Chapter Summaries

Bai Qixue drove off a mysterious attacker who used Anger Filth’s Hate Curse Technique, while the Tianjian Squad fought Pearl Scorpion and Six-headed Jiaolong near Dongfeng Island. Kun reunited with Luo Yan, but its attempt to consume the Nether Earth Fruit was interrupted when the Dragon Dragon Blood Essence also tried to devour it.

• Bai Qixue recognized the attacker’s Hate Curse Technique as Anger Filth’s, but the figure escaped before she could catch it.
• Bai Qixue searched the stone chamber for signs of a curse and found nothing unusual.
• The Tianjian Squad arrived as Kun fought Pearl Scorpion and Six-headed Jiaolong, then watched Kun depart and the two remaining overlords advance toward Dongfeng Island.
• Xiao Guizhi and Ning Chen led the squad’s mecha underwater to intercept the overlords while Chu Hao stayed behind to direct the battle.
• Kun reunited with Luo Yan, who showed it the Nether Earth Fruit.
• The Dragon Dragon Blood Essence’s Lizardman Will fought Kun over the fruit until Luo Yan used the Life Talisman to stop Kun and forced the Lizardman Will to withdraw.

Luo Yan waited for Kun to absorb the Nether Earth Fruit’s essence, then watched it return to the sea to digest it before heading home. In Ziyang City’s Old City, Jilan and Shatuo arrived in disguise and planned to investigate Yiren’s death, restore their strength, and seize control of the Mortal World.

• Luo Yan blocked Kun’s incessant thoughts while the Dragon Dragon Blood Essence went dormant after consuming some of the fruit’s essence.
• Kun spent nearly a day absorbing the Nether Earth Fruit’s essence, then departed for the Vortex Demonic Domain to digest it.
• Luo Yan decided to wait until Kun transformed into a Peng before exploring the moon to investigate whether Charm Wraith was there, then set out toward home.
• In Ziyang City’s Old City, Shatuo struggled to squeeze through the narrow alleys while Jilan warned him not to draw the Human Race’s attention.
• Jilan told Shatuo they needed to learn how Yiren died and restore their strength before trying to control the Mortal World.
• Jilan dragged the hungry Shatuo away from a roast-duck shop and said they would first cultivate blood descendants to gather information.

Luo Yan learned that Black Witch had landed on the moon, then heard Bai Shaotang explain plans to search Guixu for a way to close Yanfu. The Heavenly Fire Squad would accompany Doctor Jia, and Luo Yan returned to the dormitory as the search for Kunlun Palace remained uncertain.

• Luo Yan spoke with Bai Shaotang, who said Black Witch had landed on the moon but that previous searches had found nothing there.
• Bai Shaotang told Luo Yan that Doctor Jia would lead an expedition into Guixu to look for a way to close Yanfu, while researchers continued studying Yanfu itself.
• Bai Shaotang explained that Zaren had encountered a Young Kai-Ming Beast in an ancient city believed to be Kunlun Palace, but could not retrace his route there.
• Luo Yan agreed to accompany Doctor Jia, though Bai Shaotang said the search for Kunlun Palace would depend on exploring unknown regions and finding clues.
• Luo Yan returned to the Heavenly Fire Squad dormitory and heard Bai? say that they could not eat any more fried chicken.

Luo Yan returned to the Dragon Rider dormitory, where Qing Lian decided to leave Jinge City temporarily to clear her head. Luo Yan and Bai? went to the research institute to meet Jia Miao about their next mission to Guixu, while discussing preparations for the Desperate Battlefield and closing off Yanfu.

• Qing Lian complained about her workload and the laboratory, then told Bai Shaotang she was leaving to clear her head and agreed to take a personal assistant.
• Luo Yan learned from Bai? that the Desperate Battlefield cleanup had begun and that Undercity teams would need Profound Comprehension Realm cultivators to participate.
• Bai? said the Strategic Affairs Department planned to add the Yellow Court Canon and Spirit Refining Method to the exchange list to strengthen the Undercities ahead of closing off Yanfu.
• Luo Yan and Bai? drove to the research institute after receiving a message to meet Jia Miao about their next mission to Guixu.
• Lin Wei met Luo Yan and Bai? at the institute and led them into the elevator.

Luo Yan and the Heavenly Fire Squad met with Jia Miao and the scholars to hear the plan for an expedition into the Ruins in search of clues to Kunlun Palace. The team planned to depart for North Sea Base in three days, then enter an unexplored area beyond Area 15.

• Lin Wei explained that Jia Miao would go to the Ruins while she stayed behind, so the Strategic Affairs Department would not risk losing both researchers at once.
• Jia Miao introduced Dr. Fang Ping and Dr. Shi Rong as scholars on the expedition, while explaining that Fang Ping would remain at North Sea Base and send a student in his place.
• Jia Miao showed Luo Yan a map of the Ruins and said the team would explore unknown territory adjacent to Area 15, where Ancient People habitation might have left written records.
• Shi Rong said photographs suggested a large architectural complex in the unexplored area, which could yield clues to Kunlun Palace.
• Jia Miao said the team would leave for North Sea Base in three days, rest there for one day, and then enter the Ruins; Luo Yan agreed that the Heavenly Fire Squad would provide security.

Michael entered the Guixu and awakened seven sealed archangels, intending to use them as tools. Meanwhile, Luo Yan's Exploration team arrived at North Sea Base and prepared for an expedition with Zaren among its members.

• Michael used Morton's memories and administrative loopholes to infiltrate the Guixu and open an enormous stone gate.
• Michael destroyed a mural depicting the Headless Giant fighting winged beings, then found seven archangels sealed in Dragon Haze Jade.
• Michael infused the archangels with his light and awakened them with golden eyes.
• Luo Yan, Jia Miao, and the scholars arrived at North Sea Base, where Yan Song welcomed them and confirmed their supplies and support teams were ready.
• Jia Miao explained that Zaren could help identify clues related to Kunlun Palace, and Luo Yan told Zhang Tianyi to keep an eye on him.
• Luo Yan met the expedition's medical, engineering, and combat leaders, as well as Zaren, a former major of Freedom Wings.

Luo Yan met with Zaren and learned about the dangers and landmarks in an unexplored region from Ding He’s team. The expedition was set to begin the next day, with the group aiming to find clues about Kunlun Palace or at least locate the region’s Teleportation Anchor.

• Zaren promised Luo Yan he would do his job during the expedition, hoping the Strategic Affairs Department would remove him from Freedom Wings’ wanted list and help him become a fifth-tier Transcendent.
• Jia Miao introduced Luo Yan to Ding He and his explorers, who had given up cultivation so they could spend more time exploring the Ruins.
• Ding He warned the group about deadly Scorching Winds and described the powerful, hard-to-kill Big Head Dolls that inhabited the region.
• Ding He and Dr. Shi Rong identified distant black towers as a likely Ancient People settlement, while the group reviewed photographs of other dangerous terrain.
• Jia Miao said the expedition should seek clues about Kunlun Palace and, at minimum, find the Teleportation Anchor so the region could be supplied and designated Number 79.

The Exploration team traveled through Area 15 toward the unknown region, where Luo Yan’s Heavenly Fire Squad escorted the expedition into land devastated by Scorching Wind. After the team observed the Ghost Valley Phenomenon overnight, they entered the blackened territory and continued toward the tower structures as dark clouds gathered ahead.

• The Exploration team crossed Area 15, passed Blue Jade Lake and weathered ruins, and stopped at the edge of the black region.
• Luo Yan and Bai? discussed their past conflict with Freedom Wings and their hopes for the expedition while the Ghost Valley Phenomenon showed the Ancient People’s glowing figures in the darkness.
• At dawn, Luo Yan ordered the Heavenly Fire Squad to deploy its mecha and escort the ground forces into the unknown region.
• The team entered land ravaged by Scorching Wind, where Zhurong stirred black powder from the scorched earth and Luo Yan ordered the squad to mark nearby shelters.
• As the team advanced toward the tower structures, Luo Yan noticed dark clouds gathering in the distance.

The Exploration team endured the Scorching Wind by taking shelter beneath a solitary peak, then waited for the ground to cool after the storm melted the vehicles’ tires. That evening, Luo Yan visited Jia Miao, who had sent a message to North Sea Base because real-time communication was impossible.

• Luo Yan ordered the team toward a wind shelter marked by Bai? and told Li Yuqing to prepare Profound Water as the black gale approached.
• Ding He warned that the Scorching Wind was coming, and Li Yuqing used barriers and Bronze Wall Iron Wall to shield the convoy.
• The team reached the leeward side of a solitary peak and waited nearly two hours for the Scorching Wind to pass.
• The convoy tried to continue, but the heated ground melted the vehicles’ tires, so the team returned to the peak and camped there for the night.
• Jia Miao sent a message to North Sea Base, and Luo Yan visited her after dinner.

Luo Yan and Jia Miao discussed how to recognize Teleportation Anchors before the Exploration team discovered an overgrown ancient village that had resisted the Scorching Wind. Jia Miao’s team began searching its largest house and found a stone record identifying the village as Cong.

• Jia Miao explained that Teleportation Anchors were doors marked with fixed symbols and showed Luo Yan an example resembling Guixu’s entrance.
• Luo Yan found Zaren alone in a clearing at night, checked the area with his Divine Treasure, and left after Zhang Tianyi confirmed he had been watching him.
• The Exploration team traveled into the charred wasteland and found a walled village where weeds and giant trees had grown among the ruined buildings.
• Luo Yan checked the village for living beings, declared it safe, and established a camp while Jia Miao and the scholars searched the surviving houses.
• Jia Miao’s assistant found an ancient stone record, and Jia Miao identified it as a document about a village called Cong.

Luo Yan and Jia Miao explored Cong Village, discovered its Tomb Palace, and learned from the Stone Book that evil birds had destroyed the village at night. As darkness fell, Luo Yan ordered the Exploration team to shelter inside and organized watches in case the birds still threatened the area.

• Jia Miao explained that the Stone Book used Third Calendar Era writing and had her assistant send its images to Dr. Fang Ping for translation.
• Jia Miao told Luo Yan that Shi Rong's team was searching for the village's Tomb Palace, where the Ancient People's remains had been preserved.
• Shi Rong located the Tomb Palace entrance, and the engineering team used a robot to find a sealed door guarded by stone Tomb Guardian Beasts before covering the entrance and marking its location.
• Dr. Fang Ping translated the Stone Book, which recounted Cong Village's migration from Xing City, the attacks by evil birds at night, and the elderly villagers entering the Tomb Palace before the village was abandoned.
• Jia Miao warned that the evil birds might still exist, so Luo Yan ordered the Exploration team into the two-story building and assigned guards for the night.

Luo Yan and the Exploration team defended Cong Village from a night attack by thousands of Iron Beak Falcons. After Fire Yang True Lord burned the flock, the surviving birds fled into the darkness.

• Zhang Tianyi and Murong Xuan detected a flock of birds approaching Cong Village, and the alarm woke Luo Yan and the team.
• Luo Yan identified the attackers as Iron Beak Falcons and ordered the team to protect the house and prepare to fight.
• Zhang Tianyi and Yang Kui fought the birds with Great Swordsman and Rock while Luo Yan killed those that got past them.
• Luo Yan summoned Fire Yang True Lord, who spread a sea of flames over the village and burned the Iron Beak Falcons.
• The surviving Iron Beak Falcons turned back and fled into the darkness.

Luo Yan led the Exploration team to a well-preserved Ancient People military fortress and discovered an underground living complex beneath its central tower. He entered the complex to investigate, and the drones began revealing its rooms and a large hall.

• A silver-haired old man spotted a powerful point of fire in the Ruins and sent a winged giant to investigate.
• After the team left Cong Village, Luo Yan reached a massive fortress three days later and used Divine Treasure to confirm there were no signs of life inside.
• Luo Yan and Panshi cleared rubble so the Exploration team could enter the fortress, where they found no remains but saw evidence that its buildings had resisted the Scorching Wind.
• Ding He and others found the underground entrance in the central tower, and Luo Yan opened the heavy stone door with Zhurong.
• Luo Yan entered the clean-air underground passage while drones mapped its many rooms, revealing living quarters, storage rooms, and the beginnings of a hall.

Luo Yan opened a vast Ancient People hall and discovered that its Fire-Resistant Bead had once protected the fortress from the Scorching Wind. Jia Miao studied the hall’s murals and concluded that they depicted Xing City, whose people worshiped a Headless God before a disaster forced them to leave.

• Luo Yan recognized the stone door’s headless figure as resembling Xing Tian, while Jia Miao and Ding He discussed its possible connection to the Big Head Dolls.
• Zhu Rong melted the seal in the door’s cracks and pushed the heavy stone door open.
• Luo Yan identified the crystal sphere on the central platform as a Fire-Resistant Bead, and the team inferred that it powered an array protecting the fortress from the Scorching Wind.
• Luo Yan invited the scholars to examine the hall’s murals, and Jia Miao inspected them from Zhu Rong’s palm.
• Jia Miao identified the murals as depictions of Xing City, which worshiped a Headless God named Xing and was eventually abandoned after a disaster.

As Big Head Dolls surged toward the fortress, Jia Miao explained the Ancient People's flight from Xing City and the fortress's origins. The defenders prepared for a siege, but the creatures at the front vanished into the Black Nether Heaven before they could reach the walls.

• Jia Miao interpreted the murals, explaining that a fire-related disaster and recurring Scorching Winds drove the Ancient People from Xing City, and that survivors later built the fortress against threats on the land.
• A soldier spotted an immense horde of Big Head Dolls approaching the fortress and raised the alarm.
• Bai? mobilized the Mecha Squad and ground combat units, while Yang Kui toppled a tower to block a gap in the city wall.
• Bai? arranged the mechas along the fortress's main road, and Luo Yan guarded the scholars inside the underground hall.
• The Big Head Dolls at the front reached the fortress and disappeared into the Black Nether Heaven, which devoured them.

Bai used Black Nether Heaven and Lan Xiao to thin the monsters attacking the fortress, while Ding He and the soldiers joined the defense as the creatures breached the walls. The battle spread through the fortress, where the Heavenly Fire Squad and Yang Kui's Rock fought to hold back the advancing monsters.

• Bai expanded Black Nether Heaven across the ground, consuming many monsters before it reached its limit.
• Bai summoned Lan Xiao, which rained deep-blue fireballs on the monsters, but many survived and pressed toward the fortress.
• The monsters entered through the walls and cracks, while Xi Niang's Mystic Pattern kept them from attacking the mecha.
• Ding He and the soldiers launched drones and used flamethrowers to attack the creatures, but a giant killed one soldier inside the watchtower.
• Ding He escaped the tower as Yang Kui piloted Rock through the main avenue, crushing monsters and demolishing buildings.
• The soldiers and Heavenly Fire Squad mechas joined the battle across the fortress as the monsters continued their assault.

Luo Yan used the Fire Yang True Lord to burn through the Xia Geng aliens in the fortress passage, but a Xia Geng witch revived the dead as indestructible remnant corpses. Captain Bai identified the witch and sent Lan Xiao to attack it, while the undead continued to swarm the fortress.

• Luo Yan summoned the Fire Yang True Lord, whose Flame Dragon slaughtered the Xia Geng aliens in the passage.
• A long-limbed Xia Geng witch performed a ritual that revived the aliens’ corpses and spread its pale light through the fortress.
• Luo Yan told Captain Bai that the remnant corpses would keep reviving until the witch was killed.
• Captain Bai spotted the witch and ordered Lan Xiao to attack while remnant corpses swarmed Xiniang.
• Lan Xiao flew toward the witch, fought through the Xia Geng aliens, and tore through the attackers near its target.

Lan Xiao killed the Wu, ending the Xiageng Tribe’s spell and the assault on the fortress. The survivors regrouped underground, where Jia Miao mapped a route to Xing City and Zaren revealed that the Xiageng Tribe had been ordered to exterminate humanity.

• Lan Xiao unleashed a deep-blue fireball that killed the Wu, causing the reanimated corpses to collapse and the surviving Exotic Beasts to flee.
• The next day, Shi Rong discovered a tomb guarded by stone-like Exotic Beasts, and Bai? summoned Luo Yan back to the underground hall.
• Jia Miao used a mural to outline a route to Xing City and suggested searching a canyon forest for a possible Teleportation Anchor.
• Luo Yan explained the Xiageng Tribe’s origins and abilities, warning the group to kill its Wu first if they encountered the tribe again.
• Zaren introduced a tamed Xiageng tribesperson, which told him that its people had been ordered to exterminate all members of the Human Race.

Luo Yan's team took a Fire-Resistant Bead from a fortress and continued toward Xing City, while Michael used the Angel of Time's power to inspect Cong Village and learned that Zaren was with them. When Scorching Wind struck, the bead formed a moving barrier around Zhurong, allowing Luo Yan to advance through the flames.

• Luo Yan ordered Zaren to question the tamed Xian Geng tribesperson and decided the team would take the Fire-Resistant Bead.
• Luo Yan asked Jia Miao whether Xing City might contain a Divine Remnant, and she said it was possible but required a thorough search.
• An angel bearing the Angel of Time, Kuller, appeared in Cong Village and reversed time to reveal Luo Yan's team visiting and fighting there.
• Michael used the Angel of Time's power to review Cong Village, recognized Zaren, and considered joining forces with Artemis to find the Lord's holy body.
• Two days later, Luo Yan sent the team to a Wind Shelter as Scorching Wind approached, then tested the Fire-Resistant Bead with Zhurong.
• The bead formed a moving hemispherical barrier that scattered the flames and protected Zhurong as Luo Yan moved forward.

The Exploration team reached the canyon and forest marked on the ancient mural, and Luo Yan and Jia Miao entered the forest to search for the Teleportation Anchor. The forest revealed a hostile presence, and a shrill scream sounded from deep within as they ventured farther in.

• The Exploration team crossed the mountains, followed the river, and spotted the canyon and vast forest shown on the mural.
• Luo Yan and Jia Miao agreed to explore the forest together while the rest of the team made camp nearby.
• During the journey, Jia Miao told Luo Yan she had no home and had given up relationships and other pursuits to research the Guixu.
• Luo Yan sensed that the forest was hostile, but piloted Zhurong deeper among its enormous trees.
• Jia Miao warned Luo Yan that intelligent trees could hide among ordinary ones and strangle intruders, then a shrill scream echoed from deep in the forest.