Recaps

Lin Tian and Zhao Clan went to his grandfather’s home to claim the martial trial quota earned by Lin Tian’s father, but the family revealed that Lin Tiansheng had already used it to train in an inner-city martial hall. Zhao Clan began to challenge the family’s decision, and the grandfather cut her off.

• Zhang Cui scolded Lin Tian and Zhao Clan when they asked for the martial trial documents.
• Zhao Clan asked the old master to give Lin Tian the quota his father had earned through military service.
• Lin Tian’s second uncle and the old master urged him to abandon martial arts and learn a practical trade, but Lin Tian insisted he wanted to practice.
• Lin Tiansheng announced that he had already begun practicing martial arts, and Zhang Cui boasted that he trained at a top inner-city martial hall.
• Zhao Clan and Lin Tian realized the family had used Lin Tian’s quota for Lin Tiansheng, and the old master stopped Zhao Clan as she prepared to object.

Lin Tian and Zhao Clan failed to persuade the old master to let Lin Tian practice martial arts or receive compensation for the spot Lin Tiansheng had taken. As they returned to Jinghe Bay, Lin Tian faced the threat of the Shark Gang and their demand to marry Lin Wan, when a woman called out to stop him.

• Lin Tian asked the old master for a chance to practice martial arts, but Lin Tiansheng and Zhang Cui rejected him and warned that he could disrupt Tiansheng's martial examination.
• The old master ordered Lin Tian and Zhao Clan to leave, dismissing Zhao Clan's reminder that Lin Tian's father had been injured after joining the army in someone else's place.
• Zhao Clan stopped arguing after the old master became distressed, and she and Lin Tian left without a martial arts opportunity or compensation.
• As they walked back to Jinghe Bay, Lin Tian recalled how the Shark Gang's escalating incense demands and marriage proposal for Lin Wan had pushed his family toward ruin.
• A woman called out to Lin Tian from behind and told him to wait.

Lin Ci gave Lin Tian her saved dowry so he could pursue martial training, and Lin Tian accepted it as his chance to change his circumstances. Back at Jinghe Bend, the family faced renewed extortion from the Shark Gang, while Father Lin told Lin Tian to follow his decision and leave the household troubles to him.

• Lin Ci hurried after Lin Tian and gave him her savings for martial training, insisting that he borrow the money and repay it with interest.
• Lin Tian kept the money, resolved to repay his aunt, and returned to Jinghe Bend with the Zhao Clan after nightfall.
• Lin Tian found three Dragon King Tokens on the family boat, a sign that the Shark Gang was intensifying its extortion over his elder sister.
• Father Lin asked Lin Tian about his visit to his grandfather's house, and Lin Tian recounted what had happened.
• Lin Tian told Father Lin he still intended to practice martial arts, and Father Lin agreed while saying he would handle the pressure at home.

Lin Tian began training at the Zhao Family Martial Academy, where Zhao Cang accepted him as a disciple and taught him the Mountain-Shaking Fist. The chapter ended with Zhao Cang explaining that the fist’s minor accomplishment served as a measure of whether Lin Tian had accumulated enough qi and blood to attempt a breakthrough.

• Lin Tian reassured Lin Wan that he would not sacrifice her and promised to resolve their family’s troubles after obtaining the qualification to practice martial arts.
• Lin Tian traveled safely to the Zhao Family Martial Academy, carrying the money Lin Ci had given him.
• Zhao Cang examined Lin Tian’s bones, confirmed he could train, and accepted his payment for three months of tuition.
• Lin Tian formally acknowledged Zhao Cang as his master and agreed to follow the academy’s rules and endure hardship.
• Zhao Cang demonstrated the Mountain-Shaking Fist and explained that reaching its minor accomplishment level allowed a disciple to judge readiness to break through to Ming Jin.
• Lin Tian questioned why a martial technique was needed for a breakthrough, and Zhao Cang clarified that qi and blood were the true requirement while the fist served as a measuring standard.

Lin Tian learned the Mountain-Shaking Fist at the Zhao Family Martial Academy and rapidly mastered its forms, despite mockery from other disciples. After he tried to produce its first echo, Zhang Ming brought him food, and the chapter ended with a female disciple summoning Lin Tian to the Inner Academy at Master’s request.

• Zhao Cang explained how cultivation techniques measured martial progress and taught Lin Tian the essentials of the Mountain-Shaking Fist.
• Lin Tian’s Fate Grid showed his rapid progress, while a clique of disciples mocked him and their leader plotted to intimidate him.
• Lin Tian performed the Mountain-Shaking Fist flawlessly after five rounds and attempted its first echo, producing only a faint sound that the others failed to notice.
• Zhang Ming praised Lin Tian’s comprehension, introduced himself as an Inner Academy disciple, and later gave Lin Tian two steamed buns prepared by Master.
• Lin Tian resumed practicing after eating, and a female disciple announced that Master wanted him to come to the Inner Academy.

After demonstrating his complete mastery of the Mountain-Shaking Fist, Lin Tian impressed Zhao Cang and the inner-courtyard disciples, but Zhao Cang found that Lin Tian had an inferior root bone and dismissed him. Lin Tian returned to training, confident that his fate would let comprehension and diligence overcome his poor aptitude, while the other disciples mocked him.

• Zhou Ya brought Lin Tian into the inner courtyard, where Zhao Cang asked him to demonstrate the Mountain-Shaking Fist.
• Lin Tian performed the entire routine, impressing Zhao Cang and the six inner-courtyard disciples with his comprehension.
• Zhao Cang tested Lin Tian's root bone and declared it inferior, causing the disciples' admiration to disappear and Zhou Ya to distance herself.
• Zhao Cang told Lin Tian to keep training, then privately judged his poor aptitude and failure to reclaim his tuition as signs of limited potential.
• Lin Tian checked his fate and saw his Mountain-Shaking Fist proficiency at 63/100, then resumed practicing despite the surrounding disciples' mockery.

Lin Tian continued practicing Mountain-Shaking Fist despite his Inferior Bone Quality, while Zhang Ming and Zhao Cang refrained from urging him to leave the Martial Academy. His Fate Grid advanced the fist art to Greater Achievement, and he went home after Zhao Cang reminded him to rest.

• The Outer Academy disciples discussed Lin Tian's Inferior Bone Quality and doubted that anyone among them could break through to Bright Force.
• Zhang Ming praised Lin Tian's diligence and offered to answer questions about fist arts, while Zhou Ya criticized him for wasting time on someone with poor talent.
• Lin Tian completed another round of Mountain-Shaking Fist, and his Fate Grid raised the technique from Minor Achievement to Greater Achievement.
• Zhao Cang found Lin Tian practicing after the academy was closing and told him to balance work and rest.
• Lin Tian bowed to Zhao Cang and left, while Zhao Cang doubted his comprehension could overcome his Inferior Bone Quality.

After reaching minor mastery in Mountain-Shaking Fist, Lin Tian realized his Inferior Bone Quality left him short of the blood and qi needed to break through to Bright Force, but he resolved to keep training. Back home, he learned the roads were dangerous and noticed his elder sister Lin Wan quietly crying over the Shark Gang’s marriage proposal, strengthening his determination to become powerful.

• Lin Tian assessed his strength and realized his blood and qi were insufficient for a Bright Force breakthrough because of his Inferior Bone Quality, so he resolved to train his fist further.
• Lin Tian hid in a reed thicket as a fleeing figure and five or six armed pursuers rushed past him, then continued home.
• Lin Tian told Zhao Clan about the danger on the road and reassured her that his martial training tuition would last three months.
• Lin Tian noticed Lin Wan’s shoulders trembling behind the grass curtain and understood that she was despairing over the Shark Gang’s marriage proposal.
• Lin Tian clenched his fists in the dark and became even more determined to master martial training.

Lin Tian continued practicing Mountain-Shaking Fist at the Martial Academy despite the other disciples mocking his inferior root bones. A newly arrived young man showed exceptional aptitude for the fist technique, catching Lin Tian’s attention.

• Lin Tian practiced Mountain-Shaking Fist while the outer- and inner-courtyard disciples ridiculed him for staying at the academy with inferior root bones.
• Zhou Ya gave Lin Tian a cold look, while Zhang Ming nodded to him and Lin Tian returned the greeting.
• A woman and a young man arrived at the academy, and Zhao Cang later guided the young man through Mountain-Shaking Fist.
• Cao Wei and his group watched the new young man, but Cao Wei left without provoking him.
• Lin Tian recognized that the young man had quickly grasped the fist technique’s difficult breathing rhythm, revealing strong martial aptitude.

Lin Tian trained to prepare for the Bright Force barrier while worrying that the Shark Gang would come for his family. After rumors revealed the gang had lost a Bright Force expert, he hoped its troubles would buy him time, but he resolved to act if it came for his sister.

• Lin Tian witnessed armed men hunting a Shark Gang member and hurried home, deciding to take another route the next day.
• At the Martial Academy, Lin Tian steadily advanced his Mountain-Shaking Fist and judged that he could attempt the Bright Force barrier soon.
• Outer Academy members said the Shark Gang had lost a Bright Force expert in a fight with another gang, and Lin Tian wondered if it was too occupied to target his family.
• Xiao Tian drew attention at the Martial Academy as Zhao Cang repeatedly guided him, while Lin Tian continued training alone.
• Lin Tian's Mountain-Shaking Fist reached 315/500, leaving him two days from attempting the Bright Force barrier, and he resolved to stop the Shark Gang himself if it came for his sister.

Lin Tian endured Cao Wei’s unfair assignment to clean the stables while learning that Xiao Tian had become Zhao Cang’s closed-door disciple. As the other disciples mocked Lin Tian’s inferior roots, he saw that his Mountain-Shaking Fist was close to major achievement and prepared to reach Bright Force.

• Cao Wei hurled a broom at Lin Tian and ordered him to clean the stables again, despite Lin Tian having done the chore the day before.
• Lin Tian learned that Xiao Tian had struck the first ring of the Mountain-Shaking Fist, possessed superior root bones, and been accepted as Zhao Cang’s closed-door disciple.
• Lin Tian realized Xiao Tian’s new status had shifted the chores onto him and decided to settle accounts with Cao Wei after handling his elder sister’s matter.
• While Lin Tian practiced in the outer courtyard, the disciples compared him unfavorably with Xiao Tian and mocked his talent.
• Lin Tian checked his fate spark and saw that his Mountain-Shaking Fist had reached 417 out of 500 toward major achievement.

Lin Tian faced Zhuang Qiang’s threats against his family and bought them one day by invoking his status as a Zhao Family Martial Academy disciple. After returning to the academy, he perfected Mountain-Shaking Fist and broke through into Bright Force.

• Zhuang Qiang arrived with Shark Gang men, demanded twenty taels in Dragon King tribute, and threatened to take Lin Wan if the family refused.
• Lin Tian asked for three days to pay, but Zhuang Qiang rejected the offer and threatened the family; after one of his men whispered to him, he left with his deadline reduced to one day.
• Father Lin planned to flee Jinghe Bend and retrieve Lin Tian’s Martial Academy tuition, while Lin Wan wept over the Shark Gang’s threat.
• Lin Tian returned to the Martial Academy and practiced Mountain-Shaking Fist until his fate showed it had reached perfection.
• Lin Tian’s qi and blood surged, and force flowed through his body as he achieved Bright Force.

Lin Tian left Zhao Cang’s banquet preparations and waited along the route Zhuang Qiang had used the night before. When Zhuang Qiang and two martial practitioners arrived, Lin Tian killed all three, looted their money, and escaped through the riverway.

• Lin Tian asked Zhao Cang for leave to depart early, while the disciples assumed he was avoiding Xiao Tian’s banquet and mocked his poor aptitude.
• Lin Tian hid beside the path Zhuang Qiang had taken the previous night and waited for him to return.
• Zhuang Qiang arrived with two martial practitioners and discussed abducting a young woman from the Lin Family.
• Lin Tian ambushed the group with Mountain-Shaking Fist, killing the two martial practitioners and then finishing off Zhuang Qiang.
• Lin Tian crushed the men’s chests, took about thirty taels of silver, and escaped through the riverway.

Lin Tian returned home after dealing with Zhuang Qiang and convinced his family that they no longer needed to flee, giving his father thirty silver taels. The next day, he trained at the Martial Academy while listening to rumors that Zhuang Qiang’s death was blamed on the Black Axe Gang, then heard disciples bring up an intruder at Senior Brother Xiao Tian’s banquet.

• Lin Tian arrived home, and Father Lin quietly took the family’s boat away from shore before asking his son what had happened.
• Lin Tian attributed Zhuang Qiang’s death to the gang conflict, gave Father Lin thirty silver taels, and said the family did not need to leave.
• Father Lin told Mother Lin and Lin Wan that Zhuang Qiang would not return, while Lin Wan suspected Lin Tian had killed him after recognizing the scent of human blood on him.
• Lin Tian went to the Martial Academy, where disciples said Zhuang Qiang had been killed and the Shark Gang was blaming the Black Axe Gang.
• Lin Tian worried that the Shark Gang might still discover the truth and trained harder, then overheard disciples discussing who had barged into Senior Brother Xiao Tian’s banquet.

Lin Tian concealed his Bright Force cultivation while the academy celebrated Xiao Tian’s rapid progress and breakthrough. The chapter ended with Lin Tian checking his Fate Grid, which showed his Mountain-Shaking Fist had reached Perfected and stood at 589/2000.

• Lin Tian overheard that a Transforming Force master with an old grudge against Zhao Cang had barged into the academy’s banquet, and decided to keep his own cultivation hidden.
• Lin Tian considered the cost of Bright Force training and watched Xiao Tian arrive at the Inner Academy surrounded by senior disciples.
• The academy’s disciples grew accustomed to mocking Lin Tian as a “Stubborn Seed” for repeatedly practicing his fists.
• Xiao Tian produced the three shock-rumbles of a minor accomplishment and broke through to Bright Force after one month, earning congratulations from Zhao Cang and the other disciples.
• Lin Tian showed no surprise at Xiao Tian’s breakthrough and saw that his Fate Grid listed Mountain-Shaking Fist (Perfected) at 589/2000.

Lin Tian struggled to keep his body strong enough to support his Cultivation Technique and left the Martial Academy early to meet his childhood friends. As the academy disciples and Xiao Tian dismissed him as a failure, Lin Tian reunited with Wang Qi, who noticed he looked different.

• Lin Tian realized his Cultivation Technique was outpacing his body's strength, so he relied on nourishing food and planned to find work to afford more support.
• After another ten-odd days, Lin Tian's improved meals made him sturdier, but he still had to leave training early because his body had reached its limit.
• Lin Tian left the Martial Academy to attend a gathering with his childhood friends in Jinghe Bend, while the Outer Academy disciples mocked him and compared his progress unfavorably to Xiao Tian's.
• Zhou Ya pointed Lin Tian out to Xiao Tian from their carriage, and Xiao Tian dismissed him as a good-for-nothing who would eventually recognize their difference in talent.
• Lin Tian reached Jinghe Bend and reunited with Wang Qi, who had returned from learning carpentry in the Inner City and asked why Lin Tian looked different.

Lin Tian and Wang Qi joined their childhood friends at Zhao Cui’s gathering, where Zhao Cui finally revealed the person he had been waiting for. Lin Tian recognized Lin Ya, a childhood acquaintance who had moved away years earlier, and she rejoined the group.

• Wang Qi told Lin Tian that Zhao Cui had repeatedly asked him to attend the gathering, making Lin Tian wonder why it mattered so much to Zhao Cui.
• Lin Tian and Wang Qi arrived at Zhao Cui’s courtyard and reunited with Wang Hu, Lin Lang, and Lin Niu.
• Lin Niu said Zhao Cui had been waiting behind the gate for someone, and Zhao Cui soon entered with a young woman.
• Lin Tian recognized the woman as Lin Ya before Zhao Cui could introduce her.
• Lin Ya greeted the group, and everyone recalled that her family had once lived in Jinghe Bay before moving away after her father recovered his fortunes.
• Lin Ya took a seat, and Zhao Cui eagerly poured her tea.

At a childhood gathering in Zhao Courtyard, Zhao Cui tried to impress Lin Ya and steer Lin Tian away from martial arts training, while Lin Tian quietly held to his choice. Lin Niu warned him about the ruinous risks facing poor people who pursue martial arts.

• Zhao Cui watched Lin Ya repeatedly glance at Lin Tian and grew frustrated that his attempt to court her was not going as planned.
• Zhao Cui asked the gathered childhood friends about their work, then prompted Lin Tian to share what he did.
• Lin Tian said he had begun practicing martial arts, shocking the group and worrying Lin Ya.
• Zhao Cui urged Lin Tian to abandon training and take a job with him at the government office, but Lin Tian refused.
• Lin Niu warned that poor martial artists often lost their families' savings, suffered ruined bodies, or ended up in dangerous labor before she stopped herself.

Lin Ya learned that Lin Tian might already have Bright Force, while Lin Tian followed a Shark Gang man to a hidden address and returned to training at the Martial Academy. After several weeks, the Outer Academy disciples heard that someone was attempting to break through to Bright Force.

• Lin Ya asked Old Su about Lin Tian's potential, and Old Su said Lin Tian appeared to already possess Bright Force, though he was only about sixty percent certain.
• Lin Tian followed a man he recognized as one of the Shark Gang's men to a dilapidated house, memorized its location, and left without investigating further.
• Lin Tian heard that Zhang Mingyuan had failed to break through to Bright Force and left the Martial Academy, while rumors also spread that Lin Tian had injured an Inner Academy senior.
• The disciples around Lin Tian began training harder, though Cao Wei and his group soon returned to their old habits, and one diligent boy from a poor family began spending time with them.
• After another dozen days passed, the Outer Academy disciples heard that a stubborn disciple was trying to break through to Bright Force and hurried to watch.

Lin Tian attempted to reveal his breakthrough to Bright Force before the Martial Academy crowd, drawing mockery and then astonishment as his qi and blood surged. Just as he neared the crucial moment, Cao Wei threw a stone at the academy gate, potentially disrupting him.

• Cao Wei spread word that Lin Tian was about to break through, drawing Outer Academy disciples and several Inner Academy members to watch.
• Lin Tian recognized Cao Wei’s provocation but focused on demonstrating his cultivation and preparing for a future attempt to break through to Dark Force.
• The crowd mocked Lin Tian’s Inferior Bone Quality and praised Xiao Tian, while Lin Qian sneered and Zhang Ming quietly hoped Lin Tian would succeed.
• As Lin Tian performed the Mountain-Shaking Fist’s final move, Zhang Ming noticed his vigorous qi and blood, and the crowd fell silent as they wondered whether he could break through.
• Cao Wei grew jealous and alarmed at Lin Tian’s apparent progress, then threw a stone that struck the Martial Academy’s main gate.

Lin Tian broke through to Bright Force despite being distracted by a shout, shocking the Outer Academy disciples and Zhou Ya. He left Cao Wei unconscious with a punch for interfering with his breakthrough, while Zhang Ming planned to explain what had happened to his master.

• Lin Tian completed his breakthrough to Bright Force, and Zhang Ming and the disciples congratulated him.
• Zhou Ya dismissed Lin Tian's breakthrough as the limit of his potential, while Cao Wei and the disciple who had summoned the crowd feared Lin Tian's retaliation.
• Lin Tian struck Cao Wei with a restrained Bright Force punch, sending him flying and leaving him unconscious.
• Nearby disciples explained Cao Wei's interference, and the crowd reacted with disgust; Zhang Ming decided to report the incident to his master.

Lin Tian entered the Inner Academy after breaking through to Bright Force, but Zhao Cang dismissed him without a proper apprenticeship ceremony and showed little interest in guiding him. Lin Tian returned home and revealed his breakthrough to his family, who rejoiced at his achievement.

• Zhang Ming brought Lin Tian into the Inner Academy, where Zhou Ya and the other disciples treated him coldly because of his Inferior Bone Quality.
• Zhao Cang confirmed Lin Tian had reached Bright Force, gave him a Blood-Qi Pill, and waived the apprenticeship ceremony before sending him away.
• Zhang Ming explained that Zhao Cang had focused his attention on Xiao Tian and had long neglected the other Inner Academy disciples.
• Lin Tian returned home and told Father Lin, Mother Lin, and Elder Sister that he had broken through to Bright Force.
• Lin Tian displayed his Bright Force, and Father Lin and Mother Lin celebrated his achievement.

After Lin Tian’s breakthrough to Bright Force raised his family’s hopes for the Martial Examination, he considered his next cultivation goal and the support he might need to reach it. The chapter left him preparing to visit the Lin Family Old Residence while discovering that Mountain-Shaking Fist had a realm beyond perfection.

• Lin Tian’s mother asked whether he could now take part in the Martial Examination, while Father Lin cautioned that Bright Force was only a starting point.
• Lin Tian learned that Zhang Cui had asked him to visit his grandfather’s home, and he decided to go partly to see his Younger Aunt, Lin Ci.
• At the Martial Academy, Lin Tian saw Outer Academy disciples practicing early and then trained in Mountain-Shaking Fist.
• Lin Tian’s Fate Grid revealed a new Limit-Breaking level of Mountain-Shaking Fist, prompting him to consider whether sponsorship and Blood-Qi Pills could help him progress.
• Lin Tian left the Martial Academy early with Zhao Cang’s permission, while Zhao Cang focused on training Xiao Tian for the Martial Examination.

Lin Tian visited the Lin Family Old Residence to see his little aunt, Lin Ci, but found the family gathered to question him about practicing martial arts. Zhang Cui accused him of having money he could not afford and threw a paper at him, leaving Lin Tian to inspect it.

• Lin Tian learned that Zhao Cang was relying on Xiao Tian to win Martial Examination honors and secure Blood Coagulation Pills for the Zhao Family Martial Academy.
• Lin Tian went to the Lin Family Old Residence, still resentful over how his family had been treated but motivated to see Lin Ci.
• Zhang Cui opened the door, mocked Lin Tian for coming empty-handed, and angrily followed him into the inner hall.
• Lin Tian found Old Master Lin, his second uncle, Lin Ci, and Zhang Cui gathered, and he noticed Lin Ci looked alarmed to see him.
• Old Master Lin questioned Lin Tian about practicing martial arts, and Zhang Cui demanded to know where he had gotten the money.
• Zhang Cui threw a sheet of paper at Lin Tian, who caught it and looked over its contents.

Lin Tian confronted Zhang Cui over her demand that he repay a loan meant for his martial training, then revealed that he had reached Bright Force. The Lin family’s excitement faded when they learned it had taken him two months, and Lin Tian left the old residence as evening fell.

• Zhang Cui claimed Lin Tian owed her household money, while Lin Ci insisted that she had lent him the money herself.
• Lin Tian said he would repay Lin Ci but rejected Zhang Cui’s demand for immediate payment.
• Zhang Cui insulted Lin Tian’s ability to practice martial arts, and Lin Tian revealed his Bright Force cultivation.
• Old Master Lin celebrated Lin Tian’s breakthrough, but Lin Tiansheng and Zhang Cui relaxed after Lin Tian said he had started practicing two months earlier.
• Lin Tian chatted with Old Master Lin, then took his leave as evening approached.