Chapter Summaries

Lin Hao organized a group to head through the Teleportation Point, relying on their preparations and strength rather than the gym’s permission. As the group finished packing for the journey to the Great Qi World, they prepared to gather evacuation items and return with them.

• Lin Hao decided that anyone willing could join the trip, and Sun Qian agreed to notify the survivors.
• Lin Hao, Qian Tong, and Wang Cheng discussed the limits of helping others, then the group began preparing for the checkpoint.
• Lin Hao and Zhao Xiaowen changed into ancient-style clothes and packed valuables, survival supplies, and equipment for the journey.
• Lin Hao explained that the group planned to use their Wish Power items to obtain evacuation items in the Great Qi World, so their trip might take longer.
• Nie Yi and Yi Feng joined Lin Hao and Zhao Xiaowen with silver and supplies, and Yi Feng expressed gratitude that Lin Hao had included him.

Lin Hao used Molotov cocktails to force Chen Laohu’s group to let the apartment residents reach the Teleportation Point without paying a toll. When Chen Laohu tried a last-second bow attack, Lin Hao blocked the arrow and his team teleported away after setting the gym’s window ablaze.

• After the flood receded, Chen Laohu’s group cleaned the fitness club and prepared to charge survivors a toll for using the Teleportation Point.
• Lin Hao and Yi Feng led the apartment residents toward the Teleportation Point with Molotov cocktails, and Lin Hao used fire to deter Chen Laohu and Xu Gang from stopping them.
• Chen Laohu threatened the residents, but Lin Hao threw another Molotov cocktail beside the gym’s window and refused to back down.
• After most residents entered the Teleportation Point, Lin Hao warned the remaining groups to stay safe and then approached with his team.
• Chen Laohu shot an arrow at Lin Hao’s group as they entered, but Lin Hao’s shield shattered the arrow, and Lin Hao’s Molotov cocktail set several men alight.
• Lin Hao and the other three confirmed their party teleportation and vanished while Chen Laohu ordered his men to put out the fire and vowed revenge.

Lin Hao and his companions learned that they had arrived near Westwater Village in Great Qi and gathered directions, local history, and information about martial arts. They decided to head for Dam Market first, where Lin Hao hoped to find a martial arts school and equipment with useful skills.

• Lin Hao and the others discussed the risks of staying in Great Qi too long and decided to learn where they were and locate nearby martial arts schools.
• Lin Hao paid an old farmer for directions and learned that they were in Westwater Village, near Dam Market and more than a hundred li from Wei'an County Seat, where the evacuation item was likely located.
• The farmer told Lin Hao about the Grain Transport Governor's Office, Dam Market, and the three local martial arts schools, praising Master Wu of the Wu Family Martial Arts School.
• Lin Hao decided the group would visit Dam Market before going to the county seat and pose as refugees who had fled with their valuables.
• Lin Hao recalled that established martial arts schools might possess old training equipment with useful skills and hoped University Town had not already bought it all.

Lin Hao and his companions entered Dam Market and attracted the attention of local beggars and thugs. After Lin Hao frightened off an attempted roadblock, the group decided to seek shelter at the Wu Family Martial Arts School.

• Lin Hao and his companions approached Dam Market, where teenage beggars began following them and sizing them up.
• Lin Hao noticed the group was being targeted and led everyone toward the nearby Wu Family Martial Arts School.
• As they neared a stone bridge, seven or eight beggars and a street thug blocked the road around them.
• Lin Hao cracked the packed dirt with a stomp, prompting the thug to strike the vicious-looking young beggar who had brought them there.
• The beggars saluted and scattered, and Lin Hao decided the group should find lodging at a martial arts school as soon as possible.

Lin Hao and his companions reached Dam Market’s Wu Family Martial Arts School and watched Master Wu mediate a dispute between the Fishing Gang and the Vegetable Gang. Master Wu’s effortless display of skill convinced Incense Master Liu that the school remained too powerful to challenge.

• Lin Hao and his companions crossed Blue Stone Bridge, entered Dam Market, and bought bowls of spicy lamb offal soup.
• A street vendor told Lin Hao that the newly merged Fishing Gang and the Vegetable Gang were disputing dock profits, with Incense Master Liu and Master Wu mediating.
• Lin Hao pushed through the crowd to the Wu Family Martial Arts School, where the Vegetable Gang and the Fishing Gang faced each other after a match.
• Incense Master Liu argued that the Fishing Gang deserved a larger share of the docks, but Master Wu defended the Vegetable Gang and pointed out that it had won the match.
• Master Wu sent a cup of tea gliding steadily across the grounds, and Incense Master Liu received it with trembling fingertips.
• Incense Master Liu realized Master Wu remained formidable and decided to abandon the Fishing Gang’s attempt, returning half the silver it had offered.

After learning about Dam Market’s rival gangs and the Wu Family Martial Arts School, Lin Hao decided his group should enroll there for protection. He arranged for all four travelers to take room and board, surprising Wu Xin with their decision.

• Yi Feng told Lin Hao about the Vegetable Gang, the Fishermen’s Gang, and the powerful Grain Transport Gang helmsman Yin Saide.
• Lin Hao chose the Wu Family Martial Arts School and decided the whole group would enroll without delay.
• Lin Hao and his companions approached the school and told Wu Xin they were refugees seeking to learn self-defense.
• Wu Xin explained that late-starting apprentices might achieve little and quoted the school’s tuition and room-and-board fees.
• Lin Hao said all four would enroll for a month, and Wu Xin was surprised that even the apparent servant and maid would study martial arts.

Lin Hao and his companions arrived at the Wu Family Martial Arts School, where Wu Xin explained the importance of conditioning and introduced the school's techniques. Lin Hao found Wish Power equipment carrying Crouching Tiger Staff skills and bought several pieces, eager to strengthen his body and unlock more replacement slots.

• Wu Xin showed Lin Hao, Zhao Xiaowen, Nie Yi, and Yi Feng their lodgings and advised them to choose their month of training carefully.
• Wu Xin explained the school's conditioning routines and combat techniques, then demonstrated her Twin-Dagger Force for Zhao Xiaowen and Nie Yi.
• Lin Hao inspected the training ground's equipment and found a blue Crouching Tiger Staff with a Mastery skill and two training-bonus affixes.
• Lin Hao bought the blue staff, two green staffs, and two green stone locks from Wu Xin for five taels of silver.
• Lin Hao carried away the equipment and resolved to strengthen his body quickly so he could unlock more replacement slots.

Lin Hao learned from Wu Xin and Qian Tao how martial artists developed their bodies and why advancing beyond bright force carried increasing risks. He concluded that his proficiency-level Crouching Tiger Staff might let him progress faster than ordinary disciples, though the path to the highest realms remained uncertain.

• Wu Xin introduced Lin Hao and the other newcomers to the apprentices and warned them not to harass the two female disciples.
• Liu Tong teased Qian Tao for flirting and told him to focus on consolidating his newly attained bright force.
• Lin Hao asked Wu Xin about Qian Tao's physique, and she explained how martial artists developed and controlled their muscles.
• Qian Tao described the dangers of tendon and organ training, while Wu Xin explained the Crouching Tiger Fist lineage's knowledge and its limitations.
• Lin Hao realized his proficiency-level Crouching Tiger Staff could help him advance through body training faster than ordinary practice.

Lin Hao and his companions settled into life at the Martial Arts School, sharing a lavish dinner before returning to their rooms. Lin Hao discovered that his equipment slots could stack staff skills beyond the weapon’s normal limit, and he planned to use the advantage to improve quickly while considering how to earn more silver.

• Qian Tao befriended Lin Hao and told him about the instructors and personal disciples at the school.
• Master Wu and Madam Wu joined Lin Hao and his companions for dinner, and Master Wu advised them to eat well and arrange extra meals if needed.
• Wu Xin urged Lin Hao and his companions to rest and decide what they wanted to learn before starting their training.
• Lin Hao told Yi Feng they would take turns using the blue Crouching Tiger Staff and warned him not to train recklessly.
• Lin Hao discovered that equipping green Crouching Tiger Staffs in both equipment slots enhanced the blue staff beyond its [Expert] skill level.
• Lin Hao resolved to use his remaining silver to improve quickly and began considering ways to earn more money.

Lin Hao and his friends began training at Wu Deshui’s martial arts school after learning that the Yanhuang Trade Association had already established many profitable modern-inspired businesses. Wu Deshui personally forced Lin Hao through the Crouching Tiger Fist’s foundational stances, leaving Lin Hao eager to train again before Wu Deshui turned to Yi Feng.

• At breakfast, Lin Hao and Yi Feng learned that the Yanhuang Trade Association already sold goods such as soap, cosmetics, printed books, and glazed glass, prompting Lin Hao to focus on improving his martial skills.
• Wu Deshui personally began teaching Lin Hao, Yi Feng, Nie Yi, and Qin Sicheng the seven Still Stances and thirty-six Moving Stances of the Crouching Tiger Fist, promising to guide them for five days.
• Wu Deshui manipulated Lin Hao through all the stances, causing intense pain but also revealing Lin Hao’s strong physical foundation and potential to qualify for the martial exams.
• Wu Deshui told Lin Hao to rest and take a medicinal bath before another afternoon session, and Lin Hao gladly accepted the chance to train again.
• Wu Deshui grabbed the frightened Yi Feng and began putting him through the same initiation.

Over half a month, Lin Hao and his companions advanced their martial arts training, while Lin developed a way to combine his personal skill with his equipment. The chapter left him testing a heavier two-handed staff setup and wondering how his full strength would fare in a fight.

• Yi Feng praised Lin Hao’s staff work, and Lin Hao urged him to train harder while acknowledging his skill at gathering information.
• Lin Hao applied Crouching Tiger Balm and reflected on how his Great Achievement-level staff practice was rapidly improving his body and sinews.
• Lin Hao practiced Stance Training with his hands free and confirmed that his personal Proficiency-level staff skill combined with his equipped staffs to recreate a Great Achievement-level effect.
• Lin Hao used his new equipment point to unlock a two-handed Replacement Slot and equip two stone locks weighing about twenty kilograms each.
• Lin Hao tested the blue staff with the added weight and judged that his full-strength strikes could overwhelm an ordinary Bright Force expert.

Lin Hao trained at the Martial Arts Ground while learning that his master and Eldest Senior Brother had left to deal with River Pirates, Mountain Bandits, and suspected Outworld Demons. As Lin Hao spent time with Zhao Xiaowen, three apprentices plotted to target him and his companions, viewing them as wealthy outsiders without clan protection.

• Qin Sicheng told Lin Hao that County Commandant Wu had summoned their master and Eldest Senior Brother to help fight River Pirates and Mountain Bandits suspected of working with Outworld Demons.
• Lin Hao practiced Crouching Tiger Staff with a Gray Staff, and Qin Sicheng nearly got hurt when he tried to catch it before Lin Hao switched equipment and controlled his strength.
• Zhao Xiaowen brought Lin Hao candied fruit and offered to apply ointment in his room later.
• Luo Jing and Luo Wei complained about Lin Hao's wealth and Zhao Xiaowen, while Luo Hong proposed targeting the group during their master's absence.
• Luo Hong said he would test Lin Hao first, and the three apprentices agreed to look for an opportunity to take advantage of the newcomers.

Lin Hao sparred with Luo Jing after hearing that Nie Yi was rapidly advancing in martial arts. When Luo Jing’s anger drove him to unleash a powerful strike, Lin Hao redirected the momentum and knocked him down with an Antelope Hanging Its Horns counter.

• Zhao Xiaowen told Lin Hao that Nie Yi was talented, focused, and might unify her force within a month, and Lin Hao urged Zhao Xiaowen to keep training and avoid risks.
• Luo Jing challenged Lin Hao to spar with wooden staffs, and Qin Sicheng agreed to supervise them.
• Lin Hao used equipment bonuses to raise his staff technique to Great Achievement, while Luo Jing attacked first despite having only beginner-level staff technique.
• Stung by the apprentices’ praise of Lin Hao, Luo Jing unleashed a powerful strike and pressed his attack, intending to injure Lin Hao.
• Lin Hao used Luo Jing’s momentum to counter with Antelope Hanging Its Horns, striking Luo Jing in the face and knocking him to the ground.

After Luo Jing injured himself attacking Lin Hao, the Martial Arts School blamed him, and Zhao Xiaowen’s remarks made the Luo brothers’ motives look suspicious. Qin Sicheng sent Luo Jing and Luo Wei away from the school and advised Lin Hao and Zhao Xiaowen to stay there while the brothers might pose a threat.

• Luo Jing realized Qin Sicheng blamed him for pursuing Lin Hao and taking the full force of Lin Hao’s accidental counterstrike, and the apprentices agreed that he had brought the injury on himself.
• Luo Hong persuaded Luo Jing to apologize, and Lin Hao gave him copper coins for his recovery, earning the apprentices’ approval.
• Zhao Xiaowen suggested that the Luo brothers had approached Lin Hao and her with ulterior motives, prompting the apprentices and Qin Sicheng to view them with suspicion.
• Qin Sicheng told Luo Jing and Luo Wei to leave the Martial Arts School, and Luo Jing departed with Luo Wei after failing to persuade Qin Sicheng to let him wait for the Master’s return.
• Qin Sicheng warned Lin Hao and Zhao Xiaowen to avoid going out alone while the Master and Eldest Senior Brother were away, then praised Lin Hao’s adaptable staff technique.

Lin Hao reached Bright Force and discussed Hidden Force training and the upcoming County Examination with Yi Feng. As Lin Hao tested his equipment’s boosts, he resolved to keep practicing toward Perfection while Master and the others remained away.

• Lin Hao completed his training and concluded that he had entered Bright Force, drawing praise from Yi Feng.
• Lin Hao considered the limits of his current training and planned to seek advice on Hidden Force before training his organs.
• Yi Feng told Lin Hao that the Regular Evacuation point would open in two days, and they decided to visit the county town and take the County Examination.
• Yi Feng left to get news from Senior Brother Qian while Lin Hao tested his staff equipment and confirmed that it improved his technique.
• Lin Hao reflected on how difficult Perfection was to achieve and resolved to pursue it through continued practice.

Lin Hao reached Bright Force and learned about Hidden Force from Qin Sicheng, but the day ended with Yi Feng abducted and badly injured by the Beggar Gang. The school rescued Yi Feng and secured compensation, yet Lin Hao remained determined to seek justice.

• Lin Hao showed Qin Sicheng that he had reached Bright Force, and Qin warned him about his lack of combat experience before teaching him about Hidden Force.
• Qian Tao revealed that Yi Feng had disappeared after someone tricked him into leaving, so Qin Sicheng led apprentices to the pleasure boat while Lin Hao alerted Zhao Xiaowen and Wu Xin.
• Qin Sicheng's group returned with Yi Feng, whose leg had been broken after the Beggar Gang tried to force him to lure Lin Hao out.
• Qin Sicheng gave Lin Hao ten taels of compensation and explained that the school had also broken the leg of Yi Feng's attacker, while Qian Tao had fought a formal bout.
• Lin Hao accepted the silver but, seeing Yi Feng's injuries, thought that he could not make peace with what had happened.

After Yi Feng chose to recover naturally rather than use wish power, Lin Hao armed himself and slipped out at night to confront the Beggar Gang. At Longle Gambling House, the gang’s leaders plotted to retaliate against the martial arts school’s outsiders, just as a fire broke out in the front courtyard.

• Wu Xin examined Yi Feng’s broken leg and said it should heal without affecting his martial arts, while Yi Feng declined Lin Hao’s offer to take him to the evacuation point.
• Lin Hao armed himself with a staff, protective gear, magazines, and bottles of alcohol, then climbed over the wall and headed into the night.
• At Longle Gambling House, the Beggar Gang leaders forced Luo Jing, Luo Wei, and Luo Hong to accept corvée labor after they had brought trouble to the gang.
• Liu Da, Liu Ping, and Lu Wu discussed finding a way to retaliate against the Wu Family Martial Arts School’s outsiders and reclaim their losses.
• Flames erupted from the gambling hall’s front courtyard, and shouts of “Fire!” turned into screams.

Lin Hao attacked the Beggar Gang headquarters, setting the gambling house ablaze and collapsing it before confronting the gang’s leaders. He killed Liu Da, Liu Ping, and Lu Wu with overwhelming strength, leaving the Beggar Gang’s core members destroyed.

• A fire rapidly engulfed the Beggar Gang’s gambling house, and the building collapsed with its elite members trapped beneath the wreckage.
• Lin Hao emerged through the flames, and Greenhide recognized him as the Martial Arts School student who had crossed their path before.
• The remaining gang members attacked Lin Hao with quicklime and weapons, but he defeated them with his staff, killing Greenhide among them.
• Liu Da, Liu Ping, and Lu Wu coordinated an assault against Lin Hao, but he brought down a forty-kilogram strike that killed all three.

Lin Hao killed the Three Luo Brothers and the Beggar Gang members, looted their equipment and silver, then escaped the burning residence and returned to the Martial Arts School. Wu Xin mistook him for a thief and attacked before recognizing him, leaving both surprised by each other’s strength and techniques.

• Lin Hao killed the Three Luo Brothers, searched the bodies, and burned the corpses as people gathered outside.
• Lin Hao collected the gang leaders’ weapons, boots, and silver, then made a quick search of the rear residence before fleeing over the wall.
• Lin Hao returned to the Martial Arts School by climbing over its outer wall and made noise as he landed inside.
• Wu Xin attacked Lin Hao, and he blocked her with his staff before calling out and identifying himself.
• Wu Xin recognized Lin Hao and put away her Emei Daggers, while both reflected on the danger of their near-fight.
• Wu Xin asked Lin Hao where he had been and what he had done outside.

Lin Hao told Wu Xin that he had burned down the Longle Gambling House and killed the Beggar Gang's three leaders, and she warned him to keep his role secret. The next morning, he learned that the Beggar Gang's fall had thrown Dam Market into chaos.

• Wu Xin praised Lin Hao for burning down the Longle Gambling House, promised the Martial Arts School would protect him, and urged him to keep his involvement secret.
• Lin Hao revealed that he had killed the Beggar Gang's three leaders, and Wu Xin insisted he tell nobody else, not even Master.
• Lin Hao carried Zhao Xiaowen into their room, leaving Nie Yi outside to wash his clothes.
• The next morning, Lin Hao heard apprentices discuss the Beggar Gang's collapse and the fighting over its abandoned territory.
• Lin Hao realized that the gang's fall had destabilized Dam Market, where new factions could rise amid the disorder.