Chapter Summaries

Xiao Han chose the Shadow Dominator evolution path for his Eternal Night King Martial Soul and endured a painful transformation that strengthened his body, soul, and control over shadows. He emerged with his evolved Martial Soul, his cultivation stabilized at the peak of the Fourth Level, and a breakthrough to the Fifth Level within reach.

• Xiao Han chose Shadow Dominator, and the system began evolving his Eternal Night King Martial Soul.
• Xiao Han endured the evolution as shadow energy remade his meridians and bones, flooded his soul with knowledge, and greatly enhanced Shadow Devour.
• Xiao Han’s Chaos Green Lotus helped preserve his body while the Creation-Heaven-Penetrating Art drew in energy and pushed his cultivation toward the Fourth Level’s limit.
• The black cocoon shattered, and Xiao Han absorbed its shadow energy as his Eternal Night King Martial Soul emerged in a solid, majestic form.
• Xiao Han commanded nearby shadows into a sphere of dark energy and found his cultivation settled at the peak of the fourth level, with a breakthrough to the Fifth Level only a matter of time.

Xiao Han refined the Shadow Demon Lotus, strengthening his Shadow Dominator martial soul and advancing from the peak of the fourth level of the Martial Artist Realm to the sixth level of the Warrior Realm. He tested his improved abilities and left with a stronger foundation, an embryonic Eternal Night Domain, and enhanced movement techniques.

• Xiao Han approached the Shadow Demon Lotus and connected with it using spiritual power bearing the Eternal Night Monarch’s aura.
• The Shadow Demon Lotus poured its source energy into Xiao Han, strengthening the Shadow Dominator trait and replenishing his qi sea.
• The Creation-Heaven-Penetrating Art absorbed the lotus’s energy, breaking through Xiao Han’s barriers and raising him to the sixth level of the Warrior Realm.
• Xiao Han tested his embryonic Eternal Night Domain, which dimmed its surroundings, expanded his senses, and slightly interfered with nearby enemies.
• Xiao Han tested A Step to the Ends of the Earth and found it faster, more unpredictable, and capable of brief jumps through shadows.

Xiao Han left the valley with the Shadow Demon Lotus untouched, sold some of the Black-Scaled Mad Ape’s materials in Beihai City, and returned home. After giving his parents money and cultivation resources, he prepared to leave early for the Imperial Capital Academy.

• Xiao Han concealed his presence, disposed of the Black-Scaled Mad Ape’s corpse, and slipped away from the valley without touching the Shadow Demon Lotus.
• Xiao Han contacted Rat and sold the ape’s fangs and scales for eighty million Federation credits and cultivation resources.
• Xiao Han kept the Martial Master Realm Fourth Level crystal core and returned home to reassure Wang Xiulan and Xiao Jianguo.
• Xiao Han told his parents he would report early to the Imperial Capital Academy and gave them a bank card containing a hundred million Federation credits along with cultivation resources.
• Wang Xiulan and Xiao Jianguo accepted Xiao Han’s gifts and urged him to stay safe while away.

Xiao Han left Beihai City and traveled to the Imperial Capital, reflecting on his cultivation and the powerful rivals he might face there. He arrived at Imperial Capital Academy and began the new student registration process.

• Xiao Han reassured his parents before leaving for the Imperial Capital by maglev train.
• During the journey, Xiao Han cultivated his spiritual power and practiced controlling his Shadow Dominator Martial Soul.
• Xiao Han arrived at Imperial Capital Central Station and felt the overwhelming pressure and energy of the city.
• Xiao Han followed Lin Qingxia's directions to Imperial Capital Academy and took a hovercar there.
• A middle-aged teacher at the new student reception office asked Xiao Han to fill out a form and provide his identification, Martial Soul awakening proof, and Martial Artist certification badge.

Xiao Han enrolled at the Imperial Capital Academy and was assigned to the Martial Arts Institute’s first-year Class Seven despite possessing two SSS+ Martial Souls. After arriving in class, he met temporary homeroom teacher Zhou Kai, while Lei Ming mocked the class assessment and hinted at Xiao Han.

• A teacher reviewed Xiao Han’s documents, called his Sixth Level of the Warrior Realm cultivation a decent starting point, and sent him to register.
• Xiao Han overheard freshmen discuss powerful students and the academy’s SSS-rank elite circles, but he welcomed the greater competition.
• After reviewing Xiao Han’s awakening record, an enrollment teacher assigned him to Class Seven and gave him his student badge and dormitory key.
• Xiao Han took a shuttle across the academy to the freshmen dormitory area, then went to the plain Class Seven classroom and chose a seat by the window.
• Zhou Kai introduced himself as the class’s temporary homeroom teacher and announced a theory and practical assessment.
• Lei Ming, a Ninth Level of the Warrior Realm student, scoffed at the assessment and glanced toward Xiao Han while suggesting it would not change anyone’s placement.

Xiao Han scored full marks on Class Seven’s theory test, surprising Lei Ming and Zhou Kai. When Lei Ming challenged him in the combat test, Xiao Han accepted, and their fight began.

• Xiao Han finished the theory test in under five minutes and earned full marks, drawing Lei Ming’s disbelief and Zhou Kai’s newfound interest.
• Zhou Kai led Class Seven to the training ground and explained that students would be matched for combat evaluations.
• Lei Ming defeated a seventh-level Warrior Realm student, destroying his Wind Sparrow Martial Soul and breaking his arm with a single attack.
• Lei Ming challenged Xiao Han to test the theory top scorer’s combat ability, and Xiao Han accepted.
• Xiao Han and Lei Ming faced each other in the arena, and Zhou Kai started their match.

Xiao Han evaded Lei Ming’s attacks on the arena until Lei Ming used Martial Soul possession and launched a sweeping claw assault. Xiao Han countered with Annihilation Divine Fist, defeating Lei Ming with one punch and leaving him unconscious.

• Lei Ming charged Xiao Han with Savage Bear Charge, but Xiao Han dodged easily using A Step to the Ends of the Earth.
• Lei Ming repeatedly attacked while Xiao Han evaded, prompting the students to question their assumptions about Xiao Han’s abilities.
• Enraged, Lei Ming merged with his Earth-Splitting Savage Bear Martial Soul and unleashed Earth-Splitting Savage Claws.
• Xiao Han struck Lei Ming’s unstable chest with Annihilation Divine Fist, sending him into the arena’s energy shield.
• Lei Ming fell unconscious with a caved-in chest and barely discernible breath.

Xiao Han defeated Lei Ming, a peak ninth-level Warrior Realm cultivator, with one punch, shocking Class Seven and changing Zhou Kai’s attitude toward him. As Zhou Kai tried to win him over, a Martial Master Realm student arrived with several powerful companions and challenged Xiao Han’s reputation.

• Xiao Han knocked Lei Ming unconscious with a single punch, despite Lei Ming’s Martial Soul possession.
• Zhou Kai declared Xiao Han the winner with an excellent combat rating and decided to report his strength to the academy.
• Xiao Han returned to his seat while the students reacted with shock and Lei Ming’s followers feared him.
• Zhou Kai apologized for neglecting Xiao Han and offered him help and cultivation resources.
• A group led by a newly advanced Martial Master Realm student entered, and the leader asked Xiao Han if he was the one who had defeated Lei Ming.

Chen Feng from Class 3 challenged Xiao Han to prove that the Class 7 student could not overcome the gap between the Warrior and Martial Master realms. Xiao Han accepted, and the chapter ended as their duel began at the Central Combat Arena.

• Chen Feng arrived at Class 7 and mocked Xiao Han before challenging him to a fight.
• Xiao Han’s God-Level Choice System offered him rewards for accepting and defeating Chen Feng, so he agreed to the challenge.
• Chen Feng proposed a half-hour preparation period, but Xiao Han insisted on fighting immediately.
• News of the duel spread, drawing students to Ring Number 3, where most spectators bet on Chen Feng.
• Xiao Han and Chen Feng took their positions, and the referee teacher announced the start of the duel.

Xiao Han faced Chen Feng’s Martial Master Realm pressure and attacks without being hindered, then used his shadow movement technique to strike Chen Feng from behind. Chen Feng’s defenses broke, and he was sent flying as Xiao Han’s devastating blows injured him severely.

• Chen Feng unleashed the aura of his Gale Demon Wolf Martial Soul and Domain Prototype, but Xiao Han remained unmoved.
• Chen Feng attacked with Swift Wind Wolf Claw, and Xiao Han vanished into a shadow to evade it.
• Xiao Han emerged behind Chen Feng as Chen Feng searched for him and tried to turn and defend himself.
• Xiao Han struck Chen Feng with Shadow Devour and Annihilation Divine Fist, shattering his protective barrier and injuring him severely.
• Chen Feng spat blood and fragments of his internal organs as Xiao Han’s blows sent him flying across the arena.

Xiao Han defeated Chen Feng in one move at the Central Combat Arena, stunning the academy and earning a Breakthrough Talisman. As news of the fight spread, Zhou Kai reported Xiao Han to the Martial Arts Institute, while Lin Qingxia began reviewing the battle information.

• Xiao Han struck Chen Feng with a swift surprise attack and left him too injured to concede.
• The referee declared Xiao Han the winner, and the crowd erupted in cheers.
• Xiao Han received a Breakthrough Talisman and gained proficiency in the Annihilation Divine Fist.
• News and video of Xiao Han's victory spread through Imperial Capital Academy, prompting speculation about his background.
• Zhou Kai sent the battle video and a cautious report about Xiao Han to the Martial Arts Institute's academic affairs office.
• Lin Qingxia reviewed the information about Xiao Han on her light screen.

After Xiao Han defeated Chen Feng, Lin Qingxia summoned him to question his strength and hear about the inheritance he claimed to have found. Impressed by his potential, she offered to transfer him to the core Zero Class, and the system presented him with a choice.

• Lin Qingxia reviewed Xiao Han's fight with Chen Feng and ordered Zhou Kai to bring him to her office.
• Xiao Han met Lin Qingxia, who questioned how he had defeated a Martial Master while at the Sixth Level of the Warrior Realm.
• Xiao Han attributed his skills and rapid improvement to a special inheritance from a senior expert, and Lin Qingxia accepted his explanation without probing further.
• Lin Qingxia said Xiao Han's potential made Class Seven unsuitable and offered to transfer him to Zero Class.
• The God-Level Choice System gave Xiao Han a choice between joining Zero Class for academy resources and credits or remaining in Class Seven for concealment and cultivation rewards.

Xiao Han chose to join Zero Class and arrived to face contempt from its elite students, especially Luo Bing. Instructor Qin Zhen assigned the class a seven-day team competition to gather Shadow Crystal Orchids, leaving Xiao Han’s place on a team and the challenge ahead unresolved.

• Xiao Han chose Zero Class after Lin Qingxia warned him about its fierce competition and promised to personally teach him.
• Xiao Han arrived at the isolated Zero Class platform, where students mocked his Sixth Level Warrior Realm cultivation.
• Qin Zhen introduced Xiao Han as Zero Class’s new member, prompting discontent from the students and a scornful remark from Luo Bing.
• Qin Zhen announced a seven-day team competition in the Dark Gloom Forest to collect Shadow Crystal Orchids, with rewards for the top three teams and penalties for the last-place team.

Xiao Han was assigned to Xia Yubing’s team for a wolf-hunting warm-up mission despite his teammates’ disdain. After scouting the hunting ground, he found a large pack of Ironback Gray Wolves, including two at the Third Level of the Martial Master Realm, then caught the scent of blood and signs of another disturbance as he withdrew.

• Qin Zhen assigned teamless Xiao Han to Xia Yubing’s team after she offered to take him in.
• Qin Zhen announced that teams had to hunt ten Ironback Gray Wolf heart crystal cores, with the fastest and best-coordinated team earning first choice of its starting area for the Dark Gloom Forest mission.
• At the West Mountain Hunting Ground, Gao Zhuang and Shouhou ordered Xiao Han to scout ahead, while Xia Yubing objected and Leng Yue stayed silent.
• Xiao Han used A Step to the Ends of the Earth and his shadow affinity to reach a rocky area, where he spotted twenty or thirty Ironback Gray Wolves, including two at the Third Level of the Martial Master Realm.
• Xiao Han quietly withdrew, but then smelled stronger blood and wolves and heard a disturbance nearby.

Xiao Han returned to save his teammates from a pack of Ironback Gray Wolves and slaughtered the wolves, including their two powerful alpha wolves. He collected the alpha wolves’ heart crystal cores and left the others to gather the rest.

• A pack of at least fifty Ironback Gray Wolves surrounded Gao Zhuang, Shouhou, Leng Yue, and Xia Yubing while Xiao Han was away.
• Gao Zhuang and Shouhou blamed Xiao Han for leading the wolves to them as their defense began to fail.
• Xiao Han returned, called his teammates trash, and used his speed and Annihilation Divine Fist to kill the wolves attacking them.
• Xiao Han killed both alpha wolves, binding one with the shadows stirred by the Eternal Night Monarch before striking it down.
• Xiao Han extracted the two alpha wolves’ heart crystal cores and told his teammates to collect the remaining cores themselves.

After Xiao Han’s team completed its mission, Instructor Qin Zhen awarded them an excellent grade and publicly praised Xiao Han, shocking the Class Zero students. Qin Zhen then announced that the Trial Secret Realm would open in three days, outlining its rewards and deadly risks.

• Gao Zhuang, Shouhou, Leng Yue, and Xia Yubing thanked Xiao Han after his team gathered the required crystal cores.
• Xiao Han’s team returned to the gathering point, where Qin Zhen gave them an excellent grade and praised Xiao Han.
• Luo Bing and the other students reacted with surprise and disbelief at Xiao Han’s achievement.
• Qin Zhen announced that the Trial Secret Realm would open in three days and explained how students could earn trial points and rewards.
• Qin Zhen warned that the secret realm’s beasts, dangerous terrain, and competition could cost students their lives, and said they would have to sign a life-and-death waiver.

After choosing to pursue the Peak Hunter achievement in the trial secret realm, Xiao Han spent three days preparing and training, hoping to find a clue to the Shadow Demon Lotus. As the secret realm approached, he had gathered supplies and refined his techniques and Martial Souls, but had not yet entered it.

• Qin Zhen announced that Zero Class students would enter the trial secret realm first and choose their initial landing zones, then dismissed them to prepare for three days.
• Xiao Han chose to enter the secret realm and pursue the Peak Hunter achievement, which required him to kill a peak ninth-level Martial Master Realm exotic beast, in return for a Shadow Demon Lotus clue and movement-technique insights.
• Xiao Han bought healing and spiritual-power pills and learned of areas with abnormal shadow or spatial energy, including the Dark Gloom Forest, Black Marsh, Shadow Canyon, and Space-Time Turbulence Zone.
• Xiao Han trained in the Zero Class gravity room, strengthening his mastery of A Step to the Ends of the Earth and Annihilation Divine Fist while consolidating his sixth-level Warrior Realm cultivation.
• Xiao Han sensed the growing powers of his Chaos Green Lotus and Eternal Night Monarch Martial Souls, whose embryonic domains could already influence their surroundings.

Xiao Han entered the Trial Secret Realm with Zero Class and discovered that its dark, decaying energy greatly strengthened his Eternal Night King Martial Soul. As Zero Class began exploring the Black Mist Forest, he secretly killed a Shadow Leopard, drawing Luo Bing’s attention.

• Xiao Han refused Gao Zhuang, Shouhou, and Leng Yue when they asked to join him, then waited for the Trial Secret Realm to open.
• Luo Bing led Zero Class through the spatial gate, and Xiao Han followed into the Black Mist Forest.
• Xiao Han’s Eternal Night King Martial Soul absorbed the forest’s dark energy through Shadow Devour at more than three times its usual efficiency.
• Luo Bing organized Zero Class into groups and led them deeper into the forest as three Shadow Leopards attacked the students.
• Xiao Han killed a Shadow Leopard with a concealed punch, and Luo Bing noticed his strength and apparent suppressive effect on shadow-type beasts.

Xiao Han absorbed the energy of the Black Mist Forest’s exotic beasts, strengthening his Eternal Night King Martial Soul and drawing suspicion from Luo Bing and the other students. After sensing a space-and-shadow resonance deep in the forest, he slipped away from Class Zero and encountered three Black-Scaled Demon Leopards.

• Xiao Han used [Shadow Devour] on the three slain shadow cheetahs and continued absorbing energy from the forest’s exotic beasts.
• Xiao Han’s Martial Soul grew stronger as he fought the beasts, while Luo Bing became wary of his abilities and the other students began to respect him.
• The Eternal Night King Martial Soul sensed a familiar space-and-shadow fluctuation deep in the Black Mist Forest, reminding Xiao Han of the Shadow Demon Lotus.
• Xiao Han vanished from the Class Zero group using A Step to the Ends of the Earth and traveled deeper into the forest alone.
• Xiao Han absorbed the oppressive dark energy as he advanced, strengthening his Martial Soul and improving his shadow techniques.
• Three Martial Master Realm Fourth Level Black-Scaled Demon Leopards attacked Xiao Han, but he dissolved into wisps of black smoke and evaded their pounce.

Xiao Han killed several waves of beasts in the black fog, absorbing their shadow energy and remnants to strengthen the Eternal Night Monarch Martial Soul. He found an ancient ruin behind a dangerous shadow barrier, which welcomed his Martial Soul and opened a passage as he stepped inside.

• Xiao Han killed three Black-Scaled Demon Leopards with his Annihilation Divine Fist, Shadow Binding, and Green Lotus Finger, then absorbed their shadow energy and soul fragments.
• Xiao Han collected the demon leopards’ crystal cores and sensed that the Eternal Night Monarch Martial Soul was close to its first transformation.
• Xiao Han defeated more blind-eyed beasts and a Soul-Devouring Dread Crow as he traveled deeper into the black fog, strengthening his Martial Soul.
• Xiao Han discovered an ancient black-stone structure that shared its aura of space and shadow with the Shadow Demon Lotus.
• Xiao Han approached the distorted shadow barrier, which resonated with his Eternal Night Monarch Martial Soul and opened a passage for him.
• Xiao Han stepped through the barrier and found himself in another dimension.