Chapter Summaries

Lian Youming prepared for the coming battle while Yang Shuang clarified her resolve to protect those close to her and advanced toward Three Energies Unification. In May, his cultivation entered a dangerous new stage as the forces of his Dragon Roaring Iron Shirt and Tiger Roaring Golden Bell Cover converged within him.

• Lian Youming advised Yang Shuang that her obstructed heart was slowing her movements, and asked her to name her path.
• Yang Shuang declared that she wanted to protect her loved ones and friends, then achieved signs of Three Energies Unification.
• Lian Youming told Yang Shuang he would leave the Taiji Gate’s resources to her and make her its head after the battle.
• Liu Wudi invited Lian Youming to his wedding, while Lian Youming continued meditating and training by the sea with Yang Shuang.
• In May, Yang Shuang and Liu Wudi sensed a change as Lian Youming’s body roared like a tiger and dragon during his breathing.
• Yang Shuang stopped Liu Wudi from approaching, warning that Lian Youming was at a perilous stage as his two Elixir Skills converged.

Lian Youming unexpectedly merged the qi of the Iron Shirt and Golden Bell Cover, surviving a painful transformation that achieved success in the Dao of Elixirs. After recovering, he discovered that his perception and Ability of Foresight had greatly improved, and prepared to return.

• Lian Youming’s qi-blood surged as he practiced the Iron Shirt and Golden Bell Cover, causing their yin and yang internal breaths to clash and converge.
• Lian Youming repeatedly circulated the conflicting breaths between his lower and middle dantians, enduring intense pain as he tried to complete the elixir formation.
• Lian Youming’s dragon and tiger converged, reshaping his body as Yang Shuang recognized his success in the Dao of Elixirs.
• Yang Shuang gave Lian Youming her replenishing elixirs, and he recovered after exhaling a long stream of scorching air.
• Lian Youming tested his heightened perception by standing in the sea and observing distant people, animals, and subtle movements.
• Lian Youming told Yang Shuang he felt well and said they should prepare to return.

Lian Youming returned to Guangzhou with his body and martial skill transformed, then learned from Xu Tian about the Hidden Killing Society and the dangers of opposing Mystic Connection masters. As preparations for the overseas mission continued, Lian Youming revealed that he expected to go abroad after his coming battle.

• Wu Jiu and other martial artists admired Lian Youming's newfound physical perfection, and Wu Jiu failed to touch him during a sparring match.
• Lian Youming used the Three Yin Seven Killings Sword to injure Wu Jiu's palm, and Xu Tian explained that Lian Youming's Elixir Skill now let his Inner Strength defend him automatically.
• Lian Youming asked Wu Jiu when he would marry A Xing, and Wu Jiu said the wedding would be in six days.
• Xu Tian told Lian Youming and Yang Shuang that forty-three people would travel overseas to face the Hidden Killing Society, which was connected to the White Lotus Saint Son Lineage and the Thirteen Hongs of Canton.
• Xu Tian warned Lian Youming not to attack the Mountain Guardians with firearms, explaining that Mystic Connection masters could sense a definite killing intent and that the sect leaders had prepared safeguards in Four-Nine City.
• Lian Youming told Xu Tian that he expected to go overseas after the coming battle.

Lian Youming declined to join Xu Tian’s dangerous mission overseas and learned that the aging sect masters were preserving hope for the younger generation. On the sixth day, he attended Wu Jiu’s wedding, where he encountered a prodigious young disciple of the Three Emperors Cannon Hammer Sect.

• Xu Tian told Lian Youming that his martial uncle might be trapped on Sea Island and that the group also hoped to rescue a Mystic Connection martial artist named Chen; Lian Youming chose to follow his own path.
• Yang Shuang offered to accompany Lian Youming, but he refused and urged her to secure the Taiji Gate’s master position.
• Xu Tian explained that the sect masters were nearing the end of their lives and had stayed alive to give the younger generation a chance to advance; he urged Lian Youming to prove himself.
• Yang Shuang asked for the Taiji Gate’s accumulated resources, and Lian Youming agreed they were hers.
• At Wu Jiu’s wedding, Lian Youming met a powerful young disciple of the Three Emperors Cannon Hammer Sect, whom Li Yinhuan said had killed three Grand Boxers despite only reaching complete mastery of Ming Jin.

Lian Youming tested strength with Gongyang Ming, whose extraordinary power was interrupted when hunger forced him to stop. As Lian Youming reunited with several women who knew him, Yan Lingyun noticed Xie Ruomei’s damaged voice and offered to treat it.

• Lian Youming clasped hands with Gongyang Ming and matched his strength until Gongyang Ming stopped because he was hungry.
• Gongyang Ming ordered more food, and Lian Youming and the others discussed the vital energy his immense physique consumed.
• Li Yinhuan met Yan Lingyun and called her Sister-in-law, while Xu Baishi, Yang Shuang, and Xie Ruomei gathered around Lian Youming.
• Several onlookers joked that Lian Youming’s many female companions would bring him a horrible death, and Yang Shuang ushered the group toward the rear hall.
• Yan Lingyun recognized Xie Ruomei, learned that her throat had been damaged, and offered to try treating her.

Lian Youming attended Wu Jiu and A Xing’s wedding, spoke with Boss Chen about the Taiji Gate and his coming fight with Wudang, and reassured Yan Lingyun about their relationship. The next day, he said farewell to his friends before setting out to face Wudang.

• Lian Youming encouraged Yan Lingyun to help Xie Ruomei seek treatment for her inability to speak.
• Boss Chen reminded Lian Youming of her request that he aid the Taiji Gate, and he promised not to destroy it outright; she offered to help Yang Shuang become its head.
• Lian Youming and the others celebrated as Wu Jiu and A Xing married, with Xu Tian and Boss Chen seated as honored guests.
• Lian Youming told Yan Lingyun about his Street Challenge in Cangzhou, and she asked whether he would have married her if they had met later; he assured her that they belonged together.
• Lian Youming and Yan Lingyun bid farewell to their companions, who planned to travel overseas, before he set out toward Wudang for a deadly battle.

Lian Youming and Yang Shuang traveled toward Wudang Mountain, honing themselves and encountering martial artists gathering for the coming challenge. As they reached Jingchu, their friends arrived to support them before the battle.

• Lian Youming and Yang Shuang journeyed along the Xiang River, where they met Zhang Weiyi of Longhu Mountain, who told them that sword experts from many sects were heading to Wudang.
• Zhang Weiyi leapt into the river to escape a Qingcheng Sect inheritor pursuing him, and the two fought in the woods.
• Lian Youming and Yang Shuang continued through the mountains and rivers, spotting reclusive masters before reaching Jingchu in early June.
• Wu Jiu, Liu Wudi, Xu Baishi, Li Yinhuan, Zhu Wu, Wang Mazi, and Sun Duhe greeted Lian Youming and Yang Shuang near Wudang Mountain, saying they had come to support them.

Lian Youming and Yang Shuang learned why Lian Youming’s grandmaster had been branded a traitor by the Taiji Gate: his wife and children were murdered before a leadership contest, and the elders suppressed the crime. Lian Youming vowed to avenge the blood feud as the battle against the Taiji Gate drew near.

• Wu Jiu, Li Yinhuan, Liu Wudi, Sun Duhe, and Zhu Wu reunited with Lian Youming and Yang Shuang, and warned that powerful Taiji lineages and Daoist sword schools had gathered for the coming battle.
• Wu Shouzheng arrived and introduced himself as a Wu-Style Taiji clan elder descended from Yang Banhou, then said his lineage would support Lian Youming and Yang Shuang.
• Wu Shouzheng explained that the Taiji schools had proposed uniting under one gate master, with Lian Youming’s grandmaster and Gu Chan’s maternal grandfather as leading candidates.
• Wu Shouzheng revealed that Lian Youming’s grandmaster’s wife and children had been murdered shortly before the contest, and that Taiji elders had suppressed the case.
• Lian Youming crushed his teacup, declared that he would avenge his grandmaster, and vowed to destroy anyone who stood in his way.

Lian Youming ascended Wudang Mountain to challenge the Taiji branches after learning of the Yang Clan’s crimes, while Wu Shouzheng and the others supported him. He reached the mountain path alone, where his overwhelming sword intent drove off challengers as martial artists and notable observers gathered around him.

• Lian Youming told Wu Shouzheng he intended to fight every branch, and Wu Shouzheng pledged the Wu family’s support.
• Yang Shuang learned why his grandmaster had never pursued revenge against the Taiji Gate, and Lian Youming promised the battle would leave no innocent parties.
• After refining the Three Yin Seven Killings Sword, Lian Youming set out for Wudang Mountain with his companions and drew a crowd of martial artists.
• At the mountain’s foot, Lian Youming ordered a young challenger to move aside, then continued up the steps alone while Wu Jiu and the others followed.
• Lian Youming’s swordlike spiritual pressure forced a middle-aged Daoist to retreat without a fight.
• Zhang Weiyi and a blue-green-robed swordsman followed Lian Youming, while a four-pupiled young man and a foreign woman went to investigate another expert blocking his way.

Lian Youming met the last disciples of Wudang’s Lower Vehicle Elixir Sect at Hidden Immortal Rock and learned of their conflict with the Golden Toad Sect. After defeating Han Tong with one punch, he faced a Golden Toad Sect Daoist who blamed him for killing his brother.

• Lian Youming recognized the inscriptions at Hidden Immortal Rock as Sun and Moon Refinement methods, impressing the five Daoists there.
• The five revealed that they were the remaining disciples of Wudang’s Lower Vehicle Elixir Sect and warned Lian Youming about the Golden Toad Sect leader’s strength and ties to the Gan family.
• Lian Youming suggested that the Lower Vehicle Elixir Sect could move to Zhongnan Mountain, then left as a Daoist and a crowd of martial artists rushed past the cave.
• At Five Dragons Palace, Han Tong challenged Lian Youming and fell after their fists met once.
• A Golden Toad Sect Daoist caught up with Lian Youming and accused him of killing his brother, a Taiji Gate Grand Boxer from Foshan; Lian Youming accepted the coming fight.

Lian Youming defeated a black-robed Golden Toad Sect Daoist with Striking Force Across the Air, then reached Zixiao Palace as dawn approached. There, successors of several Taiji lineages confronted him, and a great battle was about to begin.

• Lian Youming endured the black-robed Daoist's Flower Fist assault and killed him with a strike that shattered his chest from within.
• The Situ siblings watched the fight, discussed Lian Youming's strength, and considered cooperating with him.
• Situ Wudi noticed Liu Wudi's appearance and wondered whether he was concealing his true abilities by serving in the Baji Sect.
• Lian Youming traveled to Zixiao Palace and found dozens of Taiji successors gathered around Life-and-Death Agreements.
• Successors of several Taiji lineages introduced themselves and released their qi dynamics against Lian Youming.

Lian Youming challenged the Yang Clan lineage over its role in Yang Ruofu’s family tragedy while also seeking to become master of Taiji Gate. After signing a Life-and-Death Agreement and wagering on the fight, he faced Yang Wu, who opened by hurling an enormous incense burner at him.

• Lian Youming declared that he would settle his blood feud with the Yang Clan lineage and pursue the gate master position, rejecting calls to compromise.
• Elders from the Sun Lineage, Li-Style Taiji, and Wu-Style Taiji demanded answers from the Yang Clan about Yang Ruofu’s tragedy and Gu Chan’s Sun Lineage transmissions.
• Lian Youming signed a Life-and-Death Agreement with Yang Wu and wagered that the Yang Clan members would kowtow before Yang Ruofu’s memorial tablet if Yang Wu lost.
• Yang Wu demanded that Lian Youming surrender his martial knowledge and serve him for three years if he lost, and Lian Youming accepted.
• Yang Wu demonstrated his strength by striking an enormous incense burner and sending it hurtling toward Lian Youming.

Yang Wu and Lian Youming fought a fierce contest of strength with a massive incense burner before trading deadly Taiji and Crushing Fist strikes. Their punches collided and injured Yang Wu, while a Yang Clan elder suddenly rushed toward Lian Youming from behind.

• Yang Wu launched the heavy incense burner at Lian Youming, who stopped it with his palms and met Yang Wu's strength head-on.
• The two men supported the burner between them and circled up the stone steps, testing their strength and control of Inner Strength.
• Lian Youming sent the burner spinning into the air, and Yang Wu used the opening to attack with Taiji Listening Jin and a series of hammering strikes.
• Lian Youming countered with Half-Step Crushing Fist blended with Taiji Hammer, and their fists collided, rupturing blood vessels in Yang Wu's arm.
• A Yang Clan elder rushed up the steps toward Lian Youming as onlookers shouted warnings and accusations.

Lian Youming defeated a treacherous attacker during his match with Yang Wu, exposed him as a Remnants of the Old Era mole, and killed him. After settling a new wager with Yang Wu’s master, Lian Youming challenged every gathered martial artist to attack him at once.

• A hidden attacker ambushed Lian Youming with the falling incense burner, but Lian Youming caught it, defeated him, and broke both his legs.
• The attacker accused the Chen Family Fist and Yang Clan leaders of ordering the assault, then revealed himself as a Remnants of the Old Era mole before Lian Youming killed him with the incense burner.
• Yang Wu tried to fight again despite his injuries, but his junior sister stopped him, and he fainted after spitting blood.
• Yang Wu’s master proposed a wager tied to Lian Youming surviving the Golden Summit, and Lian Youming agreed while demanding justice for Gu Chan’s branch.
• Lian Youming signed the Life-and-Death Agreement, invited the gathered experts to challenge him, and called on everyone to attack together as he caught a drawn sword.

Lian Youming challenged the martial artists gathered before the Golden Summit and defeated Zhao Danxia in a sword match without injuring her. As six more fighters stepped forward, Situ Wudi followed Liu Wudi away from the clearing and accused him of being the long-sought Green Gang expert.

• Lian Youming ignored warnings about the battle awaiting him at the Golden Summit and called for someone to fight him.
• Zhao Danxia of the True Martial Sword Sect signed the Life-and-Death Agreement and attacked Lian Youming with the Taiyi Xuanmen Sword.
• Lian Youming used the Ape Lord Swordplay to overcome Zhao Danxia's techniques, trapped her sword in its scabbard, and spared her.
• Six fighters signed the agreement and advanced after Lian Youming taunted the crowd.
• Liu Wudi left to relieve himself, and Situ Wudi followed him to an abandoned cave.
• Situ Wudi accused Liu Wudi of being the Green Gang expert, while Liu Wudi denied it and gave his own name.

Lian Youming challenged a group of formidable martial artists, using their techniques to refine his swordsmanship while defeating their coordinated attacks. As two Yue Maiden Sword inheritors drew ancient bronze swords, Lian Youming welcomed the next fight.

• Feng Xiong attacked Lian Youming with a heavy sword, but Lian Youming turned aside his blows with techniques that wielded lightness as heaviness.
• Zhang Weiyi, the Chen Family Fist inheritor, and Yu joined Feng Xiong, surrounding Lian Youming with coordinated attacks that he repeatedly blocked.
• Wu Jiu and the others discussed Lian Youming’s remarkable progress and worried that his smooth rise could make a future setback dangerous.
• The remaining man and woman drew two ancient bronze swords, and Lian Youming sensed their murderous intent before calling for them to fight.

Lian Youming fought six skilled opponents in a deadly but respectful contest while the Taiji elders debated the Golden Toad Sect leader’s growing threat. As the attackers’ coordinated sword formation pressed him to the brink, Lian Youming unleashed a thunderous technique that sent dust surging across the arena.

• Lian Youming reflected on sparing his opponents and chose to preserve the Taiji schools rather than give in to his killing intent.
• Yu Wuming, Zhang Weiyi, and Feng Xiong voiced their respect for Lian Youming and attacked him with their full strength.
• A Chen Family elder learned that the Yang Clan elder had taught the Golden Toad Sect leader Striking Force Across the Air, and the elders feared the leader might target the Yang Clan.
• The six fighters coordinated their attacks and forced Lian Youming into a desperate defense, cutting his clothes while leaving only white marks on his body.
• Lian Youming released the Gall-Illuminating Sword and spun it around himself in a Taiji Sword technique, deflecting the surrounding attacks.
• As Chen Changle seized his arm and the others closed in, Lian Youming broke free, formed sword fingers, and released a force that sent waves of dust across the arena.

Lian Youming fought off Zhang Weiyi and the other martial artists at Zixiao Palace, demonstrating the power of his body and sword techniques. After he defeated three Golden Toad Sect ambushers, he looked toward the Golden Summit with rising killing intent.

• Lian Youming used a thunderous heartbeat technique to disrupt Zhang Weiyi and the other five fighters, then knocked away Feng Xiong's and Yu Wuming's swords with his fists.
• Lian Youming evaded the Yue Maiden Sword successors' attacks, struck them with the Spirit-Beating Whip, and countered Chen Changle's punch before Zhang Weiyi's Five Thunder Palm drew blood from him.
• Lian Youming repelled Zhang Weiyi with a burst of force from his chest, then turned aside Feng Xiong's heavy sword and caught it before it could strike Feng Xiong.
• Lian Youming caught Yu Wuming's sword as the spectators praised his skill, but three hidden attackers rushed him from behind with Toad Croak palm strikes.
• Lian Youming unleashed Tiger Roar and Dragon Cry, broke all three ambushers' arms and breastbones, and looked toward the Golden Summit with killing intent.

Lian Youming and the Taiji lineages discovered that the Golden Toad Sect’s attacks involved Japanese agents and hurried to confront Song Huaizhen on Wudang’s Golden Summit. Song Huaizhen attacked the Yang Clan elder and admitted he had colluded with the Japanese to pursue a breakthrough to Mystic Connection, leaving Lian Youming ready to fight him.

• The Taiji heirs found Pulse Gate Nails on the corpses, and the Sun Lineage elder identified the attackers as Japanese and threatened the Golden Toad Sect.
• The Yang Clan elder charged toward the Golden Summit, with Lian Youming and the other Taiji heirs following him.
• Situ Wudi pressed Liu Wudi about his identity and urged him to carry out their plan before the Mystic Connection old monsters returned to China.
• At the Golden Summit, Song Huaizhen slashed the Yang Clan elder with his whisk, though Lian Youming pulled him back from the worst of the blow.
• Lian Youming deduced that Song Huaizhen had arranged the earlier attack on the Yang Clan elder, and Song Huaizhen admitted he had colluded with others to pursue Mystic Connection and challenge Xuanming.
• Lian Youming told the Yang Clan elder to move aside and prepared to deal with Song Huaizhen.

Lian Youming confronted Song Huaizhen on Wudang’s Golden Summit, where Song planned to cripple him and reclaim the Golden Toad Sect’s supreme art. They unleashed their internal-breath techniques and began a fierce contest, leaving the outcome undecided after their first exchange.

• Lian Youming condemned Song Huaizhen for siding with the Remnants of the Old Era and the Japanese, while Song vowed to cripple him as he had Xuanming.
• The fat old man warned Lian Youming about Song’s Striking Force Across the Air and Toad-Fishing Skill, then withdrew from the Golden Summit.
• Lian Youming challenged Song Huaizhen to fight with fists, and Song set aside his fly whisk before invoking Toad-Fishing Skill.
• Song Huaizhen drew in vast internal breath as Lian Youming activated his own technique, their bodies displaying signs of their profound cultivation.
• Song Huaizhen attacked with Iron Sleeve Skill, and Lian Youming answered with three Crushing Fist blows; their forces rebounded without injuring either man.
• The late-arriving martial artists watched as the battle began, while Situ Wudi noted that both fighters possessed formidable Wudang arts.