Chapter Summaries

Jiang Ning revealed that he had mastered Five Stances United and already entered the ninth grade of Martial Dao, leaving Wang Jin stunned and delighted. After encouraging Jiang Ning to pursue a place in the Inspection Office, Wang Jin sent him back to practice, and Jiang Ning counted his remaining resources and considered his finances.

• Jiang Ning told Wang Jin that his Five Animals Fist had reached perfection and demonstrated his Five Stances United force.
• Wang Jin praised Jiang Ning’s progress and urged him to strengthen his qi and blood to qualify for the Inspection Office.
• Jiang Ning revealed that he had already tempered his skin and flesh and entered the ninth grade of Martial Dao, astonishing Wang Jin.
• Wang Jin congratulated Jiang Ning and assumed Shen Congyun had provided him with valuable resources.
• Jiang Ning returned to his room, counted his wild ginseng and Blood-and-Qi Pills, and noted that his money would support his future training.

Cao Bin visited Jiang Li’s home to reconcile with Jiang Ning, offering him a gold leaf and Xu Yunfeng’s mother’s severed head as apologies. Jiang Ning accepted the gold but insisted that Xu Yunfeng’s mother receive a proper burial, and Jiang Li agreed to arrange it.

• A disciple and Yang Zong summoned Jiang Ning from the martial arts school to his elder brother’s home, where Cao Bin and Constable Feng were waiting.
• Cao Bin assessed Jiang Ning’s survival and decided to ease their conflict rather than risk escalating it.
• Cao Bin offered Jiang Ning a one-tael gold leaf as a gift and apology for nearly having him arrested.
• Cao Bin presented Xu Yunfeng’s blind mother’s severed head, claiming she deserved punishment for her son’s attempt to kill Jiang Ning.
• Jiang Ning told Cao Bin to leave and later admitted to Jiang Li that he had killed Xu Yunfeng and his group.
• Jiang Ning kept the gold leaf and asked Jiang Li to arrange a proper burial for Xu Yunfeng’s mother, saying a family should not be punished for one person’s crimes.

Jiang Ning weighed Cao Bin’s attempt to reconcile and focused on growing stronger while practicing the Indestructible Vajra Body. Cheng Ran brought him news of two inner-city houses for sale, and Jiang Ning began considering the expensive options.

• Jiang Ning agreed to accept Cao Bin’s goodwill for now so he could gain time to grow stronger.
• Jiang Ning practiced the Inner Elixir Life-Nourishing Technique and tempered his skin with skin-polishing sand, noting his rapid progress and dwindling supply.
• Cheng Ran arrived with news of two inner-city residences, and Jiang Ning eagerly asked about them.
• Cheng Ran described a one-mu residence listed for 648 taels and a five-mu residence listed for 1,888 taels near the Luo River.

Jiang Ning bought a grand residence beside the Luo River from Shopkeeper Tong for 666 taels and spent the night there, reflecting on how far he had come. The next morning, after training, he brought the deed to Jiang Li and Liu Wanwan and invited their family to move into the inner city.

• Jiang Ning chose to view Shopkeeper Tong’s residence, and she offered to sell it to him for 666 taels as a gesture of goodwill.
• Jiang Ning accepted the price, received the deed, and stayed in the furnished residence that night.
• Jiang Ning reflected on achieving the home of his dreams and admired Shopkeeper Tong for leaving its furnishings and valuables behind.
• Jiang Ning practiced the Inner Elixir Life-Nourishing Technique the next morning, raising its progress to 414/2000.
• Jiang Ning visited Jiang Li’s family, showed him the deed, and invited them to move into the inner city.

After moving his family into his new residence, Jiang Ning spent more than ten days improving his martial arts and learned that Medicine King Valley had sent powerful fighters to capture Tian Buyi for an unusually large reward. His Indestructible Vajra Body neared Stone Skin, leaving him confident that he would soon be able to challenge eighth-rank martial artists.

• Jiang Ning persuaded Jiang Li and Liu Wanwan to move with their family into his spacious residence in the Inner City.
• Over the next ten days, Jiang Ning settled into the Jiang Residence and heard that Medicine King Valley had sent a seventh-rank steward elder and three eighth-rank fighters to capture Tian Buyi.
• Jiang Ning learned that the reward for capturing Tian Buyi was one hundred taels of gold and suspected that the bandit was worth far more than his rank suggested.
• At the martial arts school, Jiang Ning repeatedly practiced Five Animals Fist, increasing his qi and blood while the other disciples watched and studied his movements.
• Jiang Ning checked his panel and saw that his source energy and martial skills had advanced, while Indestructible Vajra Body had reached 721 experience points and was nearing Stone Skin.

Jiang Ning visited Myriad Splendor Tower to find affordable medicinal supplements and tested Herbal Essence, which was easier to absorb than wild ginseng. Lin Qingyi came to inspect his progress and found his qi and blood had grown stronger.

• Jiang Ning went to Myriad Splendor Tower because he had run out of wild ginseng and wanted to buy supplements without incurring another debt to Zhou Xing.
• Xiao Lü introduced Jiang Ning to several options and recommended Herbal Essence, which was comparable to twenty-year wild ginseng and cost thirty taels per bottle.
• Jiang Ning chose Herbal Essence and drank a bottle to test its effects, feeling coolness spread through his body.
• Lin Qingyi heard Jiang Ning had arrived and went to see how far his skin tempering had progressed.
• Lin Qingyi sensed Jiang Ning's qi and blood were stronger than before, and Jiang Ning greeted her as Big Sister Lin.

Jiang Ning revealed that he had reached the ninth grade of Martial Dao, and Lin Qingyi urged him to join the Vajra Temple before deciding to find him a wife instead. He bought fifty bottles of Herbal Essence at Myriad Splendor Tower, where Supervisor Han gave him an unusually generous discount.

• Lin Qingyi discovered Jiang Ning had reached the ninth grade through the Indestructible Vajra Body and told him he qualified to become an outer disciple of the Vajra Temple.
• Jiang Ning rejected joining the temple after Lin Qingyi explained its strict Buddhist precepts and ban on marriage.
• Lin Qingyi teased Jiang Ning about marriage, then decided to search for a suitable girl for him.
• Jiang Ning showed Xiao Lü Shen Congyun's VIP token and ordered fifty bottles of Herbal Essence.
• Supervisor Han Hongmei presented the bottles and charged Jiang Ning one thousand taels of silver, far less than the expected discounted price.

Jiang Ning used botanical essence to sustain his training and pushed the Indestructible Vajra Body to a breakthrough. The chapter ended with him successfully reaching Stone Skin.

• Jiang Ning bought fifty bottles of botanical essence at Myriad Splendor Tower and returned home to resume training.
• After seven days of training, Jiang Ning’s Indestructible Vajra Body reached Beginner 987/1000, and he noted that botanical essence had increased his Source Energy.
• Jiang Ning trained his Five Animals Fist and reflected on how his purchases had reduced his savings to a little over 1,700 taels of silver.
• Jiang Ning rubbed skin-grinding sand over his body and tempered his dermal membrane until the Indestructible Vajra Body reached Proficient.
• Jiang Ning’s dermal membrane turned completely white, his skin grew tougher, and he celebrated successfully breaking through to Stone Skin.

Jiang Ning tested the strength and defense he gained after reaching minor skin-tempering mastery, then found that his body could withstand the Canglang Saber Art's stacked force. He went to Blue-Wave Martial Academy, where Wang Jin introduced him to Elder Liu and the other visitors.

• Jiang Ning crushed stones with his bare hands and struck apart a boulder without injuring his skin, confirming that his defense had surpassed ordinary stone.
• Jiang Ning tested a double-layered-force saber slash and found that his body could handle the strain, so he resolved to train the Canglang Saber Art toward three and then five layers of force.
• Jiang Ning washed off the skin-grinding sand and old skin, then decided to return to Blue-Wave Martial Academy after several days away.
• Jiang Ning arrived at the academy and greeted Wang Jin and Li Qing in the rear courtyard, where Elder Liu and two other visitors were gathered.
• Wang Jin introduced Jiang Ning to Elder Liu, who recognized his name and mentioned that Shen Congyun had been punished for breaking Myriad Splendor Tower's rules to help him.

Jiang Ning visited the martial arts hall, where he learned that Elder Liu of Medicine King Valley wanted Wang Jin’s help mobilizing troops against Tian Buyi. After Li Qing challenged him to spar, Jiang Ning effortlessly caught her kick, accidentally removing her shoe and fleeing from its smell.

• Elder Liu asked Wang Jin to help arrange troops and city guards to encircle Tian Buyi, but Wang Jin said he lacked the authority and turned him away.
• Wang Jin asked Jiang Ning whether his training was going well and whether he was confident about the Inspection Office opening in Luoshui County, and Jiang Ning said he was.
• Li Qing asked Jiang Ning to spar, then launched a whip-like kick at his face when he refused.
• Jiang Ning caught Li Qing’s ankle with one hand, stopping her kick and pulling off her shoe as she tried to break free.
• Li Qing demanded her shoe back, and Jiang Ning returned it before hurrying away from the smell.

Jiang Ning practiced the Canglang Saber Art in the turbulent Luo Water Lake, where the currents accelerated his saber and swimming proficiency growth. He reached Proficiency in swimming and continued training, pleased by his progress and the skill’s usefulness.

• Jiang Ning decided to focus on the Canglang Saber Art and headed to the rocky shore of Luo Water Lake to practice amid its waves.
• After plunging into the lake, Jiang Ning adapted to the currents and independently gained the Swimming skill.
• Jiang Ning practiced the Canglang Saber Art underwater, resisting the currents as both his saber and swimming proficiency rose rapidly.
• After half an hour, Jiang Ning surfaced and found that his Canglang Saber Art had gained ten proficiency points; he suspected his blade trait helped and resumed practicing.
• Jiang Ning’s Swimming skill advanced from Beginner to Proficiency, making him feel more at ease and in control among the undercurrents.

Jiang Ning broke through to Minor Accomplishment in the Canglang Saber Art and tested a triple-force strike underwater, finding that his Stone Skin physique could barely withstand it. He returned to shore resolved to keep training toward five-layer force and improve his swimming, which he saw as vital to surviving future dangers.

• Jiang Ning practiced the Canglang Saber Art underwater until it broke through from Mastery to Minor Accomplishment.
• Jiang Ning gained insights from his practice and discovered that he could unleash triple force.
• Jiang Ning cleaved through the water with a triple-force saber strike and found that his Stone Skin physique could barely endure the strain.
• Jiang Ning swam to shore and noted that his swimming skill had reached Minor Accomplishment.
• Jiang Ning decided to keep practicing underwater to pursue five-layer force and further improve his swimming.

Jiang Ning trained at a wave-battered island on Luo Water Lake, while Tian Buyi hid there after escaping Liu Qingsong and recovered from his injuries. Tian Buyi planned to find and kill Jiang Ning before leaving Dongling Commandery, relying on the Leopard Womb Form-Transmutation Body-Tempering Pills to grow strong enough to face Liu Qingsong later.

• Jiang Ning returned home, ate the meal Jiang Li had kept warm, and worried about his brother's ruined right arm.
• Jiang Ning found a deserted island on Luo Water Lake and used its waves and currents to train his Canglang Saber Art and swimming.
• Jiang Ning checked his progress, drank Herbal Essence, and rested on the island as his body recovered.
• Tian Buyi reached the same island after escaping Liu Qingsong, took pills to treat his injuries, and admired his remaining Leopard Womb Form-Transmutation Body-Tempering Pills.
• Tian Buyi decided to find and kill Jiang Ning, then leave Dongling Commandery and refine the pills before challenging Liu Qingsong again.

Jiang Ning broke through Canglang Saber Art to Great Mastery and limit-broke Underwater, gaining the trait Underwater Breathing before exploring Luo Water Lake. He surfaced with a valuable blood lotus, unaware that the injured Tian Buyi had recognized him and intended to kill him.

• Jiang Ning practiced Canglang Saber Art underwater until it reached Great Mastery, allowing him to stack fivefold force.
• Jiang Ning raised Underwater to its first limit-break and gained Underwater Breathing, which let him replenish oxygen through his pores.
• Jiang Ning tested his new trait, found he could breathe underwater, and began exploring the lakebed for treasures.
• Tian Buyi searched near the Luo River for Jiang Ning, then recognized him when he emerged from the lake and resolved to kill him.
• Jiang Ning surfaced delighted with a five-leaf, fifty-year-old blood lotus worth eight hundred taels of silver.

Jiang Ning lured the wanted Tian Buyi into deep water and prepared to fight him, believing the Cao Family had arranged the assassination. As Tian Buyi tried to return to the surface, Jiang Ning intercepted him and unleashed four layers of force for his opening strike.

• Jiang Ning recognized Tian Buyi from a wanted poster, while Tian Buyi revealed that someone had hired him to kill Jiang Ning.
• Jiang Ning fled underwater, suspected the Cao Family was behind the attack, and drew Tian Buyi farther into the lake.
• Tian Buyi struggled with his injuries and dwindling breath, then turned toward the surface when he could not catch Jiang Ning.
• Jiang Ning accelerated, blocked Tian Buyi's route to the surface, and released four layers of force as he prepared to attack.

Jiang Ning defeated Tian Buyi in a fierce underwater fight, exploiting Tian Buyi’s injuries and lack of oxygen. After confirming Tian Buyi’s death, Jiang Ning resolved to enter the Inspection Office to gain protection from the Cao Family.

• Jiang Ning and Tian Buyi exchanged repeated powerful blows underwater, and Tian Buyi’s internal injuries worsened as he spat blood and lost his remaining oxygen.
• Jiang Ning continued attacking while Tian Buyi sank toward the lakebed, leaving him unable to reach the surface.
• Jiang Ning stopped attacking and waited until Tian Buyi died, then approached and confirmed the kill.
• Jiang Ning reflected that Tian Buyi’s strength showed how formidable Martial Dao Eighth Rank experts were and that the Cao Family posed a serious threat.
• Jiang Ning decided he must enter the Inspection Office in half a month to gain protection from the Cao Family.

After killing Tian Buyi, Jiang Ning searched his belongings and discovered that the two pills he had stolen from Medicine King Valley were rare Leopard Womb Form-Transmutation Body-Tempering Pills. He abandoned the bounty and hurried away from the deserted island, hoping to avoid suspicion from Medicine King Valley.

• Jiang Ning dragged Tian Buyi's corpse onto a reef and searched it for valuables, finding gloves, money, two jade bottles, and a small golden box.
• Jiang Ning recognized the two pills in the box as Leopard Womb Form-Transmutation Body-Tempering Pills and realized they explained Medicine King Valley's hundred-tael gold bounty.
• Jiang Ning decided the pills were more valuable than the bounty and threw Tian Buyi's corpse into the lake to hide his death.
• Jiang Ning retrieved his fifty-year Blood Lotus and training supplies, then left the deserted island to avoid attracting Medicine King Valley's attention.

Jiang Ning refined the first layer of a Leopard Womb Form-Transmutation Body-Tempering Pill and felt his strength increase. He then ate a Blood Lotus petal and began practicing fist techniques to absorb its powerful medicinal effects.

• Jiang Ning consumed a Leopard Womb Form-Transmutation Body-Tempering Pill and endured its intense medicinal effects.
• Jiang Ning discovered that the pill contained multiple layers, allowing him to refine its medicinal power gradually.
• Jiang Ning sensed that his strength had increased after refining the pill's outermost layer.
• Jiang Ning recognized the Blood Lotus as a valuable source of wealth and considered searching Luo Water Lake for sunken ships and treasures.
• Jiang Ning ate a Blood Lotus petal, felt his vitality and blood surge, and practiced fist techniques to digest its medicinal power.

After refining the Blood Lotus, Jiang Ning assessed his increased strength and spent one hundred Source Energy to break through the Wood-Chopping Saber Technique. He mastered blade force, but realized his battered saber could no longer withstand his power.

• Jiang Ning saw that he had gained over thirty Source Energy and that the Blood Lotus had greatly increased his qi, blood, and strength.
• Jiang Ning reflected on his strength and on how Tian Buyi had endured his powerful strikes during their battle.
• Jiang Ning spent one hundred Source Energy to complete the Wood-Chopping Saber Technique’s fourth breakthrough.
• Jiang Ning tested his new slash in the courtyard and realized he had mastered blade force.
• Jiang Ning saw that his breakthrough had granted him Unity of Man and Blade, then decided he needed a new saber because his current one was badly damaged.

Jiang Ning improved his Five Animals Fist and Indestructible Vajra Body through training, finding that his strengthened qi and blood made skin tempering efficient even without skin-grinding sand. Meanwhile, Liu Qingsong followed a gu insect to evidence of Tian Buyi’s blood and clothing, then began to suspect Tian Buyi was dead when the insect lost his trail.

• Jiang Ning practiced the Five Animals Fist, tempered his skin with the Indestructible Vajra Body, and used the remaining sunny hours to cultivate the Inner Elixir Life-Nourishing Technique.
• Jiang Ning tested skin tempering without skin-grinding sand and gained experience until his skin became overloaded, concluding that his qi and blood and Five Animals Force drove his progress.
• Liu Qingsong followed a gu insect to a deserted island and found dried blood that he identified as Tian Buyi’s.
• Liu Qingsong discovered tracking powder on a reef and on torn clothing, then wondered whether Tian Buyi had died in the lake.
• Liu Qingsong tried to continue tracking Tian Buyi, but the gu insect stopped moving and appeared to have lost its target.