Chapter Summaries

Zhang Xuezhou watched Zhang Manqian compete in an underground gene-sequencing fight and placed bets based on his knowledge of her cautious fighting style. A conversation with a middle-aged gambler about costly longevity treatments left him realizing how sharply society was divided between those with access to genetic technology and those kept in the dark.

• Zhang Xuezhou watched the first fight end, then bet on Zhang Manqian and her opponent, 23675, as the next bout began.
• Zhang Manqian spent the first round probing 23675, while Zhang Xuezhou bought some of the cheaper chips on 23675 and profited from the round's results.
• A middle-aged gambler criticized Zhang Xuezhou's bet on Zhang Manqian and argued that 23675's strength and defensive ability would win him the match.
• The middle-aged gambler told Zhang Xuezhou that he needed several costly vials of levorotatory enzyme reagent to delay aging, despite his limited income.
• Zhang Xuezhou recognized that even the gambler had access to longevity treatment, while many people at the bottom knew nothing about advanced genetic technology.

Zhang Xuezhou bet on Zhang Manqian during her match against 23675, while a middle-aged gambler wagered against her. Zhang Manqian’s attack faltered when 23675 struck her down, leaving Zhang Xuezhou alarmed as the round’s outcome remained unclear.

• Zhang Xuezhou placed bets based on his belief that Zhang Manqian would score points in bursts, then shifted his wagers onto her side.
• Zhang Xuezhou’s stake grew from just over six hundred yuan to around a thousand, while the middle-aged man lost much of his twenty-thousand-yuan bet.
• The middle-aged man predicted Zhang Manqian would tire in the third round and bet on her opponent, 23675.
• Zhang Manqian continued attacking with faster, more accurate strikes, and Zhang Xuezhou kept watching her rather than celebrating his winnings.
• The middle-aged man shouted for Zhang Manqian to lose, then celebrated when 23675 caught her opening and sent her flying more than ten meters, leaving blood in the air.

Zhang Manqian used the Supreme Purity True Technique to recover from a near-fatal blow and defeat contestant 23675 in the sequencing arena. Zuo Teng’s plan to make her dependent on the Tiger Form Fist was disrupted, while Zhang Manqian looked ahead to greater gains if she could bring Zhang Xuezhou into the venue.

• Zuo Teng watched Zhang Manqian lose the first exchange and planned to use the Tiger Form Fist to secure her cooperation and later harvest her blood for his own genetic evolution.
• After the arena countdown, Zhang Manqian recalled the Supreme Purity True Technique and used it to ease her injuries.
• Zhang Manqian recognized that contestant number 23675 was exhausted from using the Giant Ape Force and attacked him before he could recover.
• Zhang Manqian overwhelmed 23675 with fast sanda strikes and kicks until he could no longer stand.
• Zhang Manqian declared herself the future ruler of the sequencing arena and imagined the gains she could make by bringing Zhang Xuezhou into the venue.

Zhang Xuezhou left the betting area and accidentally entered a boxing ring, where he refused to fight and was knocked down by his masked opponent. As Weiyang Martial Arts School tried to persuade him to continue, his stare left the opponent trembling with fear.

• Zhang Xuezhou refused the middle-aged man's request to bet again and went looking for Zhang Manqian.
• After passing through an electromagnetic door that closed behind him, Zhang Xuezhou was mistaken for sequencing participant 29749 and pushed into a boxing ring.
• Zhang Xuezhou tried to explain that he had taken a wrong turn, but his horse-face-masked opponent knocked him down when the countdown ended.
• Zhang Xuezhou stayed on the floor, while a Weiyang Martial Arts School representative urged him to fight and offered him a Gene Armory Secret Key and a Five-Star Combat Technique manual.
• Zhang Xuezhou stared at his opponent until the masked participant grew frightened and began to tremble.

Zhang Xuezhou secured a promise of the Tiger Form Fist and faced his horse-mask opponent in the second round. His opponent fell after Zhang Xuezhou’s weak punch, leaving the match’s outcome in doubt and Zhang Xuezhou worried about being exposed as an impostor.

• Zhang Xuezhou asked the people behind the scenes for the Tiger Form Fist, and they agreed to provide it.
• As the second round began, Zhang Xuezhou invited his horse-mask opponent to strike him, but the opponent refused to cooperate.
• Zhang Xuezhou threw a feeble punch, and the horse-mask opponent fell and stayed down, prompting furious complaints from the crowd.
• Zhang Xuezhou suspected the people behind the scenes had threatened his opponent and hoped winning would help him reunite with Zhang Manqian.
• The horse-mask opponent rose trembling and avoided Zhang Xuezhou’s gaze, believing his touch carried a terrifying force.

Zhang Xuezhou fought the horse-face-masked sequencer in the underground ring, where his opponent’s wild attacks hurt him but ultimately triggered an unexpected display of realm suppression. Zhang Xuezhou won the match and realized his Meridian Circulation Realm cultivation had overwhelmed an opponent far weaker than him.

• The horse-face-masked sequencer attacked wildly while Zhang Xuezhou dodged, and the crowd discussed the Dragon Might Combat Technique.
• As his stamina ran low, Zhang Xuezhou tried a straight punch, but his opponent struck him with a fist and shoulder, sending him flying.
• Zhang Xuezhou used Crane Soaring to soften his fall, spat blood, and activated the Supreme Purity True Technique.
• The horse-face-masked sequencer became paralyzed by fear, foamed at the mouth, and collapsed as the match was declared for 29749.
• Zhang Xuezhou realized his Meridian Circulation Realm cultivation had caused realm suppression, not that his opponent had thrown the match.

Zuo Teng learned that arena fighter 29749 was Ding Hao and sought to recruit him as a powerful support, while Zhang Xuezhou received the promised Tiger Form Fist information and genetic sequencing key. The chapter ended with Zuo Teng arranging a chance encounter with Zhang Xuezhou at the Weiyang Martial Arts School exhibition hall.

• Zuo Teng reviewed Ding Hao’s background and ordered his people to give him the genetic sequencing key and Tiger Form Fist manual while showing him goodwill.
• Zuo Teng continued pressuring Zhang Manqian to accept his offer, believing she would eventually agree to sign the contract.
• Zhang Xuezhou received the promised materials and a courteous invitation to tour the Weiyang Martial Arts School, then planned to find the exit without revealing his identity.
• Zuo Teng put on a white ape mask and entered the exhibition hall ahead of Zhang Xuezhou and Zuo Butong.
• Zuo Butong offered Zhang Xuezhou free genetic sequencing and shooting practice after noticing his interest in the firearms.

Zhang Xuezhou browsed information about sequence powerhouses and encountered Ren Yisheng’s profile, while Zuo Teng tried to recruit him for a team. Zhang Xuezhou declined to commit and left, focused on finding Ren Yisheng and seeking treatment for his mental illness.

• Zhang Xuezhou handled an electric gun but said he was only looking around because carrying a firearm required a permit.
• Zhang Xuezhou viewed profiles of sequence powerhouses and stopped at Ren Yisheng, a Sixth Sequence powerhouse with an S-rank restriction ability.
• Zuo Teng praised Zhang Xuezhou’s combat technique and said it resembled Ren Yisheng’s intimidating style.
• Zuo Teng invited Zhang Xuezhou to join his team for the Sequence Powerhouse Advancement Tournament, but Zhang Xuezhou showed little interest in continuing to fight in the ring.
• Zhang Xuezhou decided he needed to leave and focus on building a relationship with Ren Yisheng and finding a possible treatment for his mental illness.

Zuo Teng learned that the Ding Hao who had visited him and fought at Weiyang Martial Arts School was not the real Ding Hao, who had been beaten outside and was receiving treatment. The chapter ended with Zuo Teng realizing someone had used Ding Hao’s invitation code to impersonate him.

• Zuo Teng discussed Zhang Manqian’s contract and his plan to persuade her to agree willingly to a blood exchange.
• Zuo Teng’s Third Uncle arrived and asked about reports of trouble at Weiyang Martial Arts School.
• Zuo Butong reported that Zuo Qing had broken the ribs of Ding Hao, sequencer 29749, outside the school.
• Zuo Teng and Zuo Butong said that Ding Hao had fought in the ring and left twelve minutes earlier, while Third Uncle said the real Ding Hao had been beaten forty-five minutes earlier and was still in the medical room.
• Zuo Teng realized that the visitor who had fought in the ring was an impostor who had used Ding Hao’s invitation code.

Zhang Xuezhou and Jin Wanliang learned that Kong Ning had been caught stealing medicinal herbs from the Nine Yin Exalted One, who had summoned their companions as well. Feiyu carried them to the Exalted One, leaving Zhang Xuezhou impressed by the crane demon’s flying ability.

• Zhang Xuezhou woke at the bus stop beside Jin Wanliang and realized that Tolkien, Kong Ning, Wu Chao, and the others were missing.
• Zhang Xuezhou and Jin Wanliang speculated that the others had gone to find medicinal herbs, then started looking for breakfast.
• Feiyu arrived and revealed that Kong Ning had been caught stealing figwort from the Nine Yin Exalted One’s herb garden and had implicated the group.
• Feiyu seized Zhang Xuezhou and Jin Wanliang and flew them toward the Nine Yin Exalted One’s mountain.
• Zhang Xuezhou questioned Feiyu about flying, and Feiyu explained his abilities as they approached a steaming mountain peak.

His Eminence questioned Zhang Xuezhou about his trip to Lingnan and Emperor Jing, then considered him as a human spy who could investigate the Han Dynasty. The Golden Toad Dharma King’s recommendation eased His Eminence’s suspicion, leaving Zhang Xuezhou poised to be sent to Chang’an to gather intelligence.

• Feiyu brought Zhang Xuezhou and Jin Wanliang before His Eminence, who questioned Zhang about his missions and journey to Lingnan.
• Jin Wanliang quickly explained that he and Zhang had traveled to Lingnan and found their godfather after His Eminence’s visit.
• Zhang told His Eminence that he had only glimpsed a figure in Lingnan and had never met Emperor Jing.
• His Eminence reflected that Emperor Jing had become powerful enough to threaten him and sought information about the emperor.
• The Golden Toad Dharma King proposed sending Zhang to Chang’an because he was human and knew the Han crown prince.
• His Eminence accepted that Zhang might be useful for investigating Emperor Jing, while the Golden Toad Dharma King relaxed over the likely consequences of the theft.

Zhang Xuezhou and Wu Chao warned Zhu Jiuyin that Dharma Master Hongku was secretly cursing his students to death, and Zhu Jiuyin agreed to protect them if Hongku attacked. He gave the two men separate halves of the Great Wilderness Creation Scripture to help them resist realm suppression.

• Zhu Jiuyin ordered Zhang Xuezhou to spy on Emperor Jing, while the Golden Toad Dharma King agreed to coordinate the mission.
• Wu Chao raised the danger that Hongku might curse them, and Zhang Xuezhou explained that Hongku had killed a student about every three years.
• Wu Chao confirmed that he had sensed Hongku using a Snake Head Incantation against him.
• Zhu Jiuyin promised to back Zhang Xuezhou and Wu Chao if they resisted or killed Hongku.
• Zhu Jiuyin taught Zhang Xuezhou and Wu Chao separate halves of the Great Wilderness Creation Scripture, which would help them withstand realm suppression when they stayed close together.

The Exalted One confronted Kong Ning for uprooting and eating his life-sustaining mystic ginseng, then considered cultivating Zou Bugui so he could refine it into medicine. Zou Bugui offered his Yin-Yang School alchemy knowledge as a reason to spare and train him, and the Exalted One showed interest.

• The Exalted One scolded Kong Ning for digging up his mystic ginseng, while Lu Baibai tried to revive the damaged plant.
• Kong Ning suggested compensating the Exalted One by having Zou Bugui refine medicine, but the Exalted One said Zou Bugui's cultivation was too low.
• Kong Ning proposed raising Zou Bugui's cultivation so he could refine the mystic ginseng.
• Zou Bugui argued that his age meant he would take little time to cultivate and offered his inherited Yin-Yang School alchemy methods.
• The Exalted One became more interested in cultivating Zou Bugui after hearing about his alchemy knowledge.

Zhang Xuezhou woke in Ren Yisheng’s home and learned that Ren Anran had told her father about his mental condition. As Ren Yisheng questioned whether Zhang Xuezhou believed his diagnosis, Zhang recalled his childhood examinations, medication, and eventual decision to stop taking it.

• Zhang Xuezhou woke in Ren Yisheng’s room, recognized him, and considered what it meant to be a Sixth Sequence powerhouse.
• Ren Yisheng explained that Mental Psychic Power could harm or heal the mind and said Ren Anran had written to him about Zhang Xuezhou.
• Zhang Xuezhou learned that Ren Anran was Ren Yisheng’s daughter and complained about the fees she charged for treatment.
• Ren Yisheng asked whether Zhang Xuezhou believed he had schizophrenia, and Zhang recalled being diagnosed as a child and taking medication that barely affected his nightly journeys.
• Zhang Xuezhou remembered stopping his medication at fifteen and realizing he had long assumed everyone experienced reality and dreams as he did.

Ren Yisheng convinced Zhang Xuezhou that his recurring dreams and uncontrollable thoughts came from self-doubt and an unstable mental state, not mental illness. He gave Zhang Xuezhou the Mental Strengthening Chapter, hoping it would help him recover while advancing Ren Yisheng’s research into longevity of both body and mind.

• Zhang Xuezhou questioned Ren Yisheng’s claim that he was healthy, describing his recurring, continuing dreams and difficulty controlling his thoughts.
• Ren Yisheng explained that Zhang Xuezhou’s brain region had been stimulated and that his main problem was self-doubt rather than mental illness.
• Ren Yisheng recognized that Zhang Xuezhou had combined the Heart Incantation with the Mental Foundations Chapter and developed abilities beyond Ren Yisheng’s expectations.
• Ren Yisheng told Zhang Xuezhou to keep recuperating and offered him the Mental Strengthening Chapter to use alongside the Heart Incantation.
• Zhang Xuezhou accepted Ren Yisheng’s handwritten manuscript, while Ren Yisheng hoped their different paths might lead to longevity of both body and mind.

After Ren Yisheng declared him healthy, Zhang Xuezhou considered whether his two worlds were real and decided to focus on living well. He reunited with Zhang Manqian, who learned he had won the Tiger Form Fist and wondered how he had become a skilled fighter.

• Zhang Xuezhou left Ren Yisheng's residence happy with his diagnosis, the Mental Strengthening Chapter, the Tiger Form Fist, and increased funds.
• Zhang Xuezhou considered whether both worlds were real and speculated that something unusual connected his family and his experiences.
• Zhang Xuezhou decided to live each day well and remain healthy, accepting that he might not learn the truth soon.
• Zhang Manqian reunited with Zhang Xuezhou after searching for him all night and demanded to know where he had gone.
• Zhang Xuezhou explained that Ren Yisheng had found him and showed Zhang Manqian his rewards, including the Tiger Form Fist.
• Zhang Manqian realized Zhang Xuezhou had defeated a sequenced fighter and wondered when he had become an expert.

Zhang Manqian reconsidered Zhang Xuezhou’s cultivation methods after winning a fight with the Supreme Purity True Technique, while Zhang Xuezhou decided to try the nutrient solution available through gene sequencing. They went to a sequencing site, where Zhang Xuezhou entered first, leaving Zhang Manqian to reflect on his potential as a sequence expert.

• Zhang Manqian reconsidered Zhang Xuezhou’s cultivation techniques after the Supreme Purity True Technique helped her defeat her opponent.
• Zhang Xuezhou weighed ways to advance his cultivation, including learning alchemy from Zou Bugui and strengthening his perception.
• Zhang Manqian explained that gene sequencing offered nutrient solution to improve the body, and Zhang Xuezhou decided to try it.
• Zhang Xuezhou and Zhang Manqian traveled to the gene sequencing address on Ranghu Road, taking precautions to conceal Zhang Xuezhou’s identity.
• Zhang Xuezhou entered the sequencing house first, while Zhang Manqian reflected that he had the makings of a sequence expert.

Zhang Xuezhou visited the Huatian Gene Sequencing Center with a Gene Armory Secret Key and received a blood-based nutrient reagent. The test report revealed weakened genes, possible damage from sedatives, and a small amount of unidentified bird genes.

• Zhang Xuezhou used his secret key to gain access to Doctor Wu at the Huatian Gene Sequencing Center.
• Doctor Wu drew Zhang Xuezhou’s blood and explained that the nutrient reagent would be prepared from it and injected back into him.
• Zhang Xuezhou waited while Doctor Wu processed the blood, hoping the reagent might strengthen his body.
• Doctor Wu gave Zhang Xuezhou his sequencing report, which showed signs of weakness and pathology, suspected sedative use, and unidentified bird genes.

After his gene sequencing, Zhang Xuezhou suspected the nutrient solution reagent had awakened a reaction that suitable food could strengthen. He and Zhang Manqian discussed their different responses to the injection, and Zhang Xuezhou renewed his interest in obtaining the Gene Armory Secret Key.

• Zhang Xuezhou waited outside the Huatian Gene Sequencing Center and saw the person in charge of the Weiyang Martial Arts School arrive shortly after his sequencing.
• Zhang Xuezhou changed his clothes to avoid being identified, then learned from Zhang Manqian that the man had investigated him but dismissed him after seeing his ordinary sequencing report.
• Zhang Xuezhou felt a familiar sensation while eating guinea fowl and suspected the blood reagent had caused it.
• Zhang Xuezhou asked Zhang Manqian about her reaction to the injection and compared how suitable foods affected them.
• Zhang Xuezhou concluded that suitable foods might promote genetic development and wondered whether others experienced the same effect.

Zhang Xuezhou warned Zhang Manqian about relying on Zuo Teng and learned that her sequencing contracts required her to cooperate with experiments and fighting-technique tests. He agreed to accompany her next time, while she continued training and he focused on his three cultivation and study tasks.

• Zhang Xuezhou warned Zhang Manqian that Zuo Teng might be connected to the powerful Zuo Household and that dealing with his circle was dangerous.
• Zhang Manqian explained that her sequencing contracts bound her to answer ring summons and cooperate with experiments, but she planned to collect three more Gene Armory Secret Keys before deciding what to do.
• Zhang Xuezhou agreed to accompany Zhang Manqian to her next sequencing session, and she resolved to train harder so they could keep earning money through their bets.
• Zhang Manqian began training while Zhang Xuezhou finished the housework and turned to cultivating the Great Wilderness Creation Scripture, studying the Mental Strengthening Chapter, and seeking a way to advance his cultivation.