Chapter Summaries

After Huo Shan expelled Chu Fan, Zhao Feng learned that Xu Commandant had arrested Chu Fan and the Zhu Family’s former servants. Huo Shan then told his disciples that Du Feiyang planned to open a rival school in Big Stone County next month and challenge the Eight Extremes Fist school, leaving Huo Shan worried about his disciples’ chances.

• Chu Fan’s mother begged Huo Shan to reconsider, but he refused and sent her away with Chu Fan; Zhao Feng supported Huo Shan as he grew unsteady.
• Zhao Feng considered killing Chu Fan after his expulsion, but learned that Xu Commandant had arrested Chu Fan and the Zhu Family’s former Retainers and Attendants.
• Huo Shan told his disciples he had once belonged to the Eight Extremes Gate and had a bitter feud with his former junior brother, Du Feiyang.
• Huo Shan revealed that Du Feiyang would come to Big Stone County next month to open a school and claim that only his school could teach Eight Extremes Fist there.
• Shi Mao and the other disciples promised to defend their school, while Huo Shan worried that they were unprepared and that Zhao Feng was their only disciple with real ability.

Zhao Feng broke through to Transformation Force and perfected his Eight Extremes Fist after intense training in the Willow Tree Alley courtyard. He left the breakthrough with vastly increased strength and began considering the next stages of his martial training.

• Huo Shan worried that Du Feiyang's challenge could force him and his disciples to leave Big Stone County, especially fretting over Zhao Feng's future.
• Zhao Feng checked his hidden fortune and resolved to keep it concealed until he reached Transformation Force.
• After two days of training, Zhao Feng prepared to break through in the courtyard after Qiao'er left for school.
• Zhao Feng opened his meridians and acupoints, unified Bright Strength and Hidden Force, and achieved Transformation Force.
• Zhao Feng perfected Eight Extremes Stake Skill and Eight Extremes Fist, then ate the meal Qiao'er had left for him.

Zhao Feng agreed to ask Xu Commandant to help free Zhao Xing, then negotiated over Chu Fan’s release after learning his cousin had been imprisoned at the Zhu Residence. When Chu Fan was found to have escaped, Zhao Feng told Xu Commandant they would need to agree on new terms.

• Zhao Youfu and Qian Shi begged Zhao Feng to save Zhao Xing, and Zhao Feng agreed to speak with Xu Commandant.
• Xu Commandant recognized that Zhao Feng had attained transformation force and treated him as an equal.
• Zhao Feng asked Xu Commandant to show mercy to Zhao Xing and then raised the matter of his junior brother Chu Fan.
• Xu Commandant hinted that Zhao Feng should help him in return, but a Colonel reported that Chu Fan had vanished from prison.
• Zhao Feng and Xu Commandant found Chu Fan’s cell empty and learned that two jailers had switched a prisoner and disappeared.
• Zhao Feng told Xu Commandant that Chu Fan’s escape meant they needed to agree on another condition, and Xu Commandant accepted the negotiation.

Zhao Feng obtained and began practicing the internal-tempering art Tai Chi Toad-Fishing Force, which he saw as a complement to his Golden Bell Shield. At the Huo Family Martial Arts School, he learned that County Magistrate Cheng had been dismissed and that Huo Shan’s visiting junior brother had arranged a public heroes’ gathering in two days to challenge the school.

• Zhao Feng watched Zhao Xing leave prison with his family, then studied the Tai Chi Toad-Fishing Force manual Xu Commandant had given him.
• Zhao Feng learned that the art could strengthen his internal organs and began practicing its first level, reaching Beginner (1/1000).
• Wang Yu told Zhao Feng that County Magistrate Cheng had been dismissed and taken to the Prefecture City, leaving Xu Commandant in control of the county town.
• Wang Yu told Zhao Feng that Huo Shan’s junior brother had arrived, and Zhao Feng asked whether Wei Yuan had returned.
• Shi Mao announced that Huo Shan and his visiting junior brother had agreed to hold a heroes’ gathering in two days, where the visitor would publicly challenge the Huo Family Martial Arts School.

Zhao Feng and the Huo Family Martial Arts School gathered at the Heroes' Gathering, where Du Feiyang intended to challenge the local schools and claim the Eight Extremes Fist legacy for his Soaring Martial Arts School. The gathering ended with Du Feiyang declaring that only his school could represent Eight Extremes Fist in Big Stone County.

• Shi Mao urged the disciples to train diligently for the Heroes' Gathering, and Zhao Feng kept quiet about his successful gate breakthrough.
• Zhao Feng arrived at the school and met Pan Jie, an arrogant inner disciple of the Eight Extremes Gate whom Huo Shan had invited as a witness.
• Huo Shan led his disciples to the Martial Arts Arena, where local school heads and Xu Commandant had gathered.
• Pan Jie clarified that he was attending in a personal capacity, and Du Feiyang accepted his presence as a witness before greeting the gathered school heads.
• Du Feiyang announced that he would settle his dispute with Huo Shan and declared that the Soaring Martial Arts School would be the only Eight Extremes Fist school in Big Stone County.

Du Feiyang challenged Huo Shan to settle their dispute over who could represent the Eight Extremes Lineage in Big Stone County through a contest between their disciples. Yan Luo, Du Feiyang’s notorious second disciple, entered the arena and challenged all four of Huo Shan’s disciples at once.

• Huo Yao explained that Huo Shan and Du Feiyang’s estrangement began after Du Feiyang was punished and barred from the Inner Gate Examination.
• Du Feiyang proposed an endurance match between their disciples to decide which school could represent the Eight Extremes Fist in Big Stone County, and Huo Shan accepted.
• Shi Mao insisted on fighting first and told Zhao Feng to observe their opponents, while Zhao Feng tried to volunteer.
• Yan Luo was identified as Poison-Hand Yama, a feared peak hidden-force fighter known for wiping out the Lancang Twelve Strongholds and other enemies.
• Yan Luo asked to fight all four of Huo Shan’s disciples, and after Wu Huarong agreed, he challenged them to attack together.

Yan Luo defeated Shi Mao after allowing him three moves, breaking his arm and three ribs. Zhao Feng entered the arena to face Yan Luo, while several transformation force experts sensed something unusual about Zhao Feng’s aura.

• Shi Mao challenged Yan Luo, who promised to give him three moves.
• Yan Luo countered Shi Mao’s three attacks, then twisted his arm and struck him, breaking three ribs.
• Huo Shan arranged for the injured Shi Mao to be taken to a medical clinic as the crowd and martial arts experts assessed Yan Luo’s strength.
• Zhao Feng stopped Wang Yu from taking his turn and entered the arena to face Yan Luo.
• Transformation force experts sensed wind and thunder in Zhao Feng’s steady aura, but Du Feiyang dismissed the possibility that he was more than his age suggested.
• Yan Luo told Zhao Feng that he would give him three moves as well.

Zhao Feng challenged Yan Luo to restore his Eldest Senior Brother's honor and revealed that he had reached transformation force. After Zhao Feng defeated Yan Luo, Du Feiyang attacked him, prompting Huo Shan to intervene, and the two masters' clash erupted at close range.

• Zhao Feng offered to take Yan Luo's three attacks and then retaliate, shocking the spectators.
• Yan Luo struck Zhao Feng with three powerful Eight Extremes Fist moves, but Zhao Feng neutralized each without moving from his place.
• The spectators recognized Zhao Feng's transformation force, leaving Huo Shan and Pan Jie stunned.
• Zhao Feng broke both of Yan Luo's arms and three of his ribs with one punch, knocking him unconscious.
• Du Feiyang attacked Zhao Feng in anger, and Huo Shan rushed in to strike Du Feiyang from behind.

Zhao Feng revealed that he had reached Transformation Force when he deflected Du Feiyang’s ambush, and Huo Shan defeated Du Feiyang after he was caught off guard. After the Heroes’ Gathering, Zhao Feng confirmed that he still intended to enter the Sect, and Huo Shan began preparing to teach him advanced martial arts.

• Du Feiyang attacked Zhao Feng, who used Transformation Force to redirect the punch and remain unharmed.
• Huo Shan struck Du Feiyang while he was caught by his rebounding force, then drove him back until Chen Tianfang ordered the fight to stop.
• Chen Tianfang condemned Du Feiyang for breaking the rules and sent him away with his disciples and the injured Yan Luo.
• Zhao Feng explained his recent breakthrough by crediting a Returning-True Pill, medicinal baths, and treasure medicines, while the gathering’s attendees congratulated Huo Shan.
• Pan Jie dismissed Zhao Feng’s prospects because of his fifth-grade root bone, but Zhao Feng told Huo Shan he still wanted to enter the Sect.
• Huo Shan accepted Zhao Feng’s decision and said he would teach him Transformation Force-stage training methods for the Eight Extremes Fist and Six Harmonies Great Spear.

Huo Shan taught Zhao Feng the Six Harmonies Great Spear, which complemented his Eight Extremes Fist, before Wei Ping arrived seeking help to rescue Wei Yuan and Xue Xiangling from the Blood Wolf Bandits. Zhao Feng volunteered to deliver the ransom alone and entered Soul-Breaking Valley, where the exchange was to take place.

• Huo Shan explained that Zhao Feng would need to reach late-stage transformation force before attempting the Inner Gate Examination, then taught him the Six Harmonies Great Spear.
• Zhao Feng practiced the spear forms through the night and saw that they advanced his Eight Extremes Fist rather than appearing as a separate art on his panel.
• Wei Ping told Huo Shan that the Blood Wolf Bandits had captured Wei Yuan and Xue Xiangling and demanded five thousand taels of gold for their release.
• Zhao Feng volunteered to deliver the ransom, explaining that the bandits did not know his identity or that he had reached transformation force.
• Two days later, Zhao Feng entered the remote Soul-Breaking Valley alone, carrying the gold notes and his spear.

Zhao Feng arrived alone at Soul-Breaking Valley to ransom Wei Yuan and Xue Xiangling, then attacked the Blood Wolf Bandits when they tried to force the exchange. He cut through their assault with his spear, leaving the surviving bandits stunned by his strength.

• Zhao Feng reached Soul-Breaking Valley and identified himself to the bandit chief as Senior Brother Wei's junior brother.
• The bandits revealed the injured Wei Yuan and Xue Xiangling and demanded Zhao Feng hand over the Gold Banknotes before releasing them.
• Zhao Feng refused to pay until the captives were brought close, then tossed two bandits into the air to shield Wei Yuan and Xue Xiangling from the arrows.
• Zhao Feng charged the Blood Wolf Bandits, deflected their arrows, and swept two hidden-force fighters from their horses with his Wrought-Iron Great Spear.
• Zhao Feng pierced another bandit's heart, broke a fourth man's sword, and killed him with a spear thrust to the throat, leaving the remaining bandits bewildered.

Zhao Feng defeated the Blood Wolf Bandits who had captured Wei Yuan and Xue Xiangling, revealing his Transformation Force strength and rescuing them. The surviving bandits fled into Soul-Breaking Valley, while Zhao Feng questioned the identity of their chief and returned to growing fame in Big Stone County.

• Zhao Feng killed several Blood Wolf Bandits with his spear, forcing the rest to recognize him as a Transformation Force master and flee.
• Zhao Feng shot the fleeing bandit chief with an arrow, then freed Wei Yuan and Xue Xiangling from their ropes.
• Wei Yuan learned Zhao Feng had recently broken through to Transformation Force, and Xue Xiangling regretted having rejected him as a prospective match.
• Zhao Feng searched the bodies and questioned Seventh Uncle about the bandit chief, whose identity remained unknown.
• Zhao Feng returned to the Martial Arts School, where the disciples admired him, and Huo Shan warned that visitors would seek him out.

Zhao Feng declined the Han Family’s offer of marriage and a position, choosing to keep pursuing the Martial Dao while training in Big Stone County. Meanwhile, Huo Shan accepted that Huo Yao would leave for the Prefecture City, and Zhao Feng grew convinced the real Blood Wolf Bandit leader had escaped.

• Han Ao and other local factions offered Zhao Feng gifts and positions, and Han Ao proposed that he marry Han Shuyi, but Zhao Feng politely refused.
• Zhao Feng reviewed his skill progress and considered how Treasure Fish and better supplies could help him train.
• Huo Shan urged Huo Yao to consider Zhao Feng, but she said she admired him without romantic feelings and intended to pursue the Martial Dao herself.
• Huo Shan reflected that his wish for Huo Yao and Zhao Feng to settle down came from his own regrets, then accepted that they would leave to pursue their ambitions.
• After receiving compensation from the Wei Family and Xue Family, Zhao Feng recalled the bandits’ retreat and suspected the real Blood Wolf Bandit leader had hidden among them.

Zhao Feng traced the Blood Wolf Bandits’ chief to Kong the Benefactor, then discovered that Kong planned to sell stolen goods through Black Cloud Stronghold. After learning where the stronghold was and suspecting Xu Commandant had secretly nurtured bandits, Zhao Feng confronted him.

• Zhao Feng recalled that Kong the Benefactor’s voice matched the Blood Wolf Bandits’ chief and went to watch him in Hechuan County.
• Zhao Feng recognized a mustached visitor as Lü Tong, followed him to an inn, and captured and questioned him.
• Lü Tong revealed that he worked for Black Cloud Stronghold and that Kong planned to sell stolen goods there before fleeing Qingzhou.
• Zhao Feng learned from Lü Tong where Black Cloud Stronghold was and decided to postpone dealing with Kong.
• Zhao Feng told Xu Commandant that the real bandit chief remained at large and accused him of deliberately fostering bandits, especially Black Cloud Stronghold.

Zhao Feng persuaded Xu Commandant to secretly attack Black Cloud Stronghold, then ambushed Kong the Benefactor to keep him from warning the bandits. Kong revealed his hidden martial skill but was killed by Zhao Feng in the alley.

• Zhao Feng offered to help Xu Commandant find Black Cloud Stronghold in exchange for a share of its spoils, and Xu Commandant agreed to give him ten percent.
• Xu Commandant planned to mobilize troops secretly and seek aid from trustworthy Lineages, while Zhao Feng set out to stop Kong the Benefactor from escaping or alerting the bandits.
• Kong the Benefactor left a porridge distribution and planned to take his money and flee once the exchange was complete.
• Zhao Feng ambushed Kong in a secluded alley, and Kong revealed his Toad Skill to withstand the initial attack.
• Zhao Feng defeated Kong with his Eight Extremes Bracing Hammer and Iron Mountain Lean, shattering his bones and internal organs and killing him.

Zhao Feng joined the assault on Black Cloud Stronghold to rescue his brother, Zhao Shuo, and discovered the abducted laborers had been buried alive. He found Zhao Shuo and hidden treasures, then faced Zhu Gui, who attacked without realizing Zhao Feng had reached the Martial Master realm.

• Zhao Feng burned Kong the Benefactor's corpse and left the city before the authorities could investigate his death.
• During the assault on Black Cloud Stronghold, Zhao Feng cleared the watchtowers and ramparts, then learned the abducted laborers had been buried alive.
• Zhao Feng searched the stronghold, found Zhao Shuo hiding in a study, and learned the chief had spared him because he could write.
• Zhao Feng and Zhao Shuo discovered boxes of treasure medicine and a hidden piece of precious jade, then headed out through the fighting.
• Zhu Gui ambushed Zhao Feng with a coin dart and attacked with a full-powered punch, but Zhao Feng met it head-on with a Cannon Fist and revealed his qi halo.

Zhao Feng brought Zhao Shuo home after Black Cloud Stronghold fell, reuniting him with their family and giving him the chance to study. Xu Commandant offered Zhao Feng official standing and invited him to consider joining the Imperial Personal Guard.

• Zhao Feng killed Zhu Gui, then took Zhao Shuo away from the battle and rode with him to Big Stone County.
• Zhao Feng told Zhao Shuo that their family had moved to the County Seat and that he had become a Martial Scholar.
• Zhao Shuo reunited with Yang Shi, Tian Cuihua, Zhao Zihuai, Zhao Bao'er, and Zhao Youlin, and said he wanted to study.
• Zhao Feng spent three days celebrating with his family while news spread that Xu Commandant had destroyed Black Cloud Stronghold.
• Zhao Feng confronted Xu Commandant for the promised share of the spoils, but accepted the ten thousand taels he was given.
• Xu Commandant told Zhao Feng he would receive honorary military standing and offered to recommend him for the secret Imperial Personal Guard.

Zhao Feng visited Lin Ziwei at the Four Seas Trading House to identify three rare medicines he had obtained, learning they were valuable semi-spirit medicines and that martial training would become far more expensive. He also learned Lin Ziwei had found a possible secret elixir for Chu Fan before his condition worsened, and left with a guide to rare treasures and new knowledge about dantian reconstruction.

• Commandant Xu searched Kong the Benefactor's household, uncovered stolen goods beneath the courtyard, and confirmed Kong had led the Blood Wolf Bandits.
• Zhao Feng examined the Vermilion Jade and two recognized treasure medicines, then took three unidentified medicines to the Four Seas Trading House.
• Lin Ziwei identified the medicines as bone-repairing herb, meridian-penetrating herb, and purple marrow lingzhi, and explained their uses and high value.
• Zhao Feng worried about the rising cost of martial training and accepted Lin Ziwei's booklet, Annotations on Basic Rare Treasures.
• Zhao Feng asked about Chu Fan, and Lin Ziwei revealed she had found a lead on a secret elixir before Chu Fan's condition made it useless.
• Lin Ziwei explained that the Blood Lotus Sect's Foundation-Seizing Secret Method could transfer another person's dantian but had a low success rate, and Zhao Feng took his leave.

Zhao Feng received guidance from Huo Shan, earned an honorary military appointment and recommendation, and spent months improving his martial arts. He decided to travel to the Eight Extremes Gate for the Inner Gate Examination, carrying Huo Shan’s letter of recommendation and planning to meet Huo Yao there.

• Zhao Feng gave Huo Shan a purple marrow lingzhi and showed him the Tai Chi Toad-Fishing Force manual, which Huo Shan identified as a rare Inner Refinement Secret Method and advised him how to practice.
• Xu Commandant awarded Zhao Feng the ninth-rank honorary office of Benevolent and Brave Colonel, gave him a recommendation letter for General Wang Ling, and reserved three places for him at the county Martial Academy.
• Zhao Feng trained for more than three months, improving his martial arts and deciding he was close enough to transformation force to attempt the Eight Extremes Gate’s Inner Gate Examination.
• Huo Shan told Zhao Feng to find Huo Yao at the Outer Gate and gave him a letter of recommendation for Yin Elder of the Inner Gate.

Zhao Feng bid farewell to his family and martial arts school before leaving Big Stone County for Changning Prefectural City. Aboard the Four Seas Trading House ship, Lin Ziwei described the powerful martial-world factions that dominated Ever-Peace Prefecture, including the Five Sects Alliance and the Eight Extremes Gate.

• Zhao Feng told his family he planned to leave for the Prefecture City, and they tearfully wished him well while promising to support his ambitions.
• Zhao Feng ended his lease and said goodbye to Huo Shan, Wei Yuan, and the others at the martial arts school, giving Sun Qing his remaining Vitality Powder and medicinal ingredients.
• Zhao Feng boarded a Four Seas Trading House ship after reassuring his family that he would write and directing them to seek help from Huo Shan or Wei Yuan if needed.
• Lin Ziwei welcomed Zhao Feng aboard, and the ship sailed upstream along the Lancang River toward the Prefecture City.
• Lin Ziwei explained that Ever-Peace Prefecture had many fourth-realm martial leaders and was controlled by the Five Sects Alliance, which included the Eight Extremes Gate Zhao Feng intended to join.