Chapter Summaries

Ling Li endured Tang Lei’s lightning whip, absorbed much of its power, and revealed more of his abilities as the Wind Thunder Pavilion’s three jailers prepared a combined attack. He interrupted their formation and countered You Feng, leaving the fight underway with the hall’s suppression beginning to weaken.

• Tang Lei’s lightning whip struck Ling Li, but Ling Li absorbed much of its energy and found that the hall’s suppressive force had loosened.
• Tang Lei ordered Xu Dian and You Feng to help kill Ling Li, who covered his arm in Yin Flame and forced Tang Lei to release the whip.
• Tang Lei, Xu Dian, and You Feng began forming an array, prompting Ling Li to unleash his bone wings and charge at You Feng.
• Xu Dian’s lightning chain hook blocked Ling Li’s Dark Night as You Feng swept his Thunder Water-Fire Staff at him.
• Ling Li used Cloud Day to neutralize You Feng’s staff strike and send him flying back.

Ling Li overwhelmed Tang Lei, You Feng, and Xu Dian inside the North Thunder Tower, but Xu Dian summoned a colossal Golden Lightning sword from the storm clouds above. Ling Li faced the descending weapon as the battle reached its climax.

• Ling Li absorbed the tower’s lightning and weakened the formation’s suppression while Tang Lei, You Feng, and Xu Dian struggled to injure him.
• Xu Dian and You Feng’s pale golden lightning blasts wounded everyone in the confined tower, but Ling Li used Yin Flame to block the scattered arcs and close in on Tang Lei.
• Ling Li severed Tang Lei’s limbs and knocked him unconscious, then turned toward You Feng and Xu Dian.
• Xu Dian activated the tower’s lightning, electric, and wind symbols, drew energy from the orb into the clouds, and formed a colossal Golden Lightning sword aimed at Ling Li.
• Ling Li watched the giant sword point down at him and prepared to meet it.

Ling Li fought off You Feng’s Golden Longsword while Xu Dian sacrificed his strength to power it. He used a hidden trump card to defeat You Feng and Xu Dian, leaving the Wind Thunder North Pavilion destroyed.

• You Feng drove the Golden Longsword at Ling Li, and Ling Li blocked it with Dark Night and Cloud Day while absorbing some of its lightning.
• You Feng sent another attack at Ling Li, and the Golden sword qi sliced off the tip of the North Thunder Tower.
• Ling Li rushed You Feng, then appeared behind him after cutting off his limbs and all four of Xu Dian’s limbs.
• Ling Li used his Soul Power to leave You Feng and Xu Dian lifeless, while a silver-white figure holding the Golden Longsword hovered behind him.

Ling Li survived the fight at the top of the North Thunder Tower and devoured the Golden Lightning from the Golden Longsword, advancing to a three-star Dou Zong and gaining a powerful Golden Lightning Pattern on his right arm. He descended the tower after dealing with the Wind Thunder Pavilion disciples and reunited with Xia Mang at the bottom.

• Ling Li used the Earth Demon Puppet to catch the Golden Longsword, and the black fire protected it from the sword’s Golden Lightning while the lightning began tempering the puppet.
• Ling Li released the Golden Longsword from the puppet, then suppressed and devoured its Golden Lightning over the course of three hours.
• Ling Li advanced two stars to become a three-star Dou Zong, and the lightning on his right arm formed a Golden Lightning Pattern that let him unleash a strike capable of ripping open space.
• Ling Li stored the Wind Thunder Pavilion higher-ups’ Storage Rings, carried the bodies of Fei Tian and the others down the tower, and crippled the disciples he passed.
• Xia Mang recovered at the bottom level and breathed a sigh of relief when Ling Li came down alive.

Ling Li crippled the Wind Thunder North Pavilion, left its disciples alive with their souls shattered, and destroyed the pavilion. Months later, Thunder Venerable learned what had happened and realized that the pavilion’s leaders were still alive but incapacitated.

• Ling Li ordered Xia Mang to gather every Wind Thunder North Pavilion disciple, then praised him and promised to refine a Shapeshifting Pill for him.
• Ling Li spread the crippled disciples across the ground, gave them low-grade medicinal pills to prolong their lives, and left the Wind Thunder North Pavilion in ruins with Xia Mang.
• An escaped outer disciple’s report eventually led two Wind Thunder East Pavilion disciples to discover the North Pavilion’s devastation and notify Thunder Venerable.
• Thunder Venerable questioned Chasing Thunder and Chasing Lightning, who reported that Pavilion Master Fei Tian, the four elders, and all the disciples had been crippled, though the leaders’ Soul Jade Slips remained intact.
• Thunder Venerable smashed the transmission jade slip as Chasing Lightning finished describing the North Pavilion’s fate.

One month after the Wind Thunder North Pavilion’s destruction, Ling Li visited Gambling City with Xia Mang and explored its bustling markets. While eating at a crowded restaurant, he overheard Skinny Monkey boast about encountering powerful Demonic Beasts in the forest.

• Ling Li’s destruction of the Wind Thunder North Pavilion became famous, though no one knew he was responsible.
• Ling Li and Xia Mang arrived in Gambling City, where Xia Mang explained the city’s gambling trade and counterfeit street goods.
• Xia Mang went to a brothel while Ling Li continued exploring the city alone.
• Ling Li entered a busy restaurant, ate, and listened to the diners for useful information.
• Skinny Monkey argued with Wu Lao Er, claiming he had encountered a Purple Dragon-shaped Demonic Beast and a Seventh-Tier Dark Green Scorpion-shaped Demonic Beast.

Ling Li learned that a purple dragon-shaped demonic beast had been seen near Caiyun Valley and suspected it was Zi Yan. After buying a map, he noticed that Caiyun Valley bordered the Tianmu Mountain Range, where the Tianshan Blood Pool was about to open, and wondered whether Zi Yan had gone there for a chance to advance.

• Ling Li questioned Skinny Monkey at a tavern, and Skinny Monkey described seeing a purple dragon-shaped demonic beast chased by a huge dark green scorpion in Caiyun Valley.
• Ling Li concluded that the dragon was probably Zi Yan and left the tavern, while Wu Lao Er and the others hurriedly prepared to flee to another city.
• Ling Li bought a map of the surrounding forests and noticed that Caiyun Valley lay near the Tianmu Mountain Range.
• Ling Li read that the Tianshan Blood Pool could help cultivators break through bottlenecks, but that fewer places were available to independent cultivators.
• Ling Li wondered whether Zi Yan had traveled to the Tianmu Mountain Range to seek the Tianshan Blood Pool.

Ling Li and Xia Mang entered Caiyun Valley, where the chaotic Energy Tide made searching for Zi Yan difficult. Ling Li followed the signs of her battle deeper into the Tianmu Mountain Range and found bloodstained scales, leaving him fearing she was in trouble.

• Ling Li left Gambling City with Xia Mang and said someone important might be in Caiyun Valley.
• After flying for two days, Ling Li and Xia Mang reached Caiyun Valley, where Xia Mang warned that the Energy Tide restricted energy use.
• Ling Li entered the valley despite the danger and discovered that the multicolored mist was made of chaotic energies he could absorb.
• Ling Li's Yin Flame drew the surrounding energy into a powerful vortex, so he withdrew it to protect Xia Mang.
• Ling Li followed battle damage and a faint trace of Zi Yan's flame deeper into the Tianmu Mountain Range.
• Ling Li found bloodstained scales in a crater and realized Zi Yan might be in trouble.

Ling Li tracked Zi Yan through the Tianmu Mountain Range after finding fresh traces of her, while Zi Yan struggled to hold off the Heavenly Poison Scorpion Dragon from a cave. The Scorpion Dragon’s attack had turned their long-running conflict into a desperate fight, and Ling Li was racing to reach her.

• Xia Mang told Ling Li that fresh bloodstains meant Zi Yan and her pursuer had passed within the last half hour, and Ling Li used a burst of flame and Soul Power to locate them.
• The Heavenly Poison Scorpion Dragon attacked Zi Yan’s spatial barrier and threatened to kill her as its venom began to take effect.
• Zi Yan tried to distract the Scorpion Dragon with flattery and bloodline pressure, but it resisted and attacked more fiercely.
• The Scorpion Dragon recalled how it had given Zi Yan its treasures and raided other Demonic Beasts’ territories to satisfy her demands.
• The Scorpion Dragon’s attempt to drug Zi Yan had failed, and after she left Luoshen Ravine it pursued her until her Mysterious Flame backfired during an Energy Tide in the Tianmu Mountain Range.

Zi Yan fought the Heavenly Poison Scorpion Dragon while poisoned and weakened, but the scorpion overwhelmed her and prepared to drain her blood. Ling Li arrived in the midst of an Energy Tide, severed the scorpion’s tail, and confronted it.

• The Heavenly Poison Scorpion Dragon attacked Zi Yan, hoping to use her pure Great Void Dragon bloodline to strengthen its own.
• Zi Yan fled the cave, but the Heavenly Poison Scorpion Dragon trapped her in a Poison Demon Formation and struck her out of its range.
• As the venom spread, Zi Yan tried to self-destruct, but the scorpion suppressed her Dou Qi and she fainted.
• The Heavenly Poison Scorpion Dragon prepared to pierce Zi Yan and drain her blood, then noticed a Yin-Yang Dual-Colored Fire Pillar in the distance.
• Ling Li appeared surrounded by Mysterious Flame and crystalline bone wings, severed the scorpion’s tail, and asked, “What... did you say?”

Ling Li defeated the Heavenly Poison Scorpion Dragon Beast after it badly injured Zi Yan, then took her away to treat her. A lecherous old man from the Gold Devouring Rat Clan discovered the scorched battlefield and decided to pursue Ling Li for his Mysterious Flame.

• Ling Li used Three Thousand Lightning Movement to reach Zi Yan, sealed her meridians, and sent the Heavenly Poison Scorpion Dragon Beast fleeing with his killing intent.
• Ling Li struck the beast with its own tail whip, poisoned it, and extracted its venom, blood, magic core, and Soul Body.
• Ling Li carried Zi Yan away to find a cave where he could treat her injuries.
• A lecherous old man arrived at the shattered hill and recognized traces of a Mysterious Flame.
• The old man resolved to track Ling Li and seize his Mysterious Flame.

Ling Li treated Zi Yan’s Scorpion Dragon Venom in a secluded cave, drawing poison from her back and giving her a medicinal pill. After realizing she was alive and that Ling Li had saved her, Zi Yan transformed into her adult form and pulled him into an embrace.

• Zi Yan awoke weak and mistaken the cave for the afterlife, then recognized Ling Li beside her.
• Ling Li used Yang Flame and Heavenly Poison Scorpion Dragon Beast Dou Qi to draw Scorpion Dragon Venom from Zi Yan’s back.
• Ling Li made a fresh jade ruler and gave Zi Yan a medicinal pill to support the detoxification.
• Zi Yan sensed Xia Mang outside the cave and realized she had survived and Ling Li had saved her.
• Zi Yan grew into her adult form and pulled the stunned Ling Li into her embrace.

Zi Yan and Ling Li emerged from the cave after six days, and Ling Li explained his exchange for the damaged treasure Lust. The chapter left Zi Yan and Ling Li stronger, while Zi Yan judged Xia Mang and Hai Bodong as unlikely to achieve greatness because their convictions had been shaken.

• Zi Yan and Ling Li left the cave, and Xia Mang flew over to greet them.
• Zi Yan asked who Xia Mang was, and Ling Li said he might be Xia Pan’s son.
• Ling Li explained that Zi Yan had reached Eight-Star Dou Huang while he had advanced to peak Four-Star Dou Zong.
• Ling Li traded two stars’ worth of energy for the damaged Devouring Spirit Clan treasure Lust, while keeping Zi Yan’s bloodline and flame.
• Zi Yan recognized Xia Pan’s resemblance in Xia Mang but continued to look down on him and Hai Bodong for their shaken dignity and conviction.

Ling Li, Zi Yan, and Xia Mang reached the heart of the Tianmu Mountain Range, where crowds had gathered to compete for access to the Tianshan Blood Pool. After entering the dangerous inner region early, Ling Li sensed five Dou Zong auras belonging to the Gold Devouring Rat Clan and questioned how they had captured Fei Tian.

• Ling Li, Zi Yan, and Xia Mang traveled on foot through the Energy Tide and reached the center of the Tianmu Mountain Range.
• Xia Mang explained that the Gold Devouring Rat Clan controlled the Tianshan Blood Pool and had reduced this year's entry slots to ten.
• Ling Li heard that the Gold Devouring Rat Clan had once captured Fei Tian, prompting Thunder Venerable to intervene, and wondered what strength the clan possessed.
• Ling Li led Zi Yan and Xia Mang into the inner mountain range while most visitors waited for the Energy Tide to peak.
• Ling Li sensed five mid-star Dou Zong auras and wondered whether the Gold Devouring Rat Clan had another trump card.

Ling Li entered the central forest with Xia Mang and Zi Yan, where the darkness and mist suppressed their senses and left them vulnerable to attack. Tang Ying intervened when Wang Chen ambushed them, but Ling Li drew his saber as Tang Ying prepared to speak to him.

• The Gold Devouring Rat Clan elders agreed to attack Ling Li when he stepped onto the Heaven Stone Platform, hoping to secure a way out as the Tianshan Blood Pool waned.
• Ling Li, Xia Mang, and Zi Yan entered the central forest, where dense mist and darkness limited their ability to sense their surroundings.
• Ling Li detected a concealed attack aimed at Xia Mang, then noticed an azure sword qi strike the attack before it reached him.
• Wang Chen accused Tang Ying of interfering as Tang Ying confronted him for attacking Ling Li and his companions.
• Ling Li rested a hand on his newly appeared black saber and let sharp Blade Qi brush past Tang Ying.

Ling Li killed Wang Chen after detecting him through the Blade Qi net, then learned that Wang Chen belonged to the Yellow Springs Pavilion. Ling Li asked Tang Ying to guide his group through the Tianmu Mountain Range’s mist, and Tang Ying agreed under pressure.

• Ling Li unleashed a storm of Blade Qi that devastated the forest, and Tang Ying marveled at his speed.
• Wang Chen tried to evade the Blade Qi and escape, but Ling Li sensed his movement and appeared behind him.
• Ling Li killed Wang Chen with a kick, took his Storage Ring, and Devoured his corpse after recognizing the Yellow Springs Pavilion emblem.
• Tang Ying identified himself as a disciple of the Myriad Sword Pavilion and reacted fearfully to Ling Li’s strength.
• Ling Li asked Tang Ying to accompany the group through the mist formation, and Tang Ying reluctantly agreed.

Ling Li, Zi Yan, and Xia Mang left the maze formation with Tang Ying and learned that reaching the Tianshan Blood Pool required passing the Gold Devouring Rat Clan's trials. After five days of waiting, the Energy Tide peaked and formed the blood-red pillar that marked the pool's appearance.

• Tang Ying guided Ling Li, Zi Yan, and Xia Mang through the maze formation and explained the Gold Devouring Rats' territory and the rules for reaching the Tianshan Blood Pool.
• Ling Li frightened off a pack of Gold Devouring Rats after Zi Yan eyed them as food, then told her to wait until after she broke through to Dou Zong before choosing one to eat.
• Tang Ying explained that the group needed to pass the Gold Devouring Rat Clan's trials and left for Heaven Stone Platform.
• Ling Li, Zi Yan, and Xia Mang waited five days as a little over a hundred people emerged from the maze formation.
• The Energy Tide surged around Tianri Mountain, turned blood-red, and condensed into a pillar as the Tianshan Blood Pool appeared.

The Tianshan Blood Pool Ceremony began as Ling Li watched the Five Elders of Gold Devourer oversee the selection trials. The first trial, a passage through the Rat Tide Sonic Wave Formation, left the crowd facing a dangerous obstacle at the mountain stairs.

• The Five Elders of Gold Devourer appeared together, and Ling Li suspected their earlier investigation of him had not been accidental.
• Jinshi announced that participants had to pass the elders’ trials to compete for one of the ten slots, while Ling Li noted the factions and young contenders gathered below.
• Jinshi revealed that the first trial required reaching the summit through the Rat Tide Sonic Wave Formation.
• Several famous factions’ disciples reached the summit without trouble, prompting others to charge up the stairs.
• The Gold Devouring Rats unleashed their sonic attack, ignoring Dou Qi defenses and blasting the first challengers backward while they coughed blood.

Ling Li used his killing intent to clear the Rat Tide Sonic Wave Formation and brought Zi Yan and Xia Mang to the Tianshan Blood Pool. When Jinhuo attacked him for supposedly harming the Gold Devouring Rats, Ling Li unleashed his full killing intent across Tianri Mountain.

• After two more challengers reached the Tianshan Platform, Ling Li pushed through the crowd and told Xia Mang that the final two spots were for him and Zi Yan.
• Ling Li released his killing intent on the stone stairs, frightening the Gold Devouring Rats unconscious, then carried Zi Yan and Xia Mang to the platform.
• Ling Li saw Tang Ying, seven others, and five Gold Devouring Rats already in the Tianshan Blood Pool, then threw Zi Yan and Xia Mang into it.
• Jinhuo attacked Ling Li with an enormous rat claw, and Ling Li blocked the strike with Dark Night.
• When Jinhuo accused him of hurting his kin, Ling Li released all his killing intent across Tianri Mountain, sparing only the area around the Tianshan Blood Pool.

Ling Li fought the Gold Devouring Rat Clan on Tianshan Platform after they targeted his Mysterious Flame. The Five Elders of Gold Devourer combined their power into a Dou Zun-level attack, leaving Ling Li facing five dark-red qi blades that ripped open space.

• Ling Li unleashed his killing intent, killing the Gold Devouring Rats he had knocked unconscious and warning Jinhuo not to harm Zi Yan or the others in the Tianshan Blood Pool.
• Jinhuo attacked Ling Li, and Jinshi, Jinfeng, Jinlin, and Jinshan joined him on Tianshan Platform when he failed to defeat Ling Li quickly.
• Jinshan demanded Ling Li hand over his Mysterious Flame in exchange for his life and a future Tianshan Blood Pool slot, but Ling Li refused and challenged the five elders to take it.
• The Five Elders of Gold Devourer used the Five Rats Gold Devouring Art, pooling their Dou Qi into Jinhuo and empowering him to launch five spatial-rending qi blades at Ling Li.