Chapter Summaries

Jiang Shu and Qi Yuan traveled into the mountains near Sanling Town to hunt and train, where Jiang Shu fought a White-Forehead Tiger and many other beasts. After tearing a leopard apart, Jiang Shu broke through the limits of Tiger Form Three Styles.

• Jiang Shu and Qi Yuan hired a hunter to guide them along a mountain path outside Sanling Town.
• A White-Forehead Tiger attacked the group, and Qi Yuan shot it in the eye while Jiang Shu fought it and beat it down.
• Qi Yuan paid the hunter to return to town, and he and Jiang Shu continued deeper into the mountains.
• For three days and nights, Jiang Shu fought ordinary beasts to learn their habits and sharpen his combat skills.
• Jiang Shu tore a leopard apart, and his Panel showed Tiger Form Three Styles had reached Limit Break.

Jiang Shu and Qi Yuan encountered an unfamiliar fog and a Red-Haired Variant Ferocious Beast near the deep mountains, forcing them to retreat into a cave. They concluded that the fog made it too dangerous to go farther into the mountains.

• Jiang Shu discovered that the Panel’s Limit Breaking could let martial arts surpass Completion and potentially advance him beyond their normal limits.
• After three days in the mountains, Jiang Shu kept watch while Qi Yuan slept, and a dense fog reduced visibility to only a few steps.
• Jiang Shu encountered a red-furred, fang-toothed Variant Ferocious Beast that attacked by spraying Blood Mist.
• Qi Yuan woke and joined Jiang Shu, but his arrows missed as the two fought the creature in the fog.
• Jiang Shu and Qi Yuan retreated into their cave when the fog thickened, then agreed they could not safely continue deeper into the mountains.

After a dangerous mountain expedition, Jiang Shu and Qi Yuan returned to Pingling County and focused on improving their martial arts. Jiang Shu received an unexpected invitation to a County Magistrate’s Youth Martial Artist Banquet and suspected the offer had a hidden motive.

• Qi Yuan and Jiang Shu decided to leave the fogbound mountains after failing to find the Red-Haired Monster and hearing that local hunters were also struggling in the thick fog.
• Qi Yuan returned to his courtyard to train, while Jiang Shu resumed training at Hungry Tiger Martial Hall and reflected on the strength and talents of Variant Ferocious Beasts.
• Jiang Shu advanced his Stance Training, Breathing Technique, and Wandering Snake Step, bringing himself closer to entering the Stone Skin Realm.
• Zhou Yang delivered Jiang Shu an invitation from the County Magistrate to a Youth Martial Artist Banquet where outstanding attendees could receive a martial art manual.
• Jiang Shu accepted the invitation but grew wary of the sudden banquet and the unexpected offer.

Jiang Shu and Qi Yuan attended County Magistrate Qiu Yushan’s extravagant Youth Martial Artist Banquet, where he announced a mountain hunt and promised a Ranked Martial Art to whoever found one of three jade tokens. Jiang Shu and Qi Yuan recognized the danger posed by the thick fog covering the mountains, while the other martial artists eagerly agreed to go.

• Jiang Shu ate Exotic Beast Meat at the banquet while Qi Yuan explained why martial artists needed Ranked Martial Arts.
• Qiu Yushan spoke privately with Old Han about their long wait and Yongning Prefecture before heading to the banquet.
• Qiu Yushan told the gathered martial artists that beasts had threatened Sanling Town and asked them to accompany him into the mountains.
• Qiu Yushan promised a Ranked Martial Art to whoever found one of three jade tokens hidden in the mountains.
• Qiu Yushan gave each martial artist a maidservant’s sachet and toasted their coming hunt, while Jiang Shu and Qi Yuan silently recognized the danger of entering the fog.

Jiang Shu joined the martial artists searching the mountains for tokens, but suspected Qiu Yushan had lured them into a trap. As Jiang Shu hid from the dangers in the fog, Qiu Yushan entered the mountain and ordered his subordinate to kill everyone at Sanling Town.

• Jiang Shu secretly traveled to Xuanxing during the night, convinced Qiu Yushan was not organizing the hunt to protect the townspeople.
• Qiu Yushan sent more than sixty martial artists into the mountains by separate routes to search for tokens, and Jiang Shu drew the same route number as Qi Yuan.
• Jiang Shu removed his scented sachet, washed himself in a stream, and used binoculars from a tree to observe the thinning fog and scattered martial artists.
• After hearing fighting, a scream, and a strange roar, Jiang Shu hid in a tree, ready to return to Xuanxing if necessary.
• Qiu Yushan took a Treasure Blade into the mountain and ordered his middle-aged subordinate to kill everyone at Sanling Town.

Qiu Yushan lured a Mist Python into a weakened state and fought it after it devoured dozens of martial artists. As he prepared to claim its body and treasure medicine, Chou Hai revealed that he too had reached the Viscera Training Realm and challenged him with the White Tiger Carrying Corpse blade.

• Qiu Yushan found an adolescent Mist Python and planned to kill it for its flesh and treasure medicine.
• The Mist Python devoured Zhao Li, Li, and dozens of other martial artists searching near the Cold Pool for a token.
• Qiu Yushan used Soul-Bewildering Grass to weaken the Mist Python, then wounded it with his Turbulent Wind Blade Technique until it collapsed near death.
• Chou Hai confronted Qiu Yushan over his crimes and revealed that he had Viscera Training Realm strength before drawing the White Tiger Carrying Corpse blade.

Chou Hai killed Qiu Yushan after claiming the Mist Python’s flesh and blood, while Jiang Shu secretly gathered some of the carcass and used it to advance to Stone Skin. After Qiu Yushan’s death shook Pingling County, Jiang Shu told Qi Yuan he had reached Stone Hide and asked him to teach him.

• Chou Hai killed Qiu Yushan, took the Mist Python’s Precious Medicine and a portion of its flesh, then left the carcass behind.
• Jiang Shu watched from hiding, hurried to the Cold Pool, cut meat from the Mist Python, and fled as other Variant Ferocious Beasts approached.
• After recovering, Jiang Shu returned to Pingling County and realized the Mist Python’s flesh had helped him advance from Ox Hide to Stone Skin.
• News of Qiu Yushan’s death spread through Pingling County, causing merchants, yamen runners, and great families to act cautiously.
• Jiang Shu met Qi Yuan for a drink and announced that he had reached Stone Hide, asking Qi Yuan to teach him.

Jiang Shu advanced rapidly in martial arts while Pingling County returned to its old corrupt order under new County Magistrate Nie. Back in Xuanxing, Jiang Shu shared costly Blood Flower Pig pork with Jiang Yan Yue and urged her to begin training, leaving her wondering whether the meat would taste just as good as pork jerky.

• Jiang Shu used his Tiger Form Three Styles and Hungry Tiger techniques to overwhelm Qi Yuan in their sparring.
• County Magistrate Nie arrived in Pingling County, made agreements with wealthy families, and the county’s gangs and elites resumed exploiting the poor.
• The Yao Family married one of its daughters to Nie as a concubine, strengthening its ties to him and worsening its rivalry with the Zhou Family Restaurant.
• Jiang Shu told Jiang Yan Yue that he had grown strong from Exotic Python Meat and gave her Blood Flower Pig pork to eat as she began martial arts practice.
• Jiang Yan Yue worried that the expensive meat and training would be wasted if she failed to become a martial artist, but Jiang Shu reassured her and promised to make her pork jerky someday.

Jiang Shu arrived at Jiangnan Academy for his first day of classes after reassuring his worried mother. There, he learned that all new students would compete in the upcoming University Martial Dao Genius Competition and discovered he was ranked nineteenth on the Rising Star Rankings.

• Xu Lizhi saw Jiang Shu off at Jicheng North Station and asked him to message her when he arrived.
• Jiang Shu traveled to Jiangnan Academy and joined a crowded first class in the Martial Dao teaching building.
• Shou Junming introduced himself to Jiang Shu and explained that some students had already become Manifested Force Martial Artists.
• Xie Feichen announced the October 1 University Martial Dao Genius Competition and showed the Rising Star Rankings.
• Jiang Shu saw his name ranked nineteenth, and Shou Junming realized that the Jiang Shu beside him was the student on the list.

Xie Feichen demonstrated how advanced Ming Jin could be, then arranged for Jiang Shu to spar with Yang Kai. Their match began with Jiang Shu countering Yang Kai’s punch with a flick of his fingers, leaving the outcome unresolved.

• Xie Feichen struck a notch into a desk with a finger flick and explained that Manifested Force Martial Artists kept training in their daily movements.
• Xie Feichen introduced Jiang Shu as the nineteenth-ranked Rising Star at Jiangnan Academy and invited students to spar with him.
• Yang Kai volunteered to challenge Jiang Shu, while Shou Junming warned Jiang Shu about Yang Kai’s speed and combat skills.
• Yang Kai took the initiative with a Ming Jin punch, and Jiang Shu met his fist with a sharp flick of his fingers.

Jiang Shu defeated Yang Kai with a single finger strike, then learned from Xie Feichen that his Manifested Force lacked the relaxed inner body needed for greater mastery. The chapter ended with Xie Feichen offering to spar with him so he could learn the technique firsthand.

• Jiang Shu struck Yang Kai's fist with his finger, and Yang Kai admitted defeat after the blow left his hand in pain.
• The students were stunned by Jiang Shu's strength, while Shou Junming realized he had repeatedly misjudged him.
• Xie Feichen explained that Jiang Shu had mastered striking with skin and hair but still needed to relax his sinews and bones, and noted that Shang Jibei had reached that stage.
• Jiang Shu tried to apply Xie Feichen's instruction but could not relax his body while keeping his skin and hair taut.
• Xie Feichen offered to exchange hands with Jiang Shu to help him find the knack.

Jiang Shu learned more about Hidden Force from Xie Feichen and trained for the upcoming University Martial Dao Genius Competition as Xia Kingdom promoted the event nationwide. As his family prepared to travel to Shengjing to watch, Jiang Shu continued pursuing a goal beyond merely reaching the top ten.

• Xie Feichen demonstrated the skin-and-hair attack and explained how the heart, intent, qi, and force joined together as Jiang Shu practiced sensing Hidden Force.
• Jiang Shu exchanged moves with Xie Feichen, who encouraged him to reveal his abilities and aim for the top ten in the competition.
• Jiang Shu reflected on reading an opponent's force, then returned to his single dorm room to train and considered the other Rising Star Rankings contenders.
• Xia Kingdom promoted the University Martial Dao Genius Competition across media and public spaces, drawing widespread attention to the Rising Star Rankings.
• Jiang Yongyi and Jiang Yan Yue saw how Jiang Shu's martial arts success had changed the family's circumstances, and Jiang Yan Yue arranged tickets so they could surprise him in Shengjing.

Jiang Shu and the Jiangnan Academy students arrived in Shengjing for the University Martial Dao Genius Competition, where Jiang Shu encouraged his fellow competitors not to give up despite facing the Rising Star Rankings geniuses. Xie Feichen outlined the competition format and told them to rest before it began three days later.

• Jiang Shu struggled with fear during his first flight, and Yang Kai explained that martial artists avoided dangers such as flying and living in high-rises.
• Shou Junming lifted the students’ spirits by pointing out the crowds and excitement surrounding the competition in Shengjing.
• Jiang Shu reminded the students that martial arts had already changed their fates and urged them to keep striving, prompting them to look toward the city with renewed resolve.
• Xie Feichen told the students that 221 people had registered, the competition would be livestreamed, and participants would draw lots for ten arenas and their groups.
• Xie Feichen asked the students to rest and said he hoped more than half would achieve decent rankings in the competition three days later.

Jiang Shu won his opening match at the University Martial Dao Genius Competition while Shang Jibei dominated his bouts and impressed viewers with his commentary. After watching Jiang Shu defeat another opponent, Shang Jibei called him very strong.

• Xu Lizhi and Jiang Yan Yue found Jiang Shu in the packed Shengjing Gymnasium and watched the competition.
• Jiang Shu easily defeated his opponent and reflected that ordinary Manifested Force Martial Artists could not challenge him.
• Shang Jibei knocked out a Rising Star Rankings genius with one punch and gained widespread attention.
• Shang Jibei gave precise commentary on matches across the arenas, drawing more than ten million livestream viewers.
• Shang Jibei stopped to watch Jiang Shu win another match and told the hostess that Jiang Shu was very strong.

Jiang Shu faced third-ranked Wu Zhiming in the final Ring Three match and proved stronger in a brutal exchange of punches. After a quarter hour, Wu Zhiming weakened and stepped back, leaving the fight's outcome unresolved.

• Shang Jibei praised Jiang Shu's strength, drawing a surge of attention to Ring Three and predicting Jiang Shu could reach the top ten.
• After the other contestants were eliminated, Jiang Shu and Wu Zhiming were matched for the ring's final battle.
• Wu Zhiming attacked with powerful, broad punches, but Jiang Shu stood firm and met each strike head-on.
• The two traded heavy blows for a quarter hour as Jiang Shu's endurance and force began to outlast Wu Zhiming's.
• Wu Zhiming's strength faltered, and he took half a step back, staring at Jiang Shu in shock.

Jiang Shu defeated Wu Zhiming in a fierce arena battle, stunning the crowd and proving that the Rising Star Rankings had underestimated him. His victory gave the struggling Jiangnan Academy freshmen a reason to celebrate as the chapter ended with viewers flooding the livestream with praise.

• Jiang Yan Yue and her parents watched anxiously as Jiang Shu faced Wu Zhiming, while the official livestream drew millions of viewers.
• Wu Zhiming unleashed his improved Military Fist techniques, but Jiang Shu met his attacks head-on with Tiger Form Three Styles.
• Jiang Shu overwhelmed Wu Zhiming with a barrage of attacks and drove him nearly off the arena.
• Wu Zhiming admitted defeat after his exhausted arm could no longer fight, leaving the Tianshu Academy freshmen stunned.
• Jiangnan Academy freshmen and alumni celebrated Jiang Shu’s victory in the stands and across the livestream.

After defeating Wu Zhiming, Jiang Shu reunited with his family and reassured his worried mother that his injuries were minor. He checked his improving martial arts proficiency and believed another half month might make him unmatched below Ming Jin.

• Wu Zhiming told Jiang Shu he looked forward to their next battle, and the two discussed Martial Dao before exchanging contact information.
• Jiang Shu saw a message from Jiang Yan Yue and went to meet his anxious parents and excited sister in the stands.
• Jiang Shu signed autographs for several spectators before leaving with his family.
• At their homestay, Xu Lizhi rubbed safflower oil on Jiang Shu's arm while he assured her that Scarlet Armor Tiger meat would quickly heal the injury.
• Jiang Yan Yue asked how strong Jiang Shu had become, and he said that in another half month he might be unmatched below Ming Jin.

Jiang Shu learned from Shang Jibei that unstable passages led to Heaven and Earth Secret Realms, where martial artists could seek rare resources and face deadly trials. Shang invited Jiang Shu to fight him so he could attempt to break through to Hidden Force, and Jiang Shu accepted by unleashing his full strength.

• Jiang Shu received a call from Shang Jibei, then told Jiang Yan Yue he would leave after dinner.
• Jiang Shu met Shang Jibei, who explained that he wanted to battle a worthy opponent and reach Hidden Force before entering a nearby Secret Realm.
• Shang Jibei revealed that Heaven and Earth Secret Realms were dangerous Small Worlds containing the treasure medicines and exotic beast meat used by the Academy.
• Shang Jibei said he planned to withdraw from the tournament and enter the unstable Shengjing Secret Realm if he broke through to Hidden Force.
• Jiang Shu warned Shang Jibei about his Hungry Tiger Family Severing Claw and unleashed the Hungry Tiger Sitting Cave Stance, Tiger Form Three Styles, and Hungry Tiger Howling Mountain Force.

Jiang Shu fought Shang Jibei in a fierce training match and learned about the Heaven and Earth Secret Realms and the danger posed by Variant Ferocious Beasts. The battle ended with Shang Jibei entering Hidden Force, while Jiang Shu gained new insight into the realm.

• Jiang Shu pushed himself against Shang Jibei, using Hungry Tiger Family Severing Claw and Wandering Snake Step as Shang Jibei corrected his technique.
• Shang Jibei explained that Secret Realm passages could release Variant Ferocious Beasts and that martial artists entering the realms had to fight them.
• Shang Jibei described how Hidden Force depended on harmonizing spirit, intent, qi, and strength, while his pores closed and sweat formed in his palms.
• Jiang Shu asked how many Secret Realms Xia Kingdom had, and Shang Jibei said the details were kept from the public to prevent panic.
• After a prolonged exchange, Shang Jibei entered Hidden Force, and Jiang Shu felt its force through his body and began to understand it.

After winning the University Martial Dao Genius Competition, Jiang Shu learned more about the Heaven and Earth Secret Realms, provided for his family, and returned to Jiangnan Academy. He focused on training and advanced into the Iron Skin Realm.

• Jiang Shu won the tournament after Shang Jibei suffered internal injuries upon entering Hidden Force, and the top ten students attended a lecture about the Heaven and Earth Rifts and Secret Realms.
• Jiang Shu returned to Jicheng, bought apartments for himself and his parents, set aside money for Xiao Tuanzi, and visited people who had helped him.
• Back at Jiangnan Academy, Jiang Shu reflected on the temptations facing Celebrity Martial Artists and resolved to pursue the Secret Realms path.
• Jiang Shu replayed his battle with Shang Jibei as he trained, and three days later his Hungry Tiger Howling Mountain Force reached a new realm and tempered his skin until it was as hard as iron.
• Jiang Shu turned around beneath the moonlight, and the scene shifted to Pingling County.