Chapter Summaries

Lin Changqing held off the Red-robed Envoy until Gu Chensha struck him down with a devastating saber attack. Afterward, Lin Changqing used his Spiritual Power to locate the Eternal Life Alliance Branch’s Treasure Vault and led Gu Chensha toward it.

• Lin Changqing trapped the Red-robed Envoy with his Blade Domain, evaded his hammer, and wounded him with a saber strike.
• The Red-robed Envoy transformed into a Demon Beast and attacked Lin Changqing with his tail.
• Gu Chensha cut off the Red-robed Envoy’s tail and split him in two with a powerful saber strike, killing him.
• Gu Chensha and Lin Changqing discussed the battle and turned their attention to finding the branch’s Treasure Vault.
• Lin Changqing used his Spiritual Power to locate the vault and led Gu Chensha toward the southwestern area of the Underground City.

Lin Changqing and Gu Chensha uncovered the Eternal Life Alliance Branch’s hidden treasury, revealing forbidden weapons and a vast stockpile of medicine. They divided the portable riches between them while leaving the War Armor and siege equipment for Gu Chensha to handle.

• Lin Changqing revealed the hidden passage behind a stone wall, and Gu Chensha followed him inside.
• Gu Chensha found the chamber packed with new War Armor and forbidden siege equipment, evidence of a Great Zhou court official colluding with the Eternal Life Alliance.
• Lin Changqing inspected the treasury’s pills and medicinal ingredients, finding more than ten thousand Yellow Grade Low Rank Spiritual Medicines.
• Gu Chensha used his Wine Gourd, a Space Spirit Artifact, to take one box of Spiritual Medicine, while Lin Changqing took the other and claimed half the remaining boxes with his Spatial Ring.
• Gu Chensha offered to take the forbidden weapons, and Lin Changqing concealed his interest in them while remaining wary of leaving the valuable medicines in Gu Chensha’s hands.

Lin Changqing and Gu Chensha reported that they had destroyed the Eternal Life Alliance Branch and found a vast stockpile of weapons and armor. Shi Linghao and Yan Dong inspected the Underground City and realized the discovery was a tremendous merit.

• Lin Changqing and Gu Chensha emerged from the Underground City after the Eternal Life Alliance's Demonized Warriors had been suppressed.
• Gu Chensha credited Lin Changqing with helping defeat the Branch Master, while Lin Changqing claimed Gu Chensha had killed the peak Void Refining Realm enemy with one slash.
• Lin Changqing and Gu Chensha flew to the Taotie Warship to report the discovery of more than a hundred thousand sets of War Armor and extensive siege equipment.
• Shi Linghao and Yan Dong left the cabin and descended with Lin Changqing and Gu Chensha to inspect the Underground City's Treasury.
• Shi Linghao and Yan Dong saw the enormous stockpile of War Armor and Forbidden Artifacts and recognized the discovery as a major merit.

After Lin Changqing and Gu Chensha killed the powerful Demonized Warrior, Yan Dong and Shi Linghao advised them to give their all in the coming missions at Dafeng Prefecture City. Lin Changqing realized their advice was an investment in promising candidates, and the group prepared to leave with the spoils from the Eternal Life Alliance Branch.

• Yan Dong and Shi Linghao praised Lin Changqing and Gu Chensha for their merit and warned them to excel in the missions awaiting them at Dafeng Prefecture City.
• After Lin Changqing and Gu Chensha left, Shi Linghao explained that he had offered guidance to build goodwill in case they passed the final assessment, and Yan Dong admitted he shared that calculation.
• Lin Changqing told Gu Chensha that they were undergoing successive assessments for a major opportunity, and Gu Chensha agreed that Dafeng Prefecture City would be lively.
• Lin Changqing reflected that Beihai Commandery limited his ambitions and that Dafeng Prefecture was only a step toward his pursuit of immortality.
• The Demon Slaying Captains loaded as much War Armor and siege equipment as they could onto the Taotie Warship while the rest was sealed for later collection.

Lin Changqing and the North Sea Commandery Demon Slaying Captains arrived at Dafeng Prefecture City, whose immense scale and prosperity astonished them. As Yan Dong led them into the city for their mission, several captains hoped to stay, though Lin Changqing and Gu Chensha doubted many would be allowed to remain.

• Yan Dong brought the Taotie Warship carrying five hundred Demon Slaying Captains to Dafeng Prefecture City, and the group marveled at the city's enormous population and ancient scale.
• Lin Changqing resolved to treat Dafeng Prefecture City as a stepping stone toward greater destinations beyond the Great Zhou Dynasty.
• Yan Dong shrank the Taotie Warship into a model and led the captains toward the city gates with Shi Linghao.
• The city guards let the group enter, and the captains saw crowded streets lined with shops and bustling traffic.
• Wang Qingshuang and Du Mingyue discussed their chances of staying, while Yun Qianhe declared he would not leave and Lin Changqing and Gu Chensha doubted many of the five hundred would be retained.

Lin Changqing and Beihai Commandery’s reinforcements arrived at the Dafeng Prefecture Demon Suppression Division and waited for accommodations while other commanderies looked down on them. A powerful Three-Star Demon Slaying Commandant appeared to address the gathered forces, and Lin Changqing suspected his true strength exceeded the Void Refining Realm.

• Lin Changqing recognized that the Demon Suppression Division’s compound formed a sophisticated Grand Array as Yan Dong led the Beihai group inside.
• Yan Dong left the five hundred Beihai reinforcements on a drill ground, where people from other commanderies mocked Beihai’s low ranking and small delegation.
• Lin Changqing ignored the taunts and cultivated while the reinforcements waited for more than half a day and teams from all 127 commanderies gathered.
• Gu Chensha, Du Mingyue, and Yun Qianhe discussed the different sizes of the commandery teams and urged their companions to focus on their mission.
• A black-robed Three-Star Demon Slaying Commandant arrived with overwhelming pressure, and Lin Changqing sensed that the man was at least half a step into the Life and Death Realm.

Xu Ming announced that the recruits had to seize their own residences, with the central courtyards offering far greater cultivation benefits. Lin Changqing discovered that the central tower controlled the residential formation, and Xu Ming set a one-hour deadline for claiming a courtyard by refining its Token.

• Xu Ming explained that courtyards nearer the center of the spirit vein offered stronger benefits and ordered the recruits to seize the residences, forbidding deaths.
• Gu Chensha proposed that Lin Changqing, Yun Qianhe, Wang Qingshuang, and Du Mingyue join forces, but Lin Changqing led them toward the Core Region first to inspect the courtyards.
• Lin Changqing sensed the residential area's Spiritual Energy and used his Spiritual Power to discover its five rings of courtyards, including Thirty-Six in the innermost ring around a tower.
• Lin Changqing identified the tower as the formation's foundation and warned that each Core Region courtyard allowed only one resident, prompting Yun Qianhe to question him.
• Xu Ming announced that each courtyard could house only one person and that a resident had to refine its entrance Token; ownership could still be seized, and anyone without a refined Token after one hour would be sent back.

The contestants clashed over the thirty-six core courtyards, while Lin Changqing studied the array and chose Number Twenty-Seven. He reached its gate uninjured after fending off attacks, and the furious contestants prepared to strike him together.

• A giant man tried to claim Courtyard No. 1, setting off a massive battle as thousands fought over the courtyards.
• Gu Chensha, Du Mingyue, Yun Qianhe, and Wang Qingshuang split up to claim courtyards, while Lin Changqing stayed behind to study the array.
• Lin Changqing chose Courtyard Number Twenty-Seven and frightened off an injured contestant with a single murderous glance.
• Lin Changqing walked through a blade attack without injury, using his Qi and Blood Furnace to disperse it.
• A furious Demon Slaying Captain called for everyone to attack Lin Changqing together and struck at him again.

Lin Changqing claimed Courtyard No. 27 after withstanding a joint assault from more than a hundred competitors. He drove off the remaining challengers and entered the courtyard.

• More than a hundred people joined forces to attack Lin Changqing, but their strikes struck his Qi and Blood Furnace and the resulting energy wave forced them back.
• Lin Changqing seized and refined the Token for Courtyard No. 27, then told the crowd to leave.
• When a shoehorn-faced man challenged him, Lin Changqing struck him with a palm-blade and left him severely injured.
• Lin Changqing warned the crowd that they could attack together, but most left to seek other courtyards rather than risk fighting him.
• The shoehorn-faced man's fellow townsmen demanded Lin Changqing's name, but his roar injured several of them and drove them away as they carried their friend.
• Lin Changqing pushed open the gates of Courtyard No. 27 and entered.

Lin Changqing entered Core Courtyard No. 27 and began studying the Mysterious Dao Rhyme in its Spiritual Energy, hoping to temper his body before the Demon Suppression Division’s trials began. Outside, the hour-long fight for residences ended, and those who had failed to claim a courtyard were ordered to leave.

• Lin Changqing felt the Dao Rhyme in Courtyard No. 27’s Spiritual Energy and entered a Cultivation Chamber to comprehend it.
• Xu Ming and another Three-Star Demon Slaying Commandant discussed the fierce courtyard battles and the life-and-death trials awaiting the new recruits.
• The fight for courtyards grew increasingly brutal, while a protective force kept the buildings from being damaged.
• When the hour ended, an immense pressure stopped the fighting, and many contestants realized they had wasted their chance to claim a residence.
• Xu Ming ordered everyone who had not refined a courtyard Token to leave the Residential Area and be sent back.

After the courtyard struggle ended, Lin Changqing focused on comprehending the Dao Rhyme in his new residence. He discovered that it was an Innate Secret Method and condensed its essence into a Dao Script, which began evolving his body, talent, bloodline, and soul.

• Xu Ming ended the courtyard struggle, and Lin Changqing learned that one-third of the participants had been eliminated.
• Gu Chensha visited Lin Changqing, told him he had secured Courtyard No. 12, and discussed how Du Mingyue and the others had failed to win top-tier courtyards.
• Lin Changqing warned Gu Chensha that they might soon receive missions, then activated his courtyard's Grand Array and returned to his Cultivation Chamber.
• After more than two days of cultivation, Lin Changqing comprehended that the Dao Rhyme was a naturally formed secret method capable of improving his innate constitution, talent, bloodline, and soul.
• Lin Changqing condensed the secret method's essence into a Dao Script and fused it into his body, beginning a complete evolution.

Lin Changqing named the innate secret method he had comprehended the Primordial Dao Scripture and spent three days preparing for new assignments. At the Drill Ground, he drew a mission and learned that he was headed to Lingxi Hall in Canglan County.

• Lin Changqing named his innate secret method the Primordial Dao Scripture and envisioned it transforming him into a Primordial Dao Body.
• Lin Changqing spent the next day reading, practicing fist techniques, and resting as he awaited a mission.
• Xu Ming summoned everyone to the Drill Ground and warned that spies from the Eternal Life Alliance and the White Lotus Sect might be among them.
• Xu Ming released thirty thousand missions and ordered each person to draw one and keep its contents secret.
• Lin Changqing used a devouring force to draw a mission and read that it concerned Lingxi Hall in Canglan County.

Lin Changqing arranged with Du Mingyue to obtain a Flying Cloud Boat for his mission to Canglan County, agreeing to support her during the later assessments. Yun Qianhe showed open hostility as Lin Changqing headed to the Logistics Hall.

• Gu Chensha explained the available transportation options and said Flying Cloud Boats were scarce.
• Du Mingyue offered to arrange a Flying Cloud Boat in exchange for Lin Changqing supporting her and the others during later assessments.
• Lin Changqing agreed because the faster transport would give him more time to complete his three-month mission in Canglan County.
• Yun Qianhe snorted that Lin Changqing could not get a Flying Cloud Boat without Du Mingyue, and Lin Changqing wondered why Yun Qianhe resented him.

Lin Changqing traveled toward Canglan County aboard a fast Flying Cloud Boat and discovered Yun Qianhe secretly following him. Yun Qianhe fled when he realized he had been detected, while a sinister presence within him urged caution about Lin Changqing.

• Lin Changqing departed Dafeng Prefecture City for Canglan County on a Flying Cloud Boat that traveled faster than the Taotie Warship.
• Lin Changqing detected Yun Qianhe trailing him beyond the range of ordinary Divine Sense and suspected Yun Qianhe was acting for someone else.
• Lin Changqing slowed his boat to draw Yun Qianhe closer, but Yun Qianhe abruptly changed direction and escaped.
• Lin Changqing decided to prioritize his mission and consider dealing with Yun Qianhe later.
• Yun Qianhe complained that Lin Changqing had discovered him, and a cold voice inside his body warned him to be cautious.

Lin Changqing secretly entered Canglan County in disguise to investigate whether the Yu Family and Lingxi Hall were connected to the White Lotus Sect. He began his inquiry at Lingxi Hall’s largest pharmacy, where a waiter tried to sell him a newly arrived batch of Body Sculpting pills.

• Lin Changqing landed outside Canglan County City and stored the Flying Cloud Boat in its Token.
• Lin Changqing changed his appearance and aura, then entered the city with the crowd.
• Lin Changqing decided to investigate Lingxi Hall before approaching the Yu Family.
• Lin Changqing visited Lingxi Hall’s largest pharmacy and noticed that it sold pills as well as medicinal ingredients.
• A waiter offered Lin Changqing Body Sculpting pills, claiming they were unusually effective and inexpensive.

Lin Changqing investigated Lingxi Hall’s suspiciously cheap Body Sculpting Pills in Canglan County City and discovered that they contained a Blood Curse capable of controlling anyone who consumed them. After learning that tens of thousands of pills may already have been distributed, he realized the threat could be widespread.

• Lin Changqing questioned a Lingxi Hall waiter about the unusually low price of the Body Sculpting Pills and learned they were sold as part of a customer appreciation promotion.
• The waiter explained that each customer could buy only one bottle per month, and Lin Changqing purchased a single pill to examine it.
• Lin Changqing detected a Blood Curse hidden in the pill that would take root in a Martial Artist and place their life and death under another person’s control.
• Lin Changqing concealed his anger and asked the waiter how long the pills had been sold and how many were available.
• The waiter said sales had expanded throughout Canglan County City over the past month, with up to thirty thousand pills in circulation, and Lin Changqing feared Lingxi Hall had already ensnared tens of thousands of Martial Artists.

Lin Changqing bought Body Sculpting pills at Lingxi Hall, but the shopkeeper concealed the name of the Alchemy Master and sent Lu San to investigate him. After Lin Changqing sensed the investigation through his Spiritual Perception, he monitored the Inn and waited for Lu San to arrive, intending to capture and question him.

• Lin Changqing asked who had refined the Body Sculpting pills, but the shopkeeper interrupted the waiter before he could answer.
• The shopkeeper ordered Lu San to investigate Lin Changqing and deal with him if he seemed suspicious.
• Lin Changqing rented a private Small Courtyard at an Inn and sensed that someone from Lingxi Hall would come looking for him.
• Lin Changqing spread his Spiritual Power through the Inn and prepared to capture the investigator.
• Lu San learned Lin Changqing's lodging information from the Inn's shopkeeper, entered the Backyard over a wall, and headed for Lin Changqing's Small Courtyard.

Lin Changqing captured a Lingxi Hall man and hypnotized him to learn about the Body Sculpting Pill and shopkeeper Yu Demiao. After erasing the man's memories and planting a cover story, Lin Changqing went to Yu Demiao's residence at night to investigate the pill's conspiracy.

• Lin Changqing seized a sturdy man from Lingxi Hall, sealed his strength, and questioned him about the Body Sculpting Pill.
• The hypnotized man revealed that he knew little about the pill, so Lin Changqing made him describe shopkeeper Yu Demiao and implanted a false account before sending him back to Lingxi Hall.
• The man told Yu Demiao that Lin Changqing was merely an itinerant cultivator, and Yu Demiao dismissed his suspicions without noticing the man's altered behavior.
• After night fell, Lin Changqing put on black clothes and an Asura Mask and went to Yu Demiao's estate to investigate.
• Lin Changqing located Yu Demiao in a backyard pavilion and slipped into the estate while Yu Demiao enjoyed the company of his concubines.

Lin Changqing hypnotized Yu Demiao and questioned him about the Yu Family, the Body Sculpting Pills, and the White Lotus Sect. Yu Demiao revealed only limited information, so Lin Changqing ordered him to contact Master Chen and report any moves by the Yu Family.

• Lin Changqing knocked Yu Demiao's concubines unconscious and confronted him in his room.
• Lin Changqing controlled Yu Demiao with Spiritual Power and learned that Master Chen had refined the Body Sculpting Pills on the Yu Family Head's orders.
• Yu Demiao denied knowing whether the Yu Family colluded with the White Lotus Sect and said he could not contact Master Chen.
• Yu Demiao described the Yu Family Head as a powerful genius who had led the family to prominence.
• Lin Changqing commanded Yu Demiao to try to contact Master Chen and report any Yu Family activity.

Lin Changqing investigated the Yu Family and found its arrogance and powerful guards made a direct confrontation unwise. On his way back to the inn, he caught a young man and woman following him and confronted them in an alley.

• Lin Changqing left Yu Demiao under a soul-imprinted order to contact Master Chen and report the Yu Family's movements.
• Lin Changqing examined the Yu Family Mansion and recalled how the family had grown powerful and tyrannical under its current head.
• Lin Changqing sensed powerful experts inside the mansion and decided to return to the inn to plan.
• Lin Changqing noticed two people following him and hid in an alley.
• Lin Changqing blocked the blue-robed woman and the young man, recognizing the latter as a rare Sword Cultivator.