Chapter Summaries

Elder Ye recognized the enormous creature in Xu Prefecture as a Mirage Beast and left to prepare the Hundred Refinements Valley, while the Demon Suppression Division learned that Wei Hong was on his way. In the imperial capital, Zhang Qiuji reassured Li Xingyi about Wei Hong’s loyalties and pressed ahead with preparations despite his failing health.

• Elder Ye identified the enormous demon beast as a Mirage Beast capable of creating a mirage large enough to engulf a small kingdom.
• Ding Juncai prepared to report the beast, but Elder Ye left for the Hundred Refinements Valley to halt operations and cover up its affairs.
• Li Xingyi received word that Wei Hong was heading to Xu Prefecture and realized a Dharma Aspect Realm powerhouse was coming.
• At Prime Minister Zhang Qiuji’s residence, Li Xingyi voiced concern that Wei Hong might support the imperial clan’s bid for power, but Zhang said their goals remained aligned before reaching the Other Shore.
• Li Xingyi reported that the Hundred Refinements Valley’s Heaven Grade Mysterious Weapon was nearly complete and that preparations in the prefectures were mostly finished; Zhang coughed and urged him to finish while he still could.

Shen Lin found himself in Mirage Spirit City, a Demon Race capital, and tried to stay hidden while he figured out how he had arrived. After a gang of demons lured him into an alley to rob him, he killed two of them and was puzzled when he received no Demon Lifespan reward.

• Shen Lin appeared in bustling Mirage Spirit City and learned from its streetside hawkers that the city was populated by demons.
• Shen Lin avoided drawing attention and entered an empty alley, where three jackal-wolf demons approached him.
• The scar-faced demon offered Shen Lin a map, then led him to a secluded spot so the gang could rob him.
• Shen Lin easily crushed the two lackeys, but he was surprised that killing them earned him no Demon Lifespan.

Shen Lin discovered that Mirage Spirit City seemed to be a remarkably realistic illusion set in an ancient era and decided to investigate while hiding his identity. After hearing that a team of humans had been brought to the arena, he changed course to see whether Bai Kaize and the others were there.

• Shen Lin examined the scar-faced jackal demon and learned that Mirage Spirit City was ruled by the Mirage Dragon Demon Emperor, while humans lived in tribes.
• Shen Lin suspected the city was an illusion from tens of thousands of years ago and ordered Scarface to take him to his gang for information and possible spirit herbs.
• On the way, Shen Lin heard demons discussing a team of human captives scheduled to appear at the arena.
• Shen Lin thought the humans might be Bai Kaize and the others, so he told Scarface to take him to the arena before visiting the gang.

Bai Kaize, Zhong Bailing, and Wu Juncai were imprisoned in a Demon Race city and learned it was the ancient Mirage Spirit City, supposedly destroyed long ago. Their captors then delivered them to an arena, where they were to fight for the demons’ entertainment.

• Wu Juncai blamed Shen Lin for knocking their squad unconscious, while Zhong Bailing realized their captors had mentioned Mirage Spirit City and the Blood Flame Tribe.
• Zhong Bailing recalled that the Blood Flame Tribe had been ancient humanity’s strongest tribe and Mirage Spirit City had been one of the four great demon kingdoms.
• Zhong Bailing explained that Mirage Spirit City should have been destroyed after the Mirage Dragon Demon Emperor and the East Sea Mad Fiend Demon Emperor perished together.
• Bai Kaize heard soldiers approaching, and Arena manager Boss Zhu paid Captain Huang for the human prisoners.
• Captain Huang ordered his soldiers to take Bai Kaize and the others into the arena.

Bai Kaize and his team were forced into Mirage Spirit City's arena, where they learned that winning their first fight would not free them but make them prizes for an auction decided by further battles. As Shen Lin considered rescuing them, the arena began drawing their first opponents, and the pointer landed on a winged, one-eyed lion-like demon beast.

• Bai Kaize stopped Wu Juncai from attacking after noticing powerful guards hidden in the darkness.
• The guard captain sent Bai Kaize and his team into the arena, where Demon Race spectators cheered and shouted for them to fight.
• Shen Lin learned from the scar-faced man that the human captives would be auctioned to the victor of battles among bidders, not sold for Spirit Crystals.
• A female Demon Race host introduced the arena's drawing and announced that two Primal Chaos Realm patriarchs were watching.
• The host spun the pointer, which landed on the image of a golden, one-eyed, winged lion-like demon beast.

Bai Kaize and his team fought the supposedly undefeated One-Eyed Golden Lion in the arena and brought it down with Demon Extermination Nails. As Bai Kaize prepared to finish it, the unusual silence from the spectators made him sense that the fight might not be over.

• Shen Lin learned from Scarface that the One-Eyed Golden Lion had never lost and considered intervening if Bai Kaize’s team was in danger.
• Zhong Bailing explained the beast’s eye-based ability and claimed its physical strength was not exceptional, but the enormous lion emerged and made Bai Kaize doubt her assessment.
• Bai Kaize led the team’s attack while the One-Eyed Golden Lion dodged their strikes and the Ice Cones that chilled the arena around it.
• Bai Kaize clashed with the lion and was knocked back, while Zhong Bailing and two teammates used Demon Extermination Nails to pierce it and disrupt its Demon Power.
• The One-Eyed Golden Lion collapsed, but Bai Kaize sensed something was wrong when the spectators fell silent.

Bai Kaize, Zhong Bailing, and Wu Juncai defeated the One-Eyed Golden Lion by coordinating their strongest attacks. Just as Yin Tianjue tried to claim the Humans, an unidentified black Demon entered the arena and bid against him.

• The One-Eyed Golden Lion revealed its second form and petrified two of Bai Kaize’s companions, while Zhong Bailing’s jade pendant shielded her.
• Bai Kaize protected Zhong Bailing as she realized the lion had to choose between defending against her ice attacks and resisting an explosion.
• Bai Kaize’s blade strike knocked the One-Eyed Golden Lion beneath Zhong Bailing’s ice swords, and Wu Juncai detonated his two puppets to finish it off.
• The Silver Mantis Race prodigy recognized Zhong Bailing’s strategy and decided to claim her and the other Humans.
• Yin Tianjue declared that he had taken a liking to the three Humans, but a black Demon leaped into the arena and announced that he would bid.

Shen Lin entered the arena to claim Bai Kaize and the others, swiftly overpowering Yin Tianjue despite the Silver Mantis Race’s influence. As Shen Lin prepared to kill him under the arena’s life-or-death rules, the eagle demon changed the rules to allow losers to surrender.

• Yin Tianjue took the stage to claim Bai Kaize and the others, and most demons avoided challenging him because of his Silver Mantis Race backing.
• Shen Lin challenged Yin Tianjue and asked the referee whether defeating him would give him control over the humans.
• The referee asked Shen Lin to spare Yin Tianjue, while the Silver Mantis leader warned him not to harm his grandson.
• Shen Lin seized Yin Tianjue by the throat before he could react, leaving the Silver Mantis leader and the spectators stunned.
• The Blood Ring leader pointed out that arena fights allowed only life or death, and Shen Lin prepared to kill Yin Tianjue.
• The eagle demon appeared and changed the arena rules so losers could surrender and live.

Yin Tianjue revealed that Zhong Bailing carried the aura of a Divination Plate Fragment, leading him and Yin Jiwu to plan to seize her after dark. Meanwhile, Ying Yang ended the arena dispute and announced a demon-beast melee as a replacement spectacle.

• Ying Yang intervened in Shen Lin and Yin Jiwu’s confrontation, and Shen Lin released Yin Tianjue.
• After leaving the arena, Yin Tianjue told Yin Jiwu that Zhong Bailing carried the aura of a Divination Plate Fragment and urged him not to act in front of witnesses.
• Yin Tianjue proposed they investigate Shen Lin’s whereabouts and make their move that night, and Yin Jiwu agreed to bring the clan’s fragment himself.
• Ying Yang announced a great melee among the arena’s remaining demon beasts to satisfy the crowd.
• Ying Yang invited Shen Lin to complete the paperwork and take the Human Race people.

Shen Lin stopped Bai Kaize, Wu Juncai, and Zhong Bailing from killing themselves and carried them away, while Lin Sinian discovered that the ruins were a thriving Mirage Spirit City from the past. After feeding a rabbit demon to his beasts, Lin Sinian noticed the blood and remains had vanished and the beasts were still hungry, leading him to suspect an illusion.

• Bai Kaize, Wu Juncai, and Zhong Bailing chose to die rather than submit, but Shen Lin knocked them unconscious before they could act and carried them away.
• Ying Yang watched Shen Lin leave, decided to investigate him further, and ordered someone to find out where he was staying.
• Lin Sinian found the Mirage Dragon Tower and learned from a rabbit demon that the place was the thriving Mirage Spirit City, where the Mirage Dragon Demon Emperor still ruled.
• Lin Sinian had his Demon Beasts tear apart and devour the rabbit demon, then wondered if he had traveled into the past.
• Lin Sinian noticed the blood and traces of the rabbit demon had vanished while the beasts remained hungry, and suspected that the scene was an illusion.

Lin Sinian explored Mirage Spirit City, learned that the Blood Ring Race held a powerful secret treasure, and ingratiated himself with its prodigy Chi Xiao to get closer to it. Their drinking was interrupted by an explosion at Tiger Leopard Hall’s headquarters.

• Lin Sinian entered Mirage Spirit City and wondered whether its lifelike inhabitants and bustling streets were an illusion.
• Lin Sinian overheard Chi Xiao boasting about defeating Yin Tianjue and realized Shen Lin and others might also be in the city.
• Lin Sinian provoked a nearby demon to draw Chi Xiao’s attention, then introduced himself and showered Chi Xiao with praise.
• Chi Xiao warmed to Lin Sinian, toasted with him, and insisted they become sworn brothers, giving Lin Sinian a chance to approach the Blood Ring Race’s secret treasure.
• A huge fireball and a series of explosions erupted at Tiger Leopard Hall’s headquarters, and Chi Xiao wondered which Body-Forging Realm expert had caused them.

Shen Lin learned that Mirage Spirit City was an illusion created from a living being’s memories and that killing its foundation might let them escape. As he considered searching the city for spirit herbs, Yin Jiwu emerged from hiding to confront him.

• Shen Lin took control of Tiger Leopard Hall, dismissed its demons, and woke Zhong Bailing, Bai Kaize, and Wu Juncai.
• Shen Lin and the Demon Slaying Marquis members agreed to cooperate and discussed how to return to the outside world.
• Zhong Bailing identified the setting as the ancient Mirage Spirit City, and Shen Lin explained that it was an illusion rather than the real city.
• Bai Kaize recalled that killing the living being whose memories founded a Mirage Beast’s illusion could dispel it, and the group suspected that being might be the Mirage Dragon Demon Emperor or a Vice City Lord.
• Bai Kaize said some objects inside Mirage Beast illusions could be real, prompting Shen Lin to consider searching for spirit herbs.
• Shen Lin sensed someone approaching, told the others to hide, and confronted Yin Jiwu as he emerged from the darkness.

Shen Lin refused Yin Jiwu’s offer to trade cultivation techniques for the captured Humans and challenged him to a fight. After Yin Jiwu’s fiery attack drew the attention of Mirage Spirit City’s demon leaders, Shen Lin emerged from the flames unharmed, lamenting his ruined outfit.

• Yin Jiwu asked Shen Lin to name a price for the Humans, but Shen Lin said he wanted a way out of the fantasy realm, Demon Lifespan, and powerful techniques.
• Yin Jiwu offered Silver Mantis Race techniques in exchange for the woman, and Shen Lin said he could take them by killing Yin Jiwu.
• Yin Jiwu erupted in anger and attacked Shen Lin with a torrent of fireballs.
• Bai Kaize warned Zhong Bailing and Wu Juncai that Shen Lin’s death would leave them trapped and that the commotion could attract other powerful demons.
• The other great demon races’ leaders, including Ying Yang and the Blood Ring Race patriarch, arrived to watch as Shen Lin stepped out of the flames unharmed.

Shen Lin overwhelmed Yin Jiwu with his extraordinary physical strength, but Yin Jiwu unleashed the Silver Mantis Race’s Heaven-Intercepting Marvelous Gate Technique and began dodging Shen Lin’s attacks while striking back. Ying Yang prepared to intervene as Yin Jiwu gained the upper hand.

• Shen Lin blocked Yin Jiwu’s flame attack with his body and knocked him back with a punch.
• Yin Jiwu attacked with his flaming scythes, but Shen Lin shattered his jade pendant’s flame barrier and sent him crashing into the ground.
• Yin Jiwu rose in a rage and attacked with greater speed and power, while Shen Lin’s kicks and punches failed to hit him.
• Yin Jiwu repeatedly struck Shen Lin and evaded his attacks using the Heaven-Intercepting Marvelous Gate Technique, prompting Ying Yang to prepare to stop the fight.

Shen Lin defeated Yin Jiwu despite the Silver Mantis patriarch’s Heaven-Intercepting Marvelous Gate Technique and killed him before Ying Yang could intervene. He then challenged the other Demon Race powerhouses, while Ying Yang recognized that Shen Lin was still badly injured.

• Yin Jiwu used the Heaven-Intercepting Marvelous Gate Technique to predict Shen Lin’s moves, but his attacks only caused superficial damage as Shen Lin’s old injuries worsened.
• Shen Lin appeared behind Yin Jiwu, shattered his twin sickles with his hand, and seized him by the throat.
• Ying Yang realized Shen Lin’s power was unstable because he had not recovered from severe injuries and considered whether to recruit him.
• Ying Yang rushed out to stop Shen Lin, but Shen Lin crushed Yin Jiwu’s neck and killed him.
• Shen Lin faced the gathered Primal Chaos Realm members of the Demon Race and asked whether they wanted to attack together.

Shen Lin intimidated the Demon Race gathered in Mirage Spirit City, then heard Ying Yang's offer of high-grade spirit herbs and pills in exchange for help. He asked Zhong Bailing to identify genuine objects in the illusion, and she separated several possible real items from Yin Jiwu's possessions.

• Shen Lin provoked the gathered Primal Chaos Realm Demon Race, but they withdrew without attacking, leaving Ying Yang behind.
• Ying Yang introduced himself as a Vice City Lord and offered Shen Lin high-grade spirit herbs and pills if he agreed to help with an undisclosed matter.
• Shen Lin said he would think it over, and Ying Yang told him to find him at the arena when he had decided.
• Shen Lin asked Zhong Bailing whether she could distinguish genuine objects from illusions and reveal objects transformed from illusion into reality.
• Zhong Bailing used her secret technique on the contents of Yin Jiwu's Summoning Ring and selected several objects that might be genuine or transformed into reality.

Shen Lin consumed a precious spirit plant for its small amount of Blood Qi Power, then joined Zhong Bailing’s tortoiseshell fragment with Yin Jiwu’s and recognized a pattern linked to his Sea Burning Flame. He took the fragment and learned the Heaven-Intercepting Marvelous Gate Technique, leaving Zhong Bailing with the technique as compensation.

• Zhong Bailing identified the black spirit ganoderma as a material for a Star Realm Barrier Breaking Pill, but Shen Lin ate it to replenish a little Blood Qi Power.
• Zhong Bailing noticed that her waist ornament resembled the tortoiseshell fragment, and Shen Lin joined it with Yin Jiwu’s fragment.
• Shen Lin recognized the completed flame pattern as similar to the flame on his beast-skin scroll and suspected the items could help him control the Sea Burning Flame.
• Shen Lin found the Heaven-Intercepting Marvelous Gate Technique on the beast-skin scroll and learned it with the system.
• Shen Lin gave the scroll to Zhong Bailing as compensation for taking her tortoiseshell fragment.

Shen Lin gave Zhong Bailing the Heaven-Intercepting Marvelous Gate Technique, while Lin Sinian infiltrated the Blood Ring Race after killing Yin Tianjue. Lin Sinian found the crimson conch horn he had been seeking and met the Blood Ring Race patriarch, Chi Ling.

• Shen Lin told Zhong Bailing and the others to rest before going with him to the arena the next day, and Zhong Bailing realized the technique was Earth Grade High Rank.
• Zhong Bailing and the other two stayed awake studying the technique while Shen Lin slept.
• Lin Sinian killed Yin Tianjue and flattered Chi Xiao, who invited him to meet his grandfather, the Blood Ring Race patriarch.
• Lin Sinian learned that a pitch-black Demon Race creature had killed the Silver Mantis Race patriarch and decided to keep a low profile while pursuing the Blood Ring Race's secret treasure.
• Chi Xiao introduced Lin Sinian to Chi Ling, and Lin Sinian spotted the crimson conch horn hanging from Chi Ling's waist.

Shen Lin met Ying Yang in Mirage Spirit City after agreeing to hear his proposal, while arranging for Zhong Bailing, Bai Kaize, and Wu Juncai to stay safe outside the meeting. Ying Yang began to explain the deal, and Shen Lin asked whether he planned a rebellion or to purge his rivals.

• Shen Lin traveled to the arena in a sedan chair carried by Bai Kaize and Wu Juncai, with Zhong Bailing beside him.
• Shen Lin told Zhong Bailing to wait outside with the others and said he had arranged for their safety.
• At the arena, Shen Lin bit Zhong Bailing to make the demons view them as his treasured playthings, prompting the female demon to arrange food and shelter for them.
• Shen Lin met Ying Yang in a lakeside pavilion and said he accepted the deal Ying Yang had proposed.
• After drinking Ying Yang's wine, Shen Lin asked what help Ying Yang needed and whether he was planning a rebellion or purging his rivals.

Ying Yang recruited Shen Lin to help the four Vice City Lords force their way into the Mirage Dragon Demon Emperor’s tower and reset the deadly restrictions on their bodies. Shen Lin accepted the deal, chose three life-rich spirit herbs, and immediately ate them to restore part of his strength before the operation.

• Ying Yang told Shen Lin that the four Vice City Lords needed help reaching the City Lord, whose restrictions would explode after a hundred years without being reset.
• Ying Yang explained that mechanical puppets had stopped the Vice City Lords at the tower’s ninetieth floor, and asked Shen Lin to hold back six puppets while they defeated the others.
• Shen Lin agreed in exchange for choosing five items from the city treasury, and Ying Yang offered him three before the operation and the remaining two afterward.
• Shen Lin brought Zhong Bailing to the treasury, where she helped him select three spirit herbs rich in life force.
• Shen Lin ate the herbs at once and recovered nearly thirty percent of his internal injuries, enough to fight at his peak for half a day.