Chapter Summaries

Huang Tian spent his time studying mathematics after Zong Wenjun returned home, then wrote a paper on nonlinear wave equations and visited his former professor Feng Zechun for help. The chapter leaves Huang Tian presenting the manuscript to Feng Zechun and asking him to review it.

• Huang Tian studied mathematical papers while Zong Wenjun rested, then saw her off at the high-speed rail station the next morning.
• Over the following five days, Huang Tian continued reading papers and keeping up with his cultivation.
• Huang Tian wrote a fifty-five-page paper titled A Study of Blow-Up Phenomena in Supercritical Defocusing Nonlinear Wave Equations and uploaded it to arXiv.
• Huang Tian printed a copy of his paper and went to Chang University to seek Feng Zechun's endorsement and funding.
• Feng Zechun welcomed his former student, and Huang Tian showed him the manuscript and asked for his advice.

Huang Tian presented Feng Zechun with his research claiming that supercritical defocusing nonlinear wave equations could blow up, overturning the field’s consensus. Feng summoned Xu Kaizhi to review the paper, and Xu recognized the approach as potentially worthy of a top-four mathematics journal if the results proved correct.

• Huang Tian explained that financial pressure had forced him to take a job after graduation, but he had continued researching mathematics because he could not let it go.
• Huang Tian told Feng Zechun that his paper proved defocusing nonlinear wave equations could blow up through complex-valued solutions, special phases, and a method adapted from relativistic Euler equations.
• Feng Zechun praised Huang Tian’s original approach and called Xu Kaizhi to the lounge, arranging a substitute lecturer so he could skip his class.
• Xu Kaizhi arrived, learned that Huang Tian had graduated with a bachelor’s degree the previous June, and listened as Feng Zechun outlined the paper’s ideas.
• Xu Kaizhi said that if Huang Tian’s results were correct, the paper could be published in a top-four mathematics journal.

Xu Kaizhi and Feng Zechun finished verifying Huang Tian’s mathematical paper and praised its significance. They agreed to submit it to Inventiones Mathematicae, with Huang Tian as first author and Chang University as his affiliation, and the chapter ended with Feng Zechun inviting them to celebrate over a meal.

• Xu Kaizhi and Feng Zechun read Huang Tian’s manuscript together, asking him to explain difficult parts and checking its final proof.
• Xu Kaizhi and Feng Zechun confirmed the paper was correct and praised Huang Tian’s achievement.
• Xu Kaizhi called Principal Yang to discuss the paper’s submission, publication expenses, and authorship.
• Xu Kaizhi recommended submitting the paper to Inventiones Mathematicae, and Huang Tian agreed.
• Xu Kaizhi promised that Huang Tian would be first author, that Chang University would cover expenses and provide 300,000 yuan in research funding, and asked him to list the university as his affiliation.
• Huang Tian accepted the university’s request, and Feng Zechun invited Xu Kaizhi and Huang Tian to celebrate with a meal.

After returning to the Late Han Dynasty World, Huang Tian activated the completed purple orb and witnessed the Dao Court’s history unfold across centuries. The vision showed cultivation advancing from Zhang Jiao’s failed breakthrough to Wu Daozi’s Golden Core, with the Profound Dao flourishing before the river of time continued onward.

• Huang Tian touched the purple orb, which erupted in light and transformed into a vast river showing the world’s future.
• Zhang Jiao governed the Dao Court, helped extend the Mountain-Suppressing Spirit Scripture, then died after failing to break through to the Dao Foundation Realm.
• Zhang Liang and He Ting succeeded Zhang Jiao, while the Dao Court expanded its culture and replaced recommendation with imperial examinations.
• Zhuge Kongming became the first Dao Foundation patriarch, and Zhou Yu followed; their teachings helped cultivation methods and arts spread.
• Wu Daozi formed a Golden Core through painting, and centuries later the world had five Golden Core masters, hundreds of Dao Foundation patriarchs, and more than ten thousand Qi Refining cultivators.

Huang Tian absorbed eight hundred years of cultivation knowledge from the river of time, then returned to Blue Star and submitted his revised paper. A golden thread led him to another world, where he found a sick boy named Huang Tian and could see only the boy’s room and courtyard.

• Huang Tian gained nine Golden Core techniques, three hundred Dao Foundation techniques, and countless Qi Refining techniques from the river of time.
• Huang Tian learned that his retreat had lasted two months in the Late Han Dynasty World and that the Dao Court had brought peace and prosperity to the region.
• Huang Tian returned to Blue Star, read Feng Zechun’s revised paper, and submitted it to Inventiones Mathematicae.
• Huang Tian followed a golden thread to another world and saw a sick Fourth Young Master named Huang Tian being watched over by a praying girl and her mother.
• Huang Tian examined the courtyard but could not see beyond it, leaving him unsure whether the new world had supernatural powers.

Huang Tian left the Late Han Dynasty World after giving Zhang Jiao a vast inheritance of cultivation methods, then sent his consciousness into the Five Directions World and took over the body of a mistreated young master in Great Gan. He arrived as the Huang household’s Fourth Young Master, whose family was riddled with hostile and eccentric relatives.

• Huang Tian recalled his consciousness from the Late Han Dynasty World after realizing he could not split off another strand.
• Zhang Jiao came to Huang Tian, who passed on cultivation methods and teachings before ascending as a rainbow.
• Huang Tian’s returning consciousness carried spiritual essence back to Blue Star and advanced his cultivation to the fourth level of Qi Refining.
• Huang Tian sent his consciousness through the spacetime barrier into the Five Directions World and awakened in the body of the Fourth Young Master.
• Huang Tian absorbed the original owner’s memories and learned that his father, Huang Xunjiu, and the primary wife, He Yunrou, had mistreated him while his brothers Huang Qian, Huang Rui, and Huang Jian bullied him.

After recovering from a grave illness, Huang Tian tested a body-forging technique he had created to endure the world's violent spiritual energy. When Huang Jian barged into the courtyard and threatened Heng'er and Aunt Qin, Huang Tian swiftly knocked him unconscious.

• Huang Tian woke and reassured Heng'er that he was recovering, then drank the rice porridge Aunt Qin brought.
• Huang Tian sensed the world's violent spiritual energy and concluded that he needed to strengthen his body before he could cultivate.
• In the courtyard, Huang Tian used a secret technique that made thunder rumble inside his body as he tempered his skin, sinews, and bones.
• Huang Jian kicked open the gate, mocked Huang Tian, and moved to attack Aunt Qin after Heng'er tried to protect her brother.
• Huang Tian caught Huang Jian's leg, threw him to the ground, and knocked him unconscious with a stomp.

Huang Tian beat Huang Jian and continued tempering his body while Aunt Qin worried about the consequences. Meanwhile, Huang Xunjiu arranged for his four sons to join the Martial Guard, then learned that Huang Rui was gathering people to retaliate against Huang Tian.

• Huang Tian sent Huang Jian away after beating him, and Aunt Qin warned that he had angered Huang Xunjiu and He Yunrou.
• Huang Xunjiu explained to Xia Hong that he was sending his sons to the Martial Guard to show loyalty to the authorities and strengthen the Huang Family's influence.
• Xia Hong accepted Huang Xunjiu's Golden Snow Ginseng and arranged a safe Merit Recorder post for Huang Qian, with other possible placements for Huang Rui and Huang Jian.
• Huang Xunjiu agreed that Huang Tian could be dismissed if he failed to develop strength at the Guard Academy within two months.
• A servant reported that Huang Jian had been badly beaten and Huang Rui was gathering people to attack Huang Tian.
• Huang Xunjiu flew into a rage over Huang Tian's violence.

Huang Xunjiu sent Huang Tian and his three older sons to the Martial Guard Office, while He Yunrou urged her sons to mistreat Huang Tian after joining. Huang Tian left Huang Manor determined to learn cultivation and eventually free Aunt Qin and Heng'er.

• Huang Xunjiu ordered Huang Qian, Huang Rui, Huang Jian, and Huang Tian to accompany Xia Hong to the Martial Guard Office.
• He Yunrou praised Huang Qian's ambition to reach the Grandmaster realm and urged Huang Rui and Huang Jian to teach Huang Tian a lesson later.
• Huang Tian suspected Huang Xunjiu had another reason for sending him to the Guard Academy, but welcomed the chance to learn cultivation.
• Huang Tian reassured Aunt Qin and Heng'er that he would take them out of the manor once he could.
• Huang Xunjiu praised Huang Qian as the family's future, and Huang Tian joined his brothers in carriages bound for the Martial Guard Office.

Huang Tian entered the Guard Academy and settled into a dormitory with Jiang Hou and He Xu. On his first day of training, Instructor Xu demonstrated the Spirit Tiger Stance and showed the students how force was generated.

• Xia Hong sent Huang Rui, Huang Jian, and Huang Tian to the Guard Academy while Huang Qian went with him to the Merit Registry.
• A clerk assigned Huang Rui to Upper Dormitory Room A-6, Huang Jian to Lower Dormitory Room B-15, and Huang Tian to Lower Dormitory Room B-32.
• Huang Tian met his roommates Jiang Hou and He Xu, who discussed their ambitions for martial training and advancement.
• The students gathered at Xuan-3 Training Ground, where Instructor Xu explained force and began teaching the Spirit Tiger Stance.
• Instructor Xu demonstrated the stance, breathing, and intent, then revealed the force moving beneath his skin.

Huang Tian demonstrated an extraordinary talent for martial arts, producing Spirit Tiger Force after seeing the stance once and then mastering the far more difficult Tiger and Crane Force in a single attempt. Instructor Xu was left astonished as Huang Tian began tempering his body with the combined force.

• Instructor Xu invited Huang Tian to demonstrate the Spirit Tiger Stance after he appeared to understand it.
• Huang Tian copied the stance and produced Spirit Tiger Force, astonishing Instructor Xu and the other martial students.
• Huang Tian sensed that the Spirit Tiger Stance was incomplete and asked about its missing elements.
• Instructor Xu explained the Spirit Tiger and Crane Stance and demonstrated it for Huang Tian and the class.
• Huang Tian copied the combined stance and immediately produced Tiger and Crane Force, leaving Instructor Xu bewildered.

Huang Tian combined the Tiger and Crane Force with his Thunder Sound Body-Forging Secret Technique, accelerating the nourishment of his qi and blood and deciding not to hide his talent. As he continued training at the Guard Academy, his roommates Jiang Hou and He Xu struggled to keep up with his work ethic.

• Instructor Xu explained how force nourished qi and blood, marked Huang Tian's identity token so he could collect medicinal soup, and sent him to practice on his own.
• Huang Tian combined the Tiger and Crane Force with his Thunder Sound body-forging technique and found that it accelerated his cultivation several times over.
• Huang Tian estimated he could reach the ranks in ten days and decided to display his talent rather than conceal it.
• Huang Tian drew attention from the other martial students at lunch, then returned to the dormitory to practice alone in the afternoon.
• Jiang Hou and He Xu began training harder after seeing Huang Tian practice, but collapsed that night, unable to match his endurance.

Huang Tian learned that his brothers had made students avoid him, but he refused to reconcile with them and continued cultivating. At the training ground, he broke through the first transformation of qi and blood and entered the ninth rank.

• Huang Rui warned Huang Jian that Huang Tian was not yet a serious threat and told him to focus on cultivation rather than risk attacking him.
• Students began keeping their distance from Huang Tian, and Jiang Hou explained that Huang Jian had threatened anyone who befriended him because of the influence of Huang Rui and Huang Qian.
• Huang Tian thanked Jiang Hou but rejected the suggestion that he reconcile with his brothers.
• Huang Tian pushed the Tiger and Crane Force to its limit during training and broke through to the ninth rank.

Huang Tian broke through to the ninth rank after only ten days of training, astonishing Instructor Xu and the other students. Instructor Xu transferred him to Chief Instructor Liu’s class and warned him that Huang Rui might try to injure him in a sparring match.

• Huang Tian reached the ninth rank, and Instructor Xu and the nearby students were stunned by how quickly he had advanced.
• Huang Tian explained that the Spirit Tiger Demon Crane Force suited him unusually well and accelerated the growth of his blood and qi.
• Instructor Xu assigned Huang Tian to join the ninth-rank students at the Heaven-Class No. 1 Training Ground under Chief Instructor Liu.
• Instructor Xu told Huang Tian that important figures might take an interest in his talent if he continued advancing and earned access to cultivation resources.
• Instructor Xu asked whether Huang Tian could reconcile with his older brothers, then warned him that Huang Rui might injure him during a sparring match.
• Huang Tian said he was prepared to handle Huang Rui, while Instructor Xu privately resolved to ask Chief Instructor Liu to watch over him.

Huang Tian reached the ninth rank in less than ten days and moved into the Upper Dormitory, where his arrival astonished the other students. Huang Rui recognized him in the dining hall and froze in terror.

• Instructor Xu told Huang Tian to move to the Upper Dormitory after he reached the ninth rank, while He Xu regretted distancing himself from him.
• Huang Tian proved his breakthrough to the Records Room clerk, who assigned him Jia-25 in the Upper Dormitory.
• Huang Tian moved into his new private room and ate in the Jia-Class dining hall.
• Students from the Heaven-Class No. 1 Training Ground noticed Huang Tian and discussed his rapid advancement.
• Huang Rui recognized Huang Tian in the dining hall and stood frozen, terrified by his smile.

After Huang Rui learned that Huang Tian had reached the ninth rank, he tried to reconcile, but Huang Tian refused and dismissed his threats. Huang Rui resolved to challenge him the next day, while other students anticipated a spectacle at the training grounds.

• Huang Rui discovered that Huang Tian had reached the ninth rank and found him in Room Twenty-Five.
• Huang Rui asked Huang Tian to reconcile, but Huang Tian refused and closed the door on him.
• Huang Rui threatened to ask Chief Instructor Liu to arrange a spar and vowed to make Huang Tian kneel.
• Huang Tian practiced his stance the next morning and went to the dining hall, where students expected trouble between him and Huang Rui.
• A dark-skinned student told Luo Chan that he enjoyed watching young masters fight among themselves.

Huang Tian attended his first lesson at Heaven-Class No. 1 Training Ground, where Chief Instructor Liu demonstrated the Spirit Tiger Mountain-Crushing Fist and Fierce Crane Fist. Huang Tian instantly grasped both techniques, and as Huang Rui challenged him to spar, Huang Tian stepped forward with a newly imposing aura.

• Luo Chan and Yang Mo discussed Yang Mo’s struggle to master the Cloud-Turning Palm and Huang Tian’s remarkable comprehension.
• Huang Tian joined the other ninth-rank martial trainees at Heaven-Class No. 1 Training Ground, where they watched him and Huang Rui with keen interest.
• Chief Instructor Liu demonstrated the Spirit Tiger Mountain-Crushing Fist and Fierce Crane Fist, urging Huang Tian and the other trainees to learn their intent as well as their forms.
• Huang Tian mentally practiced the techniques countless times and immediately comprehended both fist arts, causing his aura to change.
• Huang Rui challenged Huang Tian to spar, and Huang Tian stepped forward before Chief Instructor Liu could refuse.

Huang Tian accepted Huang Rui’s challenge and defeated him by combining the Spirit Tiger Mountain-Crushing Fist with the Fierce Crane Fist. Chief Instructor Liu stopped the match before Huang Tian could injure Huang Rui more severely, and the students were left wary of Huang Tian’s skill and ruthlessness.

• Chief Instructor Liu allowed Huang Tian and Huang Rui to test their skills and warned Huang Rui to show restraint.
• Huang Rui attacked Huang Tian with the Shadow Hand Snake Fist, but Huang Tian advanced and struck his snake hand with a powerful fist.
• Huang Tian evaded Huang Rui’s sweeping leg and stabbed at his throat with the Crane Beak Awl, injuring his throat and knocking him down.
• Huang Tian kicked Huang Rui several yards, but Chief Instructor Liu ordered him to stop before the injuries became too serious.
• Chief Instructor Liu examined Huang Rui and found that he would recover, while the martial students watched Huang Tian with fear.

After Huang Tian defeated Huang Rui, Chief Instructor Liu recognized his extraordinary martial talent and reported it to Magistrate Xia Hong. Huang Tian left the training ground having quietly studied the students’ techniques, while Xia Hong decided he was worth nurturing.

• Chief Instructor Liu ordered Huang Rui taken to Doctor Mo, and Huang Rui fell to the ground when he panicked at Huang Tian’s casual gesture.
• Luo Chan challenged Huang Tian to a sparring match the next day, and Huang Tian agreed.
• The students sparred while Huang Tian memorized their techniques and practiced them in his mind.
• After class, Liu Kuo told Xia Hong that Huang Tian had reached the ninth rank and defeated Huang Rui with astonishing skill.
• Xia Hong learned of Huang Tian’s talent and concluded that he was worth nurturing.

Xia Hong decided to cultivate Huang Tian despite his ties to Huang Manor, summoned him, and gave him pills and access to the Martial Guard's Library Pavilion. Huang Tian left with a silver token that let him enter the library’s second floor and take two martial arts manuals.

• Xia Hong chose to invest in Huang Tian while maintaining his relationship with Huang Manor, and ordered Liu Kuo to summon him before leaving to pursue Zhang Yu.
• Liu Kuo explained Zhang Yu’s assassination of the Funing County Magistrate and County Commandant and how the Flying Swan Sect had disowned him as a renegade disciple.
• Liu Kuo found Huang Tian training in the Guard Academy and brought him to meet Xia Hong.
• Xia Hong praised Huang Tian’s rapid progress and gave him eighteen Blood-Condensing Pills to support his cultivation.
• Huang Tian asked to visit the Library Pavilion, and Xia Hong gave him a silver token allowing him onto the second floor and permission to take two manuals.