• The chapter introduces the Nine Palace Living Stakes, a martial art taught by the Military Service Bureau, which is crucial for the disciples' future.
• Lu Ming, the protagonist, aims to rank in the top two hundred to secure his future as a martial artist.
• Shen Jue, a wealthy disciple, visits Lu Ming, seeking luxurious item ideas to impress his friends and offers Lu Ming a job if he fails the exam.

Character Developments

• Lu Ming: He adapts quickly to his new life and is determined to secure a future as a martial artist. He uses his knowledge from his past life to trade with Shen Jue for medicine to aid his training.
• Shen Jue: He is arrogant and dismissive of those less fortunate, viewing Lu Ming as a potential servant if he fails the exam. He is easily impressed by luxurious and extravagant ideas.

Significant Themes

• The disparity between the wealthy and the commoners, and how it affects one's opportunities and future.
• The importance of martial arts training and the grand examination in determining one's fate.
• The role of luck and family background in one's strength and success.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ming and Shen Jue: Lu Ming trades his knowledge of luxurious items for medicine from Shen Jue, while Shen Jue views Lu Ming as a potential servant if he fails the exam.
• Lu Ming and other disciples: Lu Ming overhears other disciples complaining about the unfairness of the system, highlighting the resentment among the commoners towards the wealthy.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ming evolves his Acupoint Divine Ability to Heaven Leak, which allows him to see the flaws or "acupoints" of objects and strike them to increase his own momentum.
• He discovers he can reach the whole-body force level and trains intensively for an hour, gaining 10 acupoint experience points.
• The Military Service Bureau director, Wei Jinlin, stops teaching the Nine Palace Living Stakes after ten days, leaving the disciples to practice on their own.
• Zhu Ming, a disciple, demonstrates his ability to achieve nine breaks in three breaths, successfully entering the skin-tempering realm of martial arts, and is given a brass key to a large courtyard.

Character Developments

• Lu Ming evolves his Acupoint Divine Ability, gains a new skill, and becomes more motivated to train.
• Zhu Ming showcases his talent and enters the skin-tempering realm, earning a brass key to a large courtyard.

Significant Themes

• The importance of hard work and dedication in martial arts cultivation.
• The disparity between the rich and the poor, with the wealthy having more opportunities to excel in martial arts.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ming interacts briefly with Shen Jue, acknowledging him but not engaging in conversation.
• Zhu Ming interacts with Wei Jinlin, demonstrating his skill and receiving a brass key as a reward.
• Lu Ming watches Zhu Ming's performance, feeling both surprised and relieved that the attention is not on him.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ming meets Wei Jinlin, who acknowledges his Integrated Force cultivation and gives him a white training uniform and a wooden token for practice.
• Lu Ming sees Li Youning, who offers him ten doses of injury medicine and friendship, believing he has talent in lightness skills.
• Lu Ming accepts the gift and Li Youning's friendship, planning to use this opportunity to evolve his Heaven Leak Divine Ability faster.

Character Developments

• Lu Ming: Shows maturity and clear-headedness in the face of temptation, deciding to accept Li Youning's gift only after understanding her intentions. He also shows ambition, aiming to become a top martial artist.
• Li Youning: Reveals her strategic side, using her family's dire situation as a motivation to recruit talented disciples. She shows a hint of admiration for Lu Ming's clear-headedness.

Significant Themes

• Talent and Hard Work: Lu Ming's talent is recognized, but he's also praised for his hard work. Li Youning admires his dedication.
• Opportunism: Both Lu Ming and Li Youning take advantage of the situation to further their goals—Lu Ming accepts the gift to aid his training, while Li Youning recruits Lu Ming to help her family.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ming and Wei Jinlin: Wei Jinlin acknowledges Lu Ming's cultivation and gives him necessary items for practice, showing he's not entirely unfair.
• Lu Ming and Li Youning: Li Youning offers Lu Ming friendship and injury medicine, while Lu Ming accepts, seeing an opportunity to aid his training. They form an alliance of sorts.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ming discovers that Wei Jinlin, the Military Service Bureau's director and martial instructor, also manages the utility room, suggesting his stinginess.
• Lu Ming starts training with the Wooden Tablet Nine Palace Stakes, aiming to shatter all nine tablets within three breaths.
• He manages to hit all nine tablets in five breaths and evolves his Acupoint Divine Ability to 40/1000 experience points.
• Lu Ming sees two disciples harassing a third, Li Hu, for help in finding an anthill.

Character Developments

• Lu Ming demonstrates determination and dedication to his training, pushing himself to improve.
• Wei Jinlin's stinginess is further emphasized, as he expects disciples to buy more training tablets with their own money if they run out.
• Li Hu is introduced as a disciple with the ability to find things, suggesting he might have a unique divine ability.

Significant Themes

• Stinginess: Wei Jinlin's character is defined by his stinginess, affecting the disciples' training and resources.
• Dedication and Persistence: Lu Ming's commitment to his training highlights the importance of hard work and perseverance in martial arts cultivation.
• Unique Abilities: Li Hu's ability to find things foreshadows the diversity of divine abilities among the disciples.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ming interacts with Wei Jinlin briefly, revealing the director's stinginess.
• Lu Ming observes two disciples harassing Li Hu, hinting at potential conflicts and power dynamics among the disciples.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ming finds Li Hu being bullied by two men in the forest.
• Lu Ming scares off the bullies with his status as a senior brother.
• Li Hu gives Lu Ming a lead box containing the 'Bone-Unraveling Technique' manual.
• Lu Ming learns that the manual contains a finger technique cultivation method, which he believes could speed up his Acupoint Divine Ability's evolution.
• Lu Ming shares a training tip with Li Hu, suggesting he think of the Nine Palace Living Stakes as a maze.
• Lu Ming reads the manual and learns about an ancient lineage that focused on acupoints, which has since vanished.
• Lu Ming practices the finger techniques from the manual in anticipation of using them on the wooden board the next day.

Character Developments

• Lu Ming: Shows courage in standing up for Li Hu, gains a new finger technique manual, and shares his knowledge with Li Hu.
• Li Hu: Demonstrates his skill in finding things, gives Lu Ming the manual, and receives training advice from Lu Ming.

Significant Themes

• Kindness and Repayment: Li Hu repays Lu Ming's kindness by giving him the manual.
• Mentorship: Lu Ming shares his knowledge with Li Hu, showing a mentoring role.
• Ancient Knowledge: The mention of the vanished acupoint-focused lineage hints at the loss of ancient knowledge.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ming and Li Hu: Lu Ming stands up for Li Hu, and Li Hu gives Lu Ming the manual and receives training advice from him.
• Lu Ming and the bullies: Lu Ming scares off the bullies with his status as a senior brother.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ming starts training on the Wooden Tablet Nine Palace Stakes using finger techniques from the Bone-Unraveling Technique.
• He gains 42 experience points in one go, doubling his daily progress.
• After ten days of diligent training, he reaches 920 experience points, 80 short of evolving the Acupoint Divine Ability.
• The Military Service Bureau is invaded in the early hours, and Wei Jinlin defends it, demonstrating his terrifying strength.

Character Developments

• Lu Ming improves his skills and gains experience points rapidly, nearing another evolution of his Acupoint Divine Ability.
• Wei Jinlin reveals his formidable strength, showing he can defend the Military Service Bureau alone.

Significant Themes

• The importance of hard work and dedication in improving one's skills and abilities.
• The dangerous and competitive nature of the martial world, where even the Military Service Bureau is targeted.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ming interacts with other cultivators at the Military Service Bureau, drawing attention due to his rapid progress.
• Lu Ming witnesses Wei Jinlin's strength firsthand, inspiring him to work harder and raising his respect for the bureau chief.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wei Jinlin is apologized to by the heads of the top martial families in the city due to a misunderstanding.
• Wu San, a disciple, reveals he has reached the Three Breaths Nine Breaks realm, showing off his power.
• Lu Ming evolves his Acupoint Divine Ability to Point Kill.

Character Developments

• Wei Jinlin maintains his composure and authority, showing no fear despite the mention of demons.
• Wu San demonstrates his ambition and strength, revealing his hidden power.
• Lu Ming evolves his ability and gains a new skill, Point Kill, enhancing his combat capabilities.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics and respect within the martial arts world.
• The importance of hiding one's true strength and revealing it at the right moment.
• The value of hard work and dedication in martial arts training.

Character Interactions

• Wei Jinlin interacts with the clan heads, maintaining his dignity and authority.
• Wu San interacts with other disciples, flaunting his newfound power and status.
• Li Youning interacts with Lu Ming, showing concern for his progress and offering assistance.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ming receives the Grass Gliding manual and Qi-Nurturing Powder from Li Youning in exchange for a promise to help the Li Family if he can.
• Shen Jue and Wu San arrive to recruit Lu Ming but leave after finding Li Youning there.
• Lu Ming starts practicing the Grass Gliding lightness skill.

Character Developments

• Lu Ming shows talent in lightness skills and is eager to improve.
• Li Youning demonstrates her strategic thinking and desperation to save her family by recruiting Lu Ming.
• Shen Jue reveals his ambition and disregard for the Li Family's plight.

Significant Themes

• The struggle for power and resources among the great families.
• The importance of talent and cultivation in the martial world.
• The potential for lightness skills to evolve into a divine ability.

Character Interactions

• Li Youning and Lu Ming form an agreement, with Li Youning providing resources and Lu Ming promising aid.
• Shen Jue and Li Youning have a tense confrontation, revealing their families' enmity.
• Lu Ming's determination to improve his skills is reinforced by his interactions with these characters.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ming evolves his first Leg Dao Divine Ability, Grass Gliding, which enhances his movement speed and agility.
• He breakthroughs to the Skin Refining realm, gaining the ability to manipulate Blood-Qi Power.
• Lu Ming demonstrates his Three Breaths Nine Breaks skill to Wei Jinlin, earning the right to live in the compound and train on the Stone Tablet Nine Palace Stakes.

Character Developments

• Lu Ming's excitement and anticipation grow as he nears the evolution of his first Leg Dao Divine Ability.
• He becomes more confident in his abilities, particularly after reaching the Skin Refining realm.

Significant Themes

• The power of martial arts and the transformation of the body.
• The importance of perseverance and dedication in cultivation, as seen in Lu Ming's consistent training.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ming interacts with Wei Jinlin, demonstrating his skills and earning the master's recognition.
• Lu Ming's thoughts briefly turn to Li Youning, who is absent from the Martial Arts Arena.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ming demonstrates the Three Breaths Nine Breaks technique to Master Wei, who rewards him with a key to a grand courtyard.
• Lu Ming is surrounded by disciples offering congratulations and seeking his favor.
• Shen Jue and Chen Jinyang discuss Lu Ming's progress and the impending downfall of the Li Family Bank.
• Lu Ming moves into his grand courtyard and finds it empty, as no one visits due to Shen Jue's influence.
• Li Hu visits Lu Ming to warn him about the others' attitudes and delivers a message about the Li Family Bank's situation.

Character Developments

• Lu Ming gains respect and admiration from his peers after his rapid progress, but also faces isolation due to his association with Li Youning.
• Li Hu shows loyalty and concern for Lu Ming, despite not receiving any benefits from him.

Significant Themes

• Power Dynamics: Lu Ming's newfound strength brings him respect but also isolation, highlighting the power dynamics within the martial arts world.
• Loyalty and Friendship: Li Hu's actions demonstrate loyalty and concern for Lu Ming, contrasting with the opportunistic behavior of other disciples.
• Conflict and Rivalry: The impending conflict between the Li Family Bank and other major families is a looming threat, affecting Lu Ming's relationships and alliances.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ming interacts with various disciples, experiencing both respect and isolation due to his association with Li Youning.
• Lu Ming and Li Hu's interaction shows a growing friendship, with Lu Ming showing concern for Li Hu's injury and Li Hu warning Lu Ming about the others' attitudes.
• Shen Jue and Chen Jinyang discuss Lu Ming's progress and the Li Family Bank's situation, revealing their rivalry with the Li Family and their influence over other disciples.

Chapter Summary: “Li Youning’s Letter”

Key Plot Points and Events

• A crowd gathers outside the Li Family Bank in Red Cloud County, demanding to withdraw their money amid rumors that the bank is about to collapse.
• The Li family assembles in panic. Li Mingyuan, the family head, rejects his eldest son Li Yunfei’s suggestion to drive the crowd away, warning that doing so would destroy the bank’s reputation.
• Li Youning correctly suggests appeasing the depositors quickly, but admits she does not know how to handle the crisis.
• Li Mingyuan reveals that he has arranged a temporary deception: people posing as representatives of the Golden Tripod Bank deliver silver and valuables, causing the customers to retreat.
• He then admits that the money came from the Li bank’s own treasury and that the Golden Tripod Bank’s assistance has not yet arrived.
• The crisis worsens when martial artists challenge the bank’s ability to protect its customers. They announce a martial arena contest in three days, consisting of three matches against guards of different cultivation levels: Meat Refining, Skin Refining Major Completion, and Skin Refining. Winning two matches will supposedly prove that the bank can no longer safeguard its clients’ wealth.
• Li Mingyuan insists that the Li family cannot handle the challenge alone and asks whether anyone can recruit powerful martial artists.
• Li Yunping suggests using the family treasury to hire help, but Li Mingyuan refuses, explaining that the remaining funds must be preserved in case the bank loses and depositors demand their money.
• Li Yunping reminds the family that the last two hundred liang of silver was spent by Li Youning to invest in Lu Ming, a promising Grass Gliding practitioner.
• Blamed by the family, Li Youning writes Lu Ming a letter asking for help. However, Li Mingyuan realizes that Lu Ming may not yet have reached Skin Refining Major Completion, the minimum level required to leave the Military Service Bureau.

Character Developments

• Li Mingyuan: Demonstrates experience and strategic thinking by temporarily deceiving the crowd, but his pessimism reveals that he understands the Li family’s decline. He remains protective of the family treasury and tries to prevent internal blame during the crisis.
• Li Yunfei: Shows courage and willingness to act, but his impulsiveness and preference for force are criticized by his father.
• Li Yunping: Appears cautious and financially minded, but he becomes openly critical of Li Youning after her investment consumes the family’s remaining discretionary funds.
• Li Youning: Initially displays sound judgment by recommending immediate appeasement, but she feels guilty and pressured when her investment in Lu Ming is blamed for the family’s financial predicament. Despite uncertainty, she takes responsibility by sending him a letter.
• Lu Ming: Continues training Grass Gliding and has reached 90 out of 100 experience points toward evolving his Leg Dao Divine Ability. His progress suggests he may soon gain a major power increase. He receives Li Youning’s letter and reacts with sudden seriousness, implying that its contents are urgent.
• Wei Jinlin: Appears as Lu Ming’s instructor and delivers the letter personally, humorously acting as both martial authority and mail carrier.

Significant Themes

• Decline of a once-powerful family: The Li family has lost the influence and retainers once provided by the deceased old master, exposing the inadequacy of its current descendants.
• Financial fragility and survival: The bank’s crisis shows how quickly confidence can collapse and how financial institutions depend on public trust.
• Reputation versus reality: The Li family survives temporarily through appearances and deception, but the underlying weakness remains unresolved.
• Investment and responsibility: Li Youning’s investment in Lu Ming represents a risky attempt to preserve the family’s future, now judged against an immediate crisis.
• Family conflict under pressure: Fear and financial desperation lead the siblings to blame one another, while Li Mingyuan attempts to maintain unity.
• Potential before achievement: Lu Ming’s promise is recognized, but his usefulness depends on whether he has reached the required cultivation level in time.

Character Interactions

• Li Mingyuan rebukes Li Yunfei for suggesting violence and emphasizes the consequences of alienating the bank’s customers.
• He consults the family and looks to Li Yunping and Li Youning for solutions, though their limited abilities disappoint him.
• Li Yunping criticizes Li Youning for spending the family’s last available funds on Lu Ming, while she defends the decision as an investment in the family’s future.
• Li Mingyuan stops Li Yunping from continuing to attack Li Youning, insisting that the family focus on survival rather than assigning blame.
• At the Military Service Bureau, Wei Jinlin delivers Li Youning’s letter to Lu Ming. Lu Ming’s expression hardens after reading it, setting up his likely involvement in the Li family’s impending martial challenge.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Li Family Bank faces closure due to weak guards, and Li Youning requests Lu Ming's help.
• Lu Ming demonstrates his ability to pass the Stone Tablet Nine Palaces Stakes in one breath, shattering the stone tablets.
• Lu Ming decides to learn the Smooth Ascent to the Clouds lightness skill from Wei Jinlin, instead of the Nine Palaces Palm.

Character Developments

• Lu Ming shows significant improvement in his skills and confidence, proving his prowess to Wei Jinlin.
• Wei Jinlin reveals his knowledge of the struggles of the great families and shows approval of Lu Ming's loyalty to Li Youning.

Significant Themes

• The importance of traditions and orthodoxy in cultivation, as mentioned by Wei Jinlin.
• The value of talent and the need to contend with others on the martial path.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ming and Wei Jinlin have a conversation about Lu Ming's future cultivation path, with Wei Jinlin offering to teach Lu Ming the Smooth Ascent to the Clouds lightness skill.
• Lu Ming expresses his desire to help Li Youning, showing his loyalty and gratitude towards her.

Chapter Summary: “The First Leg Dao Divine Ability, Godly Movement!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• After Wei Jinlin demonstrates the formidable Cloud-Stepping Technique, Lu Ming becomes determined to replace his simpler Grass Gliding practice with this superior lightness skill.
• He spends his remaining cultivation time over the next three days training the Cloud-Stepping Technique in preparation for his upcoming arena battle at the Li Family Bank.
• After only one complete practice session, his Leg Dao Divine Ability experience rises sharply from 90 to 94. Lu Ming realizes that martial arts of different grades provide different amounts of bonus experience:
  • Lower-grade techniques offer smaller bonuses.
  • First-rate techniques such as Cloud-Stepping provide a much larger increase.
• Continued practice quickly raises his experience beyond the required threshold, allowing him to evolve his first Leg Dao Divine Ability: Godly Movement.
• Lu Ming tests the ability and discovers that it preserves and continually strengthens his forward momentum. Unlike ordinary inertia, which fades when a person stops, Godly Movement’s inertial force never dissipates and instead grows as he runs.
• The ability gives him the potential to accelerate to astonishing speeds, possibly even the speed of light, though his physical body currently cannot withstand such force for long.
• After three days of further cultivation, his Leg Dao experience reaches 328/1000, putting him on track to evolve another ability in roughly six more days.
• On the morning of the arena battle, Lu Ming leaves the Military Service Bureau and crosses into the bustling county town, ready for the day’s confrontation.

Character Development

• Lu Ming becomes more ambitious and strategic in his cultivation. He recognizes the value of collecting high-grade martial arts to accelerate his Divine Ability evolution.
• He gains confidence after obtaining Godly Movement, realizing that his Leg Dao abilities may eventually allow him to move through the clouds and achieve extraordinary speed.
• At the same time, he learns an important limitation: powerful abilities still depend on his body’s endurance, and uncontrolled use could seriously injure or kill him.
• His disciplined preparation shows his growing maturity as he balances the temptation to continue cultivating with the immediate demands of the arena battle.
• Wei Jinlin, though absent after the opening, influences Lu Ming through his earlier demonstration and instruction in the Cloud-Stepping Technique.

Significant Themes

• Cultivation through accumulation: Small improvements and repeated practice rapidly build toward major breakthroughs.
• Value of martial arts quality: Higher-grade techniques provide greater benefits, encouraging Lu Ming to seek out and master diverse martial arts.
• Power and physical limitation: Godly Movement offers nearly limitless acceleration, but Lu Ming’s body cannot yet safely support its full potential.
• Preparation before conflict: Lu Ming uses the three days before the arena battle to strengthen himself rather than entering the confrontation unprepared.
• Freedom and transcendence: The imagery of stepping into the clouds reflects Lu Ming’s growing desire to surpass ordinary human limitations.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ming’s primary interaction is with Wei Jinlin, whose impressive use and explanation of Cloud-Stepping inspire Lu Ming to learn it.
• Most of the chapter focuses on Lu Ming’s internal discoveries, experimentation, and interaction with his Divine Ability Panel rather than extended dialogue.
• His final movement into the crowded town marks his transition from solitary cultivation back into the wider martial world and toward his coming battle.

Summary of “Arena Battle”

Key Plot Points and Events

• A public arena battle is held outside Li Family Bank, with the Li Family fighting to defend its reputation and avoid collapse after its financial decline.
• In the first match, Li Yunfei fights a Flesh Refining martial artist. He loses an arm but fatally pierces his opponent’s chest, then declares that anyone targeting the Li Family must be prepared to risk their life. He tells his family that winning one of the next two matches will secure victory.
• Guo Yuan of the Wei Yuan Escort Agency enters the second match. Although the Li Family’s head, Li Mingyuan, reminds him that his father once owed the Li Family a great debt, Guo Yuan justifies his actions by claiming he is acting for the public good.
• With Li Yunping absent and no stronger fighter available, Li Youning is pressured to represent the family. She feels especially guilty because she previously squandered two hundred taels that could have been used to recruit a powerful martial artist.
• Li Youning attacks Guo Yuan with the Frost Moon Sword Art, but Guo Yuan calmly defends himself with his sheathed weapon. He deliberately allows her to build up her strongest technique, “Shadow Reflection Return to Void.”
• At the moment of her attack, Guo Yuan draws his blade and counters with the Six Harmonies Blade Technique. He disarms and kicks Li Youning from the arena.
• Guo Yuan reveals that he used the fight to break through from Skin Refining to Flesh Refining, greatly increasing his status and future prospects.
• Just as the Li Family appears doomed, Lu Ming arrives and catches the defeated Li Youning. He reveals that he has not come merely as a Skin Refining fighter but intends to participate in the ongoing arena battle.
• Lu Ming steps onto the arena to face the next opponent, a burly martial artist who appears to specialize in leg techniques.

Character Developments

• Li Yunfei demonstrates courage and loyalty by sacrificing an arm to win the first match. His actions become a source of pressure and inspiration for the Li Family.
• Li Mingyuan becomes increasingly suspicious of the Wei Yuan Escort Agency’s motives and disappointed by Li Yunping’s absence. His anger also reflects the family’s desperate circumstances.
• Li Youning is burdened by guilt over wasting the money that could have strengthened the family. Despite this, she bravely accepts responsibility and fights fiercely. Her defeat leaves her feeling that she has failed both her family and Li Yunfei.
• Guo Yuan is shown to be confident, calculating, and ambitious. He disguises his true strength, manipulates Li Youning into helping him break through, and reaches the Flesh Refining realm during the battle.
• Lu Ming makes a dramatic entrance at the Li Family’s moment of crisis. His arrival suggests unexpected strength and a willingness to honor his friendship with Li Youning.

Significant Themes

• Loyalty and sacrifice: Li Yunfei’s willingness to lose an arm for the family contrasts with others’ avoidance of responsibility.
• Decline and opportunism: The Li Family’s weakened position encourages other forces to attack it, revealing how quickly former alliances can turn into exploitation.
• Guilt and responsibility: Li Youning believes her financial mistake contributed directly to the family’s predicament and takes the burden upon herself.
• Growth through adversity: Guo Yuan turns a dangerous battle into an opportunity for advancement, while Lu Ming’s entrance hints that crisis may also create opportunities for unexpected heroes.
• Appearances versus true motives: Guo Yuan claims to act for the greater good, but his actions suggest personal ambition and an alliance with forces seeking to bring down the Li Family.

Character Interactions

• Li Yunfei reassures Li Mingyuan after his victory and emphasizes the importance of the remaining matches.
• Li Mingyuan confronts Guo Yuan over his betrayal of the Li Family’s past favor, but Guo Yuan dismisses the accusation.
• The Li Family’s silent blame pressures Li Youning into fighting, intensifying her guilt.
• Guo Yuan exploits Li Youning’s sword technique and determination to force his own breakthrough.
• Lu Ming catches and comforts Li Youning after her defeat, then directly takes her place in the arena, restoring a measure of hope to the Li Family.

Chapter Summary: “Your Momentum Is Too Low”

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ming enters an arena match against Chu Wufeng of the Red Snake Gang, marking his first direct fight against another martial artist.
• Initially unsure how to begin, Lu Ming chooses to observe Chu Wufeng’s fighting style rather than attack immediately.
• Chu Wufeng uses aggressive leg techniques to seize the initiative, while Lu Ming retreats with his lightness skill, Grass Gliding.
• Lu Ming activates Godly Movement, which allows him to preserve and build up the momentum created by his movement. Although he continually evades Chu Wufeng, his speed and momentum do not diminish.
• Chu Wufeng gradually exhausts himself, while Lu Ming remains in peak condition. Lu Ming then converts his accumulated inertia into striking power and lands a punch that overwhelms Chu Wufeng’s powerful kick.
• Lu Ming reveals that his physical strength is normally about five hundred jin, but Godly Movement allows him to unleash force approaching one thousand jin. The strain leaves his fist injured, but he successfully defeats Chu Wufeng.
• As Lu Ming turns to leave, Chu Wufeng secretly takes a Blood Explosion Pill, temporarily raising his strength and momentum to the Skin Refining Major Completion level.
• Chu Wufeng launches a surprise attack, intending to kill Lu Ming. Lu Ming calmly evades the fatal kick and uses the divine ability Point Kill to destroy Chu Wufeng’s heart with a single touch.
• Lu Ming explains that Chu Wufeng’s apparent breakthrough is only temporary and that his momentum remains inferior: “A fake will always be a fake.”
• With Chu Wufeng’s death, the Li Family wins the arena contest two matches to one, preserving the future of Li Family Bank.
• The crowd then notices the arrival of Pavilion Master Qin, a major figure from the Heavenly Secret Pavilion, whose presence shocks Li Mingyuan and everyone nearby.

2. Character Developments

• Lu Ming gains practical combat experience and learns how to apply his abilities against a real martial artist. He discovers that Godly Movement can transform accumulated inertia into offensive strength, not merely improve his evasion.
• Lu Ming demonstrates growing confidence and composure. He begins the fight cautiously but recognizes the turning point, exploits Chu Wufeng’s exhaustion, and remains calm even when facing a supposedly stronger opponent.
• His use of Point Kill reveals that his most dangerous ability is not his physical strength but his precise and lethal divine technique.
• Chu Wufeng is established as a powerful and aggressive fighter within his rank, but his reliance on momentum and endurance becomes a weakness when Lu Ming refuses to engage on his terms.
• Chu Wufeng’s desperation and willingness to use the Blood Explosion Pill show his ruthlessness and fear of defeat. The pill grants him temporary power but cannot overcome Lu Ming’s superior momentum and technique.
• Li Mingyuan shifts from confidence in the arena contest to alarm when Lu Ming is ambushed, then to astonishment and delight when Lu Ming survives and wins.
• Li Youning remains concerned for Lu Ming and warns him of Chu Wufeng’s surprise attack, showing her support and emotional investment in his safety.
• Pavilion Master Qin’s arrival introduces a powerful new figure whose interest in Lu Ming may become significant.

3. Significant Themes

• Momentum and initiative in combat: The chapter emphasizes that battle is not determined by strength alone. The fighter who controls the pace can gain a major advantage, while losing initiative can sharply reduce one’s effectiveness.
• Adaptability over brute force: Lu Ming wins by studying Chu Wufeng, avoiding his strongest attacks, and allowing his opponent to exhaust himself rather than meeting force with force immediately.
• True versus artificial strength: Chu Wufeng’s temporary power from the Blood Explosion Pill cannot match Lu Ming’s naturally sustained momentum. The chapter contrasts genuine mastery with an unstable, forced breakthrough.
• Hidden potential and experimentation: Lu Ming discovers a new application of Godly Movement during battle, showing that his abilities continue to develop through practical experience.
• Desperation and moral consequence: Chu Wufeng’s decision to launch a lethal attack after losing transforms the match from a contest into a life-or-death conflict, justifying Lu Ming’s decision to kill him.
• Hope for the Li Family: The victory prevents Li Family Bank from being pushed to the brink, suggesting that the family’s fortunes may be beginning to recover.

4. Character Interactions

• Lu Ming and Chu Wufeng engage in a battle of contrasting styles: Chu Wufeng attacks relentlessly with powerful kicks, while Lu Ming relies on evasion, timing, and accumulating momentum.
• Lu Ming’s calm declaration that Chu Wufeng has lost contrasts with Chu Wufeng’s wounded pride and refusal to accept defeat.
• Li Youning’s warning allows the reader to see the danger of Chu Wufeng’s final attack and highlights her concern for Lu Ming.
• Li Mingyuan prepares to intervene when Lu Ming is threatened, demonstrating his protective attitude, but is forced to stand aside when Lu Ming defeats Chu Wufeng himself.
• The crowd’s changing reactions—from doubt and hostility to astonishment and support—reflect Lu Ming’s growing reputation.
• Li Mingyuan’s respectful greeting to Pavilion Master Qin signals the importance of Qin’s status and sets up a potentially important future interaction.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Qin Zhonghai, the Heavenly Secret Pavilion's Vice Pavilion Master, arrives at the arena, drawing everyone's attention.
• Lu Ming trades his Grass Gliding manual for Qin Zhonghai's Water Gliding manual.
• Qin Zhonghai meets with local influential figures: Guo Zhengwei, Yin Zheng, Zhu Lie, and Han Tieyi.
• Qin Zhonghai praises Guo Yuan but shows no interest in the other disciples presented to him.

Character Developments

• Lu Ming: Shows exceptional talent in lightness skills, catching Qin Zhonghai's attention.
• Qin Zhonghai: Demonstrates his status and influence, showing interest in Lu Ming's potential.
• Guo Yuan: Receives individual praise from Qin Zhonghai, boosting his confidence.

Significant Themes

• Talent and Potential: Qin Zhonghai's interest in Lu Ming highlights the importance of talent and potential in martial arts cultivation.
• Influence and Status: Qin Zhonghai's arrival and the reactions of local influential figures emphasize the power dynamics in Red Cloud County.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ming and Qin Zhonghai: Lu Ming trades a lightness skill manual with Qin Zhonghai, and Qin Zhonghai shows interest in Lu Ming's potential.
• Qin Zhonghai and Local Influential Figures: Qin Zhonghai meets with Guo Zhengwei, Yin Zheng, Zhu Lie, and Han Tieyi, highlighting their status and the Heavenly Secret Pavilion's influence.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Family wins the arena battle, but Li Yunfei loses an arm.
• Qin Zhonghai's appearance intimidates the other families, ending the competition.
• Li Family hosts a feast for Lu Ming, rewarding him with 300 taels of silver and Sweet Dew Powder.
• A sudden fire and demon attack occur in Red Cloud County while Lu Ming returns to the Military Service Bureau.

Character Developments

• Lu Ming gains recognition and rewards from the Li Family, boosting his confidence and resources.
• Guo Yuan gains recognition for his performance in the arena, boosting his ego and pride.
• Li Yunping apologizes to Li Youning, acknowledging her good judgment in winning Lu Ming over.

Significant Themes

• The power of cultivation and the importance of talented individuals.
• The influence of family background and resources on cultivation progress.
• The consequences of underestimating opponents, as seen in the Li Family's initial overconfidence.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ming and the Li Family: Lu Ming wins the Li Family's respect and gratitude, leading to rewards and recognition.
• Guo Yuan and his father Guo Zhengwei: Guo Yuan's success in the arena leads to praise and celebration from his father.
• Li Yunping and Li Youning: Li Yunping apologizes to Li Youning, acknowledging her contribution to saving the Li Family.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Ming returns to the Military Service Bureau, nearly getting into trouble with Wu San, who suspects Lu Ming of hiding a treasure from the woods.
• Wei Jinlin intervenes, revealing that Lu Ming has passed the Stone Tablet Nine Palace Stakes, allowing him to freely enter and leave the Military Service Bureau.
• Shen Jue regrets not recruiting Lu Ming earlier, but Chen Jinyang advises against it due to potential consequences involving the Red Snake Gang and that one.

Character Developments

• Lu Ming demonstrates his talent in finger techniques, passing the Stone Tablet Nine Palace Stakes, and shows kindness towards Li Hu.
• Wu San reveals his greed and bullying nature, targeting Lu Ming and Li Hu.
• Shen Jue shows regret and ambition, considering recruiting Lu Ming but ultimately deciding against it due to potential risks.

Significant Themes

• Talent and ambition: Lu Ming's talent is recognized, while Shen Jue's ambition leads him to regret not recruiting Lu Ming earlier.
• Loyalty and gratitude: Li Hu's loyalty to Lu Ming is shown, and Lu Ming reciprocates by giving Li Hu wound medicine.
• Greed and bullying: Wu San's greed and bullying behavior are exposed, leading to potential conflicts.

Character Interactions

• Lu Ming and Wei Jinlin: Wei Jinlin supports Lu Ming, revealing his talent and allowing him free access to the Military Service Bureau.
• Lu Ming and Wu San: Tension builds between Lu Ming and Wu San due to Wu San's greed and bullying.
• Shen Jue and Chen Jinyang: Shen Jue considers recruiting Lu Ming but is advised against it by Chen Jinyang due to potential risks.
• Lu Ming and Li Hu: Lu Ming shows kindness and gratitude towards Li Hu, giving him wound medicine and asking for martial arts manuals. Li Hu reciprocates with loyalty and a desire to help Lu Ming.

Chapter Summary

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• After four days of training with Sweet Dew Powder, Lu Ming’s Leg Dao experience reaches the required threshold of 1,000.
• His Cloud-Stepping Technique evolves his second Leg Dao Divine Ability: Earth-Splitting.
• Earth-Splitting allows him to gather immense force in his feet and potentially crack the ground within a three-zhang radius. Its power will increase as his cultivation improves.
• Lu Ming refrains from testing it in the Military Service Bureau courtyard, fearing he would damage the grounds and have to answer to Wei Jinlin.
• Wei Jinlin visits after Lu Ming reaches the entry level of Cloud-Stepping Technique. Lu Ming pays him three hundred taels and asks to learn both a finger technique and a palm technique.
• Wei Jinlin agrees to teach him the second-rate Cloud-Piercing Finger, but sets a condition: if Lu Ming reaches Major Completion Skin Refining within seven days, he will also teach him a palm technique.
• Wei Jinlin begins to suspect that Lu Ming may possess the broad martial aptitude required to cultivate the rare Formless Divine Art, though he remains cautious.
• The chapter also explains the rise of Zhou Zhen, an expelled Lingyun Sect disciple who has returned to establish Chongyun Bank. His arrival led local powers to destroy the Li Family Bank in an attempt to curry favor with him.
• Lu Ming begins cultivating Cloud-Piercing Finger that evening, intending to test the experience benefits of second-rate martial arts.

2. Character Developments

• Lu Ming continues to compensate for merely average cultivation talent through relentless training and the Divine Ability Panel. He grows more confident in his future, believing he can eventually become a “Divine Lord of Myriad Daos.”
• He demonstrates increasing ambition by attempting to learn multiple martial arts simultaneously rather than focusing on only one.
• Lu Ming also shows caution and social awareness: he suppresses his curiosity about Earth-Splitting to avoid damaging Wei Jinlin’s courtyard and treats his concerns about Zhou Zhen as partly humorous rather than genuine fear.
• Wei Jinlin remains stern and pragmatic, criticizing Lu Ming’s slow progress in Cloud-Stepping Technique. However, he begins taking Lu Ming’s unusual ability to learn many martial arts seriously.
• Wei Jinlin’s interest shifts from simple instruction to evaluating whether Lu Ming might be suited for the Formless Divine Art.
• Zhou Zhen is established as a powerful former Lingyun Sect disciple whose reputation has reshaped Red Cloud County’s political and commercial landscape, even though he has not yet appeared directly.
• The Li Family becomes increasingly vulnerable following the collapse of its bank and Li Youning’s continued absence.

3. Significant Themes

• Diligence overcoming talent: Lu Ming’s ordinary-looking aptitude is offset by his extraordinary persistence and Divine Ability Panel.
• Accumulation and evolution: Repeated practice gradually transforms basic martial skills into powerful divine abilities.
• Ambition versus discipline: Lu Ming’s desire to master many techniques may become a strength, especially if he is suited to the Formless Divine Art, but it also risks overextension.
• Power and reputation: Zhou Zhen’s sect background gives him enormous influence, allowing local families to gain favor by targeting the Li Family.
• Hidden potential: Both Lu Ming and Wei Jinlin begin recognizing that his broad and rapid martial development may indicate an unusual talent not visible through conventional measures.

4. Character Interactions

• Lu Ming and Wei Jinlin’s relationship combines mentorship, bargaining, and mutual testing. Lu Ming uses money and persistence to negotiate instruction, while Wei Jinlin responds with strict standards.
• Wei Jinlin initially questions Lu Ming’s talent but becomes intrigued by his ability to learn numerous techniques in a short time.
• Lu Ming jokes with Wei Jinlin about whether the new training condition is a trap connected to Zhou Zhen, prompting Wei Jinlin to rebuke him.
• Lu Ming’s relationship with the Li Family remains indirectly important: although he is not personally worried about Zhou Zhen, his role in the arena victory has tied him to the family’s current crisis.
• The chapter ends with Lu Ming independently practicing Cloud-Piercing Finger, using the technique both to grow stronger and to investigate the Divine Ability Panel’s response to second-rate martial arts.

• Lu Ming begins training in the second-rate finger technique, Cloud-Piercing Finger, to gain extra experience for his Acupoint Divine Ability.
• He sets up a target using a leaf and paper to practice precision and speed, finding it challenging but rewarding with increased experience.
• Lu Ming decides to evolve his third Acupoint Divine Ability first, aiming to boost his combat power amidst the growing unrest in Red Cloud County.
• After six days of diligent training, Lu Ming successfully completes his Skin Refining breakthrough, enhancing his physical abilities and divine abilities' power.
• The next day, Li Youning visits Lu Ming to inform him that the Li Family is relocating to Qingning Prefecture City due to the arrival of Zhou Zhen, the abandoned disciple of the Lingyun Sect.