Chapter Summaries

Zhang Xingde offered Ji Haoyuan and his companions information about the western Hongduan Mountain Range, where the war’s Frontline was expected to be, in an apparent effort to improve relations with the Ji Family. Back at home, Ji Haoyuan arranged his preparations for war and began refining pills on Taiping Mountain.

• Zhang Xingde invited Ji Haoyuan, Liu Hongyu, and Feng Wanqing to travel with him and told them the Frontline was likely in the western Hongduan Mountain Range.
• Zhang Xingde gave the three Jade Slips containing information and maps of the region, and they later parted ways for their respective families.
• Ji Haoyuan told Ji Bochang about Zhang Xingde’s overture, and Ji Bochang warned him not to trust the Zhang Family too readily during the war.
• Ji Haoyuan chose people to bring to the Frontline and gave Ji Bochang a list of supplies to gather.
• Ji Haoyuan went to Taiping Mountain, where its Fire-element Spirit Vein had advanced to Tier 2 low-grade, and began refining pills with its earthfire for the coming war.

Ji Haoyuan prepared Second Order pills and led Ji Qingfei and other Ji Family cultivators to the Crimson Cloud Sect. After accepting Ji Qingfei’s determined choice to go, Ji Haoyuan secured arrangements for the group and headed to the Council Hall to meet Su Wenyuan.

• Ji Haoyuan refined Second Order Detoxification, spiritual power recovery, and healing pills.
• Ji Haoyuan discovered Ji Qingfei planned to accompany the group to the Crimson Cloud Sect, and accepted his choice after confirming he understood the risks.
• Ji Haoyuan led Ji Yunshan, Ji Qingfei, and the other Ji Family cultivators to the Crimson Cloud Sect.
• At the sect gate, Ji Haoyuan gave Spirit Stones to the reception cultivator and learned he was Su Wenyuan’s nephew.
• The reception cultivator arranged for disciples to look after the Ji Family cultivators, then escorted Ji Haoyuan toward the Council Hall.
• Ji Haoyuan gave the reception cultivator a Storage Pouch to deliver to Su Wenyuan before they entered the Council Hall.

Ji Haoyuan attended a Crimson Cloud Sect gathering and followed Ice Fire True Person’s expedition toward the frontline. As the Flying Boats departed, Wang Yue gave him a Mission Jade Scroll and explained that he could form a team of up to four cultivators.

• Ji Haoyuan greeted Su Wenyuan and gave gifts to avoid trouble for his family during the expedition.
• Liu Hongyu and Feng Wanqing sat beside Ji Haoyuan, while Zhang Xingde greeted him and chose another seat.
• Ice Fire True Person appeared in the Council Hall and ordered everyone to follow her to the frontline.
• Su Wenyuan told Ji Haoyuan that his junior brother Song Yinchuan was looking after the Ji Family cultivators.
• Ji Haoyuan boarded a Flying Boat with Liu Hongyu and Feng Wanqing, and the boats departed west toward the Hongduan Mountain Range.
• Wang Yue gave Ji Haoyuan a Mission Jade Scroll and explained that he could recruit up to three other cultivators for his team.

Ji Haoyuan, Liu Hongyu, and Feng Wanqing formed a team and met Feng Wanqing’s recommended teammate, Qiu Zheyuan. Qiu agreed to join, and the four prepared to make contracts before reporting to the person in charge at their destination.

• Ji Haoyuan offered to form a team with Liu Hongyu and Feng Wanqing, and both women accepted.
• Feng Wanqing recommended Qiu Zheyuan, a principled Foundation Establishment Middle Stage sword cultivator she had explored a Cave Mansion with.
• Feng Wanqing brought Qiu Zheyuan to meet Ji Haoyuan and Liu Hongyu aboard the flying boat.
• Ji Haoyuan explained the team arrangement and invited Qiu Zheyuan to join.
• Qiu Zheyuan agreed because he trusted Feng Wanqing, and the four planned to make contracts and report to the person in charge.

Ji Haoyuan received a compulsory mission to clear the Giant-tailed Venom Crocodiles from Poison Pool Swamp and recruited Qiu Zheyuan, Liu Hongyu, and Feng Wanqing to join him. The group agreed on how to divide the fight, and Ji Haoyuan launched the attack.

• Ji Haoyuan received a compulsory mission to clear the Demon Beasts from Poison Pool Swamp within one week.
• Ji Haoyuan invited Qiu Zheyuan, Liu Hongyu, and Feng Wanqing to join the team mission, and they agreed to go.
• On the way to the swamp, Ji Haoyuan established rules for dividing the spoils and gave each teammate a Tier 2 Detoxification Pill.
• The group spotted dozens of Giant-tailed Venom Crocodiles, including five Rank 2 beasts and two nearing the high-grade tier.
• Qiu Zheyuan offered to handle one mid-grade crocodile, and Ji Haoyuan assigned Liu Hongyu and Feng Wanqing to restrain three low-grade beasts.
• Ji Haoyuan charged into the swamp, tore through several Rank 1 crocodiles, and struck one of the mid-grade beasts.

Ji Haoyuan and Qiu Zheyuan helped defeat the Giant-tailed Venom Crocodiles in Poison Pool Swamp, where Ji Haoyuan also found three Clear Profound Spirit Fruits. As the group prepared to return to Yuangguang City, their Spiritual Senses detected something in the northern sky.

• Ji Haoyuan blocked a Giant-tailed Venom Crocodile's tail attack with his Kun Luo Spirit Umbrella, then killed it with his Flame Snake Dragon Spear.
• Ji Haoyuan killed another crocodile before it could threaten Liu Hongyu and Feng Wanqing, who had become distracted.
• Qiu Zheyuan split a Giant-tailed Venom Crocodile in two with his silver treasure sword and took a Pill to recover his spiritual power.
• Ji Haoyuan defeated the remaining crocodiles and retrieved three Clear Profound Spirit Fruits from Poison Pool Swamp.
• Feng Wanqing explained the fruits' detoxifying properties, and Ji Haoyuan stored them before the group prepared to return to Yuangguang City.
• The group's Spiritual Senses detected something in the northern sky.

Ji Haoyuan and the others gathered with local cultivators and Netherworld Sect members as a sealed Herb Garden emerged. After its restrictions vanished, they entered and found extensive fields of mature spiritual plants, while Zhou Haifeng and Ma Qiulin followed them inside.

• Ji Haoyuan and his companions spotted a spiritual light and hurried toward the emerging Herb Garden, drawing cultivators from across the region.
• Ji Haoyuan recognized Netherworld Sect cultivators led by Black Fiend Daoist, then saw Crimson Cloud Sect cultivators Zhou Haifeng and Ma Qiulin arrive.
• Ma Qiulin approached Ji Haoyuan and deliberately mentioned a sect mission, drawing Black Fiend Daoist's attention to Ji Haoyuan's group.
• The Herb Garden fully appeared and its restrictions vanished, so Ji Haoyuan led Liu Hongyu, Feng Wanqing, and Qiu Zheyuan inside.
• Ji Haoyuan's group found that Zhou Haifeng and Ma Qiulin had followed them and discovered fields of mature Second Order and higher spiritual plants.

Ji Haoyuan and his companions gathered spirit herbs in the Herb Garden while Zhou Haifeng and Ma Qiulin urged them to wait for reinforcements from Yuangguang City. Deciding that the two stewards threatened their gains, Ji Haoyuan ordered them killed and struck Zhou Haifeng with the Mountain Shattering Seizing Seal.

• Ji Haoyuan's group and the two Crimson Cloud Sect stewards gathered spirit herbs, with Ji Haoyuan's group collecting far more.
• Zhou Haifeng and Ma Qiulin said they had sent a Message Talisman to Yuangguang City and proposed waiting for reinforcements.
• Ji Haoyuan, Liu Hongyu, Feng Wanqing, and Qiu Zheyuan considered the risk of yielding control and benefits to the arriving cultivators.
• Ji Haoyuan declared that he would not back down and ordered Zhou Haifeng and Ma Qiulin killed.
• Ji Haoyuan summoned the Mountain Shattering Seizing Seal, shattered Zhou Haifeng's mana barrier and defensive talismans, and crushed him in its grip.

Ji Haoyuan and his allies subdued Zhou Haifeng and Ma Qiulin, then hurried toward a rare spirit herb whose appearance drew cultivators across the Herb Garden. They arrived at a third grade restriction, while the Black Fiend Daoist ordered his Netherworld Sect group to kill anyone competing for the opportunity.

• Ji Haoyuan crushed Zhou Haifeng's bones and sealed his Spiritual Sense and mana while the others fought Ma Qiulin.
• Ma Qiulin tried to escape with a Tier 2 high-grade Escape Talisman, but Ji Haoyuan struck his sea of consciousness with Phantom God Stab and sealed him too.
• Ji Haoyuan told Liu Hongyu, Feng Wanqing, and Qiu Zheyuan not to touch the captives' Storage Pouches and to leave them for someone else.
• A spiritual light and strange visions revealed that a precious spirit herb had appeared, so Ji Haoyuan's group carried the captives toward it.
• The Black Fiend Daoist ordered the Netherworld Sect cultivators to kill everyone who went to the site to contend for the opportunity.
• Ji Haoyuan's group reached the site and found a third grade restriction.

Ji Haoyuan and the Netherworld Sect clashed as they converged on a collapsing Tier 3 restriction, and the fighting ended with the restriction shattering. The contents remained unrevealed as both sides faced off near the opening.

• Ji Haoyuan and his companions saw the Netherworld Sect arrive, and Black Fiend Daoist's black-flame spear struck at them; Ji Haoyuan used the Kun Luo Spirit Umbrella to shield their retreat.
• Zhou Haifeng and Ma Qiulin, unable to move or speak, were pierced by the attack and burned to ash, leaving their Storage Pouches behind.
• Black Fiend Daoist summoned the Storage Pouches, but Ji Haoyuan counterattacked, and a sword strike killed Netherworld Sect cultivator Junior Brother Jiang.
• Black Fiend Daoist sent the Spirit Severing Demonic Fiend's chains against Ji Haoyuan, while Liu Hongyu, Feng Wanqing, and Qiu Zheyuan took pills to resist its effects.
• Ji Haoyuan met the chains with orange-red flames, and the Tier 3 restriction shattered into points of light.

After the Tier 3 restriction broke, Ji Haoyuan’s group entered the Herb Garden and found two two-hundred-year Mysterious Sun Fruits. When local cultivators attacked to seize the herbs, Ji Haoyuan killed one Foundation Establishment Late Stage opponent and struck at the other.

• Ji Haoyuan led his group into the newly opened area, where Feng Wanqing spotted spirit herbs and Liu Hongyu identified two two-hundred-year Mysterious Sun Fruits.
• Ji Haoyuan told Liu Hongyu, Feng Wanqing, and Qiu Zheyuan to gather the herbs before seven or eight local cultivators arrived and demanded they stop.
• The Yellow-Faced Cultivator and Horse-Faced Cultivator attacked Ji Haoyuan together, but his massive stone-like hand repelled their artifacts and crushed the Horse-Faced Cultivator’s Gold Brick Artifact.
• Ji Haoyuan killed the Horse-Faced Cultivator with the Rainbow Transformation Spear Kill Technique, then pursued the Yellow-Faced Cultivator as he tried to escape.
• The Yellow-Faced Cultivator blocked Ji Haoyuan’s Heaven-Slaying Sword-Drawing Art with a Bell-Shaped Artifact, but the sword qi pierced its defenses and struck toward him.

Ji Haoyuan and his companions killed the cultivators who had attacked them and rushed through the Herb Garden after sensing a Tier 3 spiritual item. Ji Haoyuan claimed a blue-and-red Cinnabar Fruit despite an ambush, but the attacker’s identity and the consequences remained unknown.

• Ji Haoyuan used a Spiritual Sense attack to disorient the Yellow-Faced Cultivator, then killed him and collected his and the Horse-Faced Cultivator’s Storage Pouches.
• Ji Haoyuan ordered Liu Hongyu, Feng Wanqing, and Qiu Zheyuan to kill the remaining trapped cultivators, and the group collected their Storage Pouches.
• Ji Haoyuan’s group spotted blue-and-red spiritual radiance and recognized it as the sign of a Tier 3 spiritual item, then raced toward it.
• The group arrived as a blue-and-red Cinnabar Fruit finished transforming, and Ji Haoyuan sensed that it could benefit cultivators’ souls.
• An attacker launched a black spear light at Ji Haoyuan, but Ji Haoyuan countered it and stored the Cinnabar Fruit in a Jade Box.

Ji Haoyuan took the Cinnabar Fruit and fought off cultivators who tried to seize it with his Crimson Firmament Heavenly Thunder. A Golden Core True Person then appeared, extinguished his lightning, and was hailed as an Old Ancestor by the Black Fiend Daoist’s group.

• Ji Haoyuan claimed the Cinnabar Fruit and warned the gathered cultivators that attacking him would make them his enemies.
• The Black Fiend Daoist and other cultivators attacked Ji Haoyuan, prompting him to unleash Crimson Firmament Heavenly Thunder that killed a Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivator.
• Ji Haoyuan’s lightning overwhelmed the Black Fiend Daoist’s Black Flame Spear and threatened to strike him.
• A Golden Core True Person appeared and absorbed Ji Haoyuan’s lightning with a giant hand wreathed in demonic flames.
• The Black Fiend Daoist’s group bowed to the newcomer and addressed him as Old Ancestor.

Ji Haoyuan survived Nether Shadow True Person’s attack when Ice Fire True Person intervened, then offered her the Two Forms Profound Fruit in hopes of gaining her protection. Nether Shadow True Person reacted with killing intent, but Ice Fire True Person struck down his shadowy weapons.

• Nether Shadow True Person appeared and used his Golden Core pressure to immobilize Ji Haoyuan and crush his bones.
• Ji Haoyuan drew on the earth veins through the Profound Fire Thick Earth Art and activated his Silver Sword Talisman to buy time.
• Nether Shadow True Person shattered the talisman and sent a demonic-flame hand toward Ji Haoyuan.
• Ice Fire True Person arrived, destroyed the attack, and freed Ji Haoyuan and the others from the pressure.
• Ji Haoyuan bowed to Ice Fire True Person and offered her the Two Forms Profound Fruit.
• Nether Shadow True Person unleashed twisted shadow weapons at Ji Haoyuan, and Ice Fire True Person swept them away with Sword Light.

Ice Fire True Person defeated Nether Shadow True Person and accepted Ji Haoyuan’s Two Forms Profound Fruit. Before leaving, she gave Ji Haoyuan her Exclusive Token, inviting him to find her at her Cave Mansion.

• Ice Fire True Person shattered Nether Shadow True Person’s attacks and drew him into a battle in the High Heaven to protect the nearby juniors.
• Nether Shadow True Person escaped with Black Fiend Daoist and the others, but Ice Fire True Person’s sword qi struck his retreating shadow and left the onlookers believing she had won.
• Ji Haoyuan congratulated Ice Fire True Person and offered her the Two Forms Profound Fruit in gratitude for saving them.
• Ice Fire True Person accepted the fruit and gave Ji Haoyuan her Exclusive Token before vanishing.

After leaving the Herb Garden with his companions, Ji Haoyuan encountered Yuan Shanglong and Crimson Cloud Sect cultivators who demanded answers about two missing disciples. The confrontation ended with Ji Haoyuan asking Yuan Shanglong what he would do if they refused to submit their Storage Pouches for inspection.

• Ji Haoyuan respectfully saw off Ice Fire True Person, then led Liu Hongyu, Feng Wanqing, and Qiu Zheyuan to gather more spiritual items while hiding his injuries.
• After half a day, Ji Haoyuan and his companions left the Herb Garden, where most spiritual items had been plundered and Ji Haoyuan had recovered from more than half his internal injuries.
• Yuan Shanglong and several Crimson Cloud Sect cultivators blocked the group, and a Black-Robed Youth asked whether they had seen Zhou Haifeng and Ma Qiulin in the Herb Garden.
• Ji Haoyuan admitted that they had met Zhou Haifeng and Ma Qiulin but said they had parted ways, while the Black-Robed Youth revealed that both disciples' Soul Tablets had shattered.
• The Black-Robed Youth demanded a full account and an inspection of the group's Storage Pouches, then surrounded them and threatened them with the Enforcement Hall's authority.
• Ji Haoyuan asked whether the demand came from the Black-Robed Youth or Yuan Shanglong and asked Yuan Shanglong what he would do if they refused.

Ji Haoyuan defied Yuan Shanglong’s demand and defeated him in a fierce exchange, leaving Yuan Shanglong gravely wounded. Ji Haoyuan asked whether they now had the right to refuse, but Yuan Shanglong still challenged him.

• Yuan Shanglong attacked Ji Haoyuan with his True Flame Fire Eyes, but Ji Haoyuan blocked the flames with a Yellow Barrier.
• Yuan Shanglong struck with his Flame Greatsword, and Ji Haoyuan caught it with a Hazy Yellow Light Giant Hand, forcing Yuan Shanglong back.
• Ji Haoyuan counterattacked with the Flame Snake Dragon Spear and a swift Sword Light, cutting through Yuan Shanglong’s shield and wounding him.
• Ji Haoyuan brought Liu Hongyu, Feng Wanqing, and the others before Yuan Shanglong and asked if they now had the right to refuse his demand.
• Yuan Shanglong asked what Ji Haoyuan would do if he still said no, and Ji Haoyuan replied with a disdainful chuckle.

Ji Haoyuan returned to Yuangguang City, completed his mission, and visited Ice Fire True Person to repay the favor connected to the Two Forms Profound Fruit. He asked the Golden Core cultivator to accept him as a disciple, leaving his request awaiting an answer.

• Ji Haoyuan led Liu Hongyu and the others away from Yuan Shanglong, who ordered his people to continue searching for the Herb Garden.
• Ji Haoyuan turned in the mission and received extra merit contribution after the Mission Hall confirmed the Storage Pouch belonged to a Netherworld Sect Foundation Establishment cultivator.
• Ji Haoyuan distributed the Poison Pool Swamp mission rewards to Liu Hongyu, Feng Wanqing, and Qiu Zheyuan, then said he would share the Herb Garden gains after visiting the True Person.
• Ji Haoyuan entered Ice Fire True Person's Cave Mansion after the restrictions opened in response to his token.
• Ice Fire True Person said the Two Forms Profound Fruit had been useful and offered to help Ji Haoyuan, who asked to become his disciple.

Ji Haoyuan asked Ice Fire True Person to take him as her disciple, but she refused and offered him other compensation. After weighing her cultivation methods, he chose the incomplete Star Battle Body despite its demanding requirements.

• Ji Haoyuan considered asking Ice Fire True Person to take him as her disciple, believing either her agreement or a suitable alternative would benefit him.
• Ice Fire True Person refused to accept Ji Haoyuan as a disciple and offered him cultivation methods, pills, Treasure Materials, a Talisman Treasure, and help with one future question.
• Ji Haoyuan examined the available cultivation methods and chose the Second Order Star Battle Body, which could strengthen his physique and improve his chance of reaching Golden Core.
• Ice Fire True Person warned Ji Haoyuan that the Star Battle Body required much Stardust Sand, exceptional comprehension, and was only an incomplete portion of the full method.

Ji Haoyuan received the Star Battle Body method, Stardust Sand, and Guest Elder status from Ice Fire True Person, then returned to his Cave Mansion to study and cultivate the method. Half a month later, he emerged with greatly strengthened defenses that several Spiritual Artifact Flying Swords could not pierce.

• Ice Fire True Person gave Ji Haoyuan the Star Battle Body method, Stardust Sand, and a Guest Elder token for the Crimson Cloud Sect.
• Ji Haoyuan met Liu Hongyu, Feng Wanqing, and Qiu Zheyuan to settle the Herb Garden gains and said he would share any extra Foundation Establishment Pills he refined.
• Ji Haoyuan studied the Star Battle Body and used his comprehension to deduce its cultivation method through the late Golden Core Realm.
• After half a month of cultivation, Ji Haoyuan drew starlight into his body and gained formidable defenses.
• Several Spiritual Artifact Flying Swords struck Ji Haoyuan but failed to leave even a mark.