Chapter Summaries

Zhong Ming gathered Dragon Stream Peak disciples as the assessment began, while observers debated the sect’s survival-focused strategy and wondered whether he was the supreme prodigy who had drawn the Golden Jade Tower’s attention. The assessment continued, leaving the spectators eager to see Zhong Ming prove himself.

• Zhong Ming decided to gather the Dragon Stream Peak disciples and signaled them with a sword cry.
• Yan Chen and other experts displayed their abilities, drawing disciples and family members into groups across the ruined town.
• Yue Shan praised the disciples for gathering, but Wei Jingcheng warned that real enemies would not grow stronger gradually or provide perfectly accurate intelligence.
• Yi Qing, Dong Jinhai, and Qin Rou watched Zhong Ming because they wanted to judge his abilities firsthand.
• Yue Shan asked Yi Qing whether the Seven Mysteries Sect had a supreme prodigy, and Yi Qing confirmed their interest without naming the person.

After Wei Jingcheng shortened the assessment, the disciples faced densely packed dangers almost immediately. Zhong Ming rescued Jiang Yue and gathered Dragon Stream Peak disciples, while Yan Chen discovered Molten Fire Peak had fallen to fifth place.

• A wounded Jiang Yue nearly died when a shadow monster ambushed him, but Zhong Ming destroyed it with a droplet of water and ordered disciples to carry Jiang Yue on a stretcher.
• Zhong Ming used the Dragon Creek Robe to search from above and led his group toward the city lord's manor, their rendezvous point.
• Zhong Ming encountered more Dragon Stream Peak disciples and joined forces with a group gathered by Xue Yao, who had also brought Green Fragrance Mountain disciples.
• Yan Chen killed a shadow monster with the Radiant Sun Mirror, then grew furious after learning Molten Fire Peak had dropped from first place to fifth.
• The chapter explained that pill cultivators, Darkstone Peak, Little Bamboo Peak, Molten Fire Peak, and Pháp Ấn Peak struggled in the ambush-heavy assessment because their strengths were poorly suited to sudden combat.

Dragon Stream Peak took the lead in the assessment, but spectators suspected Wei Jingcheng of giving its disciples unfair help after seeing shadow monsters explode whenever the disciples were in danger. The scene also showed why other factions played cautiously, while Yan Chen’s overwhelming firepower came with limits on how precisely he could use it.

• Spectators suspected Wei Jingcheng had secretly adjusted Dragon Stream Peak’s points, so he shifted the heavenly screen to show their battle.
• Xue Yao fought shadow monsters with impressive swordsmanship and icy spiritual power, earning praise from Wei Jingcheng and Mo Shuying.
• Dragon Stream Peak’s disciples actively hunted monsters and matched their displayed points, while suffering almost no casualties because monsters exploded whenever a disciple faced danger.
• Spectators accused Dragon Stream Peak of receiving blatant protection from a Dao Protector and said the advantage made the assessment unfair.
• Molten Fire Peak’s disciples stayed close to Yan Chen and avoided risky fights because survival mattered and Yan Chen could not readily protect them.
• Yan Chen wielded spiritual power beyond Mid Qi Condensation, but his attacks became vast seas of fire that he could not control with ease.

Several teams gathered at the City Lord's Manor after finding the trial far harder than expected, and Han Yu proposed an alliance with Dragon Stream Peak and Green Fragrance Mountain. Yi Yunya openly challenged Han Yu's attempt to place himself in charge.

• Zhong Ming, Yan Chen, and Zhu Feiyu independently chose the tallest building as their gathering point, while other teams joined them after realizing the trial's difficulty had increased.
• Su Lingya and Han Yu led their teams to meet Dragon Stream Peak, but Su Lingya could not detect the concealed Zhong Ming.
• Su Lingya proposed an alliance between Green Fragrance Mountain and Dragon Stream Peak, and Han Yu added pháp ấn Peak to the offer.
• Han Yu argued that the three teams' different strengths would help them survive the trial, then Yi Yunya mocked him for acting as their leader.

Zhong Ming reflected on his habit of relying on superpowers while the disciples battled powerful simulated monsters before the City Lord's Manor. Yan Chen and Su Lingya’s groups struggled against enemies whose abilities hindered their strongest attacks, leaving the fight ongoing.

• Zhong Ming realized he should think carefully before resorting to his superpowers, recalling a Dragon Stream Peak prodigy who had died fighting a Foundation Establishment-level demon.
• Wei Jingcheng’s Heaven-Covering Formation Diagram produced cruel and cunning monsters, including late Qi Condensation enemies, that overwhelmed the disciples before the City Lord's Manor.
• Yan Chen used the Radiant Light Treasure Mirror and Molten Fire Furnace to attack a fast crow monster, but its crow-shadow duplicates forced him to hold back to avoid harming his allies.
• Su Lingya and Green Fragrance Mountain faced paper effigies whose mournful cries filled disciples with despair and whose stolen likenesses could link their injuries or deaths to the originals.

Zhong Ming’s invisible attack killed a late Qi Refinement demonic monster, convincing the assembled guests of his power and strengthening Dragon Stream Peak’s position. Yi Yunya found a clue to the Heaven-Covering Formation Diagram’s exit, while Su Lingya feared Green Fragrance Mountain would be wiped out.

• Zhong Ming’s single strike killed a late Qi Refinement demonic monster, astonishing the guests and frightening those fighting near the City Lord’s Manor.
• Yi Qing recognized Zhong Ming’s invisibility as a powerful advantage and accepted that he qualified to become a Heaven-grade retainer.
• Han Yu felt relieved that he had not provoked Yi Yunya, while Dragon Stream Peak’s disciples fought with renewed confidence under Zhong Ming’s protection.
• Yi Yunya found a stone on the fallen demonic ape with instructions to open a small door in the south city wall at three quarters past the You hour.
• Zhong Ming understood that the group had to hold out until the appointed time, and Su Lingya panicked because Green Fragrance Mountain could not withstand the paper figures.

Zhong Ming’s team cleared the trial with few casualties while Yan Chen’s victory over the Crow Demon left Molten Fire Peak devastated. As other disciples sought Zhong Ming’s protection, Yan Chen recognized that he had lost their trust and likely the assessment.

• Yan Chen killed the Crow Demon but saw that his attacks had burned many Molten Fire Peak disciples to ashes.
• Observers compared Yan Chen’s heavy losses with Zhong Ming’s successful battles and rescue of Green Fragrance Mountain, praising sword cultivators’ combat strength.
• Disciples from Mingshi Peak, Darkstone Peak, and Bamboo Grove Peak called on Zhong Ming for help and offered points or obedience.
• Su Lingya considered whether Xie Yushuang could draw Zhong Ming closer despite the many young women around him.
• Some Molten Fire Peak disciples moved toward Dragon Stream Peak and Xie Yuzhu, and Yan Chen realized that he had lost the disciples’ confidence.

Li Feng revealed his Late Qi Condensation cultivation and blade intent, then used a demonic blade sound to disrupt Yan Chen during their duel. He unleashed Tiger Roar against Yan Chen, who forced himself back to consciousness as the attack struck.

• Zhong Ming refused to have the Seven Mysteries Sect cultivators gang up on Li Feng and let Yan Chen fight him alone.
• Li Feng displayed Late Qi Condensation cultivation and formidable blade intent, shocking Han Yu, Xue Yao, and the others.
• Li Feng dodged the Fire Spirit Giant and moved behind Yan Chen before Yan Chen could turn.
• Li Feng's blade released a piercing demonic sound that blanked Yan Chen's consciousness and destabilized the Fire Spirit Giant.
• Li Feng unleashed Tiger Roar, sending more than a hundred black blade energies at Yan Chen, who bit his tongue to regain consciousness.

Yi Yunya recognized Li Feng and the Six Extremes Sect as the power behind Jade Lake City's three great families, while the Seven Mysteries Sect's leaders confronted the sect's arrival. City Lord Yue Shan claimed the newcomers had come to help suppress demons and promised they would not act recklessly.

• Yi Yunya identified Li Feng's Calamity Ghost Mask and Calamity Demon Blade as signs that he belonged to the Six Extremes Sect, then asked why they had come to Jade Lake City.
• The Seven Mysteries Sect's leaders learned that the Six Extremes Sect had secretly backed the three great families and worried about the threat it posed.
• A black-robed elder called Nether Spear entered the Seven Mysteries Sect's mountain gate and openly said his sect had come to obtain resources.
• Law Enforcement Elder Wei Jingcheng told the panicked leaders that the Six Extremes Sect would not send its main force and called on City Lord Yue Shan to explain its presence.
• Yue Shan said the Six Extremes Holy Sect was an ally that had come to help suppress demons and monsters, while Nether Spear glared at Wei Jingcheng but did not respond.

Zhong Ming confronted Li Feng inside the Heaven-Covering Formation Diagram, insisting he would kill him despite their apparent gap in strength. When Li Feng attacked, Zhong Ming’s Dragon Creek Robe, empowered by the Abyssal Heavy Water Pearl, trapped and redirected his strike as Zhong Ming launched a counterattack.

• Li Feng taunted Zhong Ming for approaching rather than fleeing, and Zhong Ming calmly said he had come to beat him to death.
• Li Feng dismissed Zhong Ming as foolish and rushed at him with a lethal strike aimed at his neck.
• Zhong Ming did not dodge, but his Dragon Creek Robe stopped Li Feng’s blade and pulled it aside with its swirling water.
• Zhong Ming flicked a dark droplet at Li Feng while his weapon remained caught in the robe.

Zhong Ming stunned the spectators by killing Li Feng with one strike, overturning expectations after Li Feng had demonstrated overwhelming strength. Jade Lake City's clans and the Seven Mysteries Sect's other peaks rushed to court Mo Shuying and Dragon Stream Peak, while some quietly watched Elder Nether Spear.

• Li Feng's strength and ability to absorb flames convinced the clan heads that the Six Extremes Demon Sect could overpower the Seven Mysteries Sect and other local sects.
• Wei Jingcheng expected Zhong Ming to lose and began considering how the Seven Mysteries Sect could limit its losses and form an alliance afterward.
• Zhong Ming killed Li Feng with one strike, leaving Wei Jingcheng and the spectators stunned.
• Jade Lake City's clan heads hurried to flatter Mo Shuying and seek ties with Dragon Stream Peak after seeing Zhong Ming's victory.
• Members of the Seven Mysteries Sect's other peaks also sought Dragon Stream Peak's support, and several people turned their attention toward Elder Nether Spear.

After the Six Extremes Demonic Sect invited Zhong Ming to join them, he chose to remain with Dragon Stream Peak and the Seven Mysteries Sect. The sect promised to devote its resources to nurturing him, but Li Feng interrupted the renewed harmony with a cold sneer.

• Mu Huai invited Zhong Ming to join the Six Extremes Demonic Sect, leaving the Seven Mysteries Sect's elders anxious that he would accept.
• Zhong Ming refused the invitation, saying Dragon Stream Peak was his home and that he believed he could achieve greatness in the Seven Mysteries Sect.
• Wei Jingcheng declared Zhong Ming a True Disciple and Dragon Stream Peak's Senior Brother, promising him full access to sect resources and support.
• Yi Qing offered Zhong Ming an item from her family to improve his spiritual root, and he agreed to call her Little Aunt.
• Li Feng, whom Zhong Ming had defeated, interrupted the harmonious mood with a cold sneer.

Zhong Ming refused Li Feng’s offer to join the Six Extremes Demon Sect and chose to remain with the Seven Mysteries Sect. The Sect Master promised to help him obtain a Heaven-grade cultivation method, but Li Feng challenged the value of the Golden Jade Tower’s collection before the visitors left.

• Zhong Ming refused Li Feng’s offer, and Li Feng vowed to return in half a year and test him with a move.
• The Seven Mysteries Sect disciples worried that Zhong Ming could not match Li Feng, until the Sect Master appeared and assured them of Zhong Ming’s future.
• Zong Chengze praised Zhong Ming’s loyalty and told Yi Qing he wanted to discuss the Golden Jade Tower’s Heaven-grade cultivation methods.
• Zhong Ming thanked Zong Chengze, while Li Feng mocked the Golden Jade Tower’s methods as impractical to cultivate.
• Yi Qing, Dong Jinhai, and Qin Rou reacted with hostility, and Mu Huai told Li Feng it was time to leave.

The Smoky Sunset Sect welcomed the Six Extremes Demon Sect’s arrival as a chance to gain influence, and Luo Qi planned to use the Cloud Heaven Sect’s support to lead a Jade Lake City alliance. The chapter ended as Cloud Heaven Sect visitors arrived and mocked the Smoky Sunset Sect’s main hall, while Luo Xiaoxuan showed no sign of defending her own sect.

• Smoky Sunset Sect scouts reported that Elder Shadow Spear Mu Huai had appeared at the Seven Mysteries Sect, prompting the sect’s elders to discuss the Six Extremes Demon Sect’s arrival with anticipation.
• Luo Qi and his wife ordered Xiaoxuan to invite Elder Yang and Young Master Jiang from the Cloud Heaven Sect.
• Luo Qi reflected on the Smoky Sunset Sect’s ties to the Cloud Heaven Sect and planned to become the leader of an alliance against the Six Extremes Demon Sect.
• An elder escorted Elder Yang and a group of Cloud Heaven Sect youths into the Smoky Sunset Sect’s hall.
• A Cloud Heaven Sect disciple called the hall crude, and Luo Xiaoxuan looked displeased without defending her sect.

After purifying his body with Three Lights Divine Water, Zhong Ming raised his spiritual root to second rank and realized he could seek to combine its light properties with his water power. Yi Yunya then came to see him before he had finished advancing his Dragon Creek Swordplay.

• Zhong Ming relied on Yi Yunya to manage Dragon Stream Peak’s growing influx of disciples and clans while she secured resources and commercial alliances.
• Zhong Ming drank Golden Jade Tower’s low-grade Three Lights Divine Water and let it cleanse his body for several hours.
• Zhong Ming’s spiritual root reached second rank, but he failed to comprehend the divine water’s mysteries.
• Zhong Ming reasoned that he could give his water power the properties of the sun, moon, and stars, and decided he needed a light-related treasure, spell, or technique.
• Yi Yunya came to see Zhong Ming before he had advanced Dragon Creek Swordplay to the fourth realm.

Zhong Ming examined Golden Jade Tower’s Heaven-grade cultivation arts and discovered that nearly all required impossible resources, rare physiques, or deadly trials. He found that Dao Repository · Heavenly Derivation seemed unusually easy to cultivate, requiring only the repeated recitation of its scriptures.

• Wei Jingcheng waited hopefully while Zhong Ming studied the arts in the secret chamber, though few believed Zhong Ming could master one.
• Zhong Ming learned that Immortal Gilded Body required nearly nonexistent gilded gold, while Great Profound Space-Time Record required a rare Great Profound Immortal Body.
• Zhong Ming read that Three Lives Reincarnation Sutra demanded three attempts to condense a Reincarnation Seal at the moment of death, each with a slim chance of success.
• Zhong Ming rejected other arts that required unusual fates, physiques, or dangerous access to calamity lightning.
• Zhong Ming found that Dao Repository · Heavenly Derivation required no resources or special physique, only daily recitation of its scriptures.

Zhong Ming awakened the Torchlight Heart-Eye while comprehending Golden Jade Tower’s Heaven-grade cultivation art, but he left the chamber puzzled about why it had appeared. His accidental hint that his comprehension had succeeded stirred doubt among the onlookers, while Wei Jingcheng remained unsure whether Zhong Ming had truly gained anything.

• Zhong Ming awakened the Torchlight Heart-Eye, whose power of flame and light erupted through his Divine Snow region, and wondered why it had appeared despite his water-elemental cultivation.
• After more than three hours, Zhong Ming left the secret chamber looking confused, and Golden Jade Tower’s onlookers assumed he had failed and mocked Yi Qing.
• Yi Yunya comforted Zhong Ming, who began to say that his comprehension had gone well before realizing he had spoken too freely and covering his words.
• Zhong Ming left Golden Jade Tower with Yi Yunya and Wei Jingcheng, while the stewards dismissed his words as a boast or a face-saving lie.
• Yi Qing, Qin Rou, and Dong Jinhai reacted with uncertainty, and Qin Yi decided to question Qin Rou about Zhong Ming’s claim.
• Wei Jingcheng doubted Zhong Ming’s success, recalling that only three to five people had gained anything from Golden Jade Tower’s Heaven-grade cultivation arts in the past hundred years.

Zhong Ming’s Torchlight Heart-Eye nurtured Evil-Breaking Golden Light, but his body could not withstand further evolution, so he decided to pursue body tempering. Sect Master Zong Chengze arrived to verify whether Zhong Ming had learned Golden Jade Tower’s Heaven-grade cultivation art, and Zhong Ming demonstrated his awakened eye.

• Zhong Ming’s Torchlight Heart-Eye compressed solar power and nurtured its fourth ability, Evil-Breaking Golden Light.
• Zhong Ming realized his physical body had reached its limit and that he needed to strengthen it before advancing Torchlight Heart-Eye further.
• Zhong Ming decided to both continue cultivating Dao Repository · Heavenly Derivation and seek Mingshi Peak’s body-tempering art.
• Sect Master Zong Chengze appeared and asked whether Zhong Ming had learned Golden Jade Tower’s Heaven-grade cultivation art.
• Zhong Ming activated Torchlight Heart-Eye, making Zong Chengze feel as though the golden-red eye had seen through him.

Zhong Ming and the Seven Mysteries Sect arrived at Clear River Commandery to meet the Prince of Qinghe and take part in the Starlit Moon Vault trial. They found the commandery prosperous and many other sects already gathered, then were greeted by a refined woman from Clear River Commandery.

• Zhong Ming recited with a book during the journey, prompting Yan Chen, Su Lingya, Han Yu, and the other young talents to join him in reading.
• Zong Chengze and Wei Jingcheng brought Zhong Ming and the sect's young talents to Clear River Commandery to discuss cooperation and attend the Starlit Moon Vault trial.
• Zhong Ming saw Clear River Commandery's vast spiritual fields and bustling city, and recognized the Prince of Qinghe's great wealth.
• The Seven Mysteries Sect's flying vessel was stopped near the prince's residence and guided to a landing area where more than a dozen other sects' vessels were parked.
• Zong Chengze, Wei Jingcheng, and Zhong Ming worried that the many invited sects would leave fewer resources for them, then a splendidly dressed woman arrived to receive them.

Zhong Ming used pills and Purifying Flame to rapidly fill his dantian, relying on his advanced Dragon Creek Breathing Technique to prepare for late Qi Condensation. Meanwhile, sects gathered in Clear River Commandery City, where Luo Qi eyed a chance for profit despite Yang Jing’s warnings about stronger forces.

• Zhong Ming reflected that reaching late Qi Condensation required a cultivation method at Stage 3, which his Dragon Creek Breathing Technique had already surpassed.
• Zhong Ming refined large quantities of pills, using Torchlight Heart-Eye, Mirror Still Water · Ripple, and Purifying Flame to remove toxins as his spiritual power surged.
• Zhong Ming used healing pills to ease the strain on his body and meridians, spending more than a thousand spirit stones while benefiting from the Seven Mysteries Sect’s support.
• Luo Qi, Yang Jing, and Jiang Ye arrived in Clear River Commandery City with the Smoky Sunset Sect and saw the gathered forces as a chance to profit.
• Yang Jing told Luo Qi that the Cloud Heaven Sect could spare no more people because it was fighting the Six Extremes Demon Sect, and warned that powerful forces had already arrived.
• Luo Qi claimed his sect sought only a small share, but Yang Jing warned that the Smoky Sunset Sect might not have enough strength to obtain it.