Chapter Summaries

Zhang Yuan sold the Rock Ginseng and used the proceeds, along with a high-interest loan, to buy a house in Linhe County and register himself and his mother as residents. He returned to Chen Family Village broke and in debt.

• Zhang Yuan sold his flawless Rock Ginseng to an apothecary for 120 taels of silver.
• Zhang Yuan inspected a five-room house in Fishmonger Alley and agreed to buy it for 140 taels.
• Zhang Yuan borrowed 50 taels from the brokerage at an interest rate of two fen per day.
• Zhang Yuan paid for the house and expedited deed transfer, then registered himself and his mother as county residents.
• Zhang Yuan headed back to Chen Family Village with empty pockets and a high-interest debt.

After selling a Rock Ginseng, Zhang Yuan bought a house and registered his household in the County Town, then moved there with Zhang's Mother and Da Hu to escape the growing dangers in Chen Family Village. As they settled into their new home, Zhang's Mother urged him to find a wife and start a family.

• Zhang Yuan told Zhang's Mother he had sold a Rock Ginseng for over a hundred taels and used the money to buy a house and register his household in the County Town.
• Zhang Yuan offered incense to Zhang's Father, then trained with the Boulder Foundation Skill and considered how to gather more Source Essence for his host bodies.
• Zhang Yuan and Zhang's Mother left Chen Family Village with Da Hu, telling curious villagers they were visiting relatives before riding an ox cart to the County Town.
• Zhang Yuan led Zhang's Mother into their new home in Fishmonger Alley, where they cleaned the rooms and settled in with their belongings and provisions.
• Zhang Yuan, Zhang's Mother, and Da Hu shared their first meal in the new house, and Zhang's Mother urged Zhang Yuan to find a marriage match.

Zhang Yuan hunted Rock Sheep and gathered Rock Ginseng in Thousand Peak Mountain to earn money and strengthen the Jade Mantis. Back in Chen Family Village, he learned Chen Yuanwai was recruiting villagers to build a mountain road under the protection of the Linhe City God Statue, and suspected the project was tied to the treasure map he carried.

• Zhang Yuan left his mother settled in the county town and returned to Thousand Peak Mountain to hunt and find Rock Ginseng.
• Zhang Yuan killed two Rock Sheep, found two Rock Ginseng roots, and stopped searching when the Crow Spirit warned him not to take too much.
• Zhang Yuan sacrificed the Rock Sheep and fed their Source Essence to the Jade Mantis, then went to Chen Family Village to keep his old home as a foothold.
• Zhang Yuan told a neighboring auntie that his mother was ill and staying with relatives, and she told him Chen Yuanwai was hiring villagers to build a mountain road.
• Zhang Yuan learned Chen Yuanwai had invited the Linhe City God Statue to guard the workers and suspected the road was connected to a treasure in Thousand Peak Mountain.

Zhang Yuan learned that the Chen Family’s planned mountain road might bring them into conflict with the Crow Spirit, so he warned his strange ally and kept watch on Chen Family Village. He found the Chen Family preparing houses for hired workers, and an arrogant voice called out to him from behind.

• Zhang Yuan sold two Rock Ginseng plants, spent much of the silver on his cultivation and his mother’s medicine, and realized the treasure map’s route passed through the Crow Spirit’s territory.
• Zhang Yuan worried that the Chen Family might use the Linhe City God Statue against the Crow Spirit, so he went to Thousand Peak Mountain and warned it about the road-building plan.
• The Crow Spirit returned with a golden hairpin, which Zhang Yuan accepted with thanks.
• Zhang Yuan searched the forest for creatures that could trigger the Divine Nest, but stopped when Black Feather warned him of danger.
• Zhang Yuan returned to Chen Family Village and learned that Chen Yuanwai was building houses for workers hired from the County Town.
• An arrogant voice called Zhang Yuan’s name from behind him.

Zhang Yuan avoided a confrontation with Chen Mingjie and Zhang Xiong, then secretly monitored the Chen Family’s road-building operation. When the road began advancing toward the Crow Spirit’s territory, he decided to warn the Crow Spirit once more.

• Zhang Yuan ignored Chen Mingjie and tried to leave, but Zhang Xiong stopped Chen Mingjie from attacking and revealed that Zhang Yuan was an Entry-Level Martial Artist.
• Zhang Xiong persuaded Chen Mingjie to prioritize the road project, while he kept his suspicions about Zhang Yuan and Gao Ze’s death to himself.
• Zhang Yuan left Chen Family Village for the County Town and secretly watched the Chen Family while hunting, gathering herbs, and scouting for the Crow Spirit.
• The Chen Family brought in hundreds of workers and used a Linhe City God subsidiary statue to support their road construction through the mountains.
• After observing for seven days, Zhang Yuan realized the road was heading toward the Crow Spirit’s territory and decided to warn it again.

Zhang Yuan returned to warn the Crow Spirit but received its warning to flee as a terrifying black fog swept through Thousand Peak Mountain. The fog attacked the Chen Family’s road-clearing team, overwhelming the City God Statue’s defenses and dragging away a villager.

• Zhang Yuan reached the stream to warn the Crow Spirit, but it sent him a feather and formed the character “Run!”
• A distant roar shook Zhang Yuan with fear, and he fled as a vast black fog raced through the forest after him.
• Zhang Yuan spotted the Chen Family’s road-clearing team, shouted a warning, and ran in another direction while villagers fled the approaching fog.
• The City God Statue shone with golden light, dispersing the fog at first, but the black mist expanded and took beastly forms to batter its defenses.
• A villager ran beyond the statue’s protective light, and a mist tentacle dragged him into the fog as Zhang Yuan looked back at the spreading darkness.

Zhang Yuan fled the black mist consuming Thousand Peak Mountain, but stopped to capture a Golden Grasshopper identified as a compatible Divine Nest host. With the mist closing in from every direction and escape impossible, he drew his blade as a black feather emerged from his chest.

• The City God Statue fell amid the villagers’ panic, its golden light vanished, and the black-mist beasts attacked and transformed the villagers.
• Zhang Yuan fled as the black mist rapidly spread, then received a Divine Nest notification that a compatible organism was nearby.
• Zhang Yuan spotted and caught a giant Golden Grasshopper, then absorbed it as his Third Host, gaining 2x Agility.
• Zhang Yuan found himself surrounded by black mist, drew his blade to fight, and watched a black feather float out from his chest.

Zhang Yuan escaped the death labyrinth with Black Feather’s help, but found the black mist advancing on Chen Family Village and fled toward County Town to reach his mother. At a fork in the road, he encountered the fleeing Chen Family and killed two servants who attacked him.

• Zhang Yuan used the Golden Grasshopper’s doubled agility to follow Black Feather through the black mist as the feather burned away its power.
• Zhang Yuan escaped Thousand Peak Mountain and saw the black mist spreading toward Chen Family Village, so he continued toward County Town to find his mother.
• Zhang Yuan unexpectedly met Chen Deping, Chen Yuanwai, the Chen Family’s Young Master, and their followers at a fork in the road.
• Chen Yuanwai ordered two servants to kill Zhang Yuan, and Zhang Yuan used the Jade Mantis’s blade proficiency to behead them.

Zhang Yuan fought Bodyguard Lu after killing two Chen Family servants, combining the powers of three Divine Nest vessels to overcome his lack of combat experience. As he pressed his attack, he entered a mysterious state and grasped a trace of the saber’s true essence.

• Zhang Yuan killed two Chen Family servants, terrifying the Chen Family’s young masters and prompting Chen Yuanwai to order Bodyguard Lu to attack.
• Bodyguard Lu overwhelmed Zhang Yuan with skilled saber strikes, forcing him to retreat until Golden Grasshopper’s doubled agility helped him evade a killing blow.
• Zhang Yuan activated the Black Giant Ant Power alongside the Jade Mantis and Golden Grasshopper abilities, then counterattacked with the long saber.
• Bodyguard Lu grew wary of Zhang Yuan’s ferocious assault and retreated rather than clash with him directly.
• Zhang Yuan entered a mantis-like state of relentless struggle and grasped a trace of the saber’s true essence.

Zhang Yuan killed Bodyguard Lu and the Chen Family after learning their mountain-blasting project had been ordered by the Linhe Chen Clan at a Celestial’s request. He escaped the spreading black mist and returned safely to Linhe County, where the town was on high alert.

• Zhang Yuan killed Bodyguard Lu with a sudden blade strike, then cut down the Weasel-faced Advisor and the servants near Chen Deping and his sons.
• Chen Deping told Zhang Yuan that the Linhe Chen Clan had ordered his family to blast mountains and build roads at a Celestial’s request.
• Zhang Yuan killed Chen Deping and his three sons, searched the bodies, and sacrificed the corpses before fleeing the spreading black mist.
• Zhang Yuan returned to Linhe County and found its streets shuttered and guarded as soldiers patrolled amid the alarm over Thousand Peak Mountain.
• Zhang’s Mother welcomed Zhang Yuan home with tears of relief.

Zhang Yuan repaid his house debt, discovered and destroyed a map linking the Chen Family to Thousand Peak Mountain’s treasure, and invested Source Essence in his Divine Nest and Golden Grasshopper. With the County Town sealed off, medicine and essential goods had sharply risen in price, leaving him uncertain about the future.

• Zhang Yuan counted his silver, found Chen Deping’s personal seal and a crude treasure map, then burned the map and destroyed the seal.
• Zhang Yuan checked his Divine Nest Panel and spent 5.9 Source Essence on the Golden Grasshopper and 10 on the Divine Nest.
• Zhang Yuan repaid the tooth broker’s principal and interest and recovered his family’s house deed.
• Zhang Yuan bought training medicines at sharply increased prices and saw crowds stockpiling necessities amid rising costs.

After witnessing a soldier kill a man for stealing rice, Zhang Yuan secured his household and continued training as unrest spread through Linhe County Town. That night, he drove off Green Robe Gang extortionists who learned he was a martial artist, but the town's instability remained unresolved.

• Zhang Yuan watched soldiers shoot and kill a man carrying stolen rice, then hurried home and warned Zhang's Mother to stay indoors.
• Zhang Yuan checked the family's stores and found they had enough food and water to last for months.
• Zhang Yuan practiced the Boulder Foundation Skill and strengthened his body, while Da Hu watched in the courtyard.
• Scarface and two Green Robe Gang men demanded monthly settlement silver from Zhang Yuan.
• Zhang Yuan's imposing presence frightened the extortionists; Scarface fled, and the other two begged for mercy before Zhang Yuan sent them away.

After the spirit calamity, Zhang Yuan learned that Thousand Peak Mountain had been closed permanently, cutting off his hunting and herb-gathering livelihood. As he considered other ways to support himself and learn Martial Skills, the county yamen announced a generous recruitment drive.

• The Scarface Strongman and his two brothers blamed Jiang Qi for leading them into danger and discussed seeking a place in the Fierce Tiger Gang.
• Zhang Yuan decided he needed another livelihood because returning to Chen Family Village was impossible and entering Thousand Peak Mountain seemed unsafe.
• The county yamen announced that the spirit calamity had been pacified, reopened the County Town, and forbade everyone from entering Thousand Peak Mountain.
• The county yamen posted a recruitment notice for ten yamen runners, three constables, and one Post Chief, stirring excitement among the townspeople.

Zhang Yuan entered the county yamen’s Patrol Enforcer Examination, hoping to learn martial skills and secure a position. Though he excelled in the strength test, the interview disqualified him, and he left the yamen before someone called him back.

• Zhang Yuan registered for the Patrol Enforcer Examination after learning that joining the yamen could let him study martial skills.
• He prepared for five days by practicing the Boulder Foundation Skill and taking Medicinal Soup to strengthen his qi and blood.
• Zhang Yuan lifted the five-hundred-jin, seven-hundred-jin, and one-thousand-jin Thunder Stones, earning an A Grade in the strength test.
• Three examiners gave Zhang Yuan a combined D Grade in the interview and eliminated him before the martial test, then offered him a yamen runner position instead.
• Zhang Yuan declined the offer and left the county yamen, but someone called out to him at the gate.

After being eliminated from the Patrol Enforcer Examination despite earning a first-class strength rating, Zhang Yuan learned from Chen Zhize that the recruitment was largely reserved for the local families’ descendants. Chen Zhize then recruited him for the Raging Whale Gang, and Zhang Yuan began weighing the offer after hearing its benefits and obligations.

• Chen Zhize approached Zhang Yuan and invited him to discuss his plans after the examination.
• Chen Zhize explained that the Patrol Enforcer positions were effectively reserved for local families, leaving Zhang Yuan with little prospect of entering the yamen.
• Zhang Yuan decided that becoming a Patrol Enforcer would hinder his freedom to pursue extraordinary genetic entities and Source Essence.
• Chen Zhize revealed that he belonged to the Raging Whale Gang and offered Zhang Yuan a chance to join.
• Zhang Yuan asked what joining would require and provide, and Chen Zhize carefully explained the gang’s rules, benefits, and responsibilities.

Zhang Yuan decided to join the Raging Whale Gang’s Battle Hall and followed Chen Zhize to Whale Fortress, where Zhao Jinlan approved his entry. He completed the joining procedures and received his identity token, clothes, and settling-in money.

• Chen Zhize explained the Raging Whale Gang’s halls and recommended Zhang Yuan join the Battle Hall or Outer Hall.
• Zhang Yuan decided that joining the gang was his best choice and went to the docks to find Chen Zhize.
• Chen Zhize welcomed Zhang Yuan and took him to Whale Fortress after Zhang Yuan confirmed he wanted to join the Battle Hall.
• Zhao Jinlan approved Zhang Yuan’s abilities, and he completed the procedures to join the Battle Hall.
• Zhang Yuan received two sets of clothes, an Identity Token, and ten taels of silver as a newcomer’s gift.

After telling Zhang's Mother that he had joined the Raging Whale Gang, Zhang Yuan began training as a Battle Hall disciple at Whale Fortress. He learned the first three forms of the Surging Wave Palm from Dong Yuanwei and ended the morning eager to keep practicing.

• Zhang Yuan told Zhang's Mother about joining the Raging Whale Gang, and she urged him to protect himself.
• Zhang Yuan traveled to Whale Fortress and reported to Battle Hall Instructor Dong Yuanwei, who tested his physique and foundation.
• Dong Yuanwei introduced Zhang Yuan to the other new disciples and demonstrated the Surging Wave Palm.
• Dong Yuanwei began teaching the first three forms of the Surging Wave Palm, and Zhang Yuan watched and listened intently.
• After the lesson ended, Zhang Yuan felt exhausted but excited that he had gained a preliminary grasp of his first Martial Skill.

Zhang Yuan faced suspicion and isolation among the Raging Whale Gang’s trainees but focused on mastering the Surging Wave Palm. Dong Yuanwei and Chen Zhize watched him train and considered cultivating him as a core disciple.

• Zhang Yuan ate a generous lunch before Xu Zhengyang confronted him, suspecting he had connections to Instructor Dong; Zhang Yuan denied it, and Xu Zhengyang introduced himself before leaving with his companions.
• Zhang Yuan’s fellow trainees began avoiding him, but he welcomed the solitude and devoted himself to practicing the Surging Wave Palm.
• Zhang Yuan recalled the terrifying bearded master he had witnessed in the County Town and reaffirmed his determination to become strong enough to survive.
• Dong Yuanwei and Chen Zhize discussed Zhang Yuan’s clean background and talent, then agreed to observe him further as a possible core disciple.

Zhang Yuan practiced the force application method for the Surging Wave Palm, breaking many costly basins as he searched for the right technique. After using all thirty basins, he had found a faint trace of the knack but remained far from emptying one with a single palm.

• Dong Yuanwei demonstrated how to empty a basin with one palm and said that emptying a vat without breaking it counted as major mastery.
• Dong Yuanwei taught the disciples the basic force application method and warned them they would have to pay for broken basins.
• The disciples struggled to strike the water without either failing to empty the basin or shattering it, and the cost of replacements was recorded as debt.
• Zhang Yuan immersed his palms in the water and practiced repeatedly, trying to jolt all of it into motion while learning from each failure.
• Zhang Yuan used up thirty basins, learned a faint trace of the force application knack, and realized he had spent three taels of silver.

Zhang Yuan endured the daily strain of practicing the Surging Wave Palm while a nighttime intruder raised his suspicions about the safety of his home. At the Martial Arts Field, he made a breakthrough in the palm technique, earning Dong Yuanwei’s praise and personal instruction.

• Zhang's Mother treated Zhang Yuan’s injured palms and urged him to rest, while Zhang Yuan insisted his wounds were minor.
• Da Hu barked at a furtive figure outside the courtyard, but Zhang Yuan did not pursue the intruder and became more wary of the neighborhood.
• Zhang Yuan checked the Divine Nest Panel and saw that its evolution progress remained stalled at 67%, leaving him in need of more Source Essence.
• At the Martial Arts Field, Zhang Yuan practiced alone as the other disciples avoided him and gossiped about his relationship with Dong Yuanwei.
• Zhang Yuan emptied a clay basin with a strike of the Surging Wave Palm and realized he had entered the technique’s force.
• Dong Yuanwei praised Zhang Yuan’s comprehension and took him to the Wooden Dummy Room for personal instruction, prompting envy among the other disciples.