Chapter Summaries

Zhao Feng attended the Hundred Treasures House auction with Yin Zheng and Huo Yao, where valuable armor, martial arts, and Astral-Tempering Pills drew fierce bidding. During the intermission, Lu Hang and Yin Zheng discussed the Dragon-Tiger Ranking and said its leading young talents cultivated three types of true qi, startling Zhao Feng.

• Zhao Feng, Yin Zheng, and Huo Yao entered the Hundred Treasures House auction with Lu Hang, Tang Fan, and Wu Nanxing.
• Zhao Feng spotted Yan Yunkun and the Golden Wind Valley disciples following Yu Shi upstairs and felt uneasy.
• A Jinyang Prefecture expert bought Xiao Lei's Black Tortoise Treasure Armor for seventy thousand taels of silver.
• Elder Xu Ying of the White Sand School won the Black Ice Sword Technique for one hundred thousand taels of silver.
• Lu Hang won ten superior-grade Astral-Tempering Pills for one hundred and eighty thousand taels of silver.
• During the intermission, Lu Hang said the leading young talents on the Tiger Ranking cultivated three types of true qi, and Zhao Feng hid his reaction.

Zhao Feng left the auction to evade an attack by Golden Wind Valley, but Yan Yunkun and three disciples tracked him into Ever-Peace Prefecture. When they tried to rob and kill him, Zhao Feng killed two of them and overwhelmed the others, leaving Yan Yunkun shaken.

• Zhao Feng learned that Yan Yunkun's group intended to attack him, then left the auction alone and rode toward Ever-Peace Prefecture.
• Yu Shi sent Yan Yunkun and three junior brothers after Zhao Feng, using the spirit pet Mystic Pupil to track him.
• Zhao Feng spotted his pursuers from a mountain summit and waited for them to approach before confronting them.
• Yan Yunkun demanded Zhao Feng's treasures and attacked with the other three Golden Wind Valley disciples.
• Zhao Feng parried the assault, shattered Junior Brother Luo's chest with Iron Mountain Lean, then killed Junior Brother Li with a spear thrust.
• Yan Yunkun realized Zhao Feng had hidden his strength and grew afraid as the fight continued.

Zhao Feng defeated and killed Yan Yunkun and the other Golden Wind Valley masters, then collected their belongings and obtained the Geng Metal Sharp Qi Formula. He completed his set of five elemental cultivation arts and rode back toward the Nine Yang Gate, while Yu Shi later arrived at the site.

• Zhao Feng fought Yan Yunkun and the dual-axe wielder together, then killed the dual-axe wielder with a spear thrust.
• Yan Yunkun unleashed Golden Wind Thousand-Leaf Slash, but Zhao Feng countered with Sun-Burning Annihilation and disarmed him.
• As Yan Yunkun tried to escape over the cliff, Meng Youwei’s coin dart pierced him, and he died.
• Zhao Feng collected the four men’s valuables and found the Geng Metal Sharp Qi Formula, completing his collection of five elemental cultivation arts.
• Zhao Feng watched the Divine Wind Eagle escape, dissolved the four corpses with Bone-Dissolving Water, and rode Red Shadow toward the Nine Yang Gate.
• A day later, the Divine Wind Eagle circled over the site as Yu Shi arrived from Jinyang Prefecture.

After returning to Ever-Peace Prefecture, Zhao Feng concealed the spoils from the four men who had pursued him, bought a Spirit-Nourishing Jade Pendant for Mu Xuanzhou, and resumed cultivating. Yu Shi investigated the deaths of his disciples but kept their mission secret, while Zhao Feng advanced his earth cultivation and began studying the Geng Metal Sharp Qi Formula.

• Yu Shi found the disturbed remains of the fight, suspected Ma Yuan had killed his four disciples, and left without confronting Zhao Feng.
• Zhao Feng returned to Beautiful Water Alley, hid the four men's weapons, and counted their money and pills among the spoils.
• Zhao Feng bought a Spirit-Nourishing Jade Pendant from Lin Ziwei and presented it to Mu Xuanzhou, who promised to support him and urged him to prepare for the Martial Examination.
• Zhao Feng used the Nine-Palace Dragon-Settling Compass to absorb earth vein essence, advancing his Rock-Steadfast Thick Earth Art to major mastery and his earth-type true qi to the late stage.
• After feasting the next morning, Zhao Feng returned home and began studying the Geng Metal Sharp Qi Formula.

Zhao Feng learned the Geng Metal Sharp Qi Formula and continued strengthening his cultivation while Golden Wind Valley and the Yan Lineage investigated Yan Yunkun’s death. After his Tai Chi Toad-Fishing Force reached its limit, it fused with his perfected Golden Bell Shield into the Tai Chi Golden Body Art, which he could not yet cultivate without reaching Astral Force.

• Zhao Feng studied the Geng Metal Sharp Qi Formula and realized its fierce nature would benefit from the defensive Rock-Steadfast Thick Earth Art.
• News spread that Yan Yunkun and three other Golden Wind Valley disciples had died; Golden Wind Valley blamed Ma Yuan, searched for him, and confined Yu Shi for negligence.
• Yan Dongqiang suspected Zhao Feng might have killed Yan Yunkun but ruled out confronting him because of his ties to the Nine Yang Gate and the Martial Suppression Bureau, and ordered men to watch for the Blood-Drinking Sword on the Black Market.
• Zhao Feng trained for over a month until the Tai Chi Toad-Fishing Force reached its ultimate limit, then watched it fuse with the perfected Golden Bell Shield into the beginner Tai Chi Golden Body Art.
• Zhao Feng learned that the new art required Astral Force to cultivate and could potentially carry his body-tempering practice toward the Innate realm.

Zhao Feng established a foundation in the Geng Metal Sharp Qi Formula and sold three treasure weapons in the Black Market to fund his preparations for the Martial Examination. After leaving, he sensed that someone was following him.

• Zhao Feng reviewed the realms beyond Astral Force and planned how to prepare for the Martial Examination.
• Zhao Feng cultivated the Geng Metal Sharp Qi Formula with a superior-grade Sharp Metal Pill and reached minor mastery.
• Zhao Feng assessed his cultivation progress and planned to improve several techniques before the Martial Examination.
• Zhao Feng disguised himself and sold the Blood-Drinking Sword, twin axes, and a treasure-grade longsword in the Black Market for twenty-eight thousand taels.
• Zhao Feng left the Black Market and sensed someone following him.

Zhao Feng killed a Huaiyuan Yan Lineage pursuer and let the Demonic Sect take the blame before preparing for the unprecedented Martial Examination. He broke the limits of his palm and spear techniques, then advanced his Eight Extremes Everlasting Spring Art to late pill embracement as the Prefecture Trial approached.

• Zhao Feng ambushed two men following him, killed the Pill Embracement expert, and dissolved the corpse after the other pursuer escaped to report a supposed Demonic Sect attack.
• The Yan Lineage of Huaiyuan Prefecture blamed the Demonic Sect for Yan Yunkun's death, while Zhao Feng discussed the coming Martial Examination with Li Yong, Zhang Hao, and Lin Ziwei.
• Zhao Feng perfected the True Yang Cotton Palm and unlocked its limit-breaking trait, Yang Extreme Break, which pierced his ironwood training dummy while consuming most of his true qi.
• Zhao Feng broke the limit of the Overlord Sun-Splitting Spear Technique and unlocked Thousandfold Shatter, a devastating attack that exhausted the type of true qi used to perform it.
• Zhao Feng cultivated the Eight Extremes Everlasting Spring Art to late pill embracement, bringing his fire-, water-, and wood-element true qi to the late stage.

Zhao Feng reunited with his family for the New Year, prepared for the Martial Examination, and traveled with the Nine Yang Gate delegation to Qingzhou Prefecture. The group reached the vast provincial capital, where tensions with the rival Yichuan Nine Yang Gate loomed ahead.

• Zhao Feng returned to Big Stone County, reassured himself that Qiao'er had reached Hidden Force, and spent the New Year with his family and friends.
• After leaving his family money, pills, and treasure medicine, Zhao Feng returned to Nine Yang Gate and perfected the Thunderclap Saber Technique.
• Mu Xuanzhou led Zhao Feng, Fang Han, and other Nine Yang Gate disciples toward Qingzhou Prefecture for the Martial Examination.
• Fang Han worried that the Yichuan Nine Yang Gate might provoke them, and Mu Xuanzhou answered that they would be safe in the provincial capital despite his lingering anger over the sect's betrayal.
• After five days crossing the Hengling Mountains, Zhao Feng and the delegation arrived at the immense gates of Qingzhou Prefecture.

Zhao Feng explored Qingzhou City with Lin Ziwei and learned about its martial forces and the upcoming Martial Examination. At a restaurant, Gao Yu challenged Zhao Feng to a sparring match and paid his ten-thousand-tael fee, while Liu Fang proposed adding a wager.

• Lin Ziwei settled the Nine Yang Gate party at the Four Seas Trading House's courtyard, and her father later visited Mu Xuanzhou with gifts.
• Lin Ziwei showed Zhao Feng around Qingzhou City and explained the region's powerful sects, families, and Martial Examination candidates.
• At Cloudsplendor House, Zhao Feng met Liu Fang of the Hongshun Trading House and Gao Yu, a True Disciple ranked 247th on the Tiger Ranking.
• Gao Yu challenged Zhao Feng to a sparring match, and Zhao Feng accepted after charging him ten thousand taels in silver.
• Liu Fang suggested that she and Lin Ziwei add a wager to the match.

Lin Ziwei accepted Liu Fang’s wager over their East Market Street shops, and Zhao Feng fought Gao Yu in the Martial Arts Arena. Zhao Feng gained the upper hand and left Gao Yu kneeling and bleeding, while the contest’s outcome remained undecided.

• Liu Fang wagered her shop against Lin Ziwei’s, and Lin Ziwei agreed to the bet.
• Lin Ziwei and Liu Fang had a written agreement drawn up at the Brokerage House before Zhao Feng and Gao Yu entered the Martial Arts Arena.
• Gao Yu attacked with the Limitless Divine Fist, but Zhao Feng used the True Yang Cotton Palm to absorb and deflect his blows.
• Two young men watching from a teahouse recognized Zhao Feng’s True Yang Cotton Palm as the art of the Changning branch.
• Zhao Feng broke through Gao Yu’s defense with a swift palm strike, then sent him staggering backward and down to his knees with blood at his mouth.

Zhao Feng defeated Gao Yu, then traveled with the Ever-Peace delegation to Qingzhou’s Martial Examination. There, the Yichuan Nine Yang Gate approached the Ever-Peace group, and its Sect Master Gu He claimed their sects shared the same tradition and origin.

• Zhao Feng defeated Gao Yu, and Liu Fang agreed to complete the brokerage transfer after losing her wager.
• A young man in white watched Zhao Feng from a teahouse, and three days later the provincial Martial Examination began in Qingzhou.
• Mu Xuanzhou led Zhao Feng and the Ever-Peace participants to their assigned section, where they greeted the other members of the Five Sects Alliance and several familiar competitors.
• Fang Han pointed out the Yichuan Nine Yang Gate delegation, and Zhao Feng recognized the young man in white among them.
• Gu He approached Mu Xuanzhou and said the Yichuan and Ever-Peace Nine Yang Gates shared the same tradition and origin.

Mu Xuanzhou rejected Gu He’s attempt to bring the Ever-Peace Nine Yang Gate under Yichuan’s control, and the two branches agreed to let the Martial Examination decide their claim to legitimacy. Su Qingwan arrived and greeted Zhao Feng, before the examination began with its rules announced.

• Gu He offered to restore Mu Xuanzhou and his disciples to the Yichuan Nine Yang Gate, but Mu Xuanzhou rejected the proposal and defended Ever-Peace as the legitimate branch.
• Gu He introduced Gu Rong and challenged the branches to settle their dispute through their candidates’ performance in the Martial Examination; Gu Rong and Zhao Feng exchanged looks.
• Yu Zhiyong and Hou Sen arrived with the officials, accompanying Su Qingwan, who recognized Zhao Feng and greeted him from across the grounds.
• Mu Xuanzhou explained to Zhao Feng why officials treated Su Qingwan with deference, citing the Pure Moon Convent’s honorary ties to Emperor Taizu.
• Yu Zhiyong opened the Martial Examination and explained that more than eight hundred candidates would compete in mounted archery and a pressure test before challenges and bouts determined the top twenty.

Zhao Feng watched the candidates compete in the mounted archery test as the strongest contenders raised the scores, with Qin Guanyue setting the field’s first top grade. He was called to lane sixteen and rode onto the course under the crowd’s watchful eyes, but his performance had not yet begun.

• Zhao Feng watched Sun Yu, Cheng Tianqing, and other candidates score mostly two to five hits on the moving targets.
• Gao Yu hit six targets and wondered whether Zhao Feng would fare worse at archery than he had in their recent hand-to-hand fight.
• Gu Rong hit seven targets but failed to stand out after his nerves disrupted his effort to impress Su Qingwan.
• Xie Yungui hit eight targets for a lower A, then Qin Guanyue hit nine and earned the first top grade.
• The examiner called Zhao Feng to lane sixteen, and he mounted a Yellow-Maned Horse as the crowd watched.

Zhao Feng stunned the Martial Examination spectators by hitting all ten moving targets with perfect bull’s-eyes, earning a Top Grade in mounted archery. The second preliminary assessment began when Su Qingwan activated a formation that subjected the candidates to immense pressure.

• Su Qingwan told Yu Zhiyong and Hou Sen that she had fought alongside Zhao Feng in Big Stone County.
• Zhao Feng rode through the mounted archery assessment and hit all ten targets in their bull’s-eyes.
• The Examiner awarded Zhao Feng a Top Grade, while Gu Rong and his junior brothers dismissed his archery and questioned his combat ability.
• Mu Xuanzhou told the Nine Yang Gate candidates to rest before the second assessment, and the examination resumed after noon.
• Su Qingwan set up a formation with eight Formation Banners, then had Shangguan Feng, Yu Lie, and Fan Tong channel innate true essence into her Silver Formation Disk.
• The pressure test began, and the candidates felt a tremendous force press down on them.

The candidates faced the Eight Directions Mountain-Suppressing Formation, which tested how long they could withstand growing pressure alongside their mounted archery results. As the two-hour limit approached, many were eliminated, while Zhao Feng remained unaffected and the strongest candidates continued to endure.

• Yu Zhiyong announced that the pressure test would last two hours and that the top two hundred candidates, judged by endurance and mounted archery, would advance.
• The formation’s pressure increased over time, eliminating the weaker Transformation Force and Embracing Elixir Force candidates, including Sun Yu and Cheng Tianqing.
• Zhao Feng stood calmly without using true qi because his perfected conditioning arts made the pressure barely noticeable, while Fang Han eventually fell and left the grounds.
• Liu Yang collapsed without aggravating his old injury, but with a little over two hundred candidates still remaining, he retained a chance to advance based on his archery score.
• With half an hour left, the remaining candidates grew visibly strained, and Gu Rong looked toward Zhao Feng as he struggled to endure.

Zhao Feng easily endured the pressure-resistance test while most candidates, including Gu Rong, collapsed, establishing himself as one of the final three still standing. The second preliminary test ended, and examiners began calculating the top two hundred candidates for the next day's main examination.

• Zhao Feng watched Xie Qiu, Mu Xingze, Wu Nanxing, Gao Yu, Jiang Chen, and a powerful, square-faced man struggle against the increasing pressure.
• A sudden surge of pressure knocked down most remaining candidates, including Zhao Feng's acquaintances, while Zhao Feng stayed upright.
• Gu Rong forced himself to resist despite reaching his limit, then fainted and hit the ground as Gu He watched in alarm.
• Zhao Feng remained standing alongside Xie Yungui and Qin Guanyue until the gong ended the pressure-resistance test.
• Zhao Feng returned to the Nine Yang Gate group and received congratulations as Gu He had disciples carry Gu Rong away.
• The examiners combined endurance times with mounted archery scores to determine the top two hundred candidates for the main examination the next day.

Zhao Feng ranked first in the preliminary examination and advanced to the main matches, where he defeated Yan Xun in a single exchange. Qin Guanyue also won her opening match against Liu Yang, leaving Zhao Feng impressed by her skill.

• Yu Zhiyong announced the preliminary rankings, with Zhao Feng in first place, and named the two hundred candidates who qualified for the main examination.
• Yu Zhiyong set the first-round pairings, matching the highest-ranked candidates against the lowest; Gu He wagered a hundred thousand taels of silver with Mu Xuanzhou on Zhao Feng's match against Yan Xun.
• Zhao Feng redirected Yan Xun's attack and knocked him off the platform in a single exchange, winning the match.
• Mu Xuanzhou collected the wager from Gu He after Peng Jingyu witnessed the payment.
• Qin Guanyue struck down Liu Yang with her Pure Mystery Finger and a follow-up palm, winning their match in a single exchange.

Zhao Feng watched several familiar candidates reveal their martial skills as they won their first-round matches. As Gu Rong stepped onto the platform, Gu He looked forward to seeing his prized disciple prove himself.

• Liu Yang struggled with the disappointment of losing to Qin Guanyue, while Yu Ruoyun hoped he would recover and eventually break through to astral force.
• Xie Yungui and Luo Xiong each defeated their first-round opponents in a single exchange, and Zhao Feng watched the other candidates' matches.
• Mu Xingze used defensive palm-embracing techniques before finishing his opponent with the Lone Mountain Tyrant Fist, while Jiang Chen's blade-like palms defeated his opponent in three exchanges.
• Wu Nanxing overcame his water-element opponent with the Thirteen Prairie-Fire Forms, and Xie Qiu used layered palm force to send his opponent off the platform.
• Gao Yu defeated his opponent with Limitless Thunder Suppression, revealing the strength he had not shown in his earlier match against Zhao Feng.
• Gu Rong took the platform, and Gu He anticipated his prized disciple's victory.

Zhao Feng advanced through the Main Trial with a series of controlled victories, while several acquaintances fought their way into the final twenty-five and others were eliminated. The chapter ended with the last bouts concluding and the contestants awaiting the overall assessment that would decide the Martial Graduates.

• Zhao Feng defeated Ren Hao in two moves to enter the top fifty, then watched Luo Xiong overcome his fast-moving opponent with his Body-Tempering Skill.
• Mu Xingze advanced, but Jiang Chen lost after his aggressive palm attacks were countered; Xie Qiu, Wu Nanxing, Gao Yu, and Gu Rong also won their second-round bouts.
• The next day, Zhao Feng defeated Zhang Xingxu with Cotton Palm and entered the top twenty-five, while Xie Yungui and Qin Guanyue also won easily.
• Mu Xingze and Gao Yu advanced after difficult fights, but Xie Qiu and Wu Nanxing were eliminated; Luo Xiong also won despite suffering injuries.
• The final contestants awaited the overall assessment, while Gu He remained unconvinced that Zhao Feng's final ranking was settled.

After the rankings placed Zhao Feng first and Gu Rong twenty-second, the candidates learned they could challenge those ranked above them. Gu Rong challenged Zhao Feng, while Gu He and Mu Xuanzhou made another wager, leaving Zhao Feng and Gu Rong facing each other on the platform.

• The examiners ranked Zhao Feng first, Qin Guanyue second, Xie Yungui third, Luo Xiong twentieth, and Gu Rong twenty-second.
• Yu Zhiyong announced that lower-ranked candidates could issue one challenge, while candidates could be required to accept up to two.
• Gu Rong challenged Zhao Feng for first place, believing his Pure Yang Art and True Yang Cotton Palm gave him the advantage.
• Gu He and Mu Xuanzhou wagered the Nine Yang True Spirit Art and Nine Yang Sword Technique against the Scarlet Firmament Sword, with Peng Jingyu witnessing their agreement.
• Gu Rong and Zhao Feng stepped onto the platform to begin their challenge.