Chapter Summaries

The Chen family expedition entered East Mountain’s middle region, where Jiang Qinghe sensed richer Spiritual Qi as the group approached Black Thorn Ridge. Chen Shou'en chose a defensible campsite for the night, and the younger members settled in and shared a meal.

• Chen Shou'en led the thirty-person group through East Mountain’s outer region toward Black Thorn Ridge, where the rough terrain and richer Spiritual Qi signaled their approach to the middle region.
• As night neared, Chen Shou'en selected a clearing backed by a stone wall and fronted by a stream for the group’s camp.
• Chen Lingfeng, Chen Lingyu, Jiang Qinghe, and Zhao Guangyi helped the younger members build huts and prepare the campsite.
• Around the fire, Jiang Qinghe served roasted Iron Mane Thunder Pig to Chen Lingxue, Zhao Guangyi, and Chen Lingfeng.
• Zhao Guangyi and Chen Lingfeng became more familiar as they ate, while Jiang Qinghe told Chen Lingxue about his past hunt in the Wasteland Forest.

Chen Shou'en led the party through Wolf Howl Valley, where an ambush by Golden Armored Heavenly Wolves broke out. Jiang Qinghe killed two wolves with ease, and Chen Shou'en realized that both his Earthen Intent and Gale Wind Artistic Conceptions had reached the utmost limit of the first step.

• Chen Shou'en briefed the group on the dangers of Wolf Howl Valley and Lost Track Forest, then warned Jiang Qinghe to stay vigilant.
• After a night in camp, the party set out at dawn and reached Wolf Howl Valley, where Chen Shou'en identified fresh signs of wolves near the cliffs.
• A Chen Family archer fired medicine-pouch arrows into the cliff caves, driving more than twenty Golden Armored Heavenly Wolves out to attack.
• Chen Lingxue, Zhao Guangyi, and Chen Lingfeng fought wolves across the battlefield, while Jiang Qinghe used Peak Sever to kill a powerful wolf and swiftly finished a second.
• Chen Shou'en watched Jiang Qinghe's fight and recognized that his Earthen Intent and Gale Wind Artistic Conceptions had reached the utmost limit of the first step.

Jiang Qinghe and the Chen Family expedition crossed Lost Track Forest and entered the dangerous outer region of Black Thorn Ridge. After spotting two high-rank Spirit Monsters fighting, Chen Shou'en sent the squads out to hunt for prey and resources.

• Chen Shou'en kept the Golden Armored Heavenly Wolf leader from escaping, and Chen Lingxue killed it with Mystic Ice, Weeping Blood.
• The party gathered the wolves' inner cores and materials, then continued toward Lost Track Forest.
• Chen Shou'en guided the group through the forest's illusions, and they emerged at Black Thorn Ridge.
• Chen Shou'en explained the dangers of the ridge, including Heaven Pillar Peak, Great Demons, and the corrosive Killing Intent in the air.
• The party spotted a Silverback Violent Ape battling an Iron Wire Demon Python, and Chen Shou'en ordered the squads to search for prey and resources.
• Several eighth- and ninth-rank members of the Chen Family's third generation charged toward the fighting Spirit Monsters.

Jiang Qinghe and Chen Lingxue joined the Chen Family group at Heaven Pillar Peak after a mountain collapse exposed a fissure containing a massive Spirit Crystal. As Chen Shou'en weighed the danger of excavating it, he heard someone approaching.

• Chen Lingxue found a rare Nine-Leaf Moonflower Grass while she and Jiang Qinghe searched Black Thorn Ridge.
• A powerful tremor triggered a landslide on Heaven Pillar Peak, and Chen Shou'en led the group to investigate the fissure.
• Chen Shou'en lowered an Illumination Pearl into the fissure and discovered a giant Spirit Crystal worth at least one thousand standard crystals.
• Chen Shou'en warned that reaching the crystal would require dangerous excavation through unstable rock, leaving the group uncertain whether to risk it.
• Chen Shou'en heard faint sounds from another path and realized someone was approaching.

Xiao Yongbo led forty-one Xiao Family members to Heaven Pillar Peak and confronted the Chen Family over the fissure, declaring that old territorial rules no longer mattered. With peace impossible and the Chen juniors in danger, Chen Shou'en chose to hold the Xiao Family back, and the chapter ended as he and Xiao Yongbo began a fierce duel.

• Xiao Yongbo arrived with forty-one Xiao Family members and encircled the Chen Family party at Heaven Pillar Peak.
• Chen Shou'en challenged Xiao Yongbo for crossing into Chen Family territory, but Xiao Yongbo dismissed the old boundaries and threatened to settle the families’ debts.
• Chen Shou'en realized Xiao Yongbo intended to attack regardless of whether the Chen Family retreated, and resolved to protect the younger members by holding him off.
• Xiao Yongbo launched Crimson Flame Spreads Across the Plains at Chen Shou'en and the Chen juniors behind him.
• Chen Shou'en countered with Frost Descends on Cold Abyss, and their opposing Mystic Light attacks collided in a devastating blast.
• Chen Shou'en and Xiao Yongbo resumed their fight amid a storm of clashing steel as both families’ younger members retreated.

Jiang Qinghe revealed his Innate Eighth Rank strength and fused Artistic Conceptions, turning the Chen and Xiao families’ battle around. Xiao Yongbo tried to kill him, but Chen Shou'en blocked him and resumed their duel as the Chen Family counterattacked.

• The Chen Family’s defensive line began to collapse under the Xiao Family’s numerical advantage while Chen Shou'en struggled against Xiao Yongbo.
• Jiang Qinghe unleashed his Innate Eighth Rank aura and killed a Xiao Family Innate Seventh Rank Martial Venerable with one slash.
• Jiang Qinghe charged into the Xiao Family ranks, using fused Xun Wind and Gen Earth Artistic Conceptions to cut down their Martial Venerables.
• Chen Shou'en regained momentum after witnessing Jiang Qinghe’s breakthrough and taunted Xiao Yongbo.
• Xiao Yongbo tried to rush down and kill Jiang Qinghe, but Chen Shou'en intercepted him and forced him back into their duel.
• The Chen Family rallied behind Jiang Qinghe and counterattacked as the Xiao Family’s formation and morale collapsed.

Jiang Qinghe turned the battle against the Xiao Family, nearly killing Xiao Haoyan before a life-saving talisman protected him. Xiao Yongbo rushed to defend his son and realized Jiang Qinghe had likely been responsible for the earlier deaths of Xiao Haoze and Xiao Yonghao.

• Xiao Yongbo's Burning River Style overwhelmed Chen Shou'en's defenses and left him badly wounded and near exhaustion.
• Jiang Qinghe struck Xiao Haoyan with a swift, powerful saber slash, but a flame-patterned Jade Talisman shielded him and the blow sent him crashing into a rock wall.
• Jiang Qinghe moved to finish off the injured Xiao Haoyan, but Xiao Yongbo hurled his Crimson Flame Treasure Blade at him and charged to intervene.
• Xiao Yongbo saw that twenty-two Xiao Family Innate Martial Venerables had fallen while the Chen Family had suffered only three losses.
• Xiao Yongbo connected Jiang Qinghe to the deaths of Xiao Haoze and Xiao Yonghao and shouted that Jiang Qinghe had been responsible.

Jiang Qinghe burned eight years of lifespan to break through to Innate Ninth Rank, then killed Xiao Haoyan and turned to face Xiao Yongbo. As Xiao Yongbo charged in grief and fury, Jiang Qinghe unleashed Void Speed Star Mark—Absolute Mark, revealing a blade intent Xiao Yongbo recognized.

• Jiang Qinghe burned eight years of lifespan for 1,440 Potential Points and advanced to Innate Ninth Rank by completing the Nine Revolutions True Understanding.
• Jiang Qinghe evaded Xiao Yongbo’s crimson saber, caught its blade between two fingers, and hurled it back to disrupt Xiao Yongbo’s attack.
• Jiang Qinghe reached the wounded Xiao Haoyan and killed him with a thrust through the brow.
• Xiao Yongbo roared in grief over Xiao Haoyan’s death and charged Jiang Qinghe, though his strength had been depleted by a forbidden technique.
• Jiang Qinghe activated Void Speed Star Mark—Absolute Mark, and Xiao Yongbo recognized the blade intent as resembling the grandmaster’s true intent.

Jiang Qinghe revealed his peak Innate Ninth Rank cultivation and fought Xiao Yongbo, gaining the upper hand despite Xiao Yongbo’s Profound Light Realm. As the battle shifted toward the Chen Family, Chen Lingxue killed a wounded Xiao Family expert and moved to help elsewhere.

• Jiang Qinghe’s aura rose to the peak of the Innate Ninth Rank, shocking the Chen Family and revealing his hidden strength to Chen Lingxue.
• Jiang Qinghe and Xiao Yongbo clashed directly, and Jiang Qinghe stood his ground while forcing Xiao Yongbo backward.
• Xiao Yongbo abandoned defense and launched desperate attacks, while Jiang Qinghe dodged, countered, and watched the Chen Family gain control of the wider battle.
• Chen Lingxue exploited her opponent’s slowed movements and pierced the Xiao Family Innate Sixth Rank expert through the chest with the Ice Soul Sword.
• Chen Lingxue turned and rushed toward another battle group.

The Chen Family and Jiang Qinghe steadily overwhelmed the Xiao Family as their fighters grew exhausted, and Jiang Qinghe defeated Xiao Yongbo. Before he could finish him, an approaching force arrived at Heaven Pillar Peak, led by a giant eagle.

• Zhao Guangyi used his body-cultivation strength to batter the exhausted Xiao Family fighters and killed an Innate Seventh Rank opponent with a crushing punch.
• The Chen Family’s coordinated attacks trapped the remaining Xiao Family members, who fought desperately as both sides suffered heavy losses.
• Jiang Qinghe recognized Xiao Yongbo’s weakening Profound Light and struck him down, leaving him unable to fight.
• As Jiang Qinghe moved to finish Xiao Yongbo, the ground trembled and a dust cloud approached Heaven Pillar Peak.
• A majestic giant eagle led the approaching force, its black silhouette emerging from the dust.

Xing Daoyuan arrived on a tamed Mountain Eagle and unleashed a beast tide on the weakened Xiao and Chen Families during their battle. Jiang Qinghe killed Xiao Yongbo as the beasts crashed into the battlefield, while Xing Daoyuan escaped into the sky.

• A giant Mountain Eagle led a beast tide toward the battlefield on Heaven Pillar Peak.
• Jiang Qinghe recognized Xing Daoyuan riding the eagle and realized he had driven the beasts toward the exhausted Xiao and Chen Families.
• Xing Daoyuan taunted both families, then flew away as the beast tide surged into the battlefield.
• Xiao Yongbo laughed over the coming destruction and cried out for everyone to die with him and Yan'er.
• Jiang Qinghe killed Xiao Yongbo with a horizontal slash, and Xiao Yongbo realized his choices had led to his downfall before he died.

Jiang Qinghe and the other exhausted fighters were forced to face the Spirit Monster-led beast tide on Heaven Pillar Peak, where the chaos caused heavy casualties. Jiang Qinghe remained unable to reach Xing Daoyuan in the sky, but resolved to kill him if an opportunity arose as the battle continued.

• The Spirit Monsters charged into the human camps, scattering the fighters and forcing them to defend themselves while some Xiao Family members still attacked the Chen Family.
• The fighters tried to kill the Spirit Monsters and break through the beasts below, while depleted Martial Practitioners suffered brutal deaths.
• Xing Daoyuan watched the battle from the sky on the Mountain Eagle, taking pleasure in the slaughter.
• Jiang Qinghe killed a Burial Sand Scorpion and a Flame Scale Leopard, then judged that his depleted True Qi left him unable to teleport to Xing Daoyuan.
• Jiang Qinghe vowed to kill Xing Daoyuan if he found an opportunity and returned to fighting the charging Silverback Violent Ape.

Jiang Qinghe pursued the unconscious Chen Lingxue into a deep fissure after an Iron Wire Demon Python knocked her from the mountainside. He caught her and slowed their fall, and they reached the fissure’s bottom alive beside a huge Spirit Crystal.

• The Chen Family survivors fought to break through the Spirit Monsters after the Xiao Family was wiped out.
• An Iron Wire Demon Python struck the exhausted Chen Lingxue and sent her falling into a deep fissure.
• Jiang Qinghe raced after Chen Lingxue, leaving the others to hold their formation and continue breaking out.
• Jiang Qinghe used Earthen Intent Artistic Conception and Gale Wind Artistic Conception to catch up with Chen Lingxue, then scraped the Startled Swan Blade against the rock wall to slow their descent.
• Jiang Qinghe landed with Chen Lingxue beside the enormous Spirit Crystal and found that her breathing was weak but steady.

Jiang Qinghe and the unconscious Chen Lingxue were trapped in a fissure inside Heaven Pillar Peak as the mountain began to collapse around them. With the route upward sealed, they fell deeper into the Dark Abyss while Jiang Qinghe tried to shield and control their descent.

• Jiang Qinghe checked Chen Lingxue and found her unconscious but not in immediate danger.
• A violent tremor shattered the Spirit Crystal platform and collapsed the fissure around them.
• Jiang Qinghe chose to fall deeper rather than risk climbing through the collapsing passage.
• Chen Lingxue regained consciousness, and Jiang Qinghe told her to hold on to him.
• Jiang Qinghe used his Startled Swan Blade, Primordial Chaos Armor, and Mystic Tortoise Armor to deflect falling rocks and protect them as they descended.

After Jiang Qinghe and Chen Lingxue were trapped inside Heaven Pillar Peak by a collapse, Zhao Guangyi fought through his grief and led the surviving Chen Family members toward escape. Xing Daoyuan intervened, ordering his forces to kill everyone as he attacked Zhao Guangyi from behind.

• Zhao Guangyi saw the fissure collapse after Jiang Qinghe leaped inside to save Chen Lingxue, and he desperately struck at the sealed rock wall.
• Chen Shou'en urged Zhao Guangyi to escape and return to Cangfeng City for the Chen Family's help, and Zhao Guangyi rallied the survivors to fight their way out.
• Xing Daoyuan watched the collapse and the Chen Family's escape attempt from atop his Mountain Eagle, then decided to attack.
• Xing Daoyuan descended onto the battlefield, ordered his forces to leave no one alive, and thrust his Dark Light Long Halberd toward Zhao Guangyi's back.

Zhao Guangyi fought Xing Daoyuan while the Mountain Eagle overwhelmed the Chen Family, and he was nearly killed by the stronger Innate Eighth Rank. When Xing Daoyuan’s final strike came, Zhao Guangyi awakened the Battle Witch Blood Essence and stopped the halberd barehanded, leaving his true power newly unleashed.

• Xing Daoyuan ambushed Zhao Guangyi while the Mountain Eagle killed two more Chen Family Martial Practitioners and left Chen Shou'en and Chen Lingfeng gravely wounded and unconscious.
• Zhao Guangyi charged Xing Daoyuan, but the stronger fighter struck him with the Dark Light Long Halberd and sent him crashing into a tree.
• Xing Daoyuan prepared a killing thrust as Zhao Guangyi struggled to stand and thought of his trapped Junior Brother and the doomed Chen Family.
• Zhao Guangyi grabbed the halberd blade with his left hand and halted its advance despite the blade cutting deeply into his palm.
• The Battle Witch Blood Essence awakened in Zhao Guangyi, filling him with scorching power as his eyes turned gold and his wound rapidly healed.

Zhao Guangyi unleashed a crimson-gold power that overwhelmed Xing Daoyuan and forced him to flee on Mountain Eagle. Exhausted, Zhao Guangyi carried the unconscious Chen Shou'en and Chen Lingfeng toward Cangfeng City, determined to return with help for the sealed mountain belly.

• Zhao Guangyi battered Xing Daoyuan with physical-strength punches and suppressed the Rebirth Banner’s black currents with his crimson-gold fist force.
• Xing Daoyuan escaped on Mountain Eagle after calling it away from the Chen Family Martial Practitioners, who had been killed in the bird’s final strike.
• Zhao Guangyi found Chen Shou'en and Chen Lingfeng unconscious, lifted them, and set off for Cangfeng City despite his severe exhaustion.
• Zhao Guangyi vowed to return for his trapped Junior Brother and raced out of East Mountain toward the Chen Family.
• Xing Daoyuan, badly injured, considered whether Zhao Guangyi’s power came from a secret art or bloodline, then directed Mountain Eagle toward the depths of Heaven Pillar Peak.

Jiang Qinghe struggled to protect the gravely injured Chen Lingxue as they plunged through Heaven Pillar Peak’s collapsing interior. He found a cavern and managed to land with her, but their condition remained uncertain.

• Jiang Qinghe held Chen Lingxue close as rubble rained down around them and the mountain continued collapsing.
• Chen Lingxue told Jiang Qinghe she was cold, and he passed her what remained of his true qi to help warm her.
• Jiang Qinghe’s true qi ran out, his Magnetic Qi Armor vanished, and the Mystic Tortoise Armor shattered under the falling rocks.
• Jiang Qinghe sensed a cavern below and used the Startled Swan Blade to slow their descent.
• Jiang Qinghe landed on the cavern floor while shielding Chen Lingxue, then asked how she felt.

After surviving the collapse inside Heaven Pillar Peak, Jiang Qinghe and Chen Lingxue recovered with Spirit Crystal fragments and searched the vast underground platform for a way out. They discovered flowing water behind a rock wall, which might lead beyond the mountain.

• Jiang Qinghe gathered Spirit Crystal fragments and gave Healing Pills to himself and Chen Lingxue before they used the crystals to recover.
• Chen Lingxue asked whether Jiang Qinghe had been Xiao Haoze and Xiao Yonghao, and he admitted it while joking that he had been fulfilling his duties as Vice Grand Commander.
• Jiang Qinghe and Chen Lingxue searched the platform for cracks or passageways.
• Chen Lingxue heard a faint gurgling sound behind a rock wall, and Jiang Qinghe realized it was likely an underground water current that could lead outside.

Jiang Qinghe failed to break through the mountain wall and considered how to advance into the Profound Light Realm, but he lacked the cultivation technique needed to condense a Profound Light Seed. Chen Lingxue revealed that she had one, leaving Jiang Qinghe surprised by her playful side.

• Jiang Qinghe used his strongest blade attack on the rock wall, but it barely chipped the stone.
• Jiang Qinghe repeatedly stabbed the wall, then concluded its earth-vein-nourished rock was too hard to pierce with his current strength.
• Jiang Qinghe reviewed the two methods of Nine Meridians Unification and chose to progress slowly through sustained cultivation.
• Jiang Qinghe realized he did not know the Profound Light Realm cultivation technique needed to condense a Profound Light Seed.
• Chen Lingxue told Jiang Qinghe that she had a Profound Light Realm cultivation technique, revealing a mischievous side that surprised him.