Chapter Summaries

Lu Guying guided the two hundred new students to their dormitories as Zhang Qingyuan reviewed their records and used the sect system’s rewards to improve their prospects. After claiming the rewards and enduring a painful constitution upgrade, Zhang Qingyuan was told that Martial Uncle Di of the Bright Moon Sect had arrived.

• Lu Guying organized the new students, and Liu Sidao introduced himself to his fellow disciples while talking with Yin Tianqi and Xiao Yan.
• Lu Guying showed the students their dormitories and facilities, assigned their beds, and handed out shoes.
• Zhang Qingyuan reviewed the rosters of two thousand disciples and added one hundred Creation Pills to the students’ soup.
• Zhang Qingyuan tallied the system rewards, identified Xiao Yan as the likely protagonist-tier disciple, and remained unconvinced by him.
• Zhang Qingyuan claimed the rewards and endured the constitution upgrade before Sixth Senior Brother announced Martial Uncle Di’s visit.

Zhang Qingyuan welcomed Di Yunjie of the Bright Moon Sect, who offered a succession gift and asked for advice on starting a newspaper. After Zhang explained the business, Di promised the Bright Moon Sect would support the Tianyang Sect, and praised Zhang to his late master’s gravestone.

• Zhang Qingyuan met Di Yunjie, while Zheng Jianxin awkwardly tried to maintain his aloof demeanor in front of an elder who had known him as a child.
• Di Yunjie explained that he had come to pay respects to Zhang Jing'an, congratulate Zhang Qingyuan on becoming sect master, and ask about Tianyang Sect’s newspaper.
• Di Yunjie gave Zhang Qingyuan a Seven Stars Pill as a congratulatory gift from the Bright Moon Sect.
• Zhang Qingyuan explained the newspaper’s content, staff, and potential categories, and advised Di Yunjie how the Bright Moon Sect could expand its readership.
• Di Yunjie promised the Bright Moon Sect would help the Tianyang Sect if it faced difficulties, then visited Zhang Jing'an’s grave and praised Zhang Qingyuan.

At the Tianyang Sect's enrollment ceremony, Zhang Qingyuan introduced the Tianyang Martial Dao Academy and explained his plan to train students systematically while helping children from poor families. He clarified that the students belonged to the academy, not the Tianyang Sect, and did not have to share the sect's fate.

• Two thousand students gathered as Sun Xiaotian introduced the Tianyang Sect's elders, academy staff, security members, and teachers.
• Zhang Qingyuan welcomed the students and described how the academy would offer structured martial training, free first-year tuition, waivers, and scholarships.
• Zhang Qingyuan explained that the academy was separate from the Tianyang Sect and that students only had to study, not live and die with the sect.
• The students debated what their status meant, while Di Yunjie understood that they were attending a school established by the sect rather than joining the sect itself.

Zhang Qingyuan explained Tianyang Martial Dao Academy’s cultivation, tuition, graduation, and employment policies, reassuring poor students that they could pursue martial arts or learn a trade. He described the path from academy student to Tianyang Sect disciple and ended by sending the students to class.

• Zhang Qingyuan explained the students’ training and advancement requirements, including vocational education and employment for those unable to cultivate.
• He outlined tuition waivers, scholarships, and the option to continue martial arts at other schools, then reassured students that leaving the academy was not betraying the Tianyang Sect.
• The students vowed to remember the academy and defend it, while Di Yunjie concluded that Zhang Qingyuan’s influence over them made the Tianyang Sect too dangerous to oppose.
• Zhang Qingyuan told the students they could work for the Tianyang Sect after graduation and that outstanding university-division students could become formal sect disciples.
• Zhang Qingyuan directed teachers to take students to class and announced evening literacy lessons before giving the academy motto: “the greatest heroes serve their country and its people.”

The new students began martial arts training at Tianyang Martial Dao Academy, and Xiao Yan joined Liu Sidao in a fight with Yin Tianqi's group after Yin insulted Murong Xue. Zhang Qingyuan watched the students' punishment and bet Zheng Jianxin that Xiao Yan would reach the sixth rank within a year.

• Lu Guying, Zhan Hongling, and Chen Siwen introduced their classes to martial arts fundamentals and put the students through basic training.
• The academy fed the students nourishing meals, then held evening literacy lessons and offered time for extra practice.
• Xiao Yan practiced after class with Murong Xue, but Yin Tianqi arrived with three lackeys and provoked them.
• Liu Sidao threw a stone at Yin Tianqi and fought his group, while Xiao Yan and Murong Xue joined in; Lu Guying broke up the brawl and assigned the students extra drills.
• Zhang Qingyuan told Zheng Jianxin that Xiao Yan had strong potential and bet that he would reach the sixth rank within a year, wagering that Zheng would take Xiao Yan as his direct disciple if he succeeded.

Zhang Qingyuan arranged to recruit teachers and promote the academy while its students advanced in martial arts training and formed class rivalries. After students from Class One and Class Ten fought, he announced a ten-class martial competition in three months, with Creation Pills for the winners and toilet-cleaning duty for the losers.

• Zhang Qingyuan set requirements for second-year teachers, asked Fifth Senior Brother to examine applicants with him, and told Sixth Senior Brother to arrange newspaper interviews.
• The students progressed from physical conditioning to martial arts training, revealing differences in their comprehension and ability.
• Yin Tianqi and Liu Sidao's groups continued their rivalry, while students across the classes formed their own cliques and bonds.
• Liu Che and his Eight Vajra beat Yin Tianqi, but Liu Sidao and his friends intervened; afterward, Yin Tianqi and Liu Sidao became closer.
• Lu Guying scolded the students for fighting between classes but told them they could fight as long as they did not lose.
• Zhang Qingyuan announced a martial competition for the ten classes in three months, awarding the winning class ten Creation Pills and assigning toilet-cleaning duty to the losing class.

A Tianyang Martial Dao Academy advertisement for second-year teachers drew applicants with unusual backgrounds, including Chu Yunshen, Zhou Lei, and Gu Qianshan. At the academy, Zhang Qingyuan and Li Moran began screening candidates and rejected Zhao Dashan.

• Chu Yunshen read the notice in Goldfish City and decided to apply so he could prove his internal-cultivation methods were valuable.
• Zhou Lei read the notice while escorting a thief and agreed to apply, but insisted on taking the thief to the authorities first.
• Gu Qianshan, a physician unable to cultivate, decided to travel to the Tianyang Sect and present his knowledge of meridians and internal cultivation.
• Zhang Qingyuan and Li Moran interviewed applicants as crowds arrived at Tianyang Martial Dao Academy.
• Zhao Dashan described internal cultivation as simply following a manual, and Old Fifth rejected him when he returned asking whether he had passed.

Zhou Lei and Gu Qianshan climbed Tianyang Sect to apply for second-year teaching positions and learned the assessment tested teaching ability and understanding of internal cultivation, not martial rank. After a tense wait in a crowded line, Gu Qianshan went in for his interview while Zhou Lei remained outside.

• Zhou Lei met Gu Qianshan at Tianyang Sect's gates, and the two headed up the mountain together to apply for teaching positions.
• Zhou Lei spoke with Hero Fang, who explained that Sect Master Zhang and the fifth elder judged applicants on teaching skill and understanding of internal cultivation rather than grade.
• Zhou Lei and Gu Qianshan reached the recruitment room and saw dozens of applicants waiting amid rumors about mock lessons and strict questioning.
• As applicants entered and returned unsuccessful, Gu Qianshan prepared to explain how medical knowledge related to meridians and Qi circulation.
• After Zhou Lei and Gu Qianshan briefly deferred to each other, Gu Qianshan straightened his clothes and entered the recruitment room.

Zhang Qingyuan recruited instructors for Tianyang Martial Dao Academy, seeking teachers who could explain cultivation to students who lacked natural talent. Zhou Lei passed the interview, and Gu Qianshan also earned approval by arguing that his medical expertise could help students understand meridians and internal cultivation.

• Zhang Qingyuan hired Zhou Lei after he confidently explained his views on internal power and cultivation.
• Zhou Lei told Gu Qianshan that Sect Master Zhang was fair and urged him to explain himself properly.
• Gu Qianshan admitted that he had no martial realm, prompting the Fifth Elder to question how he could teach internal cultivation.
• Zhang Qingyuan invited Gu Qianshan to explain his reasons for applying and how he could teach without internal power.
• Gu Qianshan described how his medical experience with meridians, acupoints, and Qi deviation could help students understand cultivation and avoid mistakes.
• Zhang Qingyuan accepted Gu Qianshan after hearing his explanation.

Liu Sidao and Ma Shou joined forces to resist Liu Che’s attempt to bring Class One under his Heavenly Dragon Association, and the dispute erupted into a brawl between hundreds of students. Zhang Qingyuan arrived with ten newly recruited teachers and found the students fighting instead of behaving like the well-mannered disciples he had described.

• A student warned Liu Sidao that Liu Che had brought students from Classes Eight and Nine to fight Class One, so Liu Sidao sent for Ma Shou.
• Ma Shou arrived with more than seventy students from Class Three, and he and Liu Sidao agreed to target Liu Che.
• Liu Che demanded that Liu Sidao submit to the Heavenly Dragon Association, while Ma Shou taunted him and refused to back down.
• Liu Che charged Ma Shou, and the students from both sides surged into a chaotic brawl on the martial training ground.
• Zhang Qingyuan arrived with ten new teachers, who watched hundreds of boys fight and questioned his description of the students as plain and well-behaved.

Zhang Qingyuan reviewed the promising students across Tianyang Martial Dao Academy’s ten classes as the new-student martial tournament approached. He estimated that this intake could produce at least fifteen Upper Three Ranks experts, while recognizing that other students might reveal their talent later.

• Zhang Qingyuan explained that student fights were normal and could foster competition, but he would expel anyone who bullied or seriously injured others.
• After three months, Zhang Qingyuan reviewed the teachers’ lists of promising students ahead of the academy’s new-student martial tournament.
• Zhang Qingyuan noted standout students across the classes, including Liu Sidao, Ma Shou, Sun Xiaohu, Murong Xue, and the unusually named Xie Xiaofeng and Lin Pingzhi.
• Zhang Qingyuan estimated that more than a hundred students showed early promise and that most could eventually reach at least the Fourth-Rank Realm.
• Zhang Qingyuan calculated that the system rewards guaranteed eleven Upper Three Ranks experts and hoped four more would emerge naturally, bringing the intake’s total to fifteen.
• Zhang Qingyuan remembered that Xiao Yan was not on Lu Guying’s genius list, though he expected Xiao Yan to develop after a slow start.

Bai Shuyan visited the Wang Lineage to negotiate a partnership supplying graduates from the Tianyang Martial Dao Academy. After facing Wang Xiangyi’s anger over their past romance, he secured a preliminary agreement and left the details to her.

• Bai Shuyan arrived at the Wang Lineage, where Wang Xiangyi threatened him with her spear over his abandonment of her years earlier.
• Bai Shuyan reminded Wang Xiangyi of their past and showed her the embroidered handkerchief she had given him, then explained that he had come on business.
• Bai Shuyan proposed that the Wang Lineage recruit academy graduates as guards, escort guards, or disciples, and Wang Xiangyi agreed to discuss cooperation.
• Bai Shuyan met Wang Xiangyi’s father and explained that the Wang Lineage could select graduates at the academy’s tournament next June.
• Bai Shuyan and the Wang Lineage reached a preliminary understanding to supply academy graduates to the lineage.

Bai Shuyan visited former sweethearts across the Eastern Realm, using old keepsakes and tales of their past to win their affection and promote cooperation with the Tianyang Martial Dao Academy. He secured a partnership with Liu Ruyan’s Moon Haze Sword Sect and continued his exhausting tour of former lovers.

• Bai Shuyan arrived at the Moon Haze Sword Sect, where Liu Ruyan attacked him over his abrupt departure years earlier.
• Bai Shuyan returned Liu Ruyan’s lost hairpin and persuaded her that he had left to protect her, rekindling their romance.
• Bai Shuyan proposed that the Moon Haze Sword Sect train and employ female graduates of the Tianyang Martial Dao Academy, and Liu Ruyan agreed to the partnership.
• Bai Shuyan and Liu Ruyan arranged recruitment and graduation plans before he departed to visit more former sweethearts.
• Bai Shuyan visited Hu Ke’er, Xin’er, Jinqi, and Xuanxin, sharing keepsakes and proposing academy cooperation while renewing romances with those who were unmarried.
• Bai Shuyan spent half a year traveling across the Eastern Realm and found that his body was increasingly exhausted despite reaching the Fourth-Rank Realm.

Zhang Qingyuan hosted Tianyang Martial Dao Academy’s three-month assessment, welcoming powerful officials and local figures to witness the first intake’s progress. After opening remarks, the ranking matches for the top hundred students began.

• After three days of competition, the top hundred students were selected, though Xiao Yan did not make the list.
• Zhang Qingyuan welcomed City Lord Zhao, Yang Lianhe, Lin Junfeng, and other local guests to the academy.
• Zhang Tianlu arrived with Brocade Guard cavalrymen and took the seat of honor, noting the academy had drawn attention from the capital.
• Zhang Qingyuan thanked the guests, addressed the students, and officially began the top-hundred ranking matches.

Tianyang Martial Dao Academy began its advancement matches, and Liu Sidao, Ma Shou, Liu Che, and Sun Xiaohu quickly defeated their first opponents. Xiao Yan, who had failed to make the top hundred, supported his classmates and felt discouraged about falling behind Murong Xue, but she encouraged him to believe he would become stronger.

• Zhang Qingyuan explained the academy’s seeded contestants and advancement format to Zhang Tianlu and the guests.
• Liu Sandao chose to watch his son Liu Sidao compete, and Liu Sidao defeated Feng Xin before offering him advice.
• Ma Shou defeated Xu Jielun with one side kick, while Liu Che and Sun Xiaohu also swiftly won their matches.
• Xiao Yan helped his classmates as support staff and felt dejected that he had not qualified for the top hundred.
• Murong Xue told Xiao Yan she had advanced after defeating Yue Buqun and encouraged him to trust that his deep reserves would lead to a powerful breakthrough.

The afternoon tournament determined the rankings of the top thirteen students, with Liu Sidao defeating Ma Shou to take first place. Zhang Qingyuan awarded the students their scholarships and prizes, including Minor Rejuvenation Pills for the top ten.

• The top thirteen students drew lots and fought through the opening round, with Liu Sidao, Ma Shou, Sun Xiaohu, Liu Che, Murong Xue, Zhao Hongbing, and Lin Pingzhi advancing.
• Liu Sidao defeated Lin Pingzhi, Ma Shou defeated Murong Xue, and Sun Xiaohu defeated Liu Che to reach the final four alongside Zhao Hongbing.
• Liu Sidao used footwork and a chokehold to defeat Sun Xiaohu, while Ma Shou narrowly defeated Zhao Hongbing in the other semifinal.
• Liu Sidao won the final against Ma Shou by feinting an opening, tripping him, and pinning him to the ground.
• Murong Xue finished fifth after Murong An pretended to be injured and surrendered, and the tournament rankings placed Liu Sidao first, Ma Shou second, and Sun Xiaohu third.
• Zhang Qingyuan awarded scholarships to the twenty-five students and gave Minor Rejuvenation Pills to the top ten, instructing them to wait until reaching the sixth rank before taking them.

After the tournament, the teachers praised their students and explained that the next stage would teach internal arts, where talent in meridians and dantian mattered more than martial skill. The chapter ended with Liu Che vowing to regain his standing as Qin Shuang arrived with candied hawthorns, prompting everyone to wonder why their own top-ranked students had received no rewards.

• Lu Guying praised Class One’s tournament results and explained that students who failed to sense Qi within three days would return to him for more martial training.
• Zhan Hongling congratulated Ma Shou and Zhao Hongbing, and warned them not to take their Minor Rejuvenation Pills before reaching the sixth rank.
• The other homeroom teachers addressed their classes, while Liu Tianming comforted Lin Pingzhi after his father’s public scolding.
• Liu Che challenged Liu Sidao and Ma Shou to compete in internal arts, insisting that he would restore the Heavenly Dragon Association’s honor.
• Qin Shuang arrived with candied hawthorns from Chu Xiong and asked Liu Sidao, Ma Shou, and Liu Che what rewards they had received.

After three months of training, Zhang Qingyuan prepared the Tianyang Martial Dao Academy’s students to begin internal cultivation, confident that his methods could give ordinary students an advantage over traditional sect disciples. The teachers studied the Nine Yin Manual and Nine Yang Divine Skill, and Gu Qianshan and Chu Yunshen saw ways the manuals could help them.

• Zhang Qingyuan reflected on his rapid rise to the Fourth-Rank Realm and chose to focus on mastering three martial arts alongside the difficult Yin-Yang Limitless Skill.
• Zhang Qingyuan assessed the seven Tianyang Sect brothers’ cultivation and decided the sect should build its resources and wait before expanding.
• The Tianyang Martial Dao Academy completed its first three months of basic training and prepared to teach internal arts while continuing to strengthen the students’ foundations.
• Zhang Qingyuan explained that the Nine Yin Manual’s Tendon-Changing and Bone-Tempering Chapter could improve the students’ bodies and help most of them cultivate internal power.
• Gu Qianshan found hope that the Tendon-Changing and Bone-Tempering Chapter could overcome his meridian problems, while Chu Yunshen considered creating a Nine Yang Bone-Tempering Chapter.

Zhang Qingyuan appointed new leaders and teachers at the Tianyang Martial Dao Academy during its first all-staff meeting. The introductions ended with Gu Qianshan wondering why Zhang Qingyuan had left him out of the second-year teaching roster.

• Zhang Qingyuan announced that the Tianyang Sect's council of elders would remain unchanged and began assigning academy posts.
• Zhang Qingyuan appointed Ding Jianming head of the Security Department after he advanced to the fourth-rank realm, replacing Zheng Jianxin.
• Zhang Qingyuan appointed Lu Guying head of the first-year teaching group and offered him increased benefits and annual pills.
• Zhang Qingyuan introduced the second-year teachers, including the fifth-grade Yun Qingqiu, drawing attention from the staff and Old Fourth.
• Gu Qianshan realized Zhang Qingyuan had not introduced him and wondered whether his lack of internal power had cost him the teaching post.

Zhang Qingyuan established a martial arts research group and urged Tianyang Sect members to improve their inherited techniques instead of guarding outdated secrets. He appointed Chu Yunshen and Gu Qianshan to lead cultivation arts research, opened the sect library, and persuaded everyone that sharing their work could preserve their names for generations.

• Zhang Qingyuan appointed Yun Qingqiu temporary head of the second-year teaching group for three years.
• Zhang Qingyuan condemned secretive teaching and resistance to change, arguing that martial arts had to be improved and innovated.
• Zhang Qingyuan appointed Chu Yunshen head of the cultivation arts group and Gu Qianshan its deputy head.
• Zhang Qingyuan invited members, including Zhou Lei, to share ideas, promised creators credit, and opened the Tianyang Sect library.
• Zhang Qingyuan argued that recorded works and martial arts legacies could keep their creators remembered after death.
• The gathering embraced Zhang Qingyuan's proposal to share and develop their martial arts instead of keeping them to themselves.