Chapter Summaries

Key plot points and events

• Chen Wen kills Jiang Longzhan by crushing his throat and destroying his soul. The system rewards him with a drop of Golden Destiny Nirvana Liquid.
• Jiang Longxuan erupts in rage and appears ready to attack Chen Wen. Gu Qingchen intervenes, warning that an assault would violate the rules and could implicate the Jiang Clan.
• Jiang Longxuan restrains himself at first, but then publicly declares that the Jiang Clan will pursue Chen Wen to the death and threatens any power that helps him. Chen Wen accepts the challenge without backing down.
• Jiang Longxuan leaves, and the tournament resumes. Chen Wen is declared the winner of his second battle, earning two points.
• Murong Qingcheng’s match follows. Her opponent is Dugu Yijian, the top-ranked disciple with eight-star talent. Despite her improvement, he defeats her with a single sword strike, and she admits defeat.

Character developments and interactions

• Chen Wen proves both ruthless and audacious: he kills Jiang Longzhan despite the consequences, then openly challenges the Jiang Clan. He privately recognizes that he is exhausted and may need to restore himself before facing Jiang Longxuan.
• Jiang Longxuan shifts from fury to political calculation when Gu Qingchen invokes the Ascension Alliance, but then uses his authority to make the Jiang Clan’s hostility official.
• Gu Qingchen protects Chen Wen from an immediate attack by reminding Jiang Longxuan of the broader political stakes. He privately thinks Chen Wen’s pride has made him reckless.
• Murong Qingcheng admires Chen Wen’s victory, then faces a far stronger opponent herself and accepts defeat without protest.
• Dugu Yijian is revealed to be exceptionally powerful and emotionally reserved; he wins quickly and leaves the arena without ceremony.

Significant themes

• Pride and consequences: Chen Wen’s defiance wins admiration but also earns him a powerful enemy.
• Power and political restraint: Jiang Longxuan’s threat is checked not by compassion but by the risk of drawing the Jiang Clan into conflict with the Ascension Alliance.
• Courage versus prudence: Gu Qingchen sees restraint as wisdom, while Chen Wen chooses confrontation.
• Unequal strength: Murong Qingcheng’s defeat highlights the gulf between talented fighters and the tournament’s most formidable contestants.

Key plot points and events

• Murong Qingcheng loses to Dugu Yijian. Though disappointed, she accepts that the gap in age and cultivation explains much of the difference and resolves to keep improving.
• Chen Wen and the others suspect that Dugu Yijian and the other top Heavenly Ruins disciples—Bai Beichan and Buyetian—may have hidden origins or undisclosed strength. With no evidence, Murong Qingxian advises them to focus on themselves.
• Murong Qingcheng enters another match, while Chen Wen recovers from his earlier exertions. He watches Chu Youran, the woman he once rescued, overpower a stronger opponent.
• The individual challenges conclude: Zhuge Qiyue and Murong Qingxian each earn two points; Murong Qingcheng earns one; Elder Yao loses both matches.
• Gu Qingchen announces the final standings and the fifty disciples advancing. Chen Wen ranks first, ahead of Huang Xiaochen, after defeating Jiang Longzhan. The final round is scheduled for seven days later.

Character developments and interactions

• Murong Qingcheng shows resilience, accepting her loss without losing confidence in her future. Murong Qingxian and Chen Wen encourage her.
• Elder Yao accepts his own poor results and urges Chen Wen to pursue a place in the Inner City, while warning him to prioritize survival.
• Zhuge Qiyue acknowledges that Chen Wen’s help made her participation possible, though she still keeps her gratitude separate from her lingering grievances.
• Chen Wen’s first-place ranking confirms how much his reputation and standing have grown.

Significant themes

• Growth and perseverance: Present ability does not determine a person’s future; Murong Qingcheng believes she can catch up.
• Merit and fairness: Chen Wen’s ranking is accepted because it reflects victories earned in combat.
• Uncertainty and hidden motives: The mysterious backgrounds of Heavenly Ruins’ strongest disciples hint at a larger intrigue.
• Prudence and self-preservation: Elder Yao urges Chen Wen to value staying alive as much as winning.

Chapter Summary: “Repaying Your Favor with an Opportunity”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Wen returns to his lodgings after the battle. Murong Qingxian warns him that the Jiang Clan will likely seek revenge once the Battle of Ascension City ends. Chen Wen already has a plan to deal with them, though it is still developing.
• Murong Tianxiao visits Murong Qingcheng to comfort her after she fails to enter the Inner City. He encourages her to look beyond her immediate defeat and trust that she will eventually find her own opportunity.
• Tianxiao asks Qingcheng about her relationship with Chen Wen. Having witnessed Chen Wen kill Jiang Longzhan, Tianxiao’s opinion of him has completely changed: he once looked down on Chen Wen’s background but now recognizes that Chen Wen may be stronger than himself.
• Qingcheng teasingly points out Tianxiao’s former prejudice and agrees to provide him with information about Chen Wen, while carefully concealing the true extent of their connection.
• Chen Wen finds Qin Wangshu waiting outside his residence. She has realized that his disguised identity is actually Chen Wen, but respects his wish to use that name publicly.
• Qin Wangshu explains that her mother left her a secret realm containing powerful treasures capable of dramatically transforming a cultivator. Her clan members coveted these resources and had previously conspired against her by giving her a false pill formula.
• After investigating her clan, Qin Wangshu offers Chen Wen access to the secret realm’s treasures as repayment for the favor he once did her. She also hopes to invest in his future strength.
• Chen Wen accepts her offer and promises that, if the resources benefit him, he will give her an opportunity in return. Qin Wangshu is deeply excited by this possibility and plans to return in three days after making preparations.

Character Developments

• Chen Wen: Remains calm and strategic despite the Jiang Clan’s looming threat. His confidence is reinforced by his growing strength, and he is now willing to exchange resources and opportunities with powerful allies.
• Murong Qingcheng: Shows resilience after her defeat and skillfully protects her relationship with Chen Wen. Her playful handling of Tianxiao’s questions reveals both loyalty and emotional intelligence.
• Murong Tianxiao: Undergoes a major shift in attitude toward Chen Wen. Fear and respect replace his former disdain after realizing Chen Wen is capable of killing him.
• Qin Wangshu: Demonstrates gratitude, trust, and ambition. She moves from merely repaying Chen Wen to forming a mutually beneficial alliance with him.
• Murong Qingxian: Acts as a perceptive adviser, warning Chen Wen about future danger while recognizing Qingcheng’s discretion.
• Luo Yuehan: Is implied to have faced similar questions from her family but handled them more smoothly than Qingcheng.

Significant Themes

• Changing perceptions: Chen Wen’s achievements force others to reassess their assumptions about his background and abilities.
• Future planning and survival: The chapter emphasizes that present victories do not eliminate future threats, particularly from the Jiang Clan.
• Trust and reciprocity: Qin Wangshu’s offer shows how favors can develop into long-term alliances based on mutual benefit.
• Growth through opportunity: Characters view setbacks and resources as stages in a much longer journey rather than final outcomes.
• Discretion and hidden identities: Qingcheng and Chen Wen both carefully control what others learn, highlighting the importance of secrecy in a dangerous cultivation world.

Important Character Interactions

• Murong Qingxian cautions Chen Wen about the Jiang Clan.
• Murong Tianxiao comforts Qingcheng and questions her about Chen Wen, revealing his changed attitude.
• Qingcheng humorously challenges Tianxiao while protecting Chen Wen’s secrets.
• Qin Wangshu and Chen Wen openly discuss his identity, her clan conflict, her mother’s secret realm, and a possible exchange of future opportunities.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Wen wins first place in the Battle of Ascension City, surprising the Ascension Alliance leaders.
• The Alliance Leader, Dongfang Chuge, and the elders discuss Chen Wen's achievements and potential.
• Jiang Lingyue, an elder from the Jiang Clan, expresses skepticism about Chen Wen's future due to his lack of Heavenly Mandate.
• Dongfang Chuge decides to let Chen Wen's fate be determined by the final round of the Heaven Ascension Battle.
• He also orders that no unexpected incidents should occur during the Heaven Ascension Battle.

Character Developments

• Chen Wen: Emerges as a prodigious talent, winning first place despite having no Heavenly Mandate. His future is a topic of debate among the elders.
• Dongfang Chuge: The Alliance Leader, he acknowledges Chen Wen's extraordinary abilities but remains neutral about his future prospects.
• Jiang Lingyue: An elder from the Jiang Clan, she expresses doubt about Chen Wen's potential due to his lack of Heavenly Mandate.
• Gu Qingchen: He reports the Battle of Ascension City results to the Alliance Leader and is praised for his work.

Significant Themes

• Talent and Potential: Chen Wen's exceptional talent is recognized, but his lack of Heavenly Mandate raises questions about his future prospects.
• Heavenly Mandate: The elders debate the importance of Heavenly Mandate in determining a cultivator's ultimate success.
• The Great Contention Era: The upcoming era is mentioned, suggesting increased competition and challenges for cultivators.

Character Interactions

• Dongfang Chuge and Gu Qingchen: The Alliance Leader praises Gu Qingchen for his work in reporting the Battle of Ascension City results.
• Jiang Lingyue and the Elders: Jiang Lingyue expresses her skepticism about Chen Wen's future, and the other elders generally agree with her assessment.
• Dongfang Chuge and the Elders: The Alliance Leader discusses the final round of the Heaven Ascension Battle and orders that no unexpected incidents should occur.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Wen's impressive performance in the Formal Battle's first two rounds, securing first place overall.
• Luo Yuehan informs Luo Ruhua about Chen Wen's achievements, sparking her interest in the Battle of Ascension City.
• Chen Wen visits Luo Yuehan at the Cloud Merchant Association, not seeking assistance but expressing gratitude.

Character Developments

• Luo Ruhua: Initially underestimating Chen Wen, she becomes intrigued by his potential after learning about his achievements without the Mandate.
• Luo Yuehan: Grows more confident in Chen Wen's abilities and becomes more invested in his success.
• Chen Wen: Demonstrates his strength and potential, winning the respect and support of Luo Yuehan.

Significant Themes

• Talent and Potential: Chen Wen's nine-star potential and impressive battle record challenge the importance of having the Mandate.
• Trust and Support: Luo Yuehan's faith in Chen Wen grows, leading her to actively support him.

Character Interactions

• Luo Yuehan and Luo Ruhua: Luo Yuehan convinces her aunt to give Chen Wen a fair chance, leading Luo Ruhua to take a keen interest in the Battle of Ascension City.
• Chen Wen and Luo Yuehan: Chen Wen visits Luo Yuehan to express his gratitude, strengthening their bond and her commitment to helping him.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Wen visits Luo Yuehan and gives her a Spirit Pill as a token of sincerity.
• The Spirit Pill is revealed to have extraordinary effects: it can transform one's foundation, reshape bodily origin, and change talent to a certain extent.
• Luo Yuehan accepts the Spirit Pill, grateful for the opportunity to improve her cultivation and compete with top disciples.
• Chen Wen is approached by Bai Beichan, who invites him to a tea gathering with other cultivators to discuss business.

Character Developments

• Chen Wen: He demonstrates his generosity and strategic thinking by giving away powerful Spirit Pills to repay those who have helped him, aiming to build alliances.
• Luo Yuehan: She shows gratitude and determination to improve herself after receiving the Spirit Pill, understanding its significance and the opportunity it presents.
• Bai Beichan: She reveals her interest in Chen Wen and invites him to a gathering, hinting at her complex background and unfathomable strength.

Significant Themes

• Gratitude and Repayment: Chen Wen's actions show that he values the help he received and is willing to repay those who supported him.
• Opportunity and Ambition: The Spirit Pill represents an opportunity for Luo Yuehan to improve herself and compete with top disciples, highlighting her ambition and determination.
• Unfathomable Strength and Background: Bai Beichan's invitation to Chen Wen and her hinted past suggest that she has a complex background and is not as simple as she appears.

Character Interactions

• Chen Wen and Luo Yuehan: They interact cordially, with Chen Wen giving Luo Yuehan the Spirit Pill and her expressing gratitude and determination to improve herself.
• Chen Wen and Bai Beichan: They meet again, with Bai Beichan inviting Chen Wen to a tea gathering to discuss business, hinting at her interest in him and her unfathomable strength.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Wen meets Dugu Yijian, Buyetian, and Tang Chongxiao, who are friends of Bai Beichan.
• The four of them invite Chen Wen to discuss a potential alliance.
• Dugu Yijian reveals that the legend of the Ascension Stele's treasure is false, but gaining its recognition can lead to a great fortune.
• He also mentions the Mandate Temple, a place for true geniuses, and the Ascension Alliance, which protects its members.
• Dugu Yijian proposes an alliance to help each other navigate the chaotic Inner City and join the Mandate Temple.

Character Developments

• Chen Wen: Shows caution and calculation, but also openness to potential alliances.
• Dugu Yijian: Reveals himself as a strategic thinker, willing to take risks for potential gains.
• Bai Beichan: Acts as a bridge between Chen Wen and her friends, showing trust in Chen Wen.

Significant Themes

• Alliances and cooperation for mutual benefit.
• The importance of trust and understanding in forming alliances.
• The risks and challenges of the Great Contention Era.

Character Interactions

• Chen Wen and Dugu Yijian: Engage in a conversation that reveals their strategic thinking and willingness to take risks.
• Bai Beichan and Chen Wen: Show a growing level of trust and understanding.
• The four friends (Dugu Yijian, Buyetian, Tang Chongxiao, and Bai Beichan): Demonstrate a strong bond and shared goals.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Wen decides to enter the Inner City and asks his new allies for help.
• He merges their Sound Transmission Tokens into his own for easy communication.
• Chen Wen asks Tang Chongxiao about his true strength and requests a rematch.
• Chen Wen returns to his residence and enters the Eternal Space for cultivation.
• After half a month, Chen Wen meets Qin Wangshu, who is to take him to a special place.

Character Developments

• Chen Wen shows maturity and strategic thinking in handling his alliances.
• Tang Chongxiao reveals he has not shown his full strength to Chen Wen.
• Chen Wen's cultivation progresses significantly in the Eternal Space.
• Qin Wangshu shows trust in Chen Wen's abilities.

Significant Themes

• The importance of alliances and trust in cultivation.
• The urgency and pressure of cultivation and growth.
• The concept of Will Power and its evolution.

Character Interactions

• Chen Wen interacts with his new allies, showing mutual respect and trust.
• Chen Wen and Tang Chongxiao share a moment of understanding and mutual respect.
• Chen Wen and Qin Wangshu show mutual trust and understanding.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Qin Wangshu sends Chen Wen to the Time-Space Evolution Dojo as a favor.
• Chen Wen enters the dojo and discovers it's connected within time and space, with the power to evolve the Great Dao.
• Chen Wen spends three days evolving his Dao arts inside the dojo.

Character Developments

• Chen Wen becomes more determined to grow quickly and improve his own Dao arts.
• Qin Wangshu shows kindness and generosity by giving Chen Wen this opportunity.

Significant Themes

• The importance of personal growth and self-improvement.
• The power of favors and karma, as Qin Wangshu helps Chen Wen and expects him to return the favor.
• The exploration of new realms and experiences, as Chen Wen discovers the true essence of the Dao Art Evolution Technique.

Character Interactions

• Chen Wen and Qin Wangshu interact briefly, with Qin Wangshu showing trust and confidence in Chen Wen's abilities.
• Chen Wen and Xian Hongshao discuss the dojo and its effects on Dao arts evolution.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Wen learns about the benefits of the good fortune he received: it can augment the evolution of Daoist arts and bring fundamental improvements to his Divine Ability Secret Techniques.
• He decides to break through to the next realm after exiting the space, but keeps it a secret.
• Qin Wangshu opens the space for Chen Wen and later gives him a Heavenly Dao Oath, guaranteeing she won't leak information about the Spirit Pill he gave her.
• Luo Yuehan visits Luo Ruhua to watch the final battle together.
• Dongfang Chuge, the Alliance Leader, leads the elders to witness the Ascension Battle.

Character Developments

• Chen Wen gains a deeper understanding of his Divine Ability Secret Techniques and is ready to break through to the next realm.
• Qin Wangshu shows her intelligence and trustworthiness by swearing a Heavenly Dao Oath.
• Luo Yuehan displays her sharp mind and closeness to Luo Ruhua.
• Dongfang Chuge shows his leadership and interest in the Ascension Battle.

Significant Themes

• The power of good fortune and its potential to change one's cultivation path.
• The importance of trust and oaths in cultivator society.
• The anticipation and preparation for the final battle.

Character Interactions

• Chen Wen and Qin Wangshu: They exchange the Spirit Pill and a Heavenly Dao Oath, solidifying their trust.
• Luo Yuehan and Luo Ruhua: They show their close relationship and shared interest in watching the final battle.
• Dongfang Chuge and Zhuge Jieyu: Dongfang Chuge is surprised by Zhuge Jieyu's interest in the Ascension Battle.

Plot points and events

• Chen Wen leaves his cultivation and arrives at the Grand Arena for the final assessment. He finds the spectators from the Heavenly Ruins gone, while all fifty finalists and the judges remain.
• Gu Qingchen announces that the assessment will take place elsewhere. A Formation Elder opens a teleportation portal, and the finalists are invited through.
• Chen Wen and the other competitors arrive at a packed venue filled with spectators from the Outer City. The crowd already knows about Chen Wen’s victories over Gu Xuan and Jiang Longzhan, and debates his talent and lack of a “heavenly mandate.”
• Chen Wen spots a vast, mist-shrouded city looming beyond the arena. Murong Qingxian confirms that it is the Inner City.

Character developments and interactions

• Chen Wen is intrigued but cautious about the final assessment, sensing that the other finalists may be concealing their true abilities.
• Murong Qingxian reassures Chen Wen and speaks candidly with him. Their easy banter shows growing familiarity and mutual regard; Chen Wen hopes they will both enter the Inner City.
• Murong Qingxian suggests Zhuge Qiyue may have deliberately held back in her earlier match, hinting at the Zhuge Clan’s mysterious influence and knowledge of events.
• The finalists’ arrival draws attention to Chen Wen’s reputation, though some spectators doubt how long his talent will endure without a heavenly mandate.

Significant themes

• Hidden strength and uncertainty: The finalists may not have shown their full abilities, making the coming assessment unpredictable.
• Reputation and talent: Chen Wen’s achievements inspire awe, but observers question whether his talent can last without a heavenly mandate.
• A wider world ahead: The Inner City’s imposing presence signals that entering it will open a new stage of challenges and possibilities.

Chapter summary

Key events and revelations

• Chen Wen and Murong Qingxian discuss the Inner City. Murong explains that the visible spirit mist is a barrier: although the Inner City appears nearby, it is effectively separated from the outside world.
• Chen Wen asks about the Zhentian War God, partly to prepare for his promise to deliver the War God Token to the War God’s descendants. Murong advises him not to pursue rumors about the War God’s legacy on the Ascension Tablet, warning that taking those legends literally could be deadly.
• Murong recounts that the Zhentian War God belonged to the Beichen Clan, one of the Inner City’s founding factions. The Inner City evolved from competing warlords to a dominant faction and eventually an alliance that became today’s Ascension Alliance. The Beichen Clan declined after the War God disappeared; no one knows whether he died or left for another realm. The clan now survives mainly in a few people’s memories.
• Chen asks about the relationship between the Heavenly Ruins (Tianxu) and Ascension City. Murong says Tianxu helped establish Ascension City, which later became independent. Yet Ascension City has an unwritten rule against committing its full strength to Tianxu unless necessary. Murong believes both sides fear something the other possesses, so neither acts without certainty.
• Murong warns Chen against seeking revenge on Tianxu: it is deeply mysterious, and as a founding faction it must have hidden power. Chen agrees to be cautious, though he remains dissatisfied with how little he knows.

Character developments and interactions

• Chen uses his friendly rapport with Murong to cautiously probe for information, revealing his desire to understand Tianxu and his intention to take revenge. He considers that accepted histories may be incomplete—or deliberately misleading.
• Murong is candid but guarded. She shares what she knows, draws firm boundaries around dangerous subjects, and warns Chen without trying to control his choices.
• In the stands, Luo Yuehan points Chen out to her aunt, Luo Ruhua, who notices his closeness with Murong Qingxian. Ruhua worries that ties to the Murong Clan could entangle Chen—and the Cloud Merchant Association—in factional politics. Yuehan insists that Chen’s friendships and Ruhua’s help are personal matters, not factional commitments. Ruhua cautions them both to stay clear-eyed; Yuehan trusts that Chen avoids political entanglements.

Themes

• Hidden history and unreliable knowledge: What people know about the past may be only what earlier generations chose to reveal.
• Power, fear, and political balance: Tianxu and Ascension City remain wary of one another, with neither willing to act recklessly.
• Personal loyalty versus factional interests: Chen’s relationships are scrutinized for political implications, while Yuehan defends the right to form personal connections.
• Caution in the face of ambition: Murong’s warnings underline the danger of pursuing revenge or powerful legacies without understanding the risks.
  The chapter ends as the Ascension Alliance’s representatives arrive, drawing the crowd’s attention.

Plot and events

• Chen Wen recognizes Zhuge Jieyu among the Ascension Alliance’s arriving leaders. Murong Qingxian identifies her as the Zhuge Clan’s Heavenly Maiden—so influential that even Alliance Leader Dongfang Chuge cannot order her around. Though nobody has seen her fight, everyone treats her as overwhelmingly powerful.
• Chen Wen worries that Zhuge Jieyu might discover he is Ye Wuqing by examining his Fate Momentum. He asks Xian Hongshao to conceal it. She uses a technique aided by the Destiny Crucible, warning that it will only work briefly and may fail if Zhuge becomes suspicious.
• Chen notices a hostile gaze from a white-haired elder, whom Murong suspects belongs to the Jiang Clan. Chen assumes the hostility stems from his past conflict with them.
• Dongfang Chuge addresses the fifty finalists and announces that anyone who passes the final assessment may remain in the Outer City, even if they miss the ten places in the Inner City.
• He explains that the final assessment consists of five trials along the Ascension Path: Knowing Heavenly Mandate, Battle Thousand Armies Subdue Ten Thousand Enemies, Slaying Celestial Beings, Leaving Name on City Wall, and Obtaining Fortune. Participants must overcome the trials and leave their names on the Inner City walls. Fortune is awarded afterward; it breaks ties between participants who finish at the same time.

Character developments and interactions

• Chen grows more cautious after learning just how formidable and influential Zhuge Jieyu is, and takes steps to hide his identity from her.
• Murong serves as Chen’s guide to the Alliance’s power structure, explaining Zhuge’s reputation and the Jiang elder’s likely affiliation.
• Xian Hongshao helps Chen conceal his Fate Momentum, but makes clear that the protection is temporary.
• Dongfang Chuge’s announcement gives the contestants a new incentive: even those who fail to enter the Inner City can stay in the Outer City if they pass.

Significant themes

• Power and mystery: Zhuge Jieyu’s reputation rests on an unexplained ability rather than any witnessed display of force.
• Fate and concealment: Chen’s identity and survival depend on manipulating how others read his destiny.
• Competition and hope: The trials remain intensely selective, but the chance to stay in the Outer City offers hope beyond the top ten.
• Merit and fortune: Rankings primarily depend on completing the trials; fortune matters only in a tie.

Key plot points and events

• The Ascension Alliance announces that the trial will test both individual strength and heavenly mandates. Those with Destiny Marks may gain an advantage over powerful disciples who missed the selection battle.
• Murong Tianxiao asks whether contestants can borrow others’ power and whether death in the trial is permanent. Alliance Leader Dongfang Chuge confirms that such assistance is allowed if a contestant can manage it, but the trial is real: anyone who dies will stay dead.
• Formation masters activate an ancient artifact, creating an Exotic Space with fifty entrances, each leading to an Ascension Path. A Light Screen will broadcast the contestants’ progress.
• The disciples enter in order. Chen Wen takes entrance number one and draws intense attention from the assembled leaders and spectators.

Character developments and interactions

• Murong Qingxian welcomes the Destiny Mark advantage and remains confident that he can compete with the Monster Ranking’s disciples; he hints at having a trump card. He notices Zhuge Qiyue’s resentment toward Chen Wen and advises him to clear up their conflict.
• Chen Wen downplays his past clashes with Zhuge Qiyue, though he privately believes a confrontation between them is unavoidable. As he approaches the trial, he senses Zhuge Jieyu observing him and killing intent from Jiang Longxuan and another elder. He hides his alarm and proceeds without hesitation.
• Dongfang Chuge studies Chen Wen, noticing that his aura seems unremarkable despite his talent. He becomes shocked when he realizes Zhuge Jieyu may have come specifically because of Chen Wen.
• Zhuge Jieyu watches Chen Wen through her unusual ability to read fate. His combination of exceptional talent and lack of a heavenly mandate intrigues her.

Significant themes

• Fate and merit: Destiny Marks may help level the field, but Chen Wen’s unusual talent challenges the assumption that heavenly mandates determine one’s potential.
• Risk and ambition: The trial offers a chance to rise dramatically, but its dangers are real and irreversible.
• Hidden motives and looming conflict: Resentment, concealed abilities, and the leaders’ interest in Chen Wen foreshadow confrontations and political intrigue.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhuge Jieyu confirms Chen Wen is not Ye Wuqing and has a normal fate.
• Chen Wen enters the Ascension Path, where the first trial, Advent of Heavenly Mandate, begins.
• A Heavenly Mandate Phenomenon appears, offering a temporary boost of power to those who can absorb it.

Character Developments

• Chen Wen remains calm and confident despite the challenges ahead.
• Dongfang Chuge and other powerful figures watch Chen Wen's progress with keen interest, hoping he can receive the Heavenly Mandate's blessing.

Significant Themes

• The power of the Heavenly Mandate and Destiny Luck.
• The importance of personal strength and determination in overcoming challenges.

Character Interactions

• Dongfang Chuge and Chen Wen: Dongfang Chuge hopes Chen Wen can create another miracle and receive the Heavenly Mandate's blessing.
• Luo Yuehan and Luo Ruhua: Luo Yuehan asks Luo Ruhua about Chen Wen's chances, displaying her optimism about Chen Wen's abilities.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Wen sees Destiny Luck manifesting, causing a powerful reaction.
• Destiny Luck becomes aware of Chen Wen's presence and reacts aggressively.
• Chen Wen withstands the initial pressure from Destiny Luck and responds defiantly.

Character Developments

• Chen Wen demonstrates his resilience and courage by standing up to Destiny Luck.
• Other characters express their disbelief and disappointment in Chen Wen's performance.

Significant Themes

• The power of Destiny and its influence on cultivators' lives and futures.
• The courage and determination to face adversity, even in the face of overwhelming odds.

Character Interactions

• Chen Wen interacts with Destiny Luck, provoking its wrath.
• Other characters discuss and react to Chen Wen's situation, expressing their thoughts and opinions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Wen withstands the first wave of Fate Momentum's attack and blocks it.
• Destiny Luck becomes enraged and unleashes a second, stronger wave.
• Chen Wen blocks the second wave with increased Soul Momentum, shocking everyone.
• Chen Wen punches Destiny Luck, shattering its domain and causing it to fear.
• Chen Wen's fate remains unchanged despite defying destiny, puzzling Zhuge Jieyu.

Character Developments

• Chen Wen demonstrates extraordinary power and defiance against destiny.
• Zhuge Jieyu reassesses Chen Wen's strength and fate after his actions.
• Jiang Lingtian, Huang Fan, and others are shocked by Chen Wen's abilities.
• Luo Ruhua and Dongfang Chuge acknowledge Chen Wen's strength.
• Zhuge Qiyue is revealed to be a possessor of a Destiny Mark.

Significant Themes

• Defiance against destiny and its consequences.
• The power of individual strength and will.
• The mysteries of fate and destiny.

Character Interactions

• Chen Wen interacts with Destiny Luck, defying and attacking it.
• Zhuge Jieyu observes and calculates Chen Wen's fate.
• Jiang Lingtian, Huang Fan, Luo Ruhua, and Dongfang Chuge discuss Chen Wen's actions.
• Zhuge Qiyue's identity is revealed to Dongfang Chuge.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Wen blows apart Destiny Luck, shocking everyone.
• Xian Hongshao senses an unusual power in Chen Wen's punch.
• Zhuge Qiyue calculates Chen Wen's fate, and Xian Hongshao warns him.
• Chen Wen decides to investigate Zhuge Qiyue's identity and eliminate her if she's a threat.
• Disciples start absorbing Destiny's power; Bai Beichan absorbs a significant amount, surprising everyone.
• Chen Wen recovers and proceeds to the second trial, where the environment becomes grim and murderous.

Character Developments

• Chen Wen remains calm and composed despite the challenges, showing his formidable temperament.
• Xian Hongshao becomes more cautious and concerned about Chen Wen's safety.
• Zhuge Qiyue's actions and identity become a mystery and potential threat to Chen Wen.
• Bai Beichan's unexpected performance in absorbing Destiny's power raises eyebrows.

Significant Themes

• The power of Destiny Luck and its limitations.
• The struggle and competition among disciples.
• The mystery surrounding Zhuge Qiyue's identity and intentions.

Character Interactions

• Chen Wen and Xian Hongshao discuss Zhuge Qiyue's threat and Chen Wen's plans.
• Disciples and audience members react to Chen Wen's actions and Bai Beichan's performance.
• Dongfang Chuge and Jiang Lingtian discuss the nature of Chen Wen's power and his stance against Destiny Luck.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Wen enters a blood-red, ruined battlefield with an enormous, dilapidated city at the end.
• An undead army of skeleton soldiers emerges, defending the city.
• Chen Wen realizes he must defeat this undead legion to clear the trial and enter the city.

Character Developments

• Chen Wen demonstrates adaptability and strategic thinking in understanding his new situation.
• Outside observers, including Dongfang Chuge and Zhuge Futian, discuss the trials and bet on the final rankings.

Significant Themes

• Adaptability: Chen Wen must quickly understand and adapt to the new environment and challenge.
• Uncertainty: The trials' nature and outcomes are uncertain, reflecting the unpredictable nature of the Ascension Path.
• Betting and Speculation: The elders' betting pool highlights the political and personal interests at stake in the trials.

Character Interactions

• Chen Wen vs. Undead Legion: Chen Wen must face and defeat the undead army to progress.
• Dongfang Chuge and Zhuge Futian: They discuss the trials and engage in a subtle power play, with Dongfang Chuge warning Zhuge Futian against targeting Chen Wen.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhuge Futian opens a betting pool on the final rankings of the second trial, with high odds for wide ranges to encourage betting.
• Jiang Lingtian places a heavy bet on Chen Wen ranking thirtieth to fortieth, targeting Dongfang Chuge's earlier prediction of a top ten ranking.
• Most elders bet on Chen Wen, with a significant portion choosing the twentieth to thirtieth place bracket.
• Chen Wen faces an army of tens of thousands of Undead Soldiers in his Ascension Path space, with the weakest at Peak Fifth Layer Great Emperor Realm.

Character Developments

• Zhuge Futian demonstrates his strategic mind, manipulating the betting pool to his advantage.
• Jiang Lingtian seeks to regain face and challenge Dongfang Chuge's prediction.
• Dongfang Chuge maintains his composure, refusing to engage in the betting pool challenge.
• Chen Wen shows determination and strategic thinking in preparing to face the Undead Legion.

Significant Themes

• Manipulation and strategy in social interactions (Zhuge Futian, Jiang Lingtian, Dongfang Chuge).
• The power of prediction and its influence on actions (betting pool, Jiang Lingtian's challenge).
• The importance of adaptability and strategic thinking in the face of overwhelming odds (Chen Wen).

Character Interactions

• Zhuge Futian and Jiang Lingtian collaborate to challenge Dongfang Chuge's prediction, using the betting pool as a medium.
• Dongfang Chuge maintains a calm and collected demeanor, refusing to engage in the challenge directly.
• Chen Wen's actions and decisions draw the attention of the other disciples and elders, highlighting his unique position in the trial.