Chapter Summaries

Zhao Chen and his companions fought Ji Xuan’s faction while searching for Mu Chen, whom Qiu Beihai was hunting beneath a stream. After rescuing Mu Chen and killing Qiu Beihai, Zhao Chen led a brutal assault on the reinforcements, leaving their survivors facing his spear.

• Ji Xuan challenged Zhao Chen and revealed that Qiu Beihai had gone beneath the stream to kill Mu Chen, so Zhao Chen sent Wu Yingying and Song Yuqing to deal with Ji Xuan’s men.
• Zhao Chen deflected Ji Xuan’s Crescent Blade, then had Luo Li fight Ji Xuan while he went to the stream.
• Zhao Chen called Mu Chen out of the water, and Mu Chen warned him that Qiu Beihai was still below.
• Zhao Chen killed Qiu Beihai when he surfaced, then dozens of Ji Xuan’s allies charged from the forest.
• Zhao Chen, Wu Yingying, and Song Yuqing slaughtered most of the attackers, and Zhao Chen refused to spare the terrified survivors.

Ji Xuan charged at Zhao Chen after Luo Li stopped blocking him, while the Five Great Spirit Academies’ leaders watched the battle and argued over Zhao Chen’s future. After learning Zhao Chen had reached a Seventh-Grade Spirit Body, Dean Tiansheng tried to discredit him, but the other academy leaders rejected his accusations.

• Ji Xuan threatened Luo Li, then charged toward Zhao Chen after she agreed to stop interfering.
• The Five Great Spirit Academies’ leaders watched Zhao Chen fight in the Black Demon Forest and discussed recruiting him.
• Dean Tiansong revealed that Zhao Chen had reached a Seventh-Grade Spirit Body, surpassing every previous Spiritual Road record.
• Dean Tiansheng accused Zhao Chen of cheating and demanded punishment, fearing he would claim the Spirit Crown instead of Ji Xuan.
• Dean Tiansong, Dean Taicang, Tang Qiu, and Martial Heavenly King rejected Dean Tiansheng’s accusations and opposed targeting Zhao Chen.

Dean Tiansheng argued that Zhao Chen’s strength threatened the Spiritual Road Trial and demanded that Zhao Chen die if Ji Xuan was killed. The other deans rejected his demand, leaving the decision four against one.

• Dean Tiansheng called Zhao Chen a danger to the Spiritual Road and insisted he should be executed.
• Dean Tiansong, Dean Taicang, Dean Tang Qiu, and the Martial Heavenly King defended the Spiritual Road’s rules and opposed interference.
• Dean Tiansheng demanded that Zhao Chen die if Ji Xuan died.
• Dean Taicang, Dean Tiansong, and the Martial Heavenly King rejected the demand, and Dean Tang Qiu declared that Tiansheng had lost the vote.

Zhao Chen killed Ji Xuan after defeating him in the Black Demon Forest, prompting Dean Tiansheng of Saint Spiritual Academy to attack. The other four deans stopped him from killing Zhao Chen, but Tiansheng threatened to strike Mu Chen instead.

• Zhao Chen blocked Ji Xuan's Crescent Blade attacks, overpowered him, and chased him down with the Magic Eye Dragon Horned Spear.
• Zhao Chen pierced Ji Xuan's chest and pulled the spear free, killing him.
• Wu Yingying, Song Yuqing, Luo Li, and Mu Chen joined Zhao Chen, and Luo Li stabbed Ji Xuan again to make sure he could not revive within the Spirit Road.
• Dean Tiansheng of Saint Spiritual Academy summoned a massive palm of spiritual energy to attack Zhao Chen, but the other four deans shattered it.
• Unable to kill Zhao Chen, Dean Tiansheng threatened to kill Mu Chen, whom he considered an easier target.

After Heavenly Saint targeted Mu Chen, Zhao Chen and his companions faced the prospect of being forced out of the Spiritual Road. Zhao Chen chose to withdraw from the trial to protect their lives and vowed to become invincible there one day.

• Zhao Chen moved beside Mu Chen as Heavenly Saint threatened them, while Luo Li, Wu Yingying, and Song Yuqing stood with them.
• Heavenly Saint and Dean Taicang fought until Heavenly Saint could not overcome Taicang and the other four deans.
• Heavenly Saint demanded that Zhao Chen and Mu Chen be expelled from the Spiritual Road, and the deans hesitated over the demand.
• Zhao Chen thanked the deans and chose to withdraw from the trial with Mu Chen rather than risk remaining on the Spiritual Road.
• Zhao Chen accepted that he would miss the final Spiritual Energy Empowerment and vowed that he would still become invincible there one day.

After returning from the Spiritual Road, Zhao Chen reached the Spiritual Movement Realm Early Stage and used a check-in reward to obtain the Asura Blood Sutra. He planned to use a Spirit Gathering Array to speed up his cultivation, and the system offered a check-in opportunity for setting one up.

• Zhao Chen practiced swordsmanship at Northern Spiritual Academy and broke through to the Spiritual Movement Realm Early Stage after returning from the Spiritual Road.
• Zhao Chen learned that resources in Mu Chen's Storage Bag had vanished, but the materials in his Mustard Seed Bracelet remained, giving him a way to catch up before the Spiritual Road ended.
• Zhao Chen checked in at Northern Spiritual Academy and received the Asura Blood Sutra, which strengthened his spiritual power and turned it blood-red.
• Zhao Chen considered how to reach the Spiritual Wheel Realm faster and decided to use a Spirit Gathering Array to increase the density of Spiritual Energy.
• The system triggered a new check-in mission requiring Zhao Chen to personally set up a First Grade Spirit Gathering Array.

Zhao Chen studied Spirit Array techniques and discovered he could condense Spirit Seals, then used six to form a small Spirit Binding Array. He planned to keep practicing until he could set up a First Grade Spirit Gathering Array.

• Zhao Chen decided he needed to learn Spirit Arrays himself to complete the mission of setting up a Spirit Gathering Array.
• Zhao Chen studied basic Spirit Array knowledge and learned that arrays required Spirit Seals, an Array Diagram, and precise control.
• Zhao Chen practiced condensing six blood-red Spirit Seals until he could summon and disperse them at will.
• Zhao Chen used the six Spirit Seals to form a small Spirit Binding Array that bound the Azure Bamboo Sword.
• Zhao Chen estimated that a First Grade Spirit Gathering Array would require sixteen Spirit Seals and Spirit Gathering Stones, and set a goal to become a First Grade Spirit Array Master.

Zhao Chen mastered the First Grade Spirit Gathering Array, used it to advance to the Spiritual Movement Realm Middle Stage, and received a high-quality Spirit Gathering Stone from the system. He installed the stone and Spirit Bone Arrows around the Green Bamboo Courtyard to create a stronger permanent array, leaving him confident he could soon reach the Spiritual Movement Realm Late Stage.

• Zhao Chen completed a First Grade Spirit Gathering Array after several attempts and used its concentrated Spiritual Energy to break through to the Spiritual Movement Realm Middle Stage.
• The system rewarded Zhao Chen with a high-quality Spirit Gathering Stone after he set up the array.
• Zhao Chen decided to establish a permanent First Grade Spirit Gathering Array in the Green Bamboo Courtyard, where he lived.
• Zhao Chen inscribed runes on the Spirit Gathering Stone and concealed fifteen Spirit Bone Arrows in bamboo around the courtyard.
• Zhao Chen connected the Spirit Bone Arrows to the stone, creating an array that made Spiritual Energy several times denser throughout the courtyard.

Zhao Chen reached the Spiritual Movement Realm Late Stage and entered the Two Academies Competition, where the East and West Courtyards prepared to contest the Earth Rank. As the competition began, Master Mo confidently named Zhao Chen as the East Courtyard’s candidate for first place.

• Zhao Chen broke through to the Spiritual Movement Realm Late Stage and decided to register for the Two Academies Competition to improve his Earth Rank standing.
• At the competition venue, Zhao Chen heard that the East Courtyard had few Earth Rank spots and faced strong West Courtyard rivals.
• Zhao Chen met Su Ling, who admired Tang Qian'er and Hong Ling, and observed that Liu Yang and Liu Mubai were both at the Spiritual Movement Realm.
• Dean Xiao asked Master Mo and Master Xi who would take first place, and Master Xi predicted Liu Mubai would win.
• Master Mo declared that Zhao Chen would take first place in the Earth Rank for the East Courtyard.

At the Northern Spiritual Academy trial, Master Mo announced that Zhao Chen had returned from the Spiritual Road and would compete for first place in the Earth Rank, provoking Master Xi’s skepticism. As students began challenging one another, Tan Qingshan faced Liu Yang, while Tang Qian'er recognized Zhao Chen among the East Courtyard students.

• Master Mo identified Zhao Chen as the East Courtyard contender for first place, and Master Xi doubted he could defeat the Liu Brothers.
• Dean Xiao announced the academy trial rules, and students rushed to the platforms to challenge their rivals.
• Su Ling joined the fights, while Zhao Chen watched and judged Tan Qingshan to be one of the East Courtyard’s strongest students.
• Tan Qingshan challenged Liu Yang, and Liu Yang accepted arrogantly as students gathered to watch.
• Tang Qian'er recognized Zhao Chen as a Spiritual Road Trial participant and wondered why he had returned.

Zhao Chen intervened when Liu Yang continued attacking the defeated Tan Qingshan, then challenged Liu Yang after revealing his strength. The students learned Zhao Chen had returned from the Spiritual Road, while Liu Yang accused him of stealing a qualification.

• Liu Yang defeated Tan Qingshan with the Flame Sun Art and prepared to cripple him after he fell.
• Zhao Chen appeared before Tan Qingshan and sent Liu Yang flying with one casual palm strike.
• Zhao Chen told Liu Yang he would challenge him after giving him time to recover, triggering a system mission to defeat the Liu Brothers.
• Tang Qian'er warned Zhao Chen about Liu Yang's Flame Sun Art and his older brother Liu Mubai, who had reached the Spiritual Movement Realm Middle Stage.
• Tan Qingshan recognized Zhao Chen as the first student to obtain a Spiritual Road qualification, and the trial-ground students reacted in shock to his return.
• Liu Yang accused Zhao Chen of stealing his Spiritual Road qualification, while Zhao Chen greeted the East Courtyard students and apologized for keeping them waiting.

Zhao Chen confronted Liu Yang in the arena after returning from the Spiritual Road and defeated him with ease, even after Liu Yang activated his Human Grade Spiritual Vein and used Flame Sun Palm. He then challenged Liu Mubai to avenge his younger brother.

• The announcement that Zhao Chen had returned from the Spiritual Road surprised the academy, while Liu Mubai and Liu Yang resented him for taking a qualification they believed should have been theirs.
• Liu Yang attacked Zhao Chen, who caught both of his fists and kicked him to the edge of the arena.
• Liu Yang activated his Human Grade Spiritual Vein and struck Zhao Chen with Flame Sun Palm.
• Zhao Chen blocked Liu Yang's attack with a casual palm strike, sending him out of the arena and leaving him unconscious.
• Zhao Chen turned to Liu Mubai and asked whether he would avenge his younger brother.

Zhao Chen challenged Liu Mubai after defeating Liu Yang, intending to enter the Heaven Rank as the Earth Rank's number one. He defeated Liu Mubai with a single golden palm strike and invited the remaining opponents to challenge him together.

• East Courtyard students celebrated Zhao Chen's victory over Liu Yang, but worried when he challenged Liu Mubai, a Spiritual Movement Realm Middle Stage cultivator.
• Zhao Chen told Tang Qian'er he had planned to challenge both Liu brothers and aimed to enter the Heaven Rank as the Earth Rank's number one.
• Hong Ling taunted Liu Mubai into accepting Zhao Chen's challenge, and Liu Mubai vowed to make him lose face.
• Liu Mubai attacked with the Flame Sun Palm, but Zhao Chen matched it with an apparently effortless palm strike.
• Liu Mubai unleashed Flame Eagle Incineration, but Zhao Chen's golden palm struck him down beside his unconscious brother.
• Zhao Chen asked whether anyone else would challenge him and said they could come together.

Zhao Chen became the Earth Rank's first place after defeating Liu Mubai and Liu Yang, then received the Blood Spirit Sword through a system check-in. He broke through to the initial stage of the Spiritual Wheel Realm and realized he needed a stronger Spirit Gathering Array to keep advancing.

• Dean Xiao announced Zhao Chen of the East Courtyard as first place in the Earth Rank, while Master Xi warned that the Liu Territory might retaliate.
• Liu Mubai dragged the confused Liu Yang away from the competition grounds and vowed to make Zhao Chen pay for the humiliation.
• Zhao Chen checked in at the Northern Spiritual Academy and received the Blood Spirit Sword, a spiritual art that grew stronger by accumulating blood essence through killing.
• Zhao Chen cultivated for several days and compressed his sea of qi into a blood-red spiritual wheel, reaching the initial stage of the Spiritual Wheel Realm.
• Zhao Chen formed thirty Spirit Seals and stacked two First Grade Spirit Gathering Arrays, but found their Spiritual Energy insufficient and considered setting up a Second Grade array.

Zhao Chen met Tang Qian'er, who brought him to the Heaven Rank students’ Cultivation Hall to introduce its Third Grade Spirit Gathering Array. He aimed for the best cultivation spot and took Tang Qian'er by the hand as they approached the central pillar.

• Zhao Chen learned that Heaven Rank students could cultivate in the Northern Spiritual Academy’s Third Grade Spirit Gathering Array and resolved to advance quickly.
• Tang Qian'er arrived at Zhao Chen’s Green Bamboo Courtyard and discovered he had set up a First-Grade Spirit Array.
• Tang Qian'er explained that Master Mo had sent her to help Zhao Chen adjust to Heaven Rank studies, and he agreed to go with her.
• Tang Qian'er brought Zhao Chen to the Cultivation Hall and described the benefits of its Third Grade Spirit Gathering Array.
• Zhao Chen saw that Spiritual Energy grew denser near the central pillar, took Tang Qian'er’s hand, and led her toward the prime cultivation spot.

Zhao Chen and Tang Qian'er claimed cultivation spots before the Central Spirit Gathering Pillar, and Zhao Chen beat two Heaven Rank students who challenged them. When their patron Luo Tong arrived and demanded that they leave, a sign-in mission appeared for Zhao Chen to defeat him.

• Zhao Chen and Tang Qian'er sat before the Central Spirit Gathering Pillar despite other students' warnings.
• Jiang Li and Teng Yong demanded that Zhao Chen give up his spot, and Zhao Chen knocked them away with two slaps.
• The students learned Zhao Chen had defeated Liu Mubai and Liu Yang to become the Earth Rank's top student, and they backed down.
• Luo Tong arrived, heard Jiang Li and Teng Yong's complaints, and ordered Tang Qian'er to leave the spots.
• Tang Qian'er refused Luo Tong, and a sign-in mission appeared for Zhao Chen to defeat him.

Zhao Chen defeated Luo Tong’s Great Luo Swordplay with his bare finger, then cultivated in the Heaven Rank Cultivation Hall and used his sign-in reward to obtain the Slaughter Sword Array. As he studied the formation, he discovered that deploying it required a Spirit Beast Essence Soul.

• Luo Tong attacked Zhao Chen with Great Luo Swordplay, but Zhao Chen shattered its sword tip with his finger and sent Luo Tong crashing to the ground.
• Tang Qian'er cheered as Luo Tong was injured, and everyone else lowered their eyes rather than challenge Zhao Chen.
• Zhao Chen and Tang Qian'er sat down to cultivate while Zhao Chen concealed their movements with a small spirit array.
• Zhao Chen signed in at the Northern Spiritual Academy and received the Slaughter Sword Array formation diagram.
• Zhao Chen studied how Spirit Seals determined the array’s blood swords, then realized the formation also required a Spirit Beast Essence Soul.

Zhao Chen prepared to enter the Northern Spiritual Plain expedition to gather spirit beast essences, strengthen his Blood Spirit Sword, and search for the Nine Nether Sparrow. After ten days of cultivation, he and Tang Qian'er reached the expedition camp, where Zhao Chen warned that adventurers were watching them and danger would grow once the students set out.

• Zhao Chen decided the Northern Spiritual Plain expedition would help him gather spirit beast essences and pursue his other goals.
• Tang Qian'er asked Zhao Chen to partner with her for the expedition, and he agreed to protect her from possible revenge by his enemies.
• Over the next ten days, Zhao Chen advanced to the Spiritual Wheel Realm Middle Stage, while Tang Qian'er reached the Spiritual Movement Realm Middle Stage.
• Master Mo and Master Xi accompanied the students to the Northern Spiritual Plain, where Zhao Chen and Tang Qian'er noticed adventurers watching their camp.
• Zhao Chen explained that the adventurers were waiting for the students to scatter, when they would become more vulnerable.

Zhao Chen and Tang Qian'er entered the Northern Spiritual Plain for a cultivation trip, while Chen Tong and Liu Yang followed them with hostile intentions. As two Blood Pig Tigers appeared, Zhao Chen prepared to test his Blood Spirit Sword and received a sign-in task to kill one.

• Tang Qian'er warned Zhao Chen that Liu Mubai and Liu Yang might target them, and Zhao Chen said he would show no mercy to enemies.
• Chen Tong confronted Zhao Chen at camp, declared his intention to take revenge, and left with Liu Yang.
• At dawn, Zhao Chen and Tang Qian'er entered the Northern Spiritual Plain, with Chen Tong and his group following them.
• Two Blood Pig Tigers appeared in the forest, and Zhao Chen summoned his Blood Spirit Sword as a sign-in task prompted him to kill one.

Zhao Chen killed two Blood Pig Tigers, gained the White Tiger Essence Soul from a sign-in, and found an Intermediate Spirit Beast in a valley. He prepared to fire his first arrow with the Asura Bow at the Patterned Black Horn Python.

• Zhao Chen killed two Blood Pig Tigers with his Blood Spirit Sword while Tang Qian'er watched, then stored their Essence Souls.
• Zhao Chen signed in on the Northern Spiritual Plain and received the White Tiger Essence Soul, resolving to reach the Divine Soul Realm so he could refine it.
• Zhao Chen and Tang Qian'er found a Patterned Black Horn Python in a valley, and Tang Qian'er warned him about its strength and defenses.
• Zhao Chen nocked his Blood Spirit Sword onto the Asura Bow and prepared to fire at the Patterned Black Horn Python.