Chapter Summaries

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Ning tests his transformed internal breath and discovers it has become vastly more powerful: it can remain condensed, travel over 130 zhang, and produce dozens of times the previous effect.
• His internal breath has fully liquefied into true essence, forming a pond-sized reservoir in his dantian. However, testing alone consumes roughly 20% of it, revealing the severe limitations of sustained true-essence expenditure.
• He reflects on why even powerful martial artists cannot defeat entire armies. Their attacks may be devastating, but true essence is limited, and organized, armored troops—especially those containing ranked martial artists—are extremely difficult to kill in large numbers.
• Jiang Ning concludes that becoming a Heaven-Man Grandmaster is the true dividing line between exceptional martial artists and those whom the imperial court must genuinely respect.
• At noon, he practices the Inner Elixir Life-Nourishing Technique, absorbing the Great Sun’s essence. The noon sunlight intensely tempers his internal organs, but his Water-Fire Immortal Robe allows him to endure the process.
• He confirms that the technique still grants experience at the same rate as before, gaining 26 points during the session. Since reaching Perfection requires 10,000 points, he estimates that consistent practice for about three months will suffice.
• Lü Yi informs him that the Martial Academy’s admissions examination will occur in four days. Jiang Ning plans to bring Jiang Yiming and use the opportunity to observe the academy. The imperial examinations have no confirmed schedule yet, but Jiang Ning is confident he can easily pass both the martial and literary stages.
• After bathing in the lake and restoring himself to peak condition, Jiang Ning prepares to attempt advancement to Martial Dao Rank Four by using third-level saber potential to draw in the power of heaven and earth and refine his bone marrow.
• He summons his sentient spiritual weapon, Dragon Abyss, which has developed a strong bond with him through months of being nourished by his blood.
• A single saber strike demonstrates tremendous destructive force even without true essence, cutting the air and leaving a deep mark in the courtyard. Realizing that practicing at home is unsafe, Jiang Ning prepares to move to the nearby mountains.

Character Developments

• Jiang Ning gains a clearer understanding of both the strength and limitations of his true essence. His power has undergone a major qualitative transformation, but his reserves are not sufficient for prolonged large-scale combat.
• His ambition becomes more focused: he sees reaching the Heaven-Man Grandmaster realm as essential for establishing himself securely in Great Xia.
• His confidence in the Inner Elixir Life-Nourishing Technique increases after confirming that he can progress from Major Mastery to Perfection without encountering any new obstacle beyond time.
• Jiang Ning demonstrates greater strategic caution. Rather than recklessly practicing powerful techniques in his courtyard, he recognizes the danger and decides to relocate.
• His bond with Dragon Abyss deepens, with the weapon becoming almost an extension of his body.

Significant Themes

• Power versus endurance: Even overwhelming strength has limits when energy reserves are finite. The chapter emphasizes why one martial artist cannot casually overcome a well-organized army.
• The path to transcendence: The Heaven-Man Grandmaster realm is presented as the threshold separating truly supreme martial artists from merely powerful ones.
• Persistence and long-term cultivation: Jiang Ning’s progress depends on maintaining a disciplined routine for months, showing that even extraordinary talent requires sustained effort.
• Transformation of life and body: Liquefying internal breath into true essence and refining the marrow represent successive stages of physical and spiritual evolution.
• The importance of resources and unique advantages: Jiang Ning can advance rapidly because of his unusual constitution, treasures, skills, and system-assisted growth—advantages unavailable to ordinary martial artists.
• Control over fate: The Inner Elixir technique symbolizes Jiang Ning’s goal of becoming independent of heavenly limitations and determining his own destiny.

Character Interactions

• Lü Yi investigates the Martial Academy’s admissions schedule and keeps track of the imperial examinations for Jiang Ning. She visits while he practices but leaves without disturbing him.
• Liu Wanwan also visits the eastern courtyard and quietly departs after seeing Jiang Ning cultivating.
• Shen Qingyi is mentioned as the person who previously prepared Organ-Protecting Pills for Jiang Ning, though he now realizes they would offer little protection against the noon sun’s overwhelming essence.
• Jiang Yiming is intended to accompany Jiang Ning to the Martial Academy for enrollment.
• Old Softshell receives instructions from Jiang Ning before he leaves to practice in the mountains.
• Jiang Ning also reflects on Bai Luoyu’s earlier assertion that only grandmasters can earn the imperial court’s true respect, and on Zhao Yulong’s decade-long stagnation before the Heaven-Man Grandmaster threshold.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Ning trains alone atop an unnamed peak in the Dongling Mountain Range, practicing his saber and using third-level saber-intent to draw the power of heaven and earth into his body.
• He channels this power into his bone marrow with his true essence, beginning the Fourth-Rank marrow-tempering process.
• After saturating his marrow, Jiang Ning triggers his first marrow-washing. His entire body undergoes a transformative baptism, improving his strength, stamina, senses, physical resilience, and overall vitality.
• Through repeated practice, he completes six or seven marrow refinements in one afternoon, reducing the time required for each refinement from nearly an hour to just over half an hour.
• Jiang Ning officially enters the Fourth Rank, though he realizes he may need as many as 1,999 refinements to complete the stage.
• At the Water-Moon Sword Palace, Yu Manyun reveals her plan to abduct Jiang Ning’s nephew or niece and use them to lure him to the palace. Xiao Emei warns that this could provoke a future grandmaster, but Yu Manyun insists she must take risks to compete for the position of Palace Master’s successor.
• Xiao Emei secretly sends Jiang Ning a message warning him of Yu Manyun’s plan.
• Enraged by the threat to his family, Jiang Ning decides that Yu Manyun must die. He also believes he is now strong enough to challenge Xiao Qiushui, the strongest person below the grandmaster level in Dongling Commandery.
• Jiang Ning discovers that his mysterious panel has changed, displaying his Fourth-Rank progress as “Marrow Refinement (8/1999).”
• He further discovers that the panel can respond to his thoughts. By willing it, he changes “Water Manipulation Art+” into “Water-Controlling Divine Ability (First-Break),” complete with a description of its authority over water.

Character Developments

• Jiang Ning: Advances from the threshold of the Fourth Rank into genuine Fourth-Rank marrow refinement. His body and senses improve significantly, and his confidence rises sharply. He becomes more willing to confront powerful opponents and reacts fiercely to threats against his family. His discovery that he can alter the panel gives him a new level of control over his abilities and status information.
• Yu Manyun: Reveals her ambition and desperation in the struggle to become the next Palace Master’s successor. She is willing to endanger Jiang Ning’s family despite recognizing his superior strength.
• Xiao Emei: Acts as a cautious, worldly-aware senior sister. Though part of the Water-Moon Sword Palace, she recognizes the danger of provoking Jiang Ning and secretly warns him.
• Xiao Qiushui: Remains offstage but is established as an exceptionally powerful Fourth-Rank martial artist and a potential opponent Jiang Ning now feels capable of challenging.

Significant Themes

• Transformation and transcendence: Marrow-washing is depicted as a rebirth that purifies the body, removes hidden ailments, and elevates a person toward a higher life form.
• Persistence and gradual mastery: Jiang Ning’s increasing efficiency shows how repeated practice and familiarity turn a difficult process into a manageable one.
• Family protection and vengeance: Yu Manyun’s threat to Jiang Ning’s relatives crosses a decisive line, provoking his murderous resolve.
• Ambition and political struggle: Yu Manyun’s willingness to risk conflict reflects the ruthless competition within the Water-Moon Sword Palace.
• Self-discovery and control: Jiang Ning’s realization that the panel responds to his will suggests that it is not merely an objective system but something connected to his consciousness.

Character Interactions

• Yu Manyun and Xiao Emei: They debate the wisdom of using Jiang Ning’s family as bait. Xiao Emei warns that offending a rising young grandmaster is shortsighted, while Yu Manyun argues that she must take extreme measures to compete for succession.
• Xiao Emei and Jiang Ning: Although they do not meet directly, Xiao Emei’s warning letter establishes her as a covert ally or at least a cautious protector who wishes to prevent unnecessary conflict.
• Jiang Ning and Yu Manyun: Their conflict escalates from disagreement into a life-or-death confrontation after Yu Manyun targets his family.
• Jiang Ning and the panel: Jiang Ning tests the panel’s responsiveness and successfully alters the presentation of one of his abilities, marking a major new discovery.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Ning, after a day of cultivation, realizes he needs 1,999 marrow cleansings to complete the Fourth Grade Marrow Cleansing realm.
• He practices his fist intent, drawing more power from heaven and earth, and confirms that he can complete one marrow cleansing in about half an hour.
• Yu Manyun and Xiao Emei sneak into Jiang Ning's residence under the cover of night. Yu Manyun plans to kidnap Doubao while Jiang Ning is cultivating.

Character Developments

• Jiang Ning: He understands his cultivation progress and sets a goal to complete 1,999 marrow cleansings in about three months. His determination and drive increase.
• Bai Luoyu: He observes Jiang Ning's cultivation and decides to participate in the Myriad Treasures Pavilion auction to obtain a Thunderclap Fruit and catch up to Jiang Ning's cultivation progress.
• Yu Manyun: She remains determined to kidnap Doubao despite knowing Jiang Ning's strength and Xiao Emei's warnings. She believes Jiang Ning won't notice her actions while he's cultivating.
• Xiao Emei: She keeps her promise to watch over Yu Manyun but decides not to enter Jiang Ning's residence, showing some loyalty to Jiang Ning.

Significant Themes

• The theme of determination and setting goals is emphasized through Jiang Ning's realization of his cultivation progress and the time it will take to complete the realm.
• The theme of loyalty is shown through Xiao Emei's decision to keep an eye on Yu Manyun but not actively participate in her plan to kidnap Doubao.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Ning and Bai Luoyu: Though not directly interacting, Bai Luoyu observes Jiang Ning's cultivation and decides to participate in the auction to catch up to him.
• Yu Manyun and Xiao Emei: They sneak into Jiang Ning's residence together, with Yu Manyun determined to kidnap Doubao and Xiao Emei reluctantly helping her keep watch but not actively participating.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yu Manyun infiltrates Jiang Ning's residence to assassinate him, but he senses her presence and anticipates her actions.
• Jiang Ning, having just completed marrow tempering, is enveloped in divine radiance, revealing his new fourth-rank status.
• He kills Yu Manyun to prevent her from causing further trouble and to send a message to the Water-Moon Sword Palace.
• Xiao Emei, who had initially planned to betray Jiang Ning, changes her mind and reports Yu Manyun's actions to him. She is rewarded with enhanced blood drops.

Character Developments

• Jiang Ning: He successfully completes marrow tempering, becoming a fourth-rank martial artist. He also demonstrates his strategic thinking and decisiveness in handling Yu Manyun.
• Xiao Emei: She initially plans to betray Jiang Ning but changes her mind after realizing his true power. She shows loyalty to her master, Xiao Qiushui, but also accepts Jiang Ning's magnanimity.
• Yu Manyun: She dies at Jiang Ning's hands, leading to potential retaliation from the Water-Moon Sword Palace.

Significant Themes

• Power and its consequences: Jiang Ning's newfound power allows him to protect himself and his family but also draws the attention of more powerful enemies.
• Loyalty and betrayal: Xiao Emei grapples with her loyalty to her master and her newfound allegiance to Jiang Ning. Yu Manyun's betrayal leads to her demise.
• The cost of action: Jiang Ning's decision to kill Yu Manyun may have severe consequences, highlighting the high stakes involved in his actions.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Ning and Xiao Emei: Their interaction reveals Jiang Ning's strategic thinking and Xiao Emei's loyalty to her master. Despite this, Xiao Emei accepts Jiang Ning's magnanimity, leading to a tense but potentially beneficial relationship.
• Jiang Ning and Yu Manyun: Their interaction highlights Jiang Ning's decisiveness and the consequences of underestimating him. Yu Manyun's death serves as a warning to others who might threaten him.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Ning's Source Energy increases to over 5000 points, allowing him to break through his saber technique's limits.
• He breaks through the seventh limit of his Wood-Chopping Saber Technique, gaining the Innate Saber Bones (First Break) trait.
• He then breaks through the sixth limit of his Literacy skill, gaining the Heavenly Eye Unveiled trait.
• Jiang Ning attempts to activate his Innate Saber Bones, causing a powerful, destructive force that he struggles to suppress.
• The Qinghe Earl's Estate decides not to pursue revenge against Jiang Ning for killing He Jin Yun, fearing Xiao Qiushui's involvement and the potential backlash from Jiang Ning.
• Jiang Ning absorbs the sun's essence at noon, indicating that he has reached the great accomplishment realm in the Inner Elixir Life-Nourishing Technique.

Character Developments

• Jiang Ning's strength grows significantly as he breaks through his skills' limits, gaining new traits and abilities.
• The Qinghe Earl's Estate's attitude toward Jiang Ning changes due to fear of Xiao Qiushui and the potential consequences of provoking Jiang Ning.

Significant Themes

• The pursuit of strength and power, and the consequences of having or lacking it.
• The fear and respect that powerful individuals inspire in others.
• The importance of careful decision-making in the face of potential threats.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Ning interacts with his skills and abilities, breaking through their limits and gaining new powers.
• The Qinghe Earl's Estate interacts with Zhao Yulong, ultimately deciding not to pursue revenge against Jiang Ning.
• Bai Luoyu observes Jiang Ning from a distance, witnessing his progress in the Inner Elixir Life-Nourishing Technique.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Ning returns to Medicine King Valley to visit Wang Jin and bring him Foundation-Consolidating Origin-Nourishing Pills for his recovery.
• Jiang Ning reveals he has avenged Wang Jin by killing the woman who injured him.
• Jiang Ning practices his fist technique, displaying third-level intent, and later enters the Marrow Refinement realm.
• He realizes that to increase his marrow-refinement efficiency, he needs to grasp the momentum of a higher-tier martial art.

Character Developments

• Jiang Ning: Shows deep concern for Wang Jin's well-being and takes steps to aid his recovery. He also makes significant progress in his martial arts journey, entering the Marrow Refinement realm and considering how to improve his efficiency.
• Wang Jin: Recovers from his injuries and is grateful for Jiang Ning's help. He takes the Foundation-Consolidating Origin-Nourishing Pills without hesitation, showing trust in Jiang Ning's judgment.
• Lu Qingshan: Recognizes Jiang Ning's potential and decides to avoid making an enemy of him, showing wisdom and foresight.

Significant Themes

• The importance of friendship and loyalty, as shown by Jiang Ning's actions to help Wang Jin.
• The pursuit of martial arts progress and the challenges faced in improving one's skills.
• The value of wisdom and foresight in decision-making, as demonstrated by Lu Qingshan.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Ning and Wang Jin: Their relationship deepens as Jiang Ning shows concern for Wang Jin's well-being and Wang Jin trusts Jiang Ning's judgment.
• Jiang Ning and Lu Qingshan: They interact as host and guest, with Lu Qingshan showing respect and admiration for Jiang Ning's potential.
• Jiang Ning and Elder Huang, Lu Qingshan: They observe Jiang Ning's training from afar, with Elder Huang expressing shock at Jiang Ning's progress and Lu Qingshan acknowledging Jiang Ning's potential.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Ning successfully breaks through Water-Fire True Force to the third level, gaining the Stone-Boiling Divine Ability from the Seventy-Two Earthly Transformations.
• He experiments with the divine ability, demonstrating remarkable control over fire.
• He attempts to use Linglong and Old Softshell for experiments but finds them unsuitable due to his overwhelming power.

Character Developments

• Jiang Ning's mastery over Water-Fire True Force and the Water-Fire Millstone Force increases, revealing the potency of the Water-Fire Canon.
• Lü Yi shows concern and delight in Jiang Ning's progress.

Significant Themes

• The power of superior martial arts and their associated divine abilities.
• The concept of being too strong, as demonstrated by Jiang Ning's impact on Linglong and Old Softshell.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Ning interacts with Lü Yi, who expresses worry and excitement about his progress.
• Jiang Ning's interaction with Linglong and Old Softshell highlights the disparity in power between them.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Dongling City becomes bustling as families prepare for the annual Martial Academy entrance assessment. Admission is highly prestigious because it begins the path from Martial Academy to Higher Academy and eventually the Dao Palace, potentially leading to grandmaster status.
• At the Jiang Residence, Liu Wanwan encourages her son Jiang Yiming before the examination and reminds him not to forget Jiang Ning’s kindness. Jiang Yiming is sent to invite Jiang Ning to breakfast.
• Jiang Ning is cultivating in the East Courtyard, seated between a lake and blazing torches. His Water-Fire True Force is close to its fourth limit breakthrough, attracting both water and fire toward him and generating experience points.
• Jiang Yiming demonstrates his progress by leaping across the lake. Jiang Ning then tests his strength by asking him to deliver a full-power punch. Jiang Yiming’s strength is judged to exceed a thousand catties, making him more than capable of passing the academy examination.
• Jiang Ning tells Jiang Yiming to attend the registration without him, since he wants to finish his cultivation first. Liu Wanwan leaves breakfast warming on the stove and departs with the others.
• Jiang Ning successfully advances Water-Fire True Force from its third to fourth limit break by spending 1,000 source energy points. His source energy falls from 1,839.33 to 839.33.
• The breakthrough grants a new trait, Water-Fire Harmony, described as a profundity that allows different powers to merge without mutual rejection.
• Jiang Ning tests the new ability and successfully fuses his true essence with his vital blood. His true essence, previously confined mainly to the dantian, now permeates his entire body.

Character Developments

• Jiang Ning: Makes a major breakthrough in his cultivation. He gains Water-Fire Harmony and achieves a transformation in which true essence and vital blood coexist throughout his flesh. This greatly expands his potential, increases the amount of power his body can contain, and allows energy to erupt from any part of his body rather than traveling only through the meridians.
• Jiang Yiming: Demonstrates impressive martial progress and confidence. His explosive strength exceeds a thousand catties, placing him well above ordinary ninth-rank fighters and making admission to the Martial Academy appear certain.
• Liu Wanwan: Continues to show maternal affection and concern while respecting Jiang Ning’s cultivation. She reinforces the importance of gratitude toward Jiang Ning and organizes the family’s departure for the academy.
• Little Doubao: Shows awareness and consideration by asking whether Jiang Ning should be disturbed, but accepts Liu Wanwan’s instruction not to interrupt him.

Significant Themes

• The importance of education and lineage: The Martial Academy represents a family’s chance to alter its social standing and future destiny. Admission brings prestige, influence, and recognition.
• Cultivation through perseverance and resources: Jiang Ning’s breakthroughs require both sustained practice and large amounts of source energy, highlighting the cost of advancing in martial power.
• Transformation and integration: Water-Fire Harmony symbolizes the union of opposing forces. Jiang Ning’s water and fire powers, and later his true essence and vital blood, achieve balance rather than conflict.
• Expanding human potential: By merging true essence with vital blood, Jiang Ning surpasses ordinary bodily limitations and gains a much higher future ceiling.
• Family loyalty and gratitude: Jiang Yiming’s success is connected to Jiang Ning’s support, while Liu Wanwan emphasizes that such kindness must never be forgotten.

Character Interactions

• Liu Wanwan lovingly prepares Jiang Yiming for the academy examination and reminds him to honor Jiang Ning.
• Jiang Yiming respectfully approaches Jiang Ning, follows his instructions, crosses the lake, and submits to a strength test.
• Jiang Ning evaluates Jiang Yiming’s punch and praises his progress, then prioritizes his own breakthrough while directing Yiming to proceed to the academy.
• Liu Wanwan, Little Doubao, and Jiang Yiming decide not to disturb Jiang Ning’s cultivation. They leave him a note and depart for the Martial Academy while he completes his transformation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Yiming discovers a new benefit of merging true essence and vital blood, increasing his combat power and endurance.
• At the Martial Academy registration, Jiang Yiming encounters a brawny youth who cuts in line and provokes him, aiming to frame him and revoke his registration qualifications.
• Jiang Yiming stands up for himself, refusing to back down from the provocation, and uses his exceptional strength to expose the Martial Academy student's tampering.

Character Developments

• Jiang Yiming demonstrates maturity and restraint by enduring the initial provocation, showing understanding of the situation and the need to avoid conflict at that moment.
• He later displays courage and confidence in standing up for himself and exposing the plot against him, showing his determination and resourcefulness.

Significant Themes

• The importance of self-control and timing in dealing with adversity.
• The power of truth and exposure in the face of deceit and manipulation.
• The value of exceptional talent and strength in gaining recognition and support.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Yiming interacts with the brawny youth and the Martial Academy student, showing his ability to assess situations and respond appropriately.
• He also indirectly interacts with Jiang Ning, who is watching from a distance, showing his understanding of his uncle's approach to handling such situations.
• Wang Qingtan, the governor's daughter, takes notice of Jiang Yiming due to his actions and voice, hinting at potential future interactions.

Chapter Summary: “Breaking the Deadlock, Jiang Ning Appears!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• At the Martial Academy’s entrance, Jiang Yiming confronts a Martial Academy student who had apparently threatened or obstructed his family.
• Jiang Yiming overwhelms the student with three powerful consecutive “hammer” strikes. Although the student is a Ninth Rank martial artist with tempered skin, he is forced to his knees and suffers internal injuries.
• The crowd realizes that Jiang Yiming, despite being only fifteen and appearing slender, has already entered the Martial Dao and possesses extraordinary strength.
• Xu Nianqing, the Martial Academy’s strongest instructor and a Fourth Rank expert, takes interest in Jiang Yiming. She orders Wang Qingtan to investigate his identity, age, and the claims that someone had interfered with or targeted him.
• Wang Qingtan arrives to handle the situation and examines Jiang Yiming’s household registration. She learns that he is fifteen, from Luoshui County, and the son of a constable.
• Wang Qingtan questions how someone from such a modest background could afford the resources needed to enter the Martial Dao at such a young age.
• Jiang Ning appears with Inspector Bai Luoyu, revealing himself as Jiang Yiming’s uncle and the source of the boy’s support. His arrival immediately changes the atmosphere and resolves the deadlock.
• Jiang Ning is introduced as a former Eighth Rank martial officer and commander who is now a candidate inspector. His status and close relationship with Bai Luoyu cause the injured students and their allies to panic.
• Jiang Ning asks Bai Luoyu to investigate whoever acted against his family. Bai Luoyu agrees, warning that the matter will be handled as part of his official duty.
• Xu Nianqing meets Jiang Ning and discovers that he is also a Fourth Rank marrow-cleansing expert, despite being an unfamiliar figure in the commandery. She is deeply surprised by his hidden strength and background.

Character Developments

• Jiang Yiming: Demonstrates that he has reached the Ninth Rank of the Martial Dao and possesses overwhelming explosive strength. His victory boosts his confidence and earns him the attention of Xu Nianqing. Despite his ferocity in battle, he remains respectful and affectionate toward Liu Wanwan, Jiang Li, and Little Doubao.
• Jiang Ning: Makes a dramatic entrance that protects Jiang Yiming and restores his sense of security. His authority, connections, and concealed Fourth Rank cultivation are revealed, establishing him as a powerful and influential figure rather than an ordinary former martial official.
• Xu Nianqing: Shows sharp judgment by recognizing Jiang Yiming’s unusual talent and taking him seriously. She also realizes that Jiang Ning is a fellow Fourth Rank expert, making her curious about his origins.
• Wang Qingtan: Acts as the Martial Academy’s representative and handles the investigation professionally. She recognizes Jiang Yiming’s extraordinary potential and understands that Jiang Ning’s support explains his rapid advancement.
• Bai Luoyu: Demonstrates strong respect for Jiang Ning and immediately agrees to investigate the threat against his family. His response emphasizes both his friendship with Jiang Ning and the authority of the Inspection Office.
• Wang Qinghan: Is stunned to see Jiang Ning alive after previously witnessing what appeared to be his suicide by jumping from a city wall, leaving her uncertain whether he is truly human or something supernatural.
• The defeated Martial Academy students and their associates: Shift from arrogance to fear once Jiang Ning’s status and Bai Luoyu’s involvement become clear.

Significant Themes

• Hidden strength and underestimated talent: Jiang Yiming’s frail appearance and humble family background conceal extraordinary martial ability, while Jiang Ning’s ordinary-looking appearance hides the power of a Fourth Rank expert.
• Status, authority, and privilege: The chapter emphasizes the enormous influence of Grandmasters, inspectors, powerful martial experts, and elite families. Social position and official authority determine how disputes are handled.
• Justice and protection of family: Jiang Ning’s appearance demonstrates his willingness to defend his relatives and use his official connections to pursue those who targeted them.
• Mentorship and opportunity: Xu Nianqing’s interest in Jiang Yiming suggests that exceptional talent can attract powerful mentors and radically change a young martial artist’s future.
• Reversal of power: The students who initially held the advantage through their association with the Martial Academy lose confidence when confronted by Jiang Yiming’s strength and Jiang Ning’s official authority.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Yiming defeats the Martial Academy student, while Liu Wanwan, Jiang Li, and Little Doubao show concern for him.
• Xu Nianqing instructs Wang Qingtan to investigate Jiang Yiming and protect the Martial Academy’s authority from outside interference.
• Wang Qingtan questions Jiang Yiming and discovers the unusual circumstances behind his cultivation.
• Jiang Ning and Jiang Yiming share a warm uncle-nephew exchange, with Jiang Ning praising him for his performance.
• Jiang Ning asks Bai Luoyu for help investigating the attack on his family, and Bai Luoyu readily promises to assist.
• Wang Qingtan respectfully greets Bai Luoyu and later acknowledges Jiang Ning’s official identity.
• Xu Nianqing and Bai Luoyu exchange formal respect, while Xu Nianqing closely observes Jiang Ning and recognizes his Fourth Rank cultivation.
• The chapter ends with Xu Nianqing wondering where Jiang Ning came from and why such a powerful figure was previously unknown in Dongling Commandery.

Chapter Summary

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• Outside the Martial Academy, the tense situation is calmed by the arrival of Bai Luoyu and Jiang Ning.
• Instructor Xu Nianqing recognizes Jiang Yiming’s extraordinary talent: at only fifteen, he has already reached the ninth-grade Martial Dao and defeated a Martial Academy student in three moves.
• Xu Nianqing, revealed to be a fourth-grade expert and the Martial Academy’s strongest instructor, asks to take Jiang Yiming as her disciple. Jiang Li and Liu Wanwan readily agree.
• Xu Nianqing investigates the assault on the burly youth and discovers that a Martial Academy student arranged for his leg bone to be crushed.
• Jiang Ning captures Liu Boming and the effeminate youth, exposing them as the likely masterminds behind the incident. Under pressure, the involved parties begin blaming one another, while Liu Boming ultimately claims responsibility.
• Bai Luoyu agrees to detain the conspirators. Jiang Ning intends to keep them imprisoned until after the imperial examinations, when he expects to receive an official inspector appointment and gain greater authority to deal with them.
• Jiang Ning enters the Martial Academy for further study using a special passage token. Xu Nianqing is surprised that a fourth-grade expert would seek instruction there, but accepts his request.
• Xu assigns Wang Qingtan, the Commandery Governor’s daughter and the Academy’s second-ranked student, to receive Jiang Ning and guide him through the Academy.

2. Character Developments

• Jiang Yiming gains a powerful new protector and mentor in Xu Nianqing. His rare talent and early advancement establish him as a promising martial genius.
• Xu Nianqing demonstrates her status as the Academy’s strongest instructor, combining sharp judgment, authority, and a strong sense of responsibility. She becomes deeply impressed by Jiang Yiming.
• Jiang Ning displays his growing influence and strength by effortlessly capturing the conspirators. He also shows political foresight by delaying punishment until he secures an official position.
• Bai Luoyu continues to support Jiang Ning and proves capable of handling powerful or well-connected offenders without hesitation.
• Liu Boming is shown to be cowardly and intimidated by Jiang Yiming, while the effeminate youth relies on his noble family background for protection.
• Wang Qingtan is established as an exceptionally talented martial artist, ranked second among Academy students and highly respected by Xu Nianqing.

3. Significant Themes

• Talent attracting powerful mentors: Jiang Yiming’s remarkable ability allows him to gain Xu Nianqing, a fourth-grade expert, as his teacher.
• Strength and authority: Martial power and official status determine who can enforce justice, with Jiang Ning deliberately waiting to gain formal authority before acting.
• Networks of influence: Xu Nianqing’s former students, Bai Luoyu’s connections, and the status of the noble families all shape the confrontation.
• Justice versus political protection: Although the conspirators are clearly guilty, their backgrounds make immediate punishment difficult, highlighting the limits of justice without sufficient authority.
• Mentorship and legacy: Xu Nianqing’s relationship with Wang Qingtan shows that guidance and teaching can create bonds as meaningful as formal master-disciple relationships.

4. Character Interactions

• Jiang Ning and Xu Nianqing exchange polite praise while privately recognizing each other’s unusual status.
• Jiang Ning presents Jiang Yiming to Xu Nianqing and supports the idea of her becoming his master, while Jiang Li formally grants permission.
• Xu Nianqing confronts the injured Martial Academy student and the burly youth, forcing the truth about the scheme into the open.
• Jiang Ning and Bai Luoyu cooperate to capture and detain Liu Boming and the effeminate youth.
• Xu Nianqing entrusts Wang Qingtan with receiving Jiang Ning, partly because of their comparable age and status and partly because she believes they may be well matched.

Chapter Summary: “Phoenix Heavenly Maiden, Wang Qingtan!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wang Qingtan guides Jiang Ning through the Martial Academy, accompanied by her younger sister, Wang Qinghan.
• Qinghan recognizes Jiang Ning from a previous incident when she saw him jump into a river. Believing he intended suicide, she had tried to save him.
• Jiang Ning remembers the event and praises Qinghan’s kindness, leading to playful banter between the sisters.
• Wang Qingtan introduces Jiang Ning to the Earth-Vein Chamber, a cultivation facility that uses formations to gather mountain energy and impose varying levels of gravitational pressure. The pressure, combined with medicinal herbs, helps temper the body.
• She offers to lend Jiang Ning credits so he can use the chamber, but he declines, believing it would not benefit him much at present.
• They visit the Pill Tower, where Jiang Ning discovers that pills are sold far below market price because the academy supplies them to students at cost.
• Wang Qingtan offers to lend him credits at “nine out, eleven back,” claiming this is generous compared with the academy’s usual “nine out, thirteen back.” Qinghan repeatedly condemns her sister as black-hearted, creating humorous tension.
• Jiang Ning studies the Pill Tower’s offerings, especially the inexpensive Embracing-Embryo One-Qi Pills, which could help him accumulate the Source Energy needed for another limit-breaking.
• He decides not to spend his credits immediately, since they are valuable academy currency and he has not finished surveying the academy.
• When Jiang Ning hands the pill catalogue back to Wang Qingtan, their fingers touch and his system detects that she possesses a divine point and a fragmentary authority belonging to the Lord of Ten Thousand Fires.
• Jiang Ning realizes that Wang Qingtan is not an ordinary martial artist but a genuine divine or heavenly being. He associates her with the title Phoenix Heavenly Maiden and begins reconsidering her identity.

Character Developments

Jiang Ning

• Learns more about the Martial Academy’s cultivation resources and begins planning how to use them to improve his Water-Fire True Force and accumulate Source Energy.
• Remains cautious and analytical, refusing to waste credits or accept unnecessary assistance.
• His perception of Wang Qingtan changes dramatically after discovering her hidden divine nature.

Wang Qingtan

• Acts as a composed and capable guide, showing Jiang Ning the academy’s facilities.
• Displays a practical, money-conscious personality through her strict lending terms, though she considers herself generous compared with others.
• Reveals a calm, confident temperament. Unlike her sister, she shows no embarrassment when Jiang Ning looks at her.
• Her hidden identity as a heavenly or divine maiden is foreshadowed through the system’s detection of fire-related authority.

Wang Qinghan

• Is warm-hearted, innocent, and more emotionally expressive than her sister.
• Remembers Jiang Ning from their earlier encounter and appears interested in him, frequently glancing at him.
• Serves as a humorous counterpoint to Wang Qingtan, openly criticizing her sister’s exploitative lending terms and narcissism.

Sisterly Relationship

• The sisters tease and reprimand each other constantly. Wang Qingtan repeatedly flicks Qinghan’s forehead, while Qinghan openly mocks her.
• Their interactions show familiarity and affection beneath the comedic arguing.

Significant Themes

• Hidden identity and divine origins: Wang Qingtan appears to be an extraordinary being whose true nature is concealed beneath an ordinary human identity.
• Cultivation and resource management: Jiang Ning carefully weighs the value of academy facilities, pills, credits, time, and Source Energy.
• Pragmatism versus generosity: The dispute over “nine out, eleven back” humorously examines the difference between genuine kindness and self-interested assistance.
• Beauty and perception: Jiang Ning’s attention toward Wang Qingtan, and her quiet pleasure at being admired, highlight the influence of appearance and mutual attraction.
• Sibling affection through teasing: The sisters’ constant quarrels reveal a close bond and contrasting personalities.
• Preparation for future advancement: Jiang Ning recognizes that higher-level techniques will require immense Source Energy and begins planning well in advance.

Important Character Interactions

• Jiang Ning and Wang Qinghan: They reconnect over the river incident, with Jiang Ning praising her kindness and Qinghan showing shy pleasure.
• Jiang Ning and Wang Qingtan: Their relationship develops through the academy tour. She offers him access to resources, while he remains politely independent. Their brief physical contact triggers the revelation of her divine power.
• Wang Qingtan and Wang Qinghan: Their playful arguments over kindness, lending practices, and vanity provide comic relief while emphasizing their contrasting personalities.
• Jiang Ning’s system and Wang Qingtan: The system’s detection of her divine point and fragmentary Lord of Ten Thousand Fires authority becomes the chapter’s major revelation, suggesting that Wang Qingtan is connected to powerful celestial forces and may possess a phoenix-like divine heritage.

Chapter Summary: Martial Academy Treasure, Martial Refinement Tower!

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Ning tours the Martial Academy with sisters Wang Qingtan and Wang Qinghan.
• During their conversation, Jiang jokes that he is “forever eighteen,” though his thoughts reveal his true age and past loneliness. He reflects on his first birthday since arriving in this world.
• Wang Qingtan realizes Jiang has reached the fourth rank of martial cultivation, recognizable through the physical transformation brought by marrow refinement.
• The group visits several academy locations, including the training grounds, lecture platform, Dragon-Tiger Arena, and the Divine Weapon Tower.
• Jiang hopes to find a powerful bow capable of supporting his advanced archery techniques, but the Divine Weapon Tower contains no bows. His disappointment highlights how dependent archery is on specialized equipment.
• Wang Qinghan mentions that her family owns a powerful bow once used by their father in battle. Wang Qingtan stops her from casually giving it away, leading to a humorous sisterly exchange.
• The group arrives at the Martial Refinement Tower, a mysterious nine-story Primordial-era treasure found in Martial Academies, academies, and Dao Palaces throughout the realm.
• Wang Qingtan explains that the tower rewards students for every floor they clear and grants academic credits for surpassing personal records. Reaching the ninth floor within ten years allows graduation and academy qualification; doing so within three years grants eligibility for special admission.
• Jiang, interested in earning academic credits to exchange for pills and strengthen himself, decides to challenge the tower. The entrance fee is ten credits, but he refuses Wang Qingtan’s offer to lend him the money and uses his own token, which contains only 100 credits.
• The group learns that Lin He, the Martial Academy’s top-ranked student, is currently challenging the ninth floor. His success would give him the qualification to compete for special admission.
• Yan Youhu arrives and provokes Wang Qingtan over her confidence and contempt for ordinary academy prodigies. She dismisses him completely, considering him insignificant compared with the true experts of the wider world.
• The chapter ends when Liu Sansheng, captain of the Luoshui County Inspection Office and Liu Wanwan’s younger brother, recognizes and greets Jiang as “Commander Jiang.”

Character Developments

• Jiang Ning: Reveals a more reflective and lonely side while thinking about his birthday and former life. His fourth-rank cultivation is confirmed. He remains committed to archery despite lacking a suitable bow and becomes interested in the Martial Refinement Tower as a way to earn resources and improve his strength. He also displays confidence and financial independence by refusing Wang Qingtan’s loan.
• Wang Qingtan: Demonstrates insight into Jiang’s age and cultivation. She acts maturely and protectively toward her younger sister, while also showing immense confidence and pride in her own abilities. Her memories from a previous life have made her view Martial Academy talents with detached superiority.
• Wang Qinghan: Acts energetic and outspoken, eagerly joining conversations and mentioning her family’s bow. Her playful complaints and dependence on her sister reveal their close but unequal sibling relationship.
• Lin He: Though absent, he is established as the academy’s strongest student. He possesses martial bones, rose from humble origins, and surpassed Wang Qingtan after only two years.
• Yan Youhu: A burly student and son of Commandant Yan. Despite his status and former prominence, he has failed to reach the ninth floor after four years and is no longer eligible for special admission. His attempt to challenge Wang Qingtan’s arrogance only exposes his inferiority in her eyes.
• Liu Sansheng: Reappears at the end of the chapter, suggesting a connection between Jiang’s activities in the academy and his previous dealings with the Inspection Office.

Significant Themes

• Growth and cultivation: The Martial Refinement Tower represents a structured path for testing talent, rewarding improvement, and determining access to higher institutions.
• Resources and power: Jiang’s need for a suitable bow and academic credits emphasizes that martial strength depends not only on talent but also on equipment, wealth, and access to pills.
• Past and present identity: Jiang’s reflections on his birthday and Wang Qingtan’s inherited memories show how both characters carry burdens and perspectives from earlier lives.
• Pride and hierarchy: The interactions surrounding Wang Qingtan, Lin He, and Yan Youhu explore social status, innate talent, achievement, and the difference between local fame and true worldly power.
• Family affection: The sisters’ playful quarrel over their father’s bow provides a warm contrast to the chapter’s competitive martial atmosphere.
• Hidden greatness: Jiang is unfamiliar with the academy’s celebrated prodigies because his attention is fixed on far more powerful figures, suggesting that his own perspective and potential lie beyond the academy’s current hierarchy.

Important Character Interactions

• Jiang and Wang Qingtan share a subtle moment of mutual understanding when she recognizes the sadness behind his joking remarks about age.
• Wang Qingtan and Wang Qinghan display a familiar, affectionate sisterly dynamic, with Qingtan scolding and comforting Qinghan.
• Wang Qingtan and Yan Youhu clash verbally. She ignores most of his challenge and dismisses him as beneath her notice.
• Wang Qingtan discusses Lin He’s strength and status, acknowledging him as a genuine rival while remaining confident in her ability to surpass him.
• Jiang’s final encounter with Liu Sansheng creates a direct link to his earlier relationships and sets up the next development.

Chapter Summary: “Wang Qingtan Couldn’t Believe It!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Liu Sansheng arrives outside the Martial Refinement Tower to meet Jiang Ning. He treats Jiang with unusual respect, calling himself “Little Liu” and emphasizing their family connection through Jiang’s sister-in-law.
• Yan Youhu observes this interaction with surprise and envy. He regrets previously giving up an opportunity to join the Inspection Office, whose authority and prestige have since grown enormously.
• The group discusses Lin He, a highly talented Martial Academy student attempting to clear the tower’s ninth floor.
• Jiang Ning learns that only one person may challenge the tower at a time, so he waits for Lin He to finish. He is especially interested in the academic credits awarded for merely attempting the tower.
• Lin He emerges badly wounded and exhausted, having failed once again to reach the summit. He approaches Wang Qingtan and vows to succeed next time, but her indifferent response hurts and discourages him.
• Jiang Ning enters the Martial Refinement Tower with a crimson token. He senses that the tower monitors challengers through a mysterious force resembling—but differing from—his own spiritual force field. He decides not to use methods that might reveal too much about himself.
• Outside, Wang Qingtan asks Liu Sansheng about Jiang Ning. Liu explains Jiang’s background and recounts how Jiang defended an entire city from the Black Mountain Rebels alone with a bow.
• Wang Qingtan is shocked to learn that Jiang Ning is approximately her age. Since she had already judged him to possess fourth-rank strength, she struggles to believe that someone so young could have reached such an astonishing level.

Character Developments

• Jiang Ning: Continues to attract attention through his composed manner, mysterious abilities, and extraordinary accomplishments. He remains pragmatic, entering the tower partly to gain academic credits while carefully concealing his true capabilities.
• Wang Qingtan: Her curiosity toward Jiang Ning deepens into genuine astonishment. She had assumed his youthful appearance was misleading, but Liu Sansheng’s information forces her to reconsider both Jiang’s age and the accuracy of her own judgment regarding his strength.
• Liu Sansheng: Demonstrates strong goodwill toward Jiang Ning and attempts to build a relationship with him. He also privately disapproves of his second uncle’s assignment concerning Liu Boming and does not want to participate in it.
• Lin He: Suffers another defeat in his attempt to clear the ninth floor. His confidence remains outwardly strong, but Wang Qingtan’s emotional distance visibly wounds him.
• Yan Youhu: His admiration for Lin He and envy of Liu Sansheng’s official position are reinforced. He also becomes increasingly curious about Jiang Ning’s identity.
• Wang Qinghan: Shows a playful, somewhat childish desire for recognition from Jiang Ning and becomes fascinated by his heroic reputation.

Significant Themes

• Status and opportunity: Liu Sansheng’s rise through the Inspection Office contrasts with Yan Youhu’s regret over rejecting a similar opportunity.
• Hidden strength and misjudgment: Jiang Ning appears young and unassuming, yet his accomplishments and likely cultivation far exceed conventional expectations.
• Talent versus extraordinary achievement: Lin He is considered a once-in-a-decade genius, but Jiang Ning’s progress may place him on an entirely different level.
• Social connections and strategic goodwill: Liu Sansheng seeks Jiang Ning’s favor because of their family ties and Jiang’s growing importance.
• Emotional distance and unrequited admiration: Lin He’s feelings toward Wang Qingtan are apparent, but her cool response shows that his admiration is not reciprocated.
• Secrecy and surveillance: Jiang Ning recognizes that the tower observes its challengers, prompting him to restrain his methods and protect his secrets.

Important Character Interactions

• Jiang Ning and Liu Sansheng: Liu Sansheng eagerly establishes familiarity, while Jiang accepts the relationship with relaxed friendliness.
• Jiang Ning and Wang Qinghan: Their exchange over how to address her creates a lighthearted moment and shows Wang Qinghan’s desire to be treated distinctly from her sister.
• Lin He and Wang Qingtan: Lin He seeks recognition after his failed challenge, but Wang Qingtan’s detached reply leaves him dejected.
• Wang Qingtan and Liu Sansheng: She questions him closely about Jiang Ning, revealing her growing interest and disbelief.
• Wang Qingtan and Jiang Ning: Her silent observations and increasingly intense curiosity suggest that Jiang’s presence has begun to challenge her understanding of martial talent.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Ning clears the Martial Refinement Tower, starting from the first floor and reaching the summit (ninth floor) in one attempt.
• Each floor rewards him with merit points and strands of qi and blood, which increase his strength significantly.
• Wang Qingtan, provoked by Jiang Ning's feat, decides to challenge the ninth floor as well.

Character Developments

• Jiang Ning demonstrates his incredible strength and skill, clearing the tower with ease.
• Wang Qingtan shows her competitive spirit and desire to prove herself.
• Wang Qinghan becomes flustered and awkward when Jiang Ning pats her head, hinting at her growing feelings for him.

Significant Themes

• The Martial Refinement Tower represents the power and generosity of Martial Saint Manor, providing immense rewards for those who challenge it.
• Competition and the desire to prove oneself are explored through Wang Qingtan's decision to challenge the tower.
• The theme of unusual individuals, hinted at through Wang Qingtan's divinity and authority, is further explored with Wang Qinghan's ordinariness.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Ning interacts with Liu Sansheng, Wang Qingtan, and Wang Qinghan.
• Wang Qinghan's reaction to Jiang Ning's intimacy suggests her growing feelings for him.
• Wang Qingtan's decision to challenge the tower is influenced by Jiang Ning's success.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wang Qingtan successfully clears the ninth floor of the Martial Refinement Tower, causing the bells on all nine floors to ring in unison, signifying her accomplishment.
• Jiang Ning decides to borrow credits from Wang Qingtan to spend at the Library Pavilion.

Character Developments

• Wang Qingtan demonstrates her strength and confidence by easily clearing the Martial Refinement Tower.
• Lin He feels inferior and leaves after witnessing Wang Qingtan's success.
• Jiang Ning decides to borrow money to improve his cultivation and resources.

Significant Themes

• The theme of competition and growth is emphasized as Wang Qingtan showcases her strength and Jiang Ning seeks to improve his cultivation.
• The theme of wealth and power is highlighted as Wang Qingtan lends credits to Jiang Ning, and he acknowledges the importance of having money.

Character Interactions

• Wang Qingtan and Jiang Ning interact as she offers to lend him credits, and he accepts.
• Wang Qingtan and Wang Qinghan's sisterly bond is shown as they wait for Jiang Ning and Wang Qingtan roasts a chicken for them.
• Lin He and Yan Youhu's relationship is briefly shown as Lin He leaves after feeling inferior to Wang Qingtan, and Yan Youhu follows him.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wang Qingtan finishes showing Jiang Ning around the Martial Academy and brings him to the Library Pavilion, the final stop on the tour.
• When she jokingly asks for compensation for her efforts, Jiang Ning misunderstands and slaps her hand. He then gives her a golden leaf as an apology, immediately winning back her favor.
• Upon touching Wang Qingtan, Jiang Ning once again detects signs that she possesses divinity points and a damaged “Lord of Ten Thousand Fires” authority. He suspects she may be the reincarnation of an ancient god but rejects the idea of killing her for personal gain.
• Inside the Library Pavilion, they meet its white-haired, one-eyed keeper. Wang Qingtan explains the rules:
  • The first floor contains ordinary books.
  • The second floor contains low-grade Martial Dao techniques and requires an academy identity token and one credit to enter.
  • The third floor contains mid-grade and some high-grade techniques, requiring even more credits.
  • Theft and the use of spatial storage treasures are forbidden because of the pavilion’s protective formation.
• Wang Qingtan lends Jiang Ning 1,000 academy credits. They formalize the loan with an IOU, increasing the repayment terms from nine credits becoming eleven to ten becoming twelve. Jiang Ning signs and leaves a fingerprint as proof.
• After transferring the credits, Jiang Ning’s balance rises from 330 to 1,330, giving him substantial short-term financial resources.
• Jiang Ning enters the second floor, pays one credit, and begins reading low-grade Martial Dao manuals.
• Reading the manuals rapidly increases his Literacy experience. In about an hour and a half, he gains over 200 experience points, raising Literacy from 3,923 to 4,137.
• He realizes that reading Martial Dao techniques in the pavilion is roughly four times more efficient than reading ordinary books at home.
• Excited by the prospect of even greater gains from the superior techniques on the third floor, Jiang Ning decides to investigate it.

Character Developments

• Jiang Ning remains pragmatic and opportunistic, quickly recognizing the Library Pavilion as an enormous source of experience points. However, he also demonstrates moral restraint by refusing to consider killing Wang Qingtan despite discovering her potentially valuable divine nature.
• His understanding of the Martial Dao grows as he reads various techniques, and he begins considering the possibility of combining the strengths of many schools to develop his own insights.
• Wang Qingtan is shown to be fond of glittering gold objects, easily placated by Jiang Ning’s golden leaf. She is also playful, financially shrewd, and comfortable lending him a large number of credits.
• Her sensitivity is highlighted when she reacts strongly to Jiang Ning blowing near her ear. Her mysterious divine origin remains an important unresolved aspect of her character.
• Wang Qinghan does not enter the pavilion because she lacks a Martial Academy identity token, and Wang Qingtan remains concerned about her waiting outside.

Significant Themes

• Knowledge as wealth: Jiang Ning views the pavilion’s books not only as sources of wisdom but also as direct generators of experience points.
• The value of opportunity: Access to the Library Pavilion dramatically accelerates Jiang Ning’s growth, showing how resources and institutional privileges can transform advancement.
• Moral restraint versus power-seeking: Although Jiang Ning recognizes that Wang Qingtan may contain valuable divine power, he refuses to exploit or kill her without cause.
• Accumulation and synthesis: By studying many Martial Dao techniques, Jiang Ning hopes to broaden his foundation and eventually create insights of his own.
• Debt and trust: The formal IOU establishes a practical financial relationship between Jiang Ning and Wang Qingtan, while also creating future pressure because he is uncertain whether he can repay her within a month.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Ning and Wang Qingtan exchange playful hostility after he mistakenly slaps her hand instead of offering compensation.
• He repairs the situation with a golden leaf, reinforcing Wang Qingtan’s affection for valuable, shining objects.
• Wang Qingtan acts as Jiang Ning’s guide and explains the Library Pavilion’s hierarchy and rules.
• Their financial interaction becomes more formal as Wang Qingtan lends him 1,000 credits in exchange for a signed and fingerprinted IOU.
• Jiang Ning teases Wang Qingtan by leaning close to her ear, provoking an embarrassed and irritated reaction.
• Their relationship combines teasing, mutual benefit, growing familiarity, and unresolved mystery surrounding Wang Qingtan’s hidden divine identity.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Ning visits the third floor of the Library Tower, where superior martial arts are kept.
• He browses the superior martial art Wind-Thunder Steps, gaining 531 Literacy experience points.
• He achieves entry-level mastery in Wind-Thunder Steps in a single step, surprising the tower keeper.
• He spends the night browsing mid-grade martial arts, gaining 6077/7000 Literacy experience points.
• He leaves the Library Tower and plans to test Wind-Thunder Steps' experience gain efficiency.

Character Developments

• Jiang Ning demonstrates his dedication to martial arts and his ability to quickly comprehend them.
• The tower keeper shows recognition of Jiang Ning's talent and strength.

Significant Themes

• The value and difficulty of superior martial arts.
• The importance of dedication and hard work in martial arts cultivation.
• The balance between quality and efficiency in martial arts practice.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Ning interacts with the tower keeper, showing respect and receiving acknowledgment.
• No other characters appear in this chapter.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Ning gains experience for Wind-Thunder Steps by incorporating it into his daily movements.
• He exchanges all his credits for Embracing-Embryo One-Qi Pills at the Pill Tower.
• He encounters Wang Qingtan and Wang Qinghan, and they exchange brief greetings.

Character Developments

• Jiang Ning continues to develop his Wind-Thunder Steps, reaching the Minor Accomplishment stage.
• Wang Qingtan is surprised by Jiang Ning's progress in Wind-Thunder Steps, suspecting he has extraordinary talent.

Significant Themes

• Talent and potential in martial arts.
• The value of Embracing-Embryo One-Qi Pills to Jiang Ning, despite him being Rank Four.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Ning and Wang Qingtan exchange a few words, with Wang Qingtan expressing surprise at Jiang Ning's progress in Wind-Thunder Steps.
• Wang Qinghan teases her sister about Jiang Ning, but Wang Qingtan dismisses her younger sister's speculations.

Summary

Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Ning enters the earth-vein quiet room to refine pills and increase his inner strength.
• He spends a million taels of silver to refine 140 Embracing-Embryo One-Qi Pills, increasing his inner strength by 20 years.
• He then goes to the Library Pavilion to read mid-tier martial arts manuals, completing all on the third floor.
• The next day, his Source Energy breaks ten thousand, reaching 16,146.63 points.
• He breaks through Literacy's seventh limit, gaining the Heavenly Eye (First Break) trait.

Character Development

• Jiang Ning's inner strength increases significantly, showing the power of money in cultivation.
• He demonstrates his dedication to broadening his knowledge and improving his mental power.
• He breaks through Literacy's limit, gaining a new trait and strengthening his mental power.

Significant Themes

• The power of money and resources in cultivation.
• The importance of knowledge and mental power in martial arts.
• The benefits of gravity in physical tempering.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Ning interacts briefly with Lü Yi, his servant, but there are no significant developments in their relationship.
• He does not interact with any other characters in this chapter.