Arc 3First Place and New Trials

Chu Tiannan tied Qing Yu’s score, defeated him in the assessment match, and became the top-ranked combatant. After recovering, he strengthened his body and studied new techniques before An Liena accompanied him to meet Luo Meng.

  • Mai Luo tried to defend his points from Chu Tiannan, but Chu took nearly all of them and warned the North Martial Arts Hall about Little Shura.
  • Chu Tiannan used the Devouring System to track opponents and took Wei Yuan and Liu Jie’s points, raising his score to 850.
  • Chu Tiannan reached the East Martial Arts Hall and learned from Lan Di that Qing Yu led the rankings and might be a Junior Martial Master.
  • Chu Tiannan challenged Qing Yu, but a siren halted the fight and ended the Martial Artist assessment before either could claim victory.
  • Chu Tiannan tied Qing Yu’s score at 1,850, then defeated him in their official match and took first place before exhausting his soul power.
  • Chu Tiannan woke from a half-month coma, reconciled with Luo’er, and received a hundred-million-Earth-Currency reward, a Grade S Genetic Enhancement Agent, and secret manuals.
  • Chu Tiannan endured the enhancement agent, advanced to intermediate Martial Master, and used the Devouring System to learn the Thunder Qilin Combat Method and buy more manuals.
  • An Liena found Chu Tiannan distracted at home and accompanied him to meet Luo Meng, whose family dispute with Chu remained unresolved.
Chapters 51–75 Vol. 1 Read

Ch. 51Mai Luo

Mai Luo, a gunner from the North Martial Arts Hall, hunted Demon Beasts to raise his score but found himself confronted by Chu Tiannan. When Mai Luo fired at close range, Chu Tiannan countered with a sword strike.

  • Mai Luo used a piece of cheese to lure a giant rat into the open and killed it with his sniper rifle.
  • Mai Luo checked his score of 214 and realized he was more than a hundred points behind seventh place with only three days remaining.
  • Mai Luo spotted Chu Tiannan behind him and asked why he had come looking for him.
  • Chu Tiannan said he wanted Mai Luo's points and planned to rob everyone from the North Martial Arts Hall.
  • Mai Luo fired a red-glowing bullet at Chu Tiannan, who raised his longsword and swept out a chilling sword shadow.

Ch. 52The All-Purpose Devouring System

Chu Tiannan defeated Mai Luo in a duel and took most of his points, then learned more about the Devouring System’s abilities as he continued through the ruins. The system revealed it could track nearby lifeforms, infiltrate networks, convert devoured items into Earth Currency, and store belongings, leaving Chu Tiannan excited about his path to power.

  • Chu Tiannan split Mai Luo’s sniper bullet with his sword and forced him to hand over his points, leaving Mai Luo with 10 and raising his own total to 380.
  • Mai Luo warned Chu Tiannan that the person ranked first in points had strength he could not gauge, then alerted his North Martial Arts Hall allies to beware Little Shura.
  • Mai Luo killed a Demon Beast to regain a point while his allies vowed to avenge him and challenge Chu Tiannan.
  • Chu Tiannan traveled through the ruins, killing Demon Beasts and using the Devouring System to detect lifeforms and assess their strength within ten kilometers.
  • The Devouring System told Chu Tiannan it could infiltrate the world’s networks, turn devoured items into Earth Currency, and store his belongings in an expanding system space.
  • Chu Tiannan grew excited about the system’s help and resolved that its ability to provide money would help him become stronger.

Ch. 53First on the leaderboard

Chu Tiannan headed toward three advanced martial artists while the first-ranked fighter, Yu, warned the North Martial Arts Hall to avoid Little Shura and focus on the East Martial Arts Hall. After Yu effortlessly killed two Shadow Rats, Chu Tiannan found the three martial artists split up and began secretly following them.

  • Chu Tiannan spotted three advanced martial artists near him on the map and set off to hunt them for combat points.
  • Yu told the North Martial Arts Hall members to withdraw if they encountered Little Shura and to focus on suppressing the East Martial Arts Hall.
  • Yu killed two Shadow Rats that attacked him, then resumed cultivating atop the statue.
  • Chu Tiannan caught up with the three martial artists and saw two chasing the one carrying a firearm.
  • Chu Tiannan slipped away quietly and began following them.

Ch. 54Hand over your battle records

Chu Tiannan intervened when Wei Yuan and Liu Jie cornered Mo He, a member of the East Martial Arts Hall, and forced Wei Yuan to surrender his battle record. The clash ended with Chu Tiannan holding Wei Yuan at swordpoint and Mo He keeping Liu Jie covered with his sniper rifle.

  • Wei Yuan and Liu Jie chased Mo He through a ruined district and demanded his battle record.
  • Mo He took cover and called on Lan Di and the East Martial Arts Hall as Wei Yuan closed in with his spear.
  • Chu Tiannan appeared, disarmed Wei Yuan, and held a sword to his neck.
  • Mo He trained his sniper rifle on Liu Jie, and Wei Yuan recognized Chu Tiannan as Black-Clad Little Shura.
  • Chu Tiannan demanded Wei Yuan's battle record, and Wei Yuan agreed to hand it over.

Ch. 55Little Shura was Chu Tiannan

Chu Tiannan forced Wei Yuan and Liu Jie to surrender their battle points, then knocked them unconscious with Mo He’s help. After Mo He realized Chu Tiannan was Little Shura and a member of the East Martial Arts Hall, Chu Tiannan asked him to lead the way to the hall’s territory.

  • Chu Tiannan took Wei Yuan’s battle points, leaving him with 10, then threatened Liu Jie until he surrendered his points too.
  • Chu Tiannan’s score rose to 850, placing him fourth, and he knocked Liu Jie unconscious.
  • Mo He knocked Wei Yuan unconscious before he could threaten Chu Tiannan by invoking Boss Qing Yu.
  • Chu Tiannan asked Mo He to take him to the East Martial Arts Hall’s territory.

Ch. 56Members of the East Martial Arts Hall

Chu Tiannan returned with Mo He to meet the other members of the East Martial Arts Hall, who were surprised to learn that Little Shura belonged to their group. Lan Di acknowledged that he was no match for Chu Tiannan, who then asked about Qing Yu.

  • Chi Hao and Xiao Lin noticed Mo He returning with Little Shura and saw that Chu Tiannan had climbed to fourth in the rankings.
  • Mo He introduced Chu Tiannan to Chi Hao and Xiao Lin as a member of the East Martial Arts Hall.
  • Mo He introduced Lan Di as the martial arts hall's leader, but Lan Di rejected the title and said his name was Lan Di.
  • Lan Di told Chu Tiannan that he was not his match, shocking Mo He, Chi Hao, and Xiao Lin.
  • Chu Tiannan said he had come to ask about something, and Lan Di guessed he wanted to know about Qing Yu.

Ch. 57Qing Yu

Chu Tiannan learned about Qing Yu’s strength from Lan Di and went to the central plaza to challenge him for first place. Qing Yu recognized him, and Chu Tiannan drew his sword and asked him to step aside.

  • Lan Di told Chu Tiannan that Qing Yu led the rankings, was an exceptionally powerful swordsman, and might have reached the Junior Martial Master level.
  • Lan Di admitted that Qing Yu had not used his full strength when they fought, while he himself had no intention of challenging Chu Tiannan.
  • Lan Di directed Chu Tiannan to the waste plaza, where Demon Beasts were most heavily concentrated, and Chu Tiannan left to find Qing Yu.
  • Chu Tiannan found Qing Yu sitting atop a stone statue in the central plaza, surrounded by Demon Beast corpses.
  • Qing Yu and Chu Tiannan recognized each other, and Chu Tiannan drew his sword and challenged Qing Yu to yield first place.

Ch. 58I refuse your challenge

Chu Tiannan challenged Qing Yu for first place, but Qing Yu dismissed him and let Liu Jie attack him with gunfire. After Chu Tiannan skillfully dodged two barrages, he drew his sword to charge Qing Yu, while Liu Jie prepared to fire again.

  • Chu Tiannan asked Qing Yu to step aside so he could claim first place, but Qing Yu warned that Chu Tiannan could not defeat him.
  • Chu Tiannan swiftly killed two attacking cat demons with a single sword strike, impressing Qing Yu, who still refused his challenge.
  • Qing Yu's people fired at Chu Tiannan, and Chu Tiannan dodged and cut through the bullets while accusing them of using underhanded tactics.
  • Liu Jie fired a second barrage at Chu Tiannan as Wei Yuan and Mai Luo watched in shock at his skill.
  • Qing Yu pointed out that his score of 1,850 far exceeded Chu Tiannan's 850, and Chu Tiannan drew his sword to charge him.
  • Liu Jie raised his submachine guns and prepared to fire again, insisting Chu Tiannan would have to get past him first.

Ch. 59The Assessment Ends

Lan Di and Mo He intervened to keep Liu Jie from attacking while Chu Tiannan challenged Qing Yu for first place. A military Soul-Shaking Sound ended the Martial Artist assessment and suppressed everyone before their fight could be decided.

  • Liu Jie prepared to shoot Chu Tiannan, but a red streak knocked the gun from his hand, and Mo He and Chi Hao aimed their sniper rifles at him.
  • Lan Di brought Mo He, Chi Hao, and the others to Chu Tiannan’s side and promised they would stop the North Martial Arts Hall from interfering.
  • Chu Tiannan charged Qing Yu, who drew the white sword from the statue and revealed an aura beyond the Martial Artist realm.
  • A siren’s Soul-Shaking Sound forced Chu Tiannan, Qing Yu, and the others to the ground, and a second wave completely suppressed Chu Tiannan as he tried to rise.
  • A voice announced that the Martial Artist assessment had ended and warned all prospective Martial Artists to stop fighting or die.

Ch. 60Identical scores

As Prospective Martial Artists were evaluated, Lan Di persuaded Chu Tiannan to compete for first place with his companions’ help. Qing Yu appeared poised to win, but Chu Tiannan matched his score, leaving the result uncertain.

  • Surviving Prospective Martial Artists handed over their wristbands, and evaluators announced their scores and qualifications.
  • Lan Di offered Chu Tiannan a way to compete for first place, and Chu Tiannan agreed after seeing Mo He and the others ready to help.
  • Liu Jie passed with a score of 560 and said stronger competitors were still coming.
  • Qing Yu scored 1,850, drawing attention and expecting to claim first place and the privilege of choosing a combat team.
  • Chu Tiannan was announced with the same score of 1,850, cutting Qing Yu’s celebration short.

Ch. 61The battle for first place

Chu Tiannan and Qing Yu tied for the top battle record, prompting the military to settle first place with a fight. After fifteen minutes to prepare, the winner would claim half of the loser's battle record and take the top ranking.

  • Chu Tiannan received a battle record of 1,850, tying Qing Yu and shocking the examinees.
  • Qing Yu accused Chu Tiannan of cheating, but the examiner said the military only judged battle records.
  • Chu Tiannan teased Qing Yu about their identical scores, while Li Dongjie praised Chu and the North Martial Arts Hall's instructors grew angry.
  • The purple-robed Deputy Hall Master promised to guide Qing Yu regardless of the fight's outcome.
  • A sergeant major summoned Chu Tiannan and Qing Yu and announced that they would fight in fifteen minutes, with the winner taking half the loser's battle record and first place.

Ch. 62Qing Yu Unleashed

Chu Tiannan and Qing Yu fought for first place in battle merit, with their victory also carrying honor for the East and North Martial Arts Halls. After Chu Tiannan wounded him, Qing Yu revealed that he had been holding back and charged in with a stronger technique.

  • Li Dongjie encouraged Chu Tiannan and promised him double the military reward if he won.
  • Chu Tiannan and Qing Yu entered the arena, where a sergeant major set the rules and started their match.
  • Chu Tiannan and Qing Yu exchanged dozens of sword strikes, and Lan Di admitted he could not match either fighter.
  • Chu Tiannan gained the advantage and cut Qing Yu's arm, but Qing Yu evaded a follow-up attack.
  • Qing Yu's aura surged, and he attacked Chu Tiannan with greater speed and force after declaring he would use his technique.

Ch. 63At a disadvantage

Qing Yu revealed his hidden strength and overwhelmed Chu Tiannan with a powerful sword technique, sending him crashing to the edge of the ring. As Qing Yu charged in to finish the fight, Chu Tiannan ignored calls to surrender and closed his eyes.

  • Qing Yu unleashed a sharp, forceful sword technique and suppressed Chu Tiannan's attacks with his strength and speed.
  • Chu Tiannan recognized that Qing Yu had reached the Intermediate Martial Master level and relied on Flowing Shadow to evade and defend.
  • Qing Yu merged several sword currents into a stronger strike, which broke through Chu Tiannan's sword shadows and sent him flying into the ring's edge.
  • Chu Tiannan spat blood but noticed he had glimpsed the essence of Qing Yu's sword technique.
  • Qing Yu charged at the injured Chu Tiannan as Lan Di and others urged him to surrender, but Chu Tiannan closed his eyes.

Ch. 64Turning the tables

Chu Tiannan turned the fight around against Qing Yu with a sudden, unseen counterattack and won the duel. Qing Yu was left badly injured and unable to fight as Chu Tiannan moved to cripple him.

  • Qing Yu attacked Chu Tiannan with three streams of white sword light while Chu Tiannan kept his eyes closed.
  • Chu Tiannan opened his eyes and unleashed a sharp cold gleam that broke through Qing Yu’s sword lights.
  • Qing Yu tried to defend himself, but the impact broke two of his ribs and sent him flying to the edge of the arena.
  • The watching Martial Artists were stunned by Chu Tiannan’s victory, while Lan Di and the others congratulated him.
  • Chu Tiannan withdrew the cold gleam, then swung his sword at Qing Yu and said he would cripple him first.

Ch. 65Victory

Chu Tiannan won the Martial Artist combat ranking match against Qing Yu after secretly using soul power to turn the fight around. A military bracelet stopped him from crippling Qing Yu, and Chu Tiannan passed out from exhausting his soul power.

  • Chu Tiannan attacked Qing Yu after gaining the upper hand, and Qing Yu tried to surrender before Chu’s sword cut off his words.
  • The purple-robed man from the North Martial Arts Hall tried to intervene, but Li Dongjie blocked him and insisted the match continue until Qing Yu surrendered.
  • A surge of electricity from Chu Tiannan’s bracelet subdued both fighters and ended the battle before Chu could strike Qing Yu.
  • The control console announced Chu Tiannan as first place in the round’s Martial Artist combat rankings and deducted half of Qing Yu’s combat points.
  • Mo He and Chi Hao supported Chu Tiannan, while Li Dongjie praised his decisive move without exposing his secret.
  • Chu Tiannan realized Li Dongjie knew he was a Controller, then passed out after exhausting his soul power.

Ch. 66Martial Master Chu Tiannan

After waking from a half-month coma following his assessment battle with Qing Yu, Chu Tiannan resolved to raise his Martial Artist level so he could master Heavenly Sin’s Mingshe form. He tried to carry the sleeping Luo'er to the bed, but she woke and fixed him with a calm, dangerous gaze.

  • Chu Tiannan woke in the hospital ward and recalled how his battle with Qing Yu had exposed the need to temper his soul.
  • Devour told Chu Tiannan to raise his Martial Artist level, and he decided to reach Martial Grandmaster so he could master Heavenly Sin’s first-stage Mingshe form.
  • Chu Tiannan found the Heaven-Deriving Sword and saw Luo'er sleeping beside his bed after caring for him during his half-month coma.
  • Chu Tiannan checked his wristband, saw that he was registered as a Martial Artist, and carefully lifted Luo'er to move her onto the bed.
  • As Chu Tiannan began lowering Luo'er, he sensed killing intent and realized she was awake, watching him calmly.

Ch. 67Awkward beyond measure

Chu Tiannan was caught holding Luo'er when she woke up, and she mistook his actions for something improper. Lan Di left them alone to sort it out, while the others waited outside.

  • Luo'er woke up in Chu Tiannan's arms and accused him of enjoying holding her.
  • Luo'er ignited her lightsaber and held it beside Chu Tiannan's neck as he tried to explain.
  • Lan Di entered the nursing room, saw the two of them, and was ordered by Luo'er to leave.
  • Lan Di left a fruit basket, shut the door, and told Mo He, Chi Hao, and Xiao Lin not to go inside.
  • Lan Di and Mo He concluded that Chu Tiannan was dealing with something personal and left him to handle it.

Ch. 68The young man flew into a rage

Luo'er accused Chu Tiannan of having improper intentions, but he insisted the incident had been a misunderstanding and nearly proved his sincerity by taking his own life. After Luo'er stopped him and admitted she had misjudged him, she left the room without telling him where she was going, secretly amused by his worry.

  • Luo'er confronted Chu Tiannan with her light sword and said she wanted to pretend they had never met.
  • Chu Tiannan pleaded for a chance to explain, but Luo'er demanded that he prove his innocence with his death.
  • Chu Tiannan raised the Heaven-Deriving Sword to strike his own neck, and Luo'er knocked it away with sword qi.
  • Luo'er admitted she had misjudged Chu Tiannan and told him not to be angry, while he sulked on the floor.
  • Luo'er started to leave without revealing where she was going, and Chu Tiannan protested that he needed to know how to find her.
  • Luo'er left without answering, privately smiling at Chu Tiannan's concern.

Ch. 69An enormous reward

Chu Tiannan left the hospital after recovering, and Li Dongjie personally took him to the East Martial Arts Hall. Li Dongjie announced an expanded reward for Chu Tiannan’s first-place assessment result and warned him to keep his identity as a Controller secret until he reached Martial Grandmaster.

  • Chu Tiannan reunited with Lan Di and the others after leaving the hospital, then greeted Li Dongjie and An Liena when they arrived.
  • Li Dongjie picked Chu Tiannan up personally and congratulated him on taking first place in the Martial Artist assessment’s combat record rankings.
  • Li Dongjie announced that the East Martial Arts Hall had raised Chu Tiannan’s cash reward to one hundred million Earth Currency and offered him the first three volumes of a peerless secret manual of his choice.
  • Li Dongjie replaced Chu Tiannan’s Grade A Genetic Modification Agent with a Grade S Genetic Enhancement Agent, since Chu Tiannan already had a Grade B combat suit.
  • Li Dongjie told Chu Tiannan that the martial arts hall would keep his Controller identity secret and advised him not to reveal it before reaching Martial Grandmaster.

Ch. 70The Resolve of Knowing One's True Heart

Chu Tiannan met An Liena, who set strict conditions for joining her combat team and urged him to leave his past achievements behind. After resolving to prove his strength, he examined the substantial rewards delivered by the East Martial Arts Hall, including an S-grade gene enhancement serum and three secret manuals.

  • An Liena told Chu Tiannan to train hard and report to her in half a month, warning that she could remove him from her combat team if he slacked off.
  • Chu Tiannan said he had hunted Demon Beasts and asked An Liena not to look down on him because he came from East China Base City.
  • An Liena said East China Base City was gone and told Chu Tiannan to stop relying on past achievements, then left him to reflect on her words.
  • Chu Tiannan resolved to prove his strength and remain focused on becoming stronger.
  • After A Lai and his friends congratulated Chu Tiannan and left, he opened the East Martial Arts Hall's reward cases and found an S-grade gene enhancement serum, three secret manuals, and other rewards.

Ch. 71Grade S Genetic Enhancement Agent

Chu Tiannan used a Grade S Genetic Enhancement Agent in a bathtub and endured its agonizing effects. After collapsing from exhaustion, he dreamed of being carried through mist and saw a huge black shadow rushing toward him.

  • Chu Tiannan poured the enhancement agent into hot water and soaked in the bathtub.
  • After initially feeling nothing, Chu Tiannan was overwhelmed by intense pain as the agent seeped into his body.
  • Chu Tiannan endured the pain until it ended, then stayed in the bathtub and fell asleep from exhaustion.
  • Chu Tiannan dreamed that his soul was flying through a hazy mist and heard a rumbling sound.
  • Chu Tiannan saw an enormous pitch-black shadow sweep toward him and crash down.

Ch. 72Thunder Qilin Combat Method

After the enhancer transformed Chu Tiannan, he tested his abilities and reached intermediate Martial Master strength. He chose the first three volumes of the Thunder Qilin Combat Method to improve his speed, then opened the case containing the manuals and reacted with surprise.

  • Chu Tiannan woke from a bizarre dream and discovered that the enhancer had improved his body, eyesight, and hearing.
  • Chu Tiannan tested his strength and confirmed that he had advanced to intermediate Martial Master.
  • Chu Tiannan decided to pursue both the strength-based Martial Artist path and the Controller path, aiming to become a Martial God.
  • Chu Tiannan chose the first three volumes of the Thunder Qilin Combat Method instead of redeeming Sword Intent because he still needed to improve his speed.
  • Chu Tiannan opened the metal case containing the twenty-billion-worth manuals and wondered what was inside.

Ch. 73Martial God Lei Hai

Chu Tiannan received the first three volumes of the Thunder Qilin Combat Method and watched Lei Hai explain the peerless art’s demands. The Devouring System then deduced the first volume and announced that Chu Tiannan had mastered it.

  • Chu Tiannan verified his identity to open the case and memorized the three passwords for the silver-pen voice recorder.
  • The recorder transmitted its information and self-destructed, nearly stunning Chu Tiannan with its flash.
  • Chu Tiannan projected the first volume and watched Lei Hai describe the Thunder Qilin Combat Method’s emphasis on speed and soul control.
  • Chu Tiannan struggled to understand the method until the Devouring System deduced its first volume and declared him its master.

Ch. 74A Learning Frenzy

Chu Tiannan discovered that the Devouring System could instantly teach him combat methods, then bought Luo’er's Shadowless Sword manuals and several Controller books. Meanwhile, Luo’er took charge of reception at a luxurious hotel as part of her family’s test.

  • Chu Tiannan used the Devouring System to learn the first two volumes of the Thunder Qilin Combat Method by watching their video explanations.
  • Chu Tiannan called Luo'er and asked about the sword technique she had used when they first fought, and she gave him its Martial Artist Shop manual number.
  • Luo'er rejected a maid's offer to take over reception work, insisting she had to handle it herself as part of her family's test.
  • Chu Tiannan found manual 135, identified it as the five-part Shadowless Sword technique, and bought the complete set for 70 million Earth Currency.
  • Chu Tiannan bought several Controller cultivation manuals for another 50 million Earth Currency and prepared to begin learning with the Devouring System.

Ch. 75Picking him up

After eight days away from the matter, Chu Tiannan was reminded by An Liena that he still needed to settle his business with Luo Ji and his father, Luo Meng. An Liena took him to negotiate with Luo Meng, promising to keep him from bullying Chu Tiannan.

  • An Liena went to Chu Tiannan's villa and called him out after finding him watching a sports broadcast rather than cultivating.
  • Chu Tiannan remembered his unresolved business with Luo Ji, and An Liena said Luo Ji's father, Luo Meng of the North Martial Arts Hall, had waited long enough.
  • Chu Tiannan came out dressed in black, and An Liena noticed he had advanced to Intermediate Martial Master using the S-rank enhancement serum.
  • An Liena told Chu Tiannan she was accompanying him to keep Luo Meng from bullying him, and he thanked her before they set off together.
Arc 3 of 76
Arc 3 of 76