Recaps

Chen Cheng escaped poverty by mastering martial arts, breaking through to One-Incense Blood Qi, and severing his Death-Pledge Contract. After the Black Wolf Gang’s attacks and Zhao Shan’s death, he secured paid work at Yongsheng Trading Firm, where Shen Mi questioned him about Zhao Shan.

• Chen Cheng retrieved his father’s letter, awakened the Vertical Eye Mark, and used it to learn Health-Preserving Taiji Fist before entering Dragon Mountain Martial Hall’s Lower Academy.
• Chen Cheng trained while struggling to feed himself and Madam Li, then killed Laitou and took his hidden money.
• Chen Cheng defeated Wang Han in the Minor Competition, kept the Blood Refining Powder, and condensed One-Incense Blood Qi to become a Martial Artist.
• Chen Cheng fought off Zhao Shan when he threatened Madam Li, then later ambushed and killed Zhao Shan and used Health-Preserving Taiji to improve his strength and recovery.
• Chen Cheng helped Chen An’s family, learned that Xiao Long had been seriously injured, and entered the Middle Academy after Fatty Fang lifted his Death-Pledge Contract.
• Chen Cheng visited Hu Niu and Zhou Long, gave Zhou Long his money, and heard Zhou Long warn him about the black-clad attackers and Red Moon Nunnery.
• Chen Cheng accepted Shen Mi’s offer of five taels a month to guard Yongsheng Trading Firm’s warehouse, and Shen Mi asked him about Zhao Shan’s death.

Chen Cheng strengthened his Blood Qi, secured work at Yongsheng Trading Firm, and killed Zhao Chuan while the city descended into gang violence. After earning a Silver-Letter Waist Badge, he avoided recruitment, while Red Moon Nunnery’s remnants began searching for their sacred relic.

• Chen Cheng stole the valuables meant to frame him, killed Liu San, and left Scar Bear to face the aftermath.
• Chen Cheng moved Madam Li to a cottage near Dragon Mountain Hall, reached Second-Incense Blood Qi, and received Shen Mi’s promise of support and medicinal herbs.
• Chen Cheng declined to join the raid on Red Moon Nunnery, helped Lin Fengxiao correct his forms, and resolved to contend for a Martial Guard title.
• Chen Cheng took over Yongsheng Trading Firm’s accounts, became its accountant, and killed the wounded Zhao Chuan, taking the Red Moon Original Vow Sutra.
• Chen Cheng learned Moon Breath of Avici from the sutra and used Health-Preserving Taiji to neutralize its harmful effects before hiding the book.
• Chen Cheng registered his Silver-Letter Waist Badge and entered the Inner Hall, where Xiao Yi’s suspicions about his advancement were rejected after Tang Yunlong examined him.
• Hu Biao demanded triple Peace Tax from Chen Hao’s family, while a mysterious figure ordered the recovery of the sect’s sacred relic at any cost.
• Chen Cheng gave Madam Li silver for winter expenses, warned her against taking work during the unrest, and went to the Lower Academy of Dragon Mountain Hall.

Chen Cheng advanced to three incenses of Blood Qi, became an Inner Hall disciple, and rose to prominence in the annual assessment. The arc ended as he faced Xiao Yi in the practical combat test, while Shen Mi searched for him and the Merchant Charter deadline drew closer.

• Chen Cheng bought Shen Mi’s Five-Claw Golden Ray Dragon Claw Herb, used Five Dragon Decoction to accelerate his cultivation, and killed Ding Sanshui, Zou Kui, and Zhao Hai after they targeted him.
• Elder Wen trained Chen Cheng in life-or-death combat, and Chen Cheng condensed his third incense of Blood Qi while Xiao Yi plotted against him and sought support from Wu Manqing.
• Chen Cheng became an official Inner Hall disciple despite Ye Yang’s warning not to compete with Xiao Yi, and he received a new room, better meals, and access to advancement opportunities.
• At the annual assessment, Chen Cheng’s family struggled to pay the winter tax, and the Patrol Office runners dragged Chen Yong away when the family’s money fell short.
• Lin Fengxiao earned two top A ratings, while Chen Cheng pierced four layers of iron skin and held a thirteen-hundred-jin bronze cauldron for nine breaths, surpassing Xiao Yi’s records.
• Several guests offered Chen Cheng support, and Xiao Yi grew furious and resolved to kill him during the practical combat assessment.
• Ye Yang canceled the Four-Incense Blood Qi test, while Shen Mi learned that the Merchant Charter deadline had only been advanced and continued searching for Chen Cheng.
• Chen Cheng and Xiao Yi began their combat assessment, and Chen Cheng’s apparent rush stopped just before he reached Xiao Yi.

Chen Cheng built his strength and influence through academy trials, dangerous encounters, and new allies while pursuing resources and investigating Fuchang Firm. When the Blood-Robed Cult attacked the city in search of the Moon Marrow, Chen Cheng fought a cultist and prepared to move Madam Li to their new home in the Inner City.

• Chen Cheng defeated Xiao Yi in the assessment, earned top marks, and accepted a paid position with the Shen Family’s Third Branch while delaying other offers.
• Chen Cheng tracked Xing Xiong after he delivered a box for Fuchang Firm, killed him, and used Ye Yang’s True Force Contemplation Map to make rapid progress.
• Chen Cheng fought Yan Huaiqing at Jiuan Hunting Manor, formed his fourth incense of Blood Qi, and unveiled a fire-dragon-like strike that amazed the guests.
• Chen Cheng killed Liu the Crooked and his bandits, then learned about Lin Fengxiao’s dealings and continued training as Fuchang Firm came under siege.
• Chen Cheng learned the God-Raising Chapter from Zhuang Zhuang’s letter, taught her the God-Rearing Chapter, and accepted her family residence in the Inner City.
• When the Blood-Robed Cult attacked in search of the Moon Marrow, Chen Cheng killed a cultist and discovered that the man’s cloak could disperse some incoming force.
• Chen Cheng reached Madam Li’s home and told her to pack so they could move to their new home in the Inner City.