Chapter Summaries

Gu Yuan read the Pure Lotus Demon Saint’s final words, which described his fruitless search for the secret to the Emperor Realm and his eventual weariness with pursuing it. The inscription ended with a sudden stroke of luck in the Northwest Continent, leading Gu Yuan to suspect that the Pure Lotus Demon Saint had entered the Sword Emperor Ruins.

• Gu Yuan read that the Pure Lotus Demon Saint had sought answers from major sects and Ancient Emperor Clans, but none could explain how to reach the Emperor Realm.
• The Pure Lotus Demon Saint searched ancient ruins across the continent for two thousand years and became a Half-Emperor.
• The Pure Lotus Demon Saint wrote that loneliness and loss dulled his ambition, and that he went to the Northwest Continent to spend his remaining days with Little Demon.
• The inscription revealed that events took a turn for the better just as the Pure Lotus Demon Saint had let go of his pursuit.
• Gu Yuan recognized the implication and cried out that the Pure Lotus Demon Saint had entered the Sword Emperor Ruins too.

Gu Yuan read Pure Lotus Demon Saint’s account of discovering the Sword Emperor Ruins, kneeling there for a thousand years, and being refused the inheritance. The Sword Emperor revealed that two strands of Origin Qi remained on the Dou Qi Continent, leaving Gu Yuan stunned.

• Gu Yuan read that Pure Lotus Demon Saint sensed Imperial Might beneath the Black Sand Plains and spent three months searching for its source.
• Pure Lotus Demon Saint forced open the earth, found the Sword Emperor Ruins, and attacked their barrier before the Imperial Might overwhelmed him.
• Pure Lotus Demon Saint knelt before the ruins for a thousand years until the barrier dispersed and the stone door opened.
• Pure Lotus Demon Saint met the Sword Emperor, offered to inherit his mantle, and was rejected because his fire cultivation made him unsuited to the Sword Dao.
• The Sword Emperor told Pure Lotus Demon Saint that two strands of Origin Qi still remained on the Dou Qi Continent, and Gu Yuan reacted with shock.

Gu Yuan read Pure Lotus Demon Saint’s account of meeting the Sword Emperor, learning that two strands of Origin Qi remained but not where they were, and discovering the guilt behind his pursuit of the Emperor Realm. The inscription ended with Pure Lotus Demon Saint asking a descendant for help so he could be resurrected and lend the Human Race his Half-Emperor strength.

• Pure Lotus Demon Saint learned from the Sword Emperor that two strands of Origin Qi remained in the Dou Qi Continent, but he would have to find them himself.
• The Sword Emperor taught Pure Lotus Demon Saint a move from the Demon Slaying Sword Art and urged him to understand his true heart rather than obsess over becoming an Emperor.
• Pure Lotus Demon Saint left the ruins and saw that his Nightmare Sky Mist had caused millions of deaths over a thousand years.
• Pure Lotus Demon Saint realized he had pursued the wrong path and resolved to help the Sword Emperor’s successor oppose the Son of the Dragon Phoenix and protect all living beings.
• Pure Lotus Demon Saint sealed his corpse in a tomb and asked the descendant who found it to help resurrect him.

Gu Yuan discovered the Pure Lotus Demon Saint’s resurrection plan and the hidden array protecting the mausoleum. He took the Demon Saint’s Ice Coffin, but left resurrection for the future and chose to use the array as shelter while recovering from his injuries.

• Gu Yuan read that the Pure Lotus Demon Saint could be resurrected with a Ninth-grade Golden Pill, the complete four-part Pure Lotus Demon Fire Ancient Map, and an Emperor Realm Soul.
• Gu Yuan learned that the Demon Saint had hidden an Emperor's Corner Killing Array in the mausoleum to kill members of the Beast Race, then sensed its sword-array runes in the rock walls.
• The Pure Lotus Demon Saint warned that Gu Yuan should resurrect him only if the Son of the Dragon Phoenix threatened humanity and threatened vengeance if Gu Yuan used the method for evil.
• Gu Yuan weighed the Demon Saint’s power against the risk that he would oppose Gu Yuan over Xiao Ji Bai, then set aside the idea of resurrection because the three Fragmented Maps were missing.
• Gu Yuan placed the Ice Coffin in his Storage Ring and decided to recover inside the mausoleum, relying on the array to keep Beast Race pursuers away.

After recovering for two months in a tomb, Gu Yuan faced the Beast Race army as its killing formation fell. He defeated its strongest fighters and escaped the Tianheng Mountain Range despite his missing arm and leg.

• Gu Yuan recovered part of his strength but could not regenerate the arm and leg severed by the Son of the Dragon Phoenix.
• Phoenix led the Beast Race army to the valley, where Huang Tian’s probe triggered Gu Yuan’s killing formation and was repelled.
• Phoenix ordered waves of magical beasts to sacrifice themselves against the formation until it broke.
• Gu Yuan emerged from the tomb and overpowered Huang Tian, then sent Phoenix, Kun Huang, Eagle Phoenix, and the North Dragon King flying with a massive palm strike.
• Gu Yuan tore through the surrounding army with a Battle Qi storm and escaped through the gap he created.

After the five Beast Race leaders failed to capture Gu Yuan, they reported to Su Yun, who spared them and ordered an attack on the Spirit Clan. The Zhongzhou Alliance detected the Beast Race army’s movements as Xiao Yan warned that another Imperial Clan was about to fall.

• Phoenix, Huang Tian, Kun Huang, Eagle Phoenix, and the North Dragon King failed to stop Gu Yuan from escaping and returned to the Thunder Realm.
• Su Yun examined the Emperor Slaying Sword, now strengthened with the Lightning Clan’s Essence Blood, and monitored Gu Yuan’s departure on a map.
• Phoenix and the others reported their failure to Su Yun, who crushed them with his pressure before easing it and accepting their renewed pledge of loyalty.
• Su Yun took up the Emperor Slaying Sword and ordered the Beast Race army to reorganize, count casualties, and march against the Spirit Clan in three days.
• The Zhongzhou Alliance detected the Beast Race army’s movements, and Xiao Yan warned the assembled Saints that another Imperial Clan was about to fall.

The Zhongzhou Alliance prepared to defend against the Son of the Dragon Phoenix, rejecting the Yan Clan’s offer and relying on Xiao Ji Bai’s hoped-for emergence. Xiao Yan visited the weakened Xun’er and revealed that Senior Su’s Soul Guiding Jade had led him to her in the Thunder Realm.

• Pill Tower's Old Ancestor rejected an alliance with the Yan Clan, warning that the Imperial Clans could not be trusted.
• Pill Tower's Old Ancestor arranged the Pill Region’s defenses and told Xiao Yan to inform him when Xiao Ji Bai emerged from seclusion.
• Xiao Yan, Xiao Xuan, and Old Yao visited Xun’er at the Flower Sect’s base, where Old Yao said her damaged cultivation foundation would be extremely difficult to restore.
• Xun’er told Xiao Yan she was content to stay by his side despite her condition.
• Xiao Yan remembered that Senior Su’s Soul Guiding Jade had sent the spatial guidance that helped him find Xun’er.

Xiao Yan weighed the mysteries surrounding Senior Su and focused on protecting Xun'er as war threatened the continent. As the group discussed the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame, Xiao Yan decided to seek Senior Su, who possessed another fragment of its ancient map.

• Xiao Yan considered how Senior Su had revealed crucial secrets and guided him to Xun'er in the Thunder Realm, but chose to trust him despite not knowing his motives.
• Xiao Xuan worried that the Flower Sect was not a safe long-term refuge for Xun'er, and Xiao Yan proposed asking Zi Yan to stay with her under Elder Qingshan's protection.
• Old Yao warned that the Son of the Dragon Phoenix's growing power threatened the continent and explained that Pill Tower's Old Ancestor was preparing to enter the Golden Core Realm.
• Old Yao asked whether Xiao Yan was ready to subdue the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame, and Xiao Yan admitted his chances were below ten percent.
• Xiao Yan laid out two fragments of the Pure Lotus Demon Fire Ancient Map and decided to find Senior Su, who had another fragment.

Gu Yuan escaped the Beast Race army but arrived gravely injured, leaving the Gu Clan with only three surviving Saints. Gu Jian and Gu Ming found him and proposed using their last medicinal reserves to suppress his injuries, while Gu Yuan sensed Xun'er was alive and grew resentful that she remained under Xiao Xuan's protection.

• Gu Yuan used a Soul Guiding Jade to summon help after escaping the encirclement with severe injuries and missing his left arm and leg.
• Three days later, Gu Jian and Gu Ming arrived and found that only they and Gu Yuan remained among the Gu Clan's Saints.
• Gu Ming examined Gu Yuan and determined that the Star Annihilation Sword Intent and strange blood aura had destroyed his vitality, making limb reattachment impossible.
• Gu Ming offered rare herbs from the Lightning Clan to refine a single Du'e Pill that could temporarily suppress Gu Yuan's injuries and restore some strength.
• Gu Ming reported that Xiao Xuan and Xiao Yan had entered the Thunder Realm's core region, and Gu Yuan sensed that Xun'er's mark still existed.
• Gu Yuan concluded that Xun'er was alive beneath Xiao Xuan's protection and reacted with cold resentment.

The wounded Gu Yuan, Gu Ming, and Gu Jian decided to hide and recover while the Son of the Dragon Phoenix and Xiao Ji Bai fought. Gu Jian then revealed that Xiao Yan had obtained one of the Pure Lotus Demon Fire Ancient Maps at a Space Trade Fair.

• Gu Ming argued that Xun'er was safer with the Zhongzhou Alliance and reflected on how Gu Yuan's actions had led to the Gu Clan's ruin.
• Gu Jian advised the Gu Clan to lie low until the Son of the Dragon Phoenix and Xiao Ji Bai clashed, and Gu Yuan agreed to wait while they recovered.
• Gu Yuan asked whether anyone knew of relics left by the Pure Lotus Demon Saint and explained the resurrection method requiring a Ninth-grade Golden Pill, an Emperor Realm Soul, and four ancient maps.
• Gu Jian recalled that Xiao Yan had obtained a Pure Lotus Demon Fire Ancient Map at a Space Trade Fair in the Central Plains.

Gu Yuan planned to revive the Pure Lotus Demon Saint and control him using a resurrection art developed by the Soul Clan. He ordered Gu Ming to refine the Du'e Pill so the Gu Clan could go to the Central Plains and seize Xiao Yan's Fragmented Map.

• Gu Jian told Gu Yuan that Xiao Yan had fought over an ancient map linked to the Pure Lotus Demon Fire, and Gu Yuan recognized the clue as leading back to the Xiao Clan.
• Gu Ming warned that the Pure Lotus Demon Saint might turn against the Gu Clan because of his ties to Xiao Ji Bai, but Gu Yuan revealed his plan to control the Saint after reviving him.
• Gu Yuan explained that the Soul Clan had developed a resurrection method and a means to control those brought back from death, which he believed could be used on the Pure Lotus Demon Saint.
• Gu Yuan predicted that the Soul Clan would share its secret art as the other ancient clans faced destruction, then ordered Gu Ming to refine the Du'e Pill before they took Xiao Yan's Fragmented Map.

Xiao Yan and Old Yao visited Nether Valley to seek Senior Su, but learned he was exploring Ancient Ruins. While they waited, Xiao Yi Xian broke through to Dou Sheng, then revealed that Senior Su had given her the reunited Fragmented Map of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame.

• Xiao Yan and Old Yao discussed the Spirit Clan’s fall and the respite the Beast Race army had given them to prepare.
• Xiao Yan and Old Yao learned that Xiao Yi Xian had entered seclusion, then felt the Saint might erupt when she successfully broke through to Dou Sheng.
• Three days later, Xiao Yi Xian and Medusa joined Xiao Yan and Old Yao in the main hall.
• Xiao Yi Xian told Xiao Yan that Senior Su was exploring Ancient Ruins and did not know when he would return.
• Xiao Yan explained that he needed the Fragmented Map to subdue the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame, and Xiao Yi Xian revealed that Senior Su had given the reunited map to her.

Xiao Yan obtained Xiao Yi Xian’s Fragmented Map and persuaded Pill Tower’s Old Ancestor to offer three Ninth Grade Treasure Pills for the final piece. As the bounty stirred the continent, Gu Yuan learned Xiao Yan had already gathered three maps and reacted with growing madness.

• Xiao Yi Xian gave Xiao Yan her Fragmented Map, and he thanked her before leaving with Old Yao.
• Xiao Yan reunited the three maps with Xiao Xuan, Xun'er, and Heavenly Fire Venerable, revealing that only one piece remained.
• Old Yao warned that the final map might belong to a powerful faction, but Xiao Yan decided to seek help from the Alchemist Tower.
• Pill Tower’s Old Ancestor agreed to offer three Ninth Grade Treasure Pills for the final map, and the Alchemist Tower spread the bounty across the continent.
• Gu Yuan read the bounty notice, learned Xiao Yan had gathered three maps, and celebrated him as his fine nephew.

Gu Ming refined a Ninth Grade Mysterious Pill, and Gu Yuan consumed it after shielding it from the lightning tribulation and capturing its escaping pill spirit. The medicine healed Gu Yuan’s injuries and suppressed the forces afflicting him, leaving him ready to act.

• Gu Yuan watched Gu Ming refine a Ninth Grade Mysterious Pill in the Myriad Medicine Cauldron and resolved to travel to the Central Plains.
• Gu Ming completed the pill, but its lightning tribulation began, and Gu Jian went first to resist it.
• Gu Jian endured three Black Demon Lightning bolts but was gravely injured by the fourth, so Gu Yuan entered the clouds and withstood the remaining tribulation.
• The pill transformed into a blood-red humanoid pill spirit and tried to flee, but Gu Yuan captured it and swallowed the pill.
• The pill’s medicinal power healed Gu Yuan’s damaged body and temporarily suppressed the Star Annihilation Sword Intent and strange bloody aura within him.

Gu Yuan left Gu Ming behind to care for the gravely wounded Gu Jian and went to the Pill Region to reclaim the Pure Lotus Demon Fire Ancient Map. He attacked the Alchemist Tower’s barrier, leaving Pill Tower’s Three Giants to face his next strike.

• Gu Ming saved Gu Jian with a precious pill and stayed behind to watch over him, while Gu Yuan set out for the Central Plains.
• Pill Tower’s Three Giants worried that the Son of the Dragon Phoenix would eventually break through the barrier protecting the Pill Region.
• Gu Yuan’s Saint’s might struck the barrier, but the Alchemist Tower’s defenses held firm.
• Xuan Kongzi confronted Gu Yuan, who dismissed him and began gathering golden energy for another attack.
• Gu Yuan declared that he would stop if the Three Giants blocked his attack, then sent a golden dragon of energy crashing toward the barrier.

Divine Farmer protected the Alchemist Tower from Gu Yuan’s attack, but Gu Yuan confronted the Zhongzhou Alliance and revealed that he had the final fragment of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame Ancient Map. Xiao Yan realized the feared map had fallen into Gu Yuan’s hands, setting the conflict over the fragments in motion.

• Gu Yuan’s golden attack threatened to destroy the Alchemist Tower’s barrier until Divine Farmer arrived and used the Mysterious Yellow Exquisite Pagoda to shield it.
• Gu Yuan declared he intended to take Divine Farmer’s Life Spirit Flame to heal his injuries and replace the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame he had lost.
• Xiao Yan, Xiao Xuan, and other Zhongzhou Alliance Saints gathered to confront Gu Yuan, who noted that Pill Tower’s Old Ancestor was in seclusion attempting to reach the Golden Core Realm.
• Gu Yuan revealed a tattered beast-hide map and asked Xiao Yan if he recognized it.
• Xiao Yan identified the map as a fragment of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame Ancient Map and realized it was the final fragment, now in Gu Yuan’s possession.

Gu Yuan confronted Xiao Yan and Xiao Xuan over the Fragmented Map, then revealed that it was linked to a hidden secret rather than simply claiming it for himself. After the Divine Farmer forced him to back down, Gu Yuan sent Xiao Yan coordinates and left, challenging him to discover their meaning.

• Xiao Xuan demanded to know how Gu Yuan had obtained the final Fragmented Map, while Xiao Yan suspected Gu Yuan wanted the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame.
• Gu Yuan unleashed his Nine-star Dou Sheng pressure and tried to take the treasure, but the Divine Farmer blocked him with the Mysterious Yellow Exquisite Pagoda.
• The Divine Farmer warned Gu Yuan that his injuries left him weakened and threatened to use the Alchemist Tower’s foundation to suppress him, so Gu Yuan withdrew his force.
• Gu Yuan sent a piece of white jade through the barrier, and Xiao Yan received a flood of information after channeling Soul Power into it.
• Xiao Yan discovered the jade contained geographic coordinates for the Tianheng Mountain Range in Lightning Clan territory, and Gu Yuan departed after telling him to find the answers himself.

After Gu Yuan retreated from the Pill Region, Xiao Yan decided to follow the coordinates he had left behind, despite warnings that they could lead to a trap. Xiao Xuan agreed to accompany him, while Divine Farmer stayed behind to safeguard Xiao Yan’s three Fragmented Maps and defend the Pill Region.

• Xiao Xuan, Divine Farmer, and Old Ancestor Huoyun wondered why Gu Yuan had withdrawn and agreed to watch for a possible invasion by the Son of the Dragon Phoenix.
• Xiao Yan suggested that the coordinates on the warm white jade might reveal Gu Yuan’s purpose, but Xiao Xuan, Divine Farmer, and Old Ancestor Huoyun warned him not to go.
• Xiao Yan insisted he needed to pursue the final Fragmented Map and planned to leave his three maps in the Pill Region so Gu Yuan could not harm him without losing them.
• Xiao Xuan decided to accompany Xiao Yan, while Divine Farmer chose to remain behind and hold the fort.
• Xiao Yan handed his three Fragmented Maps to Divine Farmer for safekeeping and prepared to investigate the coordinates with Xiao Xuan.

Gu Yuan went to the Soul Realm to meet Hun Tiandi, but Hun Miesheng attacked him with the Soul Clan’s protective formation. Gravely wounded and unable to fight back, Gu Yuan called for Hun Tiandi to come out before he died.

• Gu Yuan arrived at the Soul Realm and found it protected by a powerful blood-red formation.
• Hun Miesheng came out to meet Gu Yuan and claimed Hun Tiandi was in seclusion healing his injuries.
• Gu Yuan demanded to see Hun Tiandi, but Hun Miesheng mocked him and attacked him with the formation’s power.
• Hun Miesheng’s blood-red ghost blade shattered Gu Yuan’s golden shield and worsened his injuries.
• Gu Yuan collapsed, feared he would die, and shouted for Hun Tiandi to come out.

Gu Yuan entered the Soul Realm after Hun Miesheng spared him and met the injured Hun Tiandi in the Soul Hall. He asked Hun Tiandi for the Soul Clan’s method of controlling the resurrected.

• Hun Miesheng received a Soul Message, lowered the formation’s power, and let Gu Yuan enter the Soul Realm.
• Gu Yuan traveled through the Soul Realm to the Soul Hall, reflecting on how little it had changed in a thousand years.
• Hun Tiandi mocked Gu Yuan’s injuries, and Gu Yuan replied that the Sword Emperor’s attack had badly wounded Hun Tiandi.
• Hun Tiandi described the Sword Emperor’s devastating power and the damage it had caused to him and the Gu Realm.
• Gu Yuan asked Hun Tiandi for the Soul Clan’s method of controlling those who had been resurrected.