Chapter Summaries

The Sacrificial Chancellor sent Li Jishi, Red Tiger, and Lotus to kill Li Rushan and recover the Black Abyss Flesh in Abyss-Facing City. After returning home, Jiang Che ate dried Exotic Beast insect, and the resulting Qi-Blood unexpectedly flowed into the Heart of the Black Abyss inside him.

• The Sacrificial Chancellor ordered Li Jishi to kill Li Rushan and assigned Red Tiger and Lotus to assist him, promising each a drop of Lord of the Black Abyss's essence blood for success.
• The Blood Beast howled in agony, and the Sacrificial Chancellor concluded that the Blood Beast in Abyss-Facing City had been killed and its Black Abyss Flesh taken.
• The Sacrificial Chancellor ordered the three to investigate the Blood Beast's killer and retrieve the Black Abyss Flesh while they were in Abyss-Facing City.
• Jiang Che returned home, changed out of his battle-damaged clothes, and reflected on his strange new circumstances before hunger drove him to eat dried mid-grade Exotic Beast insect.
• The Qi-Blood from Jiang Che's food rushed into the Heart of the Black Abyss inside his body, alarming him.

Jiang Che discovered that the Heart of the Black Abyss continued absorbing his Qi-Blood, even after he broke through to the Stone Skin Realm. At White Cloud Martial Hall, Luo Kun gathered the disciples to assess their progress, while rumors about the Yamen’s capture of the mysterious bandit spread.

• Jiang Che found that the Heart of the Black Abyss absorbed all the Qi-Blood he gained from dried insects and Exotic Beast Meat before any could reach his organs.
• After the Blood Beast was eliminated, the Yamen announced that the mysterious Martial Artist had been executed, and the East District returned to normal.
• At White Cloud Martial Hall, Zhang Xiong welcomed Jiang Che and was surprised to see that he had reached the Stone Skin Realm.
• Lin Xue'er told Gong Yulei that the Yamen had supposedly used a Stone Skin Realm Martial Artist as bait to catch the mysterious bandit and rewarded him with five pounds of High-Grade Exotic Beast Meat.
• Luo Kun arrived at the courtyard, noticed Jiang Che's breakthrough, and asked the disciples who would demonstrate their cultivation first.

Luo Kun tested the disciples’ cultivation and discovered that Jiang Che’s apparent Early-Stage Stone Skin Qi-Blood concealed remarkable body-tempering talent. After Jiang Che revealed he had secretly cultivated body-tempering techniques, Luo Kun praised his potential and compared him to a renowned expert.

• Luo Kun assessed Hu Hui, the other senior disciples, Gong Yulei, Zhang Xiong, and Lin Xue'er, finding Gong Yulei at Peak Stone Skin and the others at varying Stone Skin stages.
• Luo Kun examined Jiang Che and sensed that his Early-Stage Stone Skin Qi-Blood had a texture resembling the Iron Skin Realm, so he brought him into the inner room.
• The disciples speculated that Jiang Che’s breakthrough was false because he had taken a Qi-Replenishing Pill, and Gong Yulei criticized him for relying on pills.
• Luo Kun had Jiang Che circulate his Qi-Blood and discovered his fists showed Major Accomplishment in body tempering, then asked when he had begun practicing those techniques.
• Jiang Che said he had secretly obtained and practiced body-tempering techniques for several months, and Luo Kun accepted his explanation and praised his natural physique.
• Luo Kun told Jiang Che about a body-tempering expert who could fight a Force-Entering Realm martial master to a draw and said Jiang Che might achieve as much or more.

After Luo Kun confirmed Jiang Che had reached the initial stage of the Stone Skin Realm, Zhang Xiong invited him to affiliate with the Hundred Herb Hall, and Jiang Che agreed. Liu Hai then arrived at the Martial Arts Hall to deliver rewards for Jiang Che’s role in capturing the mysterious bandit, including five jin of High-Grade Exotic Beast Meat.

• Luo Kun announced that Jiang Che had reached the initial stage of the Stone Skin Realm and offered to guide his cultivation.
• Zhang Xiong offered Jiang Che a monthly payment and Mid-Grade Exotic Beast Meat to affiliate with the Hundred Herb Hall, and Jiang Che accepted.
• Liu Hai arrived with two constables and announced that Jiang Che had helped kill the mysterious bandit.
• Liu Hai presented the Martial Arts Hall with gifts from the Yamen in recognition of Jiang Che’s achievement.
• Liu Hai handed Jiang Che five jin of High-Grade Exotic Beast Meat as his personal reward.

Jiang Che received High-Grade Exotic Beast Meat and a Guest Official Token from the Seven Star Gang, prompting Luo Kun to fear losing his promising disciple. Luo Kun secured Jiang Che’s loyalty by offering him monthly Mid-Grade Exotic Beast Meat, leaving Jiang Che newly recognized and supported by the White Cloud Martial Hall.

• Chief Constable Liu rewarded Jiang Che with High-Grade Exotic Beast Meat, while Luo Kun began considering him as a future successor to the Martial Arts Hall.
• The disciples reacted with envy and surprise, and Lin Xue'er tried to calm the jealous Gong Yulei by dismissing Jiang Che’s achievement as luck.
• Liu Hai delivered Jiang Che a Guest Official Token from the Seven Star Gang and told him to report to Seven Star Fort.
• Luo Kun privately offered Jiang Che twenty jin of Mid-Grade Exotic Beast Meat each month, and Jiang Che promised to remain loyal to the Martial Arts Hall.
• Luo Kun told Jiang Che to focus on training and keep the monthly reward secret from the other disciples.

The disciples discussed the Seven Star Gang’s power and speculated about why it had invited Jiang Che as a guest elder. Jiang Che dismissed Lin Xue’er’s invitation to an exchange gathering, then reassured Zhang Xiong that he would keep working with him and asked for an advance on Mid-Grade Exotic Beast Meat.

• An effeminate disciple told the others that the Seven Star Gang had many powerful experts, including its leader Li Hanchuan, who was rumored to have surpassed Force-Entering.
• Zhang Xiong reflected that Jiang Che’s prospects with the Seven Star Gang made their shared plans seem unlikely, while Gong Yulei abruptly left Lin Xue’er.
• Lin Xue’er invited Jiang Che to an exchange gathering, but he refused and advised her to focus on real combat and her own strength.
• Lin Xue’er grew angry at Jiang Che’s advice, and Zhang Xiong warned him that she and Gong Yulei would hate him even more.
• Jiang Che told Zhang Xiong that personal strength mattered more than factions, then asked him for an advance on Mid-Grade Exotic Beast Meat, which Zhang Xiong readily agreed to provide.

Jiang Che received Exotic Beast Meat and silver from Zhang Xiong, bringing his monthly supply of Mid-Grade meat to fifty jin. He considered how to use the meat and whether to renegotiate his pay at Zhenyuan Escort Agency.

• Zhang Xiong gave Jiang Che five jin of Mid-Grade Exotic Beast Meat and one hundred taels of silver at Hundred Herb Hall, despite Uncle Zhou’s concern.
• Zhang Xu challenged Zhang Xiong’s decision to give Jiang Che the meat, but eventually let him proceed while doubting Jiang Che could protect Zhang Estate or remain loyal as he grew stronger.
• Jiang Che counted the meat he had received from several sources and decided to save his five jin of High-Grade Exotic Beast Meat for when his Qi-Blood became harder to increase.
• Jiang Che fed Zhang Xiong’s dried fish to the Heart of the Black Abyss, then wondered whether he could fill it with Low-Grade meat before eating Mid-Grade meat.
• Jiang Che counted his silver and considered asking Zhenyuan Escort Agency to raise his pay, or quitting if they refused.

After reaching the Stone Skin Realm, Jiang Che toured the Fish Dragon Gang’s Fish Market, renewed his contract with the Zhenyuan Escort Agency, and visited Shao Jianbo to practice calligraphy. His calligraphy neared Perfection Realm, while Shao Jianbo concealed the reason for his unusually poor health.

• Zhao Xisheng recognized Jiang Che at the Fish Market but denied knowing him when Scabby-Head asked.
• Li San complained that fishermen were greedy and deserved harsh punishment, while Jiang Che disapproved of the Fish Dragon Gang’s treatment of them and declined to join.
• Manager Wang raised Jiang Che’s pay and provisions to Stone Skin Realm standards, and Jiang Che renewed his contract but declined to become Chief Escort.
• Jiang Che learned that Sun Yong had gone on an escort job to Cang Prefecture and had not returned.
• At Shao Estate, Jiang Che noticed Shao Jianbo looked weak, but Shao Jianbo blamed it on a night of drinking and play.
• Jiang Che practiced calligraphy and advanced his Calligraphy Major Accomplishment Realm to 360 out of 400.

Jiang Che learned that Liu Hai had alerted Hengsha City officials about Li Estate and chose a new foundational martial art to practice. When Second Senior Brother unexpectedly left Shao Estate, Steward Hu gave Jiang Che Master Qin’s prized copybook so he could continue practicing calligraphy at home.

• Jiang Che ate at Hou’s Noodle Shop and heard that the Yamen had blamed the recent deaths on a Martial Artist who practiced an evil art.
• Liu Hai told Jiang Che that he had informed Chief Constable Wang about Li Estate, giving Jiang Che hope that his parents’ disappearance would be investigated.
• Jiang Che reviewed his martial arts manuals, chose Iron Elephant Stance, and began training the foundational body-tempering art.
• Jiang Che saw beggars and a boy selling himself to bury his father as he walked toward Shao Estate.
• Steward Hu told Jiang Che that Second Senior Brother had left on urgent business and handed him Master Qin’s original copybook to use at home.

Jiang Che perfected the Iron Elephant Stance and strengthened his Rejuvenation talent, then learned that the Li Estate had not been a Blood Spirit Cult stronghold. Chief Constable Liu's explanation left Jiang Che questioning whether Chief Constable Wang could be trusted.

• Jiang Che discovered that his calligraphy perfection had made Flow State easier to activate repeatedly, letting him train for much longer.
• After seven days of training, Jiang Che perfected the Iron Elephant Stance, increased his Qi-Blood, and enhanced his Rejuvenation talent.
• Jiang Che saw notices about people who had gone missing after he killed the Blood Beast and noticed Fireworks Street was unusually quiet.
• Jiang Che left calligraphy and copybooks for Senior Brother Shao at the Shao Estate, where Steward Hu said the young miss had not returned.
• Jiang Ling told Jiang Che that Chief Constable Liu wanted to see him at the Yamen about the Li Estate.
• Liu Hai told Jiang Che that Chief Constable Wang said the Li Estate was not a Blood Spirit Cult stronghold and claimed thieves there had posed as servants; Jiang Che doubted the account.

Jiang Che questioned whether the Li Estate was connected to his parents’ disappearance, then strengthened himself by perfecting the Wave-Skimming Step and gaining the Godly Movement talent. He joined a group of martial artists preparing to hunt Black Beasts, where he reunited with Yin Yingying.

• Liu Hai told Jiang Che that records showed the carpenters from Abyss-Facing City had never entered the city, leaving Jiang Che uncertain but still determined to investigate the Li Estate himself.
• Jiang Che perfected the Wave-Skimming Step in half a month, gained the Godly Movement talent, and discovered that his Qi-Blood had increased.
• Luo Kun asked Jiang Che to demonstrate the Layered Cloud Fist, then invited him to join a Black Beast hunt for combat experience and Black Crystals; Jiang Che accepted.
• Jiang Che met ten other martial artists at the city gate, including Yin Yingying, who teased him about obtaining a Qi-Replenishing Pill.
• Liu Hai arrived with constables and began briefing the gathered martial artists on the Black Beast hunt.

Jiang Che led the hunters into the woods, but Xiong Hui and the others challenged his authority and competed for the first Black-Toothed Pigs. When Jiang Che’s [Omen] warned him away from the left fork, most of the group followed Xiong Hui instead, leaving Jiang Che with Yin Yingying and two people Xiong Hui had rejected.

• Liu Hai assigned Jiang Che as captain and explained the hunting rewards, but Xiong Hui objected and several Martial Arts Hall disciples questioned Jiang Che’s authority.
• The group entered the woods, where Xiong Hui and two other strong disciples quickly killed three Ox-Hide Realm Black-Toothed Pigs and claimed their ears.
• Jiang Che warned the hunters not to act recklessly, but Xiong Hui insisted that everyone should compete for the beasts and rewards on their own.
• At a fork, Jiang Che’s [Omen] warned him that the left path was extremely dangerous, so he urged the group to take the overgrown right path.
• Xiong Hui mocked Jiang Che and led most of the hunters toward the left fork; he then sent a skinny youth and a frail female disciple away for being too weak, leaving them with Jiang Che and Yin Yingying.

Jiang Che led Yin Yingying and the two expelled disciples down the difficult path, where he swiftly killed five Black-Toothed Pigs and shared their ears with his companions. Meanwhile, Xiong Hui’s group hunted successfully along the beast trail until a herd of powerful Black-Toothed Pigs surrounded them, forcing them to fight for a way out.

• Jiang Che led Yin Yingying and the two expelled disciples through the dense forest along the right-hand path.
• Five Black-Toothed Pigs attacked, and Jiang Che killed them all before giving one beast ear each to his three companions.
• Jiang Che advised the two inexperienced disciples, and they followed him deeper into the forest with renewed trust.
• Xiong Hui led his six disciples down the beast trail, where they killed groups of Black-Toothed Pigs and collected their ears.
• Xiong Hui’s group encountered more than a dozen Stone Skin Realm Black-Toothed Pigs and found their retreat blocked by another herd.
• Xiong Hui rallied the disciples to charge the weaker part of the encirclement, and they launched an attack on the beasts.

Jiang Che discovered that a Black Crystal’s energy had strengthened the Heart of the Black Abyss, then set out alone to find Xiong Hui’s group. Trapped by a pack of Black Beasts, the group watched Xiong Hui abandon them and flee, leaving them overwhelmed.

• Jiang Che led Yin Yingying and the others through the forest, where they improved their teamwork and killed more than twenty Black-Toothed Pigs.
• Jiang Che defeated a Stone Skin Realm Black Beast, absorbed energy from its Black Crystal, and felt the Heart of the Black Abyss grow stronger.
• Jiang Che sent the others back while he went to search for Xiong Hui’s group.
• Xiong Hui and his companions fought desperately against a Black Beast pack, but one disciple was badly injured and the encirclement tightened.
• Xiong Hui pretended to lead a charge, then changed direction and escaped through a weak point, abandoning his companions.
• The remaining disciples were left surrounded as the Black Beasts attacked and their situation grew desperate.

Jiang Che transformed into the Black-Armored Giant and slaughtered the Black-Toothed Pigs that had trapped the Martial Arts Hall disciples, then harvested the beasts’ Black Crystals and ears. Exhausted but enriched, he retrieved his clothes and hurried toward the city gate, wary of the transformation’s violent influence.

• Jiang Che found the Martial Arts Hall disciples surrounded by Black-Toothed Pigs and suspected Xiong Hui had abandoned them.
• Jiang Che hid his belongings, activated the Heart of the Black Abyss, and transformed into the Black-Armored Giant.
• Jiang Che charged into the beast horde, drawing the pigs away from the disciples and killing them with overwhelming strength.
• The Martial Arts Hall disciples fled while Jiang Che continued fighting, nearly surrendering to the transformation’s urge to kill.
• Jiang Che returned to normal, collected twenty Black Crystals and numerous beast ears, and retrieved his hidden clothes.
• Jiang Che dressed and raced toward the city gate beneath the moonlight.

Jiang Che returned to Abyss-Facing City with a huge haul of Black Beast ears, exchanged his rewards, and planned how to grow stronger. Meanwhile, an old man and his companions entered the city under false pretenses and met in a grove, where the burly man asked Li Jishi what they should do next.

• Jiang Che returned to the Yamen carrying two sacks of Black Beast ears, while the survivors learned he had not encountered the mysterious Black-Armored Giant.
• Jiang Che exchanged his spoils for one thousand, eight hundred and eighty taels of silver and received twenty Black Crystals and the Prison-Suppressing Saber manual.
• Xiong Hui exchanged his few beast ears and left the Yamen in disgrace as the other survivors departed.
• Jiang Che thanked Yin Yingying and the two disciples who had waited for him, then went home and planned to use his wealth and Black Crystals to strengthen himself.
• Jiang Che read the Prison-Suppressing Saber manual, chose to practice Rock-Splitting Fist, and began training it.
• An old man bribed a guard to let him, a burly man, and a young woman enter Abyss-Facing City, then met them in a grove, where the burly man asked Li Jishi what to do next.

Li Jishi used a Soul-Locking Insect to search for the Black Abyss Flesh while Lotus and Red Tiger went to investigate Li Rushan. On his way to meet Li Rushan, Jiang Che sensed danger but discovered too late that a disguised Peak Iron Skin Realm martial artist had targeted him, and the attacker blocked his escape in a grove.

• Li Jishi set off to track the Black Abyss Flesh with the Soul-Locking Insect, while Lotus gave him a poisonous bundle and she and Red Tiger left to search for Li Rushan.
• Jiang Che practiced Rock-Splitting Fist and headed to Drunken Immortal Pavilion to meet Li Rushan and discuss the Seven Star Gang.
• Jiang Che sensed danger on the street and let three ruffians pass with an old man's bundle, but then watched a saber-wielding martial artist retrieve it and collapse along with the ruffians after being poisoned.
• The old man revealed himself as a Peak Iron Skin Realm martial artist and pursued Jiang Che, who fled toward the yamen before scattering lime powder and running into a grove.
• The old man caught up with Jiang Che in the grove and stood in his way.

Jiang Che transformed into a black-armored warrior and fought Li Jishi, who had tracked him to demand the Black Abyss Flesh. As Li Jishi neared defeat, Jiang Che was consumed by an urge to kill.

• Li Jishi confronted Jiang Che and demanded the Black Abyss Flesh, suspecting he had killed the Blood Beast.
• Jiang Che transformed into a black-armored warrior and overpowered Li Jishi with immense strength and rapid healing.
• Li Jishi recognized Jiang Che through the Soul-Locking Insect and fought on, but his attacks could not keep Jiang Che down.
• Li Jishi tried to retreat, but Jiang Che repeatedly dragged him back into the fight as his injuries accumulated.
• Jiang Che felt a frenzied desire for slaughter as Li Jishi staggered near collapse.

Jiang Che defeated Li Jishi and learned that the Blood Spirit Cult had captured carpenters to build a sacrificial altar, though Li Jishi refused to say whether they were still alive. After killing him, Jiang Che searched his belongings and found a map, leaving the carpenters’ fate unresolved.

• Jiang Che stopped himself from falling under Black Abyss Form’s influence, incapacitated Li Jishi, and broke his limbs and spine.
• Li Jishi proclaimed his devotion to the Lord of the Black Abyss, while Jiang Che challenged his beliefs and condemned the Blood Spirit Cult’s killings.
• Jiang Che confirmed that Li Jishi came from Li Estate and learned the cult had captured carpenters to build an altar, but Li Jishi would not answer whether they had died.
• Jiang Che told Li Jishi that he had met the Lord of the Black Abyss and rejected his offer, then killed Li Jishi when the cultist refused to believe him.
• Jiang Che searched Li Jishi’s belongings, found little money and a travel permit, then opened a piece of parchment and recognized it as a map.

Jiang Che searched the belongings of Li Jishi, destroyed the corpse, and discovered more about the Heart of the Black Abyss’s hunger for Black Crystal. He met Li Rushan for a meal at Drunken Immortal Pavilion, then rode with him toward Seven Star Fort.

• Jiang Che studied Li Jishi’s sheepskin map and Sacrificial Envoy token, then smashed the corpse’s wounds beyond recognition; he failed to notice a silver Seven Star waist token lying nearby.
• Jiang Che returned home, changed clothes, and found that transforming and fighting had drained the Heart of the Black Abyss, which consumed much of two Black Crystals before becoming full.
• Jiang Che traveled by a different route to Drunken Immortal Pavilion and met Li Rushan in a private room on the top floor.
• Jiang Che and Li Rushan ate fine food and talked about martial-world tales before leaving the restaurant.
• Jiang Che thanked Old Wang, Li Rushan’s mute driver, and boarded the Seven Star Gang carriage with Li Rushan to visit Seven Star Fort.