Recaps

Chen Cheng received the Zhou Family’s reward and the processed remains of the Iron-Bone Crocodile Eel, giving him a store of cultivation supplies. As Red Moon Cult followers grew more dangerous in the Inner City, he chose to stay put and observe, while officials’ wives next door discussed his prospects and dismissed his chances of advancing.

• Zhou Yonglu offered Chen Cheng two thousand taels for killing the Iron-Bone Crocodile Eel, but Chen Cheng refused the money and asked for more Treasure Fish instead.
• Zhou Yonglu told Chen Cheng that the deaths of Ruan Jinzhong, Wang Han, and Qi Yan had been attributed to the eel, though Ruan Jinzhong’s grandson might still cause trouble.
• Wu Ziyu gave Chen Cheng five chests of nourishing jerky and eight jars of Iron-Bone Detox Paste made from the eel.
• Zhou An reported that Red Moon Cult followers had ambushed Gu Kaishen and cut off his arm, and Chen Cheng decided to wait before moving residences.
• At the Sun Residence, officials’ wives discussed Chen Cheng’s Six-Wick Blood Qi and concluded that his low birth would keep him from rising further without reaching Seven-Wick Blood Qi.

Chen Cheng parted from Cao Zhao and Wang Chuang, then learned that the Red Moon Cult had devastated the academy and may be seeking something held by someone at Longshan Upper Academy. As he trained with Iron-Bone Detox Paste, Lin Fengxiao approached the rear wall of the Chen Residence.

• Cao Zhao, Wang Chuang, Fatty Fang, and Chen Cheng agreed to meet in Zhao City in three years and shared their goals before parting ways.
• Chen Cheng sparred with Zhuang Zhuang, who marveled at his rapid progress and discussed the academy's troubles.
• Zhuang Zhuang told Chen Cheng that Chu Meng's foundation had been damaged, Ye Yang's daughter had died, and Ye Yang and Zhu Mingyuan had left; she added that the Red Moon Cult was likely seeking something held by someone at Longshan Upper Academy.
• Several black-clad figures abducted Ruan Bigui from Spring Full Pavilion while leaving the woman beside him unconscious.
• Chen Cheng applied Iron-Bone Detox Paste and tempered his Force Visualization until his body absorbed the medicine.
• Lin Fengxiao left his patrol squad and quietly approached the rear wall of the Chen Residence after noticing movement.

Chen Cheng and Zhuang Zhuang joined forces to defeat the Turbid-Eyed Man and his men when they came to raid the Chen Residence. Afterward, Lin Fengxiao revealed that he had witnessed the fight and explained why he had come.

• The Turbid-Eyed Man led Ruan Bigui and three black-clad bandits toward the Chen Residence, planning to steal the Iron-Bone Crocodile Eel and collect Ruan Jinzhong’s debt.
• Chen Cheng silently killed the three bandits with hidden weapons, then confronted the Turbid-Eyed Man as he tried to enter the residence.
• Chen Cheng blocked the Turbid-Eyed Man’s cleaver with his Black Iron Daggers, but Zhuang Zhuang arrived and struck the bandit from the wall.
• Zhuang Zhuang lent Chen Cheng her Transformation Force as he fired Mysterious Iron Pellets, gravely wounding the Turbid-Eyed Man and leaving him unconscious.
• Chen Cheng searched the bandits while Zhuang Zhuang blushed after noticing his exposed body, then Lin Fengxiao stepped out and greeted Chen Cheng as his junior brother.

Chen Cheng and Lin Fengxiao covered up the alley killings, while Chen kept Ruan Bigui’s possible key to a hidden residence without pursuing it. Twenty-seven days later, Zhuang Zhuang returned to Longshan Upper Academy after an urgent summons, where Wan Qianshan began a Force Visualization assessment for the dwindling disciples, promising major rewards.

• Lin Fengxiao staged the alley as a fight among Black Cloud Water Stronghold bandits, and the Patrol Office accepted the explanation as infighting.
• Chen Cheng found a possible key to Ruan Jinzhong’s hidden residence in Ruan Bigui’s money pouch and decided to hide it rather than risk provoking Black Cloud Water Stronghold.
• Twenty-seven days later, Kuang Yifeng summoned Zhuang Zhuang and Chen Cheng to Longshan Upper Academy, and Zhuang Zhuang left before Chen Cheng emerged from his room.
• Zhuang Zhuang arrived at the Academy, where only seven disciples remained and Wan Qianshan sat gravely wounded.
• Cao Miao announced a Force Visualization assessment that could give exceptional Dark Force disciples three times their resources and Core Disciple status.

Cao Miao explained that Dragon Mountain Hall’s assessment would identify future leaders, and the disciples competed with the Heavenly God Subduing Dragon Map. Zhuang Zhuang became Wan Qianshan’s prospective personal disciple, Kuang Yifeng demonstrated the Flying Dragon Slays God phenomenon but was refused the secret transmission, and Chen Cheng broke through to Transformation Force before producing the map’s Dragon Annihilation phenomenon.

• Cao Miao told the disciples that the assessment was meant to strengthen Dragon Mountain Hall’s future, and Zhao Tianlai set aside his resentment and stood behind Wan Qianshan.
• Lu Juan, Zhou An, and Fatty Fang tested the map; Zhou An and Fatty Fang became Core Disciples, while Gu Kaishen’s injuries limited his performance.
• Zhuang Zhuang fully penetrated the Dragon Pattern, and Wan Qianshan offered to take her as his personal disciple and recommend her to the Nine Altars Sect.
• Kuang Yifeng produced the Flying Dragon Slays God phenomenon and begged Wan Qianshan to teach him the secret transmission, but Wan explained that an even higher phenomenon was Dragon Annihilation.
• Chen Cheng condensed his seventh wick of Blood Qi, developed Transformation Force, and channeled the map until the Heavenly God flicked away the dragon, producing the Dragon Annihilation phenomenon.

Chen Cheng learned that Dragon Mountain Hall feared being implicated by his connection to Ye Yang and chose to withdraw rather than await expulsion. He revealed his breakthrough to Fatty Fang, then heard that Qin Zhao had recovered with Treasure Medicine and might compete in the Martial Selection.

• Chen Cheng arrived at Dragon Mountain Hall and found Wan Qianshan accepting Kuang Yifeng as a disciple while rejecting Chen Cheng's place in the Hall's core foundation.
• Cao Miao explained that Ye Yang had taken the object sought by the Red Moon Cult and that Chen Cheng's connection to him made the Hall fear retaliation.
• Chen Cheng handed Cao Miao the Heavenly God Subduing Dragon Map and his Upper Academy disciple Waist Token, voluntarily withdrawing from Dragon Mountain Hall.
• Kuang Yifeng mocked Chen Cheng's prospects for the Martial Selection, while Zhuang Zhuang and Zhao Tianlai were summoned into the Inner Courtyard.
• Chen Cheng assured Cao Miao he would obey the restrictions on using the Hall's name and teaching Crouching Dragon Fist, then left with Fatty Fang.
• Chen Cheng told Fatty Fang he had reached Transformation Force, and Fatty Fang warned that Zhu Qian, Huang Tao, and possibly the healed Qin Zhao would make the Martial Selection difficult.

Chen Cheng perfected Foundation Establishment Taiji, broke its limit to begin tempering his internal organs, and prepared for the Martial Selection. As the selection dawned, rivals and returning figures converged on Zhao City.

• Chen Cheng declined Song Yingzhi’s banquet invitation, then learned that her latest match was Meng Yan of Qisong Hall, a promising Martial Artist.
• Chen Cheng perfected Foundation Establishment Taiji, unlocked Inner-Strengthening Taiji, and began tempering his stomach by channeling Blood Qi through his internal organs.
• Chen Cheng told Madam Li he had left Dragon Mountain Hall and planned to earn a Martial Guard title at the selection, though she worried he would fail.
• Wan Qianshan and Cao Miao discussed the prospects of Zhao Tianlai, Zhuang Zhuang, and Kuang Yifeng, while Kuang secretly trained Qin Zhao in Crouching Dragon Fist and plotted against his rivals.
• Shen Chun returned to Shen Mi and asked her to attend the Martial Selection, while Wu Ziyu’s ship, a Black Flag ship, and Wang Peng all headed toward Zhao City.
• The Martial Selection morning arrived, and the quiet street outside the Martial Guard General Headquarters filled with horses, carriages, and crowds.

Chen Cheng attended the Martial Selection with Madam Li and impressed the gathered factions by scoring seven Blood Qi wick patterns in the Force Test. As the first round continued, an uproar drew everyone's attention toward another arena.

• Chen Cheng brought Madam Li to the selection, where Zhuang Huixian invited her to watch from the officials' awning.
• Shen Mi introduced Shen Chun to Chen Cheng, then Chen Cheng greeted Pang Shixun before the Force Test began.
• Shen Chun scored six Blood Qi wick patterns and felt humiliated as other competitors surpassed her.
• Chen Cheng scored seven Blood Qi wick patterns, with his seventh reaching half the map, stunning Shen Chun and the gathered factions.
• The Shen Family patriarch and Shen Gan considered welcoming the Third Branch back, while Cao Miao, Wu Shannan, and others reacted to Chen Cheng's result.
• An uproar broke out, and nearly everyone turned toward another arena.

During the Martial Selection, Chen Cheng defeated and killed Kuang Yifeng after Kuang Yifeng attacked him and revealed his resentment over Zhuang Zhuang. Chen Cheng’s victory stunned the crowd and drew Qin Zhao’s murderous attention.

• Pang Wanhe impressed the crowd with a seven-wick result, though Pang Shixun had secretly let him study the Force-Testing Map in advance.
• The participants advanced through the first two rounds, and Chen Cheng drew Kuang Yifeng as his opponent in the third round.
• Kuang Yifeng secretly blamed Zhuang Zhuang for his hatred of Chen Cheng and tried to overpower Chen Cheng with his Transformation Force.
• Chen Cheng broke through Kuang Yifeng’s force barrier and killed him with a Crouching Dragon Seal that surpassed the ordinary technique’s power.
• Cao Miao recognized Chen Cheng’s extraordinary force manipulation, while Qin Zhao decided that Chen Cheng must die.

Chen Cheng watched the remaining Martial Selection bouts as Qin Zhao utterly defeated and crippled Zhao Tianlai, forcing Dragon Mountain Hall’s disciple to forfeit. After the arena erupted and Yuntai Hall celebrated, Qin Zhao approached Chen Cheng and spoke to him about their meeting at the Young Qilin Gathering.

• Chen Cheng watched Pang Wanhe and other Seven-Blood Secret-Transmissions compete, then joked with Zhuang Zhuang about why he had killed Kuang Yifeng.
• Qin Zhao and Zhao Tianlai began their match, and Qin Zhao repeatedly bypassed Zhao Tianlai’s defenses with precise leg attacks.
• Qin Zhao broke Zhao Tianlai’s spine and raised his foot to strike again until Cao Miao declared Zhao Tianlai’s forfeit and carried him away.
• Spectators discussed Qin Zhao’s overwhelming victory as Qin Yuan smiled at Yuntai Hall’s triumph over Dragon Mountain Hall.
• Qin Zhao approached Chen Cheng, reminded him they had met at the Young Qilin Gathering, and Chen Cheng told him to say what he wanted.

Chen Cheng won a Silver List ranking by defeating Yuntai Hall disciple Zhang Shan, while Qin Zhao defeated Pang Wanhe to claim the Qilin Champion position. After the Martial Selection ended, Pang Shixun summoned Chen Cheng privately to fulfill their earlier agreement.

• Qin Zhao offered Chen Cheng secret Cloud Roc Leg Technique instruction and resources, but Chen Cheng deferred his answer after secretly gaining entry-level mastery of the technique.
• Meng Lei forfeited his bout against Chen Cheng, and the examiner announced the final round’s challenge rules; Chen Cheng chose to challenge Zhang Shan for sixth place on the Silver List.
• Chen Cheng used his knowledge of Zhang Shan’s techniques to defeat him, while Qin Zhao defeated Pang Wanhe and claimed the Qilin Champion position.
• The examiner announced the final rankings, placing Chen Cheng sixth on the Silver List, and Hong Jinhai presented the selected fighters with their Martial Guard credentials.
• Pang Shixun took Chen Cheng aside after the ceremony and said he had come to fulfill their agreement from three months earlier.

Chen Cheng received Pang Shixun’s promise of an introduction to the Nine Altars Sect in a month, while Qin Zhao gave him the same deadline to accept recruitment or die. After Zhao Tianlai was left crippled and Wan Qianshan learned that Chen Cheng had killed Kuang Yifeng, Chen Cheng returned home to gifts and acclaim, where Wang Peng delivered him a letter from Yun Shuangling.

• Pang Shixun examined Chen Cheng and promised to introduce him to a Nine Altars Sect elder in a month, while also offering him a possible route into official service through the Pang Family.
• Pang Shixun warned Chen Cheng to avoid Qin Zhao, as Qin Zhao separately gave Chen Cheng one month to accept his offer before ordering his death.
• An old physician reported that Zhao Tianlai’s spine and internal organs were gravely damaged, and Wan Qianshan collapsed in rage after Cao Miao explained that Qin Zhao had crippled him.
• Wan Qianshan learned that Chen Cheng had killed Kuang Yifeng and bitterly regretted how Dragon Mountain Hall had treated Chen Cheng.
• Chen Cheng accepted gifts from Wu Ziyu and Shen Bi, while officials’ wives crowded around Madam Li to flatter her over Chen Cheng’s success.
• Wang Peng arrived at the Chen Residence and gave Chen Cheng a letter from Yun Shuangling.

Chen Cheng learned of a possible rebellion, secured his family’s safety, and continued training as Zhao City prepared for war. After the threat appeared contained, he ambushed Zhang Shan, killing him, but Liu Yikai escaped and fled from the unseen attacker.

• Chen Cheng learned from Yun Shuangling’s letter that the Black Cloud Water Stronghold, Bai Fishery Manor, and Immortal Bone Sect Rebel Army were plotting a rebellion, and he considered taking his family to the Prefecture City.
• Wu Ziyu told Chen Cheng that the Black Cloud Water Stronghold had doubled its tribute demands and looted the Zhou Family Fishing Manor, while Cao Miao offered him thirteen Red Jade Blood-Boosting Pills on Academy Master Wan’s behalf.
• Chen An and Madam Bai moved into the Inner City, where Chen Cheng’s household registration exempted them from conscription and corvée labor.
• After Zhuang Zhuang departed with the new recruits, Chen Cheng learned that Zhao City’s forces had besieged Black Cloud Stronghold and decided not to evacuate his family yet.
• Chen Cheng trained for seven days, then waited in North Thirteen Wards to ambush Zhang Shan, but Liu Yikai’s unexpected presence made him hesitate.
• When a messenger warned Liu Yikai and Zhang Shan about danger to Qin Zhao from the Pang Family, Chen Cheng killed Zhang Shan with a Crescent Dart, while Liu Yikai escaped another dart and fled.

Chen Cheng killed Liu Yikai, then watched the Pang Family’s attack draw Yuntai Hall into a larger battle at Qin Zhao’s residence. When Qin Zhao escaped the burning compound with a demonic transformation and fled, Chen Cheng pursued him and cut him off with a powerful kick.

• Chen Cheng followed Liu Yikai and killed him after disabling both his legs, then beheaded him with his daggers.
• Chen Cheng waited outside Qin Zhao’s residence as the Pang Family’s assassins fought inside and Qin Yuan led Yuntai Hall reinforcements into the compound.
• A second Pang Family force attacked the residence, and explosions and flames engulfed it as Chen Cheng realized the earlier fight had been a trap to draw out Yuntai Hall’s leaders.
• Qin Zhao escaped the burning residence, swallowed a blood-red pill, and revealed the strange eyes of a Cloth-Wrapping Demon.
• Chen Cheng chased Qin Zhao through the streets, took a side alley to intercept him, and struck at his head with a descending kick.

Chen Cheng killed Qin Zhao, escaped with his head, and discovered that the Red Heart Ganoderma he gave Pang Shixun had not earned him a recommendation to the Nine Altars Sect. Lin Fengxiao revealed that the Red Moon Cult leader had come to the Qin Residence to take Qin Zhao’s head, leaving Chen Cheng wondering why it mattered.

• Chen Cheng used two Instant Shifts to evade Qin Zhao’s counterattack and killed him with a Taiji Force leg strike, then looted his corpse.
• Chen Cheng returned home with Qin Zhao’s belongings, identified two iron balls as Divine Fire Thunder, found a blood-red pill and a True Force Contemplation Map, and trained the secret Cloud Roc Leg Technique.
• Xiang Han refused to take Chen Cheng to the Nine Altars Sect, citing Chen Cheng’s possible ties to Ye Yang and his humiliation of Wan Qianshan; Pang Shixun accepted Chen Cheng’s Red Heart Ganoderma but falsely told him to wait for news.
• Lin Fengxiao told Chen Cheng that the Pang Family had wiped out Yuntai Hall’s core members, that Qin Zhao was beheaded, and that authorities had linked him to the Red Moon Cult.
• Lin Fengxiao revealed that the Red Moon Cult leader had come to the Qin Residence to take Qin Zhao’s head, and Chen Cheng wondered why the head was valuable.

Chen Cheng brought Madam Li to Yong Prefecture City, then received seven Nine Altars Blood-Boosting Pills from Du Wenshun and used them to accelerate his cultivation before setting out north with Du’s caravan. The chapter ends with Chen Cheng meeting a young man among the other martial artists traveling toward the Shanhai Sect.

• Chen Cheng registered as reserve talent, informed Wu Ziyu and Shen Bi that he planned to leave Zhao City, and asked them to look after Third Uncle and Third Aunt.
• Chen Cheng and Madam Li reached Yong Prefecture City, where Wu Ziyu had arranged a courtyard for them.
• Du Wenshun invited Chen Cheng to travel north with his caravan and gave him seven Nine Altars Blood-Boosting Pills; Chen Cheng learned that several other young martial artists were also heading to the Shanhai Sect.
• Chen Cheng used the pills to cultivate for five days, then said goodbye to Madam Li and joined Du’s caravan as it departed.
• During a rest stop, an embroidered-robed young man approached Chen Cheng and asked how to address him.

Chen Cheng met fellow martial artists on the journey north, then traded his Iron-Bone Crocodile Eel jerky for valuable Gold-Backed Strange Bear jerky from the master of the white cat Night-Illuminator. Seven days later, the caravan entered Yunlei Prefecture, where signs of famine, rebellion, and demonic danger surrounded them, and a scream from the front of the caravan left Chen Cheng alarmed.

• Ning Chong and Chen Cheng introduced themselves to the other young martial artists, and Zhao Dongping mocked Ning Chong for coming from Feng City.
• Su Bing recognized Chen Cheng's achievement, while Chen Cheng revealed that his innate frame was not ideal and heard the group discuss their chances of joining the Shanhai Sect.
• Night-Illuminator entered Chen Cheng's carriage, and its maidservant arranged a trade of two hundred pieces of Chen Cheng's jerky for one hundred pieces of Gold-Backed Strange Bear jerky.
• The caravan reached Yunlei Prefecture, where Chen Cheng saw ruined villages, corpses, rebel banners, starving refugees, and notices warning of the Immortal Bone Sect and Fox Demon.
• A scream erupted near the front of the caravan, and Chen Cheng lifted the curtain with a changed expression.

Bandits attacked the Du Clan Caravan, but a hidden sword master killed their leader while Chen Cheng and the others defeated the remaining powerful attackers. Chen Cheng revealed his newly condensed Eight-Wick Blood Qi by killing a bandit who tried to take him hostage, leaving the caravan members newly impressed by his strength.

• A refugee bandit leader killed a caravan guard and led an ambush, while Chen Cheng watched and identified several hidden masters among the attackers.
• Ning Chong charged the bandit leader, who sent him flying with a single blow and revealed strength of at least Nine-Wick Blood Qi.
• The sword master inside a luxurious carriage killed the bandit leader with a single sword strike, and Chen Cheng decided he needed to learn a weapon.
• Fang Lang, Su Bing, and Zhao Dongping killed the tattooed bandit, while Huang Jiao struck down the lanky swordsman, who then lunged at Chen Cheng to seize him as a hostage.
• Chen Cheng killed the lanky swordsman with a newly created kick, then revealed that he had condensed Eight-Wick Blood Qi the previous night.
• Ning Chong regretted not teaming up with Chen Cheng, Zhao Dongping ingratiated himself with him, and the maid from the sword master's carriage approached him.

Chen Cheng reached Yunlei Prefecture City, exchanged wanted criminals’ heads for Martial Merit, and revealed that he had earned a major reward with help from a powerful friend. He parted ways with Fang Lang’s group, whose members argued over why he had declined their alliance.

• Fang Lang invited Chen Cheng to join his alliance with Zhao Dongping and Su Bing, but Chen Cheng deferred his answer.
• The little maid traded Chen Cheng’s thousand pieces of Iron-Bone Crocodile Eel jerky for six hundred pieces of Gold-Backed Strange Bear jerky, and Chen Cheng gave her a little extra jerky in return.
• Chen Cheng reached Yunlei Prefecture City with the caravan, learned about the city and its dangers, and went to the Patrol Office to claim rewards for two wanted criminals’ heads.
• The Merit Official identified one head as level-three criminal and the other as Xiao Kui, a level-one Rebel Army leader; Chen Cheng chose Martial Merit for both rewards and credited a powerful friend with helping kill Xiao Kui.
• Zhao Dongping pressed Chen Cheng to join their alliance, but Chen Cheng declined, and Su Bing suggested he had good reason to refuse.
• On the way to Futong Inn, Zhao Dongping complained about Chen Cheng’s reward while Fang Lang called him calculating, and Su Bing defended him before Zhao Dongping snapped at her.

Chen Cheng traveled from Yunlei Prefecture to the Shanhai Sect, where he arrived to undergo an innate foundation test. The chapter left him entering a side building while the test began rejecting applicants in the line.

• Chen Cheng shared a meal with Ning Chong while Huang Jiao left, and he noticed that Su Bing had a bruise on her cheek.
• Chen Cheng stayed awake practicing the Four Gods Profound Body as Fang Lang and Zhao Dongping returned drunk from Dream Relic Pavilion.
• An unseen attacker used Locust Stones to set off a Divine Fire Thunder, killing Fang Lang and Zhao Dongping, then slipped back into Futong Inn.
• The Patrol Office blamed the explosion on the Immortal Bone Sect, and Chen Cheng's convoy left Yunlei Prefecture the next morning.
• Chen Cheng arrived at Shanhai Gate and learned that outsiders had to undergo an innate foundation test before entering the sect.
• Chen Cheng went into another stone house instead of joining the test line as applicants Lu Shang and Zhang Ziran were assessed and dismissed.

Ning Chong’s Flesh Pole aptitude earned him special attention from the Shanhai Sect, while Chen Cheng’s token from Yun Shuangling secured him honored-guest status and Guanlan Pavilion. The chapter ended with Li Wenrou reacting strangely when Chen Cheng revealed who had invited him.

• The deacon discovered Ning Chong had Flesh Pole above the best aptitude and took him to meet Outer Sect supervising elder Zhou Wansen.
• Zhou Wansen verified Chen Cheng’s token from Yun Shuangling, waived his aptitude test, and arranged for him to stay at Guanlan Pavilion.
• Zhou Wansen ordered Li Wenrou to arrange Ning Chong’s entry as an Outer Sect Core Disciple and treat Chen Cheng as a distinguished guest.
• Li Wenrou assigned residences and expenses to the new disciples, then escorted Chen Cheng to Guanlan Pavilion while Huang Jiao watched in disbelief.
• Chen Cheng told Li Wenrou that Yun Shuangling had invited him, and Li Wenrou froze at the name.

Chen Cheng settled into Guanlan Pavilion and dined with fellow disciples, who discussed the academies and expected him to enter the Mountain Academy’s Sword Pavilion. As Chen Cheng declined another meal to focus on training, a tall, burly figure arrived at the dining hall.

• Li Wenrou told Chen Cheng that her father and brother had gone north to fight, while Chen Cheng said he had received no news about his father’s classified military unit.
• Chen Cheng moved into Guanlan Pavilion and accepted training clothes and boots gifted by Elder Zhou and Deacon Li.
• Ning Chong invited Chen Cheng to the dining hall, where Su Bing, Ding Lu, Ma Song, and Lu Shang joined them for a meal.
• Lu Shang explained the Mountain and Sea Academy pavilions, and the group predicted Chen Cheng would enter the Sword Pavilion.
• Chen Cheng declined invitations to another meal so he could train, and a tall, burly figure strode into the dining hall.

Chen Cheng accepted Dong Chuo’s Blood Jade Fruits, sold them, and bought Shanhai Blood-Boosting Pills that helped him cultivate faster. After sensing an unusual woman in the Sea Marsh while hunting for a Treasure Fish, he watched her as she chased a golden fish.

• Dong Chuo gave Chen Cheng ten Blood Jade Fruits and warned that medicinal poison from compounded medicines could harm a martial artist’s future cultivation.
• Chen Cheng exchanged the Blood Jade Fruits with Ding Lu for thirteen thousand taels, then used the money to buy thirteen Shanhai Blood-Boosting Pills.
• Dong Chuo learned Chen Cheng had sold the fruits and ordered his followers to monitor him, while reassuring them he would protect them if Whale-Fishing Pass fell.
• Chen Cheng briefly entered a state in which he felt united with heaven and earth, then took a Shanhai Blood-Boosting Pill and found its effects stronger than the Nine Altars Blood-Boosting Pill.
• After sensing a Treasure Fish in the Sea Marsh, Chen Cheng entered the water and found a naked woman hiding among the water grass.
• A golden fish darted from the water grass, and the woman chased after it.

Chen Cheng ate a Golden Meat Carp and continued training while rival sects maneuvered over his future. When Sea Academy tested him for his Natural Iron Lung, Gu Qianqian arranged a fight against Han Chou, who could not land a blow as Chen Cheng calmly evaded him.

• Chen Cheng killed the Golden Meat Carp that fled into his hiding place, escaped the pursuing woman, and ate the fish to gain nearly three days' worth of Blood Qi.
• Ding Lu offered Red Jade Fruits to Dong Chuo, Yuan Feiche learned Yun Zhan had died and began positioning himself to become Sword Pavilion Master, and Dong Zhou encouraged Dong Chuo to use resources to control promising newcomers.
• Jiang Yujiao ordered Gu Qianqian to secretly investigate a newcomer with a Natural Iron Lung, while Chen Cheng mastered the Cloud Roc Leg Technique during five days of training.
• Zhou Wansen ordered Chen Cheng tested and threatened to expel him, but Deacon Sun discovered his Natural Iron Lung and reported that Sea Academy was seeking him.
• Gu Qianqian brought Chen Cheng to the training grounds for an exchange with Han Chou, who attacked relentlessly while Chen Cheng dodged every strike without moving his feet at first.
• Han Chou unleashed a flurry of punches, but Chen Cheng moved through the attacks with ease, leaving the fight unresolved.

Chen Cheng defeated Han Chou’s full-force Nine-Blood punch without moving, forcing Gu Qianqian to accept that he had passed her test and prompting several pavilions to seek him out. After the crowd dispersed, Chen Cheng reunited with Ning Chong and asked how he was adapting to the Fist Pavilion.

• Chen Cheng beat Han Chou with a new leg technique, and Gu Qianqian used a Dragon-Python Bone-Mending Pill to heal Han Chou and help him break through to Nine-Wick Blood Qi.
• Chen Cheng requested a harder test, and Han Chou agreed to settle their fight with one punch; Han Chou’s strike landed on Chen Cheng’s chest but did not move or injure him.
• The witnesses were stunned, Han Chou acknowledged Chen Cheng’s strength, and Gu Qianqian promised to report his performance to her master before leaving.
• Li Wenrou and Zhou Wansen offered Chen Cheng support and medicine, while Chen Cheng privately revealed that he had only feigned injury and had been protected by several layers of defense.
• Ning Chong arrived with Su Bing and others, offered Chen Cheng healing medicine, and reaffirmed their friendship; Chen Cheng asked Ning Chong how he was adapting to the Fist Pavilion.