Chapter Summaries

Jiang Ning borrowed Wang Jin’s Blackwood Long Saber and tested the Canglang Saber Art, discovering that his panel could help him advance the mid-grade technique. He left determined to practice the saber art while continuing to prioritize the Five Animals Fist as the foundation of his strength.

• Jiang Ning asked Wang Jin for a saber, and Wang Jin lent him the Blackwood Long Saber while permitting him to try the Canglang Saber Art.
• Jiang Ning swung the saber and found it felt natural in his hands, then split a drifting leaf with a casual stroke.
• Jiang Ning practiced the Canglang Saber Art and gained one experience point, sensing an invisible force circulating within him.
• Jiang Ning practiced the saber art a second time, reaching 2/10 experience toward initiation and confirming it used less stamina than the Five Animals Fist.
• Jiang Ning decided to train the Canglang Saber Art without neglecting the Five Animals Fist, which he regarded as essential to building his physique and qi and blood.

Jiang Ning initiated the Canglang Saber Art and discovered that its Ninefold Force gave him immense power but injured his arm. He continued practicing to reach proficiency, hoping to gain a stronger trump card against Xu Yunfeng.

• Jiang Ning practiced the Canglang Saber Art until it reached the initiated stage and he gained Ninefold Force.
• Jiang Ning tested the force on an ironwood training post, nearly destroying it with one saber strike.
• Jiang Ning realized Ninefold Force had torn the muscles, skin, and blood vessels in his right arm, though his blood and qi quickly eased the injury.
• Jiang Ning decided to keep training toward proficiency so he could wield two layers of force and face Xu Yunfeng with a stronger killing move.

Jiang Ning spent the day practicing the Canglang Saber Art, consuming wild ginseng to support his training and nearing the next stage. He left for a banquet with Cheng Ran, carrying a saber from Wang Jin as protection while Cheng Ran privately wondered whether Jiang Ning could survive his predicament.

• Wang Jin watched Jiang Ning practice and concluded that the intermediate Canglang Saber Art was beyond his current level, but chose not to discourage him.
• Jiang Ning practiced all day, ate a root and a half of wild ginseng, and raised his Canglang Saber Art to Beginner 43/100.
• Jiang Ning finished the day expecting to reach proficiency soon and believing his improved saber skill could let him kill Xu Yunfeng with one strike.
• Cheng Ran arrived by carriage to take Jiang Ning to a banquet, and Jiang Ning brought the Blackwood Long Saber Wang Jin had given him for protection.
• Cheng Ran inspected the saber, recognized it as resembling the one Master Wang had given Xiao Peng, and privately wondered whether Jiang Ning had become Wang Jin's true disciple.

Cheng Ran brought Jiang Ning to meet Liu Zhixiang of the Fourfold Merchants Association and tried to secure Jiang Ning an offer matching the association’s terms. Liu Zhixiang refused, claiming he lacked the authority, and Cheng Ran left with Jiang Ning.

• Two Green Snake Gang members spotted Jiang Ning leaving the martial academy, and one went to notify Master Xu.
• At Bright Moon Tower, Liu Zhixiang welcomed Cheng Ran, Jiang Ning, and Elder Zheng into a private room.
• Liu Zhixiang presented the Fourfold Merchants Association’s terms, which Jiang Ning saw were worse than Zhou Xing’s offer.
• Cheng Ran said he would accept the association’s terms if Liu Zhixiang offered Jiang Ning an identical deal, and Jiang Ning promised to repay the favor.
• Liu Zhixiang claimed he lacked the authority to grant Jiang Ning an offer, angering Cheng Ran, who left with Jiang Ning.

Cheng Ran refused the Fourfold Merchants Association’s offer and chose to stand by Jiang Ning despite Cao Bin’s threat. As Cheng Ran escorted Jiang Ning toward the Martial Academy, Xu Yunfeng blocked their carriage in the street.

• Liu Zhixiang dismissed Cheng Ran’s request to invest in Jiang Ning and decided to spend more resources cultivating Xiao Peng instead.
• Cheng Ran apologized for the failed investment, but Jiang Ning thanked him and urged him to keep his distance from Cao Bin; Cheng Ran refused to abandon their friendship.
• Xu Yunfeng spotted Jiang Ning outside Bright Moon Tower, and Jiang Ning prepared himself while Cheng Ran offered to escort him back to the Martial Academy.
• Cheng Ran and Jiang Ning took a carriage toward the Blue-Wave Martial Academy, but a black-uniformed constable halted it and frightened the horses into stopping.

Xu Yunfeng stopped Cheng Ran’s carriage on orders from Cao Bin, intending to seize Jiang Ning and frame Jiang Li as an accomplice of the Evil God Church. As Elder Zheng’s strength failed him, Jiang Ning stepped out and prepared to fight Xu Yunfeng himself.

• Xu Yunfeng demanded to inspect Cheng Ran’s carriage, but Cheng Ran challenged his authority and Elder Zheng emerged to confront him.
• Elder Zheng recognized that Xu Yunfeng had entered the ranks of the Martial Dao and warned Cheng Ran that he could not protect Jiang Ning as he once could.
• Jiang Ning calculated that his strength and saber skills might let him kill Xu Yunfeng, then decided to rely on himself and stepped out of the carriage.
• Xu Yunfeng planned to take Jiang Ning as part of a scheme with Cao Bin to force Jiang Li to confess to fabricated charges and win a place in the Inspection Office.

Jiang Ning faced Xu Yunfeng after the constable tried to seize him, but Wang Jin arrived and forced Xu Yunfeng to back down. Wang Jin left Jiang Ning with a warning to grow stronger, and Cheng Ran took him back toward the academy.

• Jiang Ning climbed down from the carriage and prepared to fight Xu Yunfeng, while Cheng Ran tried to stop him.
• Wang Jin arrived, confronted Xu Yunfeng, and ordered him to leave Jiang Ning alone.
• Xu Yunfeng stabbed himself to apologize and deny Wang Jin a reason to punish him, then limped away.
• Wang Jin told Jiang Ning to train hard and left, while Jiang Ning reflected on Xu Yunfeng's ruthlessness and his own chance to grow stronger.
• Cheng Ran apologized for failing to protect Jiang Ning, warned him to stay at the academy, and offered to take him back.

After Master Wang rescued Jiang Ning from Xu Yunfeng, he urged Jiang Ning to stay at the martial arts hall and grow stronger. Jiang Ning practiced through the next day, advancing his Canglang Saber Art to Mastery and learning to wield a second force, though his body could not safely withstand it.

• Cheng Ran apologized to Jiang Ning for nearly getting him killed, while Elder Zheng explained why he had not dared to challenge Xu Yunfeng.
• Wang Jin told Jiang Ning that strength was the only real truth and warned him to remain inside the martial arts hall for the next few days.
• Jiang Ning wondered why Xu Yunfeng had dared to attack him, then decided to focus on improving his strength.
• Jiang Ning trained his Canglang Saber Art until it advanced from Beginner to Mastery.
• Jiang Ning realized his mastered saber art let him unleash a second force, but his physique could not withstand the combined power without risking severe injury.

Jiang Ning reviewed his rapid progress, concealed his proficient Canglang Saber Art, and decided to focus on strengthening his physique while aiming to join the Inspection Office. At Myriad Splendor Tower, Shen Congyun read a report about Jiang Ning and recognized him as an exceptionally promising talent.

• Jiang Ning saw that his source energy had risen to 2.0 and his Canglang Saber Art had reached proficiency after consuming wild ginseng and practicing through the day.
• Jiang Ning kept his saber progress secret, judging that he could now kill Xu Yunfeng with a full-power strike but that his body could withstand no more than two layers of force.
• Jiang Ning shifted his training toward the Five Animals Fist and strengthening his qi, blood, and physique so he could qualify for the Inspection Office within three months.
• Jiang Ning resolved that he would not spare those who deserved no mercy, despite his longer-term plan to seek safety and influence through the Inspection Office.
• At Myriad Splendor Tower, Shen Congyun read the records and concluded that Jiang Ning had extraordinary Spiritual Wisdom and Martial Dao talent, making him a promising grandmaster prospect.

Shen Congyun showed Deputy Tower Master Qingyi his information on Jiang Ning, but Qingyi was unimpressed by the young man’s apparent talent. Meanwhile, Jiang Ning rapidly built up source energy and qi and blood through intensive training and wild ginseng, as Cheng Ran rushed to warn him that Cao Bin was coming for him and county constables gathered outside the academy.

• Shen Congyun shared Jiang Ning’s profile with Qingyi, who judged him ordinary despite hearing that his qi and blood had reached minor attainment.
• Jiang Ning’s source energy rose to 5.8 after two days of intense Five Animals Fist practice fueled by wild ginseng, and he focused on strengthening his body rather than practicing the Canglang Saber Art.
• Jiang Ning saw that his wild ginseng was running low and decided he would need to find a way to earn money for more medicinal nourishment.
• Cheng Ran rushed into Blue-Wave Martial Academy, warning that Jiang Ning was in danger and needed to leave town before Cao Bin’s men took him.
• More than twenty county constables, led by two head constables, arrived outside the academy, drawing the attention of people at nearby stalls.

Cao Bin arrived at Blue-Wave Martial Academy with constables to arrest Jiang Ning, accusing his elder brother Jiang Li of colluding with the Evil God Church. Wang Jin intervened, and Jiang Ning secretly transferred Ninefold Force to him, revealing his extraordinary saber talent and strengthening Wang Jin’s resolve to protect him.

• Cao Bin brought constables to Blue-Wave Martial Academy and announced that he would arrest Jiang Ning because of Jiang Li’s alleged ties to the Evil God Church.
• Cheng Ran warned Jiang Ning to flee, but they reached the front courtyard after Cao Bin’s force had arrived.
• Jiang Ning prepared to fight or escape as Cao Bin ordered Xu Yunfeng and the constables to seize him.
• Wang Jin leaped into the courtyard and stood between Jiang Ning and the constables.
• Jiang Ning addressed Wang Jin as his master and transferred Ninefold Force into his arm.
• Wang Jin recognized Jiang Ning’s mastery of Ninefold Force and resolved to protect him, even at the cost of breaking with the Cao Family.

Wang Jin protected Jiang Ning from Cao Bin’s attempt to arrest him, then faced Cao Rong, the Cao Family’s seventh-rank archer. As Cao Rong attacked, he shifted his aim from Wang Jin to Jiang Ning, forcing Wang Jin to react.

• Cao Bin demanded that Wang Jin hand over Jiang Ning’s elder brother, but Wang Jin ordered him to leave and rejected his authority to arrest anyone on academy grounds.
• Cao Bin accused Wang Jin of shielding a wanted criminal, and Wang Jin seized him by the throat while the constables drew their sabers.
• Wang Jin released Cao Bin by hurling him into a stone pillar and challenged Cao Rong to come down and fight.
• Cao Rong appeared on a distant tower and fired a supersonic arrow at Wang Jin, who dodged it and called him down to face him.
• Cao Rong advanced with his bow drawn and aimed his next arrow at Jiang Ning, knowing Wang Jin would want to protect him.

Cao Rong used Jiang Ning to force Wang Jin to block his arrows, but Shen Congyun and Lin Qingyi intervened and stopped the attack. Cao Rong agreed to spare Jiang Ning and accompanied them toward Blue-Wave Martial Academy.

• Cao Rong shot at Jiang Ning, forcing Wang Jin to intercept the arrow with a saber and revealing Wang Jin's difficulty protecting Jiang Ning while fighting back.
• Cao Rong prepared to shoot Jiang Ning again, but Shen Congyun aimed an inner-breath-infused leaf at him as a warning.
• Shen Congyun asked Cao Rong to spare Jiang Ning, and Cao Rong lowered his bow and ended his attack.
• Lin Qingyi questioned Shen Congyun's decision to violate Myriad Splendor Tower's neutrality, but Shen Congyun said he had chosen to help Jiang Ning.
• Cao Rong asked why Shen Congyun had intervened, and Shen Congyun said he had taken a liking to Jiang Ning.
• Cao Rong, Shen Congyun, and Lin Qingyi walked toward Blue-Wave Martial Academy.

Jiang Ning feared Cao Rong’s arrival had made his family’s danger unavoidable, but Shen Congyun intervened and brought Cao Rong to a halt. Shen Congyun treated Cao Bin and showed how strongly he valued Jiang Ning, while Cao Rong accepted that decision.

• Jiang Ning hid behind the academy wall and realized the Cao Family might already have arrested his brother’s family, leaving him trapped between protecting them and seeking strength.
• Shen Congyun and Lin Qingyi arrived with Cao Rong, and Shen Congyun privately told Wang Jin to bring Jiang Ning outside.
• Wang Jin told Jiang Ning that Shen Congyun had come to help him, and Jiang Ning followed him toward the gates in surprise.
• Shen Congyun used internal breath to ease Cao Bin’s injuries and gave him a bottle of healing pills.
• Cao Rong recognized how highly Shen Congyun valued Jiang Ning and accepted the situation.

Shen Congyun secured Jiang Ning’s family’s release from the Cao Family, then revealed that Jiang Ning’s rapid progress in the Inner Elixir Life-Nourishing Technique came from his innate spiritual insight. He gave Jiang Ning the technique’s later cultivation methods and told him to visit Myriad Splendor Tower by the next day, warning that they might soon be separated for a long time.

• Shen Congyun persuaded Cao Rong and Cao Bin to release Jiang Li and his family and investigate the arrest again.
• Cao Bin questioned whether they should comply, but Cao Rong ordered him to release the family because Shen Congyun had intervened.
• Shen Congyun explained that Jiang Ning had reached beginner level in the Inner Elixir Life-Nourishing Technique in about a week because he possessed innate spiritual insight.
• Shen Congyun revealed that the technique was a supreme art and asked Jiang Ning for a favor from his future self.
• Shen Congyun gave Jiang Ning golden sheets containing the technique’s methods up to great mastery and instructed him to memorize them and visit Myriad Splendor Tower by the next day.
• Shen Congyun assured Jiang Ning that the Cao Family would no longer threaten him, then departed after sending a voice transmission with another reminder to visit soon.

After Shen Congyun protected Jiang Ning, Jiang Ning studied the advanced methods of the Inner Elixir Life-Nourishing Technique and resolved to grow stronger. Wang Jin praised Jiang Ning’s talent, promised to help him develop his Ninefold Force, and sent him home to check on his brother’s family.

• Jiang Ning read the golden sheets, learned how to guide the sun’s essence, and considered how mastering the Inner Elixir Life-Nourishing Technique could strengthen him.
• At Blue-Wave Martial Academy, Cheng Ran told Jiang Ning that Wang Jin wanted to see him, and Jiang Ning thanked him for trying to help earlier.
• Wang Jin urged Jiang Ning to remember Shen Congyun’s kindness and seize the opportunity his support offered; Jiang Ning explained that Shen Congyun had helped because of his progress in the Inner Elixir Life-Nourishing Technique.
• Jiang Ning admitted to Wang Jin that he had secretly practiced the technique and mastered Ninefold Force through the Canglang Saber Art.
• Wang Jin tested Jiang Ning’s Ninefold Force, promised to prepare help for him, and warned him not to depend on Shen Congyun’s protection.
• Wang Jin told Jiang Ning to visit home because Shen Congyun’s intervention should secure his eldest brother’s family’s release, and Jiang Ning left eager to see them and advance his training.

After Shen Congyun helped secure Jiang Ning’s family’s release, Jiang Ning recognized that their safety depended on Shen’s protection and resolved to grow stronger before Shen left Luoshui County. The next morning, equipped with Organ-Protecting Pills and the complete guidance method, Jiang Ning began drawing in the sun’s essence to cultivate the Inner Elixir Life-Nourishing Technique.

• Jiang Ning delivered the golden pages of the Inner Elixir Life-Nourishing Technique to Shen Congyun at Myriad Splendor Tower.
• Jiang Ning reunited with Jiang Li’s family, learned they had all returned safely, and visited Jiang Yiming and the sleeping Little Doubao.
• Jiang Ning learned Shen Congyun might leave Luoshui County soon, leaving him worried that the Cao Family could threaten his family again.
• Jiang Ning practiced Five Animals Fist and saw his experience rise to 274/500 as his qi and blood increased.
• Jiang Ning recalled that Shen Congyun had given him five bottles of Organ-Protecting Pills and arranged for him to seek Deputy Tower Master Lin Qingyi after his qi and blood reached perfection.
• Jiang Ning swallowed an Organ-Protecting Pill after sunrise and began drawing the sun’s essence into his five viscera and six bowels.

Jiang Ning increased his Inner Elixir Life-Nourishing Technique experience by absorbing sunlight and learned he might reach the next level in about a month. Wang Jin supplied him with wild ginseng and Blood-and-Qi Pills to help him grow stronger, and Jiang Ning began training with a pill.

• Shen Congyun watched Jiang Ning absorb sunlight and estimated that reaching the next level of the Inner Elixir Life-Nourishing Technique would take at least a year.
• Jiang Ning gained 39 experience points from his morning practice, bringing the technique to Beginner 97/1000, and expected to advance in about a month.
• Jiang Ning told Wang Jin that the Organ-Protecting Pill had improved his training, and Wang Jin praised his prospects and ambition to surpass his master.
• Wang Jin gave Jiang Ning ten-year wild ginseng and Blood-and-Qi Pills, explaining that the pills could steadily strengthen his qi and blood.
• Jiang Ning swallowed a Blood-and-Qi Pill and began practicing his fist forms to absorb its effects.

Jiang Ning broke through to Major Mastery in Five Animals Fist, improving his speed and movement, but remained determined to grow stronger as Shen Congyun prepared to leave Luoshui County. Cao Rong departed to answer a military order, warning Cao Bin not to provoke Jiang Ning, while Cao Bin set aside his plans for revenge.

• Jiang Ning saw that his Source Energy had risen and practiced until his Five Animals Fist advanced to Major Mastery, greatly improving his movement and explosive power.
• Jiang Ning lifted a four-hundred-pound stone lock with his left arm but failed to lift a five-hundred-pound one, then resolved to pursue Blood Qi completion and ninth-rank Martial Dao.
• Cao Rong told Cao Bin he had to return to duty because the Black Wind Army had entered Dongling Commandery, and ordered him to pause the merchant caravans and reinforce the iron mine at Tieling Mountain.
• Cao Bin asked whether he still needed to apologize to Jiang Ning after Shen Congyun left, and Cao Rong left the decision to him while warning him not to create an irreconcilable feud.
• After Cao Rong departed, Cao Bin recalled his warning and decided not to provoke Jiang Ning, whom Wang Jin and Shen Congyun had treated as exceptional.

Jiang Ning returned home to reassure himself that Jiang Li’s troubles had passed, then shared a family meal with his brother, sister-in-law, and Little Doubao. Constable Feng arrived with something to discuss and treated Jiang Ning with conspicuous respect, leaving Jiang Li confident that his younger brother could now protect the family.

• Jiang Ning visited Jiang Li’s home, learned the case had made progress, and delighted Little Doubao by picking her up.
• Jiang Ning and Jiang Li prepared lunch together, and Jiang Ning learned his brother’s household was short on money while awaiting compensation.
• Constable Feng and another constable arrived, and Feng recognized Jiang Ning as Shen Congyun’s favored young man.
• Jiang Li invited Constable Feng to drink wine, and Feng said he had come to discuss something with him.
• Jiang Ning urged Liu Wanwan to join the meal, and Constable Feng agreed despite his usual dislike of sharing a table with women.
• Jiang Ning gave Little Doubao his chicken leg, and she tried to share hers with him as the family ate together.