Chapter Summaries

Yu Shuying and Lin Qingxiang defeated Huyan Lie’s attempt to turn the fight around and forced him into a hostage negotiation. Yu Shuying released Huyan Lü but sowed resentment between Huyan Lie’s sons, leaving the exchange unresolved.

• Lin Qingxiang used the Illusory Moth Sword Tribulation to repel Huyan Lie, while Zhu Hao protected Yu Shuying.
• Yu Shuying stabbed Huyan He to stop Huyan Lie from attacking and demanded terms for the hostages.
• Huyan Lie killed an old man and threatened to kill hostages, so Yu Shuying stabbed Huyan Lü and challenged him to choose between his sons.
• Huyan Lie agreed to spare Huyan He after Yu Shuying appeared ready to kill him, but she revealed the sword was a trick.
• Yu Shuying freed Huyan Lü as a gesture of goodwill, and Huyan Lü accused his father of favoring his elder brother.

After Huyan Lie released the hostages and Yu Shuying freed Huyan He, Si Ming and his companions discovered that the octopus monster had been murdered. Zhu Hao returned to find the body, leaving the group without their lead on the Rust Disease.

• Yu Shuying and Huyan Lie argued over her scheme, and Huyan Lie ordered his subordinates to release all the hostages.
• Yu Shuying freed Huyan He, treated his bleeding, and warned that she and Huyan Lie would never meet again.
• Si Ming found the octopus monster dead and Qingyan deduced that an acquaintance had killed him while taking advantage of the battle.
• Qingyan reasoned that the killer was likely a member of the Black Earth Gang who could enter unnoticed but could not remove a prisoner without drawing suspicion.
• Zhu Hao returned to the holding place, found the corpse, and heard Si Ming explain that the guards could not identify who had come during the chaos.

Si Ming examined Zhu Hao’s incomplete Scroll of Darkness and deduced how it related to the dangerous Illusory Moth Killing Art. The chapter then showed Lin Xiu turning on his companions and family after believing he had found his path to ultimate strength.

• Zhu Hao explained that the Mind-Reading Technique could not reliably identify the killer, then invited Si Ming to attend the Northern Darkness Party auction with Wei Chunxi.
• Zhu Hao showed Si Ming the Scroll of Darkness, and Si Ming recognized that its dark-matter cultivation could evade observation and counter mental techniques.
• Si Ming deduced that the Illusory Moth Killing Art retained a delayed hidden danger from the Scroll of Darkness and that Zhu Hao had altered it to protect Lin Qingxiang.
• Lin Xiu stood among the corpses of his companions and told a Chivalry Alliance martial artist that he had found his path and wanted to sever his bonds.
• Lin Qingxiang tried to awaken his father from Qi deviation, but Lin Xiu treated him as prey and prepared to attack the survivors.

Lin Xiu slaughtered the warriors with the Illusory Moth Killing Art, but his depleted True Qi left him vulnerable. Lin Qingxiang killed his father using the same technique, then realized he was laughing with exhilaration despite what he had done.

• Lin Xiu used the Scroll of Darkness to evade the warriors’ attacks and killed most of them while Lin Qingxiang explained how the Illusory Moth Killing Art worked.
• Yue Hai caught Lin Xiu’s sword and restrained him, allowing the third survivor to attack, but Lin Xiu vanished and killed the attacker with a palm strike.
• Yue Hai fell after sustaining a fatal wound, and Lin Qingxiang stabbed Lin Xiu while he was slowed by exhaustion.
• Lin Qingxiang revealed he had secretly practiced the Illusory Moth Killing Art and could enter void darkness long enough to strike Lin Xiu.
• Lin Qingxiang felt an unexpected rush of joy after killing his father and could not stop laughing.

Lin Xiu died after warning Lin Qingxiang about the Illusory Moth Killing Art and urging him to protect Qingluo from it. Lin Qingxiang later drove Qingluo and Auntie Liu away to keep Qingluo safe, and he awoke from the painful memory in a sweat.

• Lin Xiu told Lin Qingxiang to seek Zhu Hao's help modifying the Illusory Moth Killing Art and never let Qingluo cultivate it.
• Lin Xiu died after entrusting Lin Qingxiang with responsibility for the family.
• Lin Qingxiang told Qingluo that he had chosen to drive her and Auntie Liu away, hiding his real reasons from her.
• Auntie Liu refused Lin Qingxiang's severance check and left with Qingqing, insisting they would live separately.
• Lin Qingxiang slammed the door on Qingluo after she asked whether he truly no longer wanted her.
• Lin Qingxiang woke from the memory drenched in sweat.

Lin Qingxiang reconsidered his decision to keep the truth from Liu Qingqing after Si Ming urged him to trust her, while Yu Shuying and the others weighed the political fallout of killing Huyan Lie. The group favored leaving Huyan Lie alive but badly wounded so the Nation of Valor and the Thousand-Ren Society would be more likely to clash.

• Lin Qingxiang asked Si Ming about Liu Qingqing’s past, and Si Ming urged him to apologize and stop treating her like a child.
• Lin Qingxiang realized Liu Qingqing had grown up and considered telling her the truth, though he decided to wait until she was older.
• Lin Qingxiang pressed Zhu Hao and Si Ming about how Si Ming learned his secret, and Si Ming admitted Zhu Hao had shown him the Scroll of Darkness.
• Lin Qingxiang urged Si Ming to pursue Liu Qingqing, but Yu Shuying interrupted to ask what would happen if they killed Huyan Lie.
• Zhu Hao explained that Huyan Lie’s death could give the Nation of Valor grounds to take over the Thousand-Ren Society, while Yu Shuying proposed seriously wounding him instead.
• Zhu Hao agreed that keeping Huyan Lie alive could provoke conflict between him and the Nation of Valor, weakening the Thousand-Ren Society.

Si Ming attended the Northern Darkness Party's auction with Liu Qingqing and Wei Chunxi while hoping to find Doctor Ma Shijiu. The auction introduced him to the Western Luo Continent's elves, who were being sold as living merchandise.

• Si Ming agreed to carry out Yu Shuying's task in their plan to deal with Huyan Lie.
• Lin Qingxiang gave Si Ming a bank card and asked him to take Liu Qingqing to the auction.
• Si Ming, Liu Qingqing, and Wei Chunxi arrived at the auction, where guests socialized before the bidding began.
• Si Ming failed to spot Doctor Ma Shijiu when the auction started.
• An elf was brought onto the platform, and Wei Chunxi explained that elves from the Western Luo Continent were prized and trained as courtesans.

Si Ming accompanied Wei Chunxi to a Russian auction, where Wei Chunxi won a Demon Race cultivation manual for his research. As the auction neared its end, Si Ming remembered the person sitting beside him and asked whether they wanted anything.

• Wei Chunxi won the Sea-Upholding Demon Dragon Art for ten million after outbidding a black-robed man, who glared at him in anger.
• Wei Chunxi explained to Si Ming that he wanted the manual to study Demon Race cultivation methods for a bioweapon virus, and Si Ming began reading it.
• The auction offered unusual lots, including the Druid Balance Art, a demonic spear, and a mechanical prosthetic arm.
• The Sevenfold Heaven, a sacred manual from the Holy Church of Light, attracted little interest and sold for a low price.
• Si Ming realized he had forgotten about the person sitting to his left and asked whether they wanted anything.

Si Ming won the Forest Leopard for Liu Qingqing, who named it A Hou, then fought the black-robed bidder when he demanded the Sea-Upholding Demon Dragon Art and the leopard. Si Ming wounded the man after discovering he was a rat demon, but a bat swept in and carried him away.

• Si Ming won the Forest Leopard for 1.2 million, and Liu Qingqing named the cub A Hou.
• The black-robed man followed Si Ming and his companions, demanded the Sea-Upholding Demon Dragon Art and A Hou, and threatened them.
• Si Ming attacked the man, but the black robe proved to be a disguise and a giant rat bit Si Ming's leg.
• Si Ming identified the attacker as a Demon Race member and used Blue Moon Light Burst to locate and seize the rat demon.
• A woman's discordant sound weakened Si Ming's grip, but he broke free of the noise with Kui Drum Thunder Sound as an arrow struck the rat.
• A bat swooped down, snatched the wounded rat demon, and flew away.

Huyan Lü met with Elder Lou, who revealed his allegiance to the Black Earth Gang and urged him to help remove Huyan He so he could inherit the Thousand Ren Society. Huyan Lü agreed to hear the plan, leaving the Black Earth Gang poised to act against the eldest young master.

• Huyan Lü vented his anger over losing his command, then composed himself to meet Elder Lou.
• Elder Lou encouraged Huyan Lü to keep pursuing leadership and suggested that Huyan He’s removal would give him a chance.
• Elder Lou revealed that the Black Earth Gang would take responsibility for killing Huyan He and frame the attack to clear Huyan Lü.
• Huyan Lü accused Elder Lou of trying to sow discord, but Elder Lou argued that Huyan Lü could benefit without risking blame.
• Huyan Lü asked how he could cooperate, and Elder Lou told him to keep Huyan Lie occupied while the Black Earth Gang attacked Huyan He.

Huyan Lie was lured into an explosive ambush and attacked by Lin Qingxiang, but recovered from his weakened state and turned the fight around. Lin Qingxiang revealed that he had made thorough preparations, and an unknown assailant suddenly seized his shoulder.

• Huyan Lie waited in the study for Huyan Lü and reflected that he had stripped his second son of military authority to prevent a succession struggle and preserve his own power.
• Huyan Lie noticed the flowers were poisoning him, smashed their pots, and triggered an explosion that destroyed much of the building.
• Lin Qingxiang attacked Huyan Lie with the Illusory Moth Sword Tribulation, but Huyan Lie countered with a sudden kick and recovered most of his strength.
• Huyan Lie demanded to know whether Huyan Lü had joined the Black Earth Gang’s plot, while Lin Qingxiang warned that the ambush had further preparations.
• A dark, livid hand suddenly gripped Lin Qingxiang’s shoulder.

Huyan Lie and Zhu Hao faced off, while Huyan Lü realized Elder Lou had arranged for his father to be targeted and attacked him. Elder Lou struggled against Huyan Lü’s assault until an unknown figure intervened.

• Lin Qingxiang deflected Huyan Lie’s Knowing Yin Claw, and Zhu Hao stepped in to confront Huyan Lie.
• Zhu Hao promised to use only one move against Huyan Lie, who accepted the challenge.
• Huyan Lü sensed Huyan Lie’s presence and accused Elder Lou of deceiving him, then declared their cooperation over.
• Huyan Lü attacked Elder Lou with Knowing Yin Claw and followed with Moving Thunder Fist, forcing him backward.
• An unknown figure attacked Huyan Lü from the side, making him break off his assault and counter with a punch.

Huyan Lie and Zhu Hao unleashed their ultimate moves, destroying the Huyan estate and leaving both men wounded before Huyan Lie escaped. Si Ming caught up with Huyan Lie in the grove, and the two prepared to fight.

• Huyan Lü agreed to delay his father's rescuers and pursue a plan to take control of the Thousand Ren Society before eventually striking out on his own.
• Huyan Lie and Zhu Hao clashed with their ultimate moves, razing the estate and injuring each other.
• Huyan Lie escaped the battle, badly wounded and unable to heal while the lingering intent of the attacks remained in his injuries.
• Si Ming used the Vermilion Bird Machine to catch up with Huyan Lie in a grove.
• Si Ming drew the Vermilion Flame Sword and charged it with True Qi until it glowed with flowing flame.

Si Ming defeated Huyan Lie in an ambush, severing his arm and sidelining him for years. Back at the Black Earth Gang headquarters, Si Ming agreed to give Qingyan a job in the canteen, unaware Qingyan had intended to use a medical position to get close to his target.

• Si Ming used the Vermilion Bird Machine and Juntian Sword Art to overcome Huyan Lie’s attacks, then severed his arm with Beacon Flames Scorch.
• Si Ming reported the operation’s success, and Zhu Hao said Huyan Lie would need at least three years to recover.
• Yu Shuying left after completing her task, while Lin Qingtong and Zhu Hao discussed her ruthless methods and suitability as Grandmaster.
• Si Ming reflected that Yu Shuying was a valuable partner despite her prickly personality and said he would rest after the battle.
• Qingyan asked Si Ming about work in the Black Earth Gang, and Si Ming assigned him to the canteen, misunderstanding that Qingyan had a medical license and wanted a doctor’s post.

Si Ming’s growing fame among the Black Earth Gang drew a visitor who offered information about rust disease in exchange for a rubbing of the Sea-Upholding Demon Dragon Art. Si Ming agreed to hear the information first, then summoned Yu Shuying to verify it.

• Qingyan learned that his assassination mission had been canceled because the client had allied with the Black Earth Gang and now wanted the spy kept alive.
• Si Ming’s reputation rose after word spread that he had helped cut off Huyan Lie’s arm.
• A rat demon who had previously tried to rob Si Ming offered rust disease information in exchange for a rubbing of the Sea-Upholding Demon Dragon Art.
• Si Ming told the rat demon to give the information before he decided whether it was worth the price.
• Si Ming sent for Yu Shuying so she could check the rat demon’s story.

Si Ming and his companions followed a rat demon’s lead to a drinking-water plant where the workers had all been infected with Rust Disease. They realized the plant was a trap when the storage room was empty and poison weakened the group, then one of Zhu Hao’s disciples stabbed him from behind.

• Yu Shuying confirmed the rat demon’s proposed exchange was not a lie, and Si Ming agreed to trade the Sea-Upholding Demon Dragon Art for directions to the target.
• Si Ming assembled a group including Zhu Hao, the Lin siblings, Liu Qingqing, Yu Shuying, and Wei Chunxi, then followed the rat demon to a drinking-water plant.
• The group found the factory workers infected with late-stage Rust Disease, and Wei Chunxi determined the virus had a much shorter incubation period than before.
• At the empty water storage room, Yu Shuying realized the rat demon’s story did not make sense because infected workers could not distribute the water.
• Liu Qingqing felt dizzy, the group’s True Qi became sluggish as poison took effect, and a disciple stabbed Zhu Hao through the chest.

Lin Qingtong revealed that she had poisoned Zhu Hao and betrayed her master to pursue strength through the Illusory Moth Killing Art and metallic cells. She also exposed Liu Qingqing’s rapid progress in the forbidden art, leaving Lin Qingxiang determined to protect his younger sister as Lin Qingtong prepared to fight.

• Lin Qingtong attacked Zhu Hao and overpowered Lin Qingxiang, while Si Ming stepped in to stop her from killing him.
• Yu Shuying accused Wei Chunxi of poisoning the group, and Wei Chunxi admitted he had been exposed.
• Lin Qingtong explained that she had secretly cultivated the Illusory Moth Killing Art and dismissed Lin Qingxiang’s warnings about their father’s fate.
• Lin Qingtong revealed that she had taught Liu Qingqing the forbidden cultivation method, and Liu Qingqing confirmed she had practiced it for several days.
• Lin Qingtong showed her arm transformed with metallic cells and declared that she would use metallization to pursue strength beyond the usual path of cultivation.

Si Ming and the others confronted Wei Chunxi and Lin Qingtong over their betrayal, and Wei Chunxi explained his motives and the poison weakening Zhu Hao. Lin Qingtong revealed that Yu Shuying’s mind-reading ability was flawed, leaving Si Ming to reconsider how she had predicted people’s thoughts.

• Lin Qingtong prepared to fight, while Zhu Hao tried to reason with his former disciple and challenged her belief that power alone defined martial arts.
• Zhu Hao identified Wei Chunxi as Ma Shijiu, and Si Ming learned that Wei had used the Sea-Upholding Demon Dragon Art and the rat demon man to lure them into a trap.
• Wei Chunxi explained that he still hated demon beasts but had joined an organization that promised him resources and freedom to pursue his research.
• Wei Chunxi revealed that his poison consumed True Qi and could not be expelled until the victim’s cultivation was exhausted, while Zhu Hao was already injured and weakening.
• Si Ming asked Yu Shuying why she had not uncovered the plot, and Lin Qingtong revealed that Yu’s Mind-Reading Technique was fake or severely limited.
• Wei Chunxi explained that Yu could read only scattered thoughts from guarded or powerful minds, then use psychology and deduction to infer what people were thinking.

Wei Chunxi revealed that Fushi Qingcang of the Remote Heaven Society had granted Yu Shuying her mind-reading ability, provoking her into a fight. As the others battled, Lin Qingxiang launched his strongest sword strike at Wei Chunxi, who seemed prepared to counter it.

• Wei Chunxi conveyed Fushi Qingcang’s greetings to Yu Shuying and asked whether she had grown accustomed to the ability he bestowed upon her.
• Yu Shuying attacked Wei Chunxi with her whip, and he countered with his flexible sword while Lin Qingtong fought Lin Qingxiang, Zhu Hao, and Si Ming’s allies.
• Si Ming took a bench vise from Zhu Hao and used it as a hammer to keep Lin Qingtong occupied with repeated clashes.
• Lin Qingxiang joined Yu Shuying against Wei Chunxi, but his flexible-sword defense held off both their attacks.
• As his poison threatened to drain his strength, Lin Qingxiang unleashed Illusory Moth Sword Tribulation, and Wei Chunxi answered with Sick Sword Elegy.

Yu Shuying refused Wei Chunxi’s Metal Cells Liquid and broke free of his suppression, while Zhu Hao recovered enough to rejoin the fight. The battle turned against Wei Chunxi, but he used Yu Shuying as a shield to stop Zhu Hao’s attack.

• Wei Chunxi urged Yu Shuying to drink Metal Cells Liquid, but she rejected it and unleashed her opposing True Qi to break his hold.
• Zhu Hao surprised Wei Chunxi with a powerful assault, using his secret art, Burn Fat and Mend the Body, to recover enough to fight despite his internal injuries.
• Wei Chunxi recognized that Zhu Hao’s injuries remained severe, while Zhu Hao explained that his secret art had also purged the poison from his body.
• Zhu Hao launched a Wenlin beast attack, and Wei Chunxi’s Calamity and Disease Sword Intent weakened it without triggering the poison inside Zhu Hao.
• Wei Chunxi pulled Yu Shuying in front of himself as a shield, forcing Zhu Hao to redirect his attack.