Chapter Summaries

Ye Zhen searched the Earth Core Fire Marshal’s Crimson Moon Soul Ring and discovered that most of its pills and plant treasures had decayed, while vast quantities of rare materials remained. He found a Golden Jade Slip containing the Profound Heaven Artifact Refining Art, but an ear-splitting roar interrupted him before he could study it.

• Ye Zhen found that the pills and fragile treasures in the Crimson Moon Soul Ring had crumbled into ash, though more than a thousand kinds of durable materials remained.
• Ye Zhen recognized a mountain of Mysterious Frost Sand and discovered a star-flecked black stone so heavy that his Spiritual Sense could barely shift it.
• Ye Zhen cleared away the ash and found the Golden Jade Slip, the only jade slip among the Earth Core Fire Marshal’s inheritance.
• The Earth Core Fire Marshal’s message welcomed Ye Zhen as his successor, demanded that he avenge the Marshal’s beloved confidante, and passed on the Profound Heaven Artifact Refining Art.
• As Ye Zhen prepared to study the art, an ear-splitting roar suddenly sounded beside him.

After absorbing the inheritance flame seed, Ye Zhen watched the Earth Fire Heart Palace collapse, honored the Earth Core Fire Marshal as his master, and carried away his remains. The Demon Race Fortress was destroyed and expelled its human survivors, leaving Chu Yang furious over the inheritance and the cultivation he had wasted trying to resist the force.

• Ye Zhen realized that absorbing the inheritance flame seed had caused the Earth Fire Heart Palace’s arrays to fail and its volcano to collapse.
• Ye Zhen read the Earth Core Fire Marshal’s tombstone, acknowledged him as his master, and promised to fulfill his wishes.
• Ye Zhen gathered the Earth Core Fire Marshal’s bones and tombstone into a jade box as the palace-protecting array broke apart.
• Inside the Demon Race Fortress, Chu Yang and the other Palace Opening Realm Kings resisted a crushing force, wasting Origin Vital Blood before it expelled them from the fortress.
• The Fortress’s nearly ten thousand Devil Race members and the entire space were ground to dust after the humans were expelled.
• Chu Yang learned the force had been sending them out rather than killing them, lamented his lost cultivation, and vowed not to let the matter end there as Ye Zhen escaped the collapsing palace.

Ye Zhen emerged from the collapsing Earth Fire Heart Palace with Earth Core Fire Marshal’s martial inheritance, and Qingyang Palace moved to seize it. He revealed his new Fire Control ability by turning Tang Hui’s own spirit fire against him, then fixed his attention on Chu Yang’s Purple Flame Golden Lamp.

• Chu Yang ordered Qingyang Palace’s elders to disguise themselves and destroy Chihuo Martial City, but they spotted Ye Zhen emerging from the ruins before they could leave.
• Tang Hui charged Ye Zhen with Purple Lightning Spirit Fire, hoping to kill him and claim his Storage Ring and martial inheritance.
• Ye Zhen used Fire Control to seize command of Tang Hui’s flames and send them back at him.
• Chu Yang used the Purple Flame Golden Lamp to extinguish the fire, but Tang Hui had already been burned down to bare bones.
• Ye Zhen locked his gaze on Chu Yang’s Purple Flame Golden Lamp.

Ye Zhen used a dark-red flame to extinguish Qingyang Palace Palace Master Chu Yang’s Qingyang Heavenly Fire, humiliating Qingyang Palace before the watching Palace Opening Realm Kings. Chu Yang fainted and withdrew with his elders, while he regarded Ye Zhen as both a mortal enemy and a potential tool for Qingyang Palace’s rise.

• Ye Zhen considered how to obtain Chu Yang’s Purple Flame Golden Lamp after observing its ability to absorb flames.
• Chu Yang attacked Ye Zhen with the Qingyang Heavenly Fire, and Wu Ying warned Ye Zhen of its power.
• Ye Zhen flicked out a dark-red flame that burned away Chu Yang’s Qingyang Heavenly Fire in an instant.
• Chu Yang’s suppressed injuries flared up, and he blamed Ye Zhen’s flame on the inheritance from the Earth Fire Heart Palace.
• Chu Yang ordered Qingyang Palace to withdraw, then fainted as Tie Yu carried the elders away with a small flame banner.

After securing Earth Core Fire Marshal’s legacy, Ye Zhen sealed the ruined Earth Fire Heart Palace and headed for Chihuo Martial City. Ice Fiend King Luo Zhu and River Crossing King Chi Yulong ambushed him together, leaving him badly injured as he fell toward the ground and realized they might have planned for his escape.

• Ye Zhen chose not to pursue Qingyang Palace’s fleeing group and ordered Nian Sijing and Wu Ying to return to Chihuo Martial City while he handled the ruins.
• Ye Zhen warned the gathered warriors to keep others away from Earth Core Fire Marshal’s resting place, then used Earth Meridian Heavenly Fire and Xiao Mao to bury and flatten the ruins.
• As Ye Zhen rode Xiao Mao toward Chihuo Martial City, Ice Fiend King Luo Zhu ambushed him with tens of thousands of ice spikes, which Ye Zhen mostly melted with his fire.
• River Crossing King Chi Yulong attacked Ye Zhen from behind while Luo Zhu struck from the front, forcing Ye Zhen to activate the Crimson Moon Shield and block Chi Yulong’s attack.
• Luo Zhu’s ice-blue star smashed through Ye Zhen’s fire, injured him, and sent him falling; Ye Zhen accelerated his descent, hoping to escape with Earth Escape, while both attackers laughed.

Ye Zhen was trapped in Illusion Array King Chen Chi’s Eight Directions Chaotic Illusion God Array by Chen Chi, Ice Fiend King Luo Zhu, and River Crossing King Chi Yulong, who sought the Earth Core Fire Marshal’s martial inheritance. Ye Zhen vanished from the formation, and when Chen Chi realized his array had a flaw, two crimson pillars of light struck toward the three Kings from behind.

• Luo Zhu and Chi Yulong’s ambush drove Ye Zhen into Chen Chi’s illusion formation, where his Clear Heart Sword Intent could not find a way out.
• Chen Chi revealed the Eight Directions Chaotic Illusion God Array, while Luo Zhu and Chi Yulong demanded that Ye Zhen surrender the complete martial inheritance.
• Ye Zhen dismissed their threats and claimed the formation had a flaw, but the three Kings decided to activate it and capture him alive.
• As Chen Chi changed the formation, Ye Zhen suddenly vanished, and the three Kings searched the array without finding him.
• Chen Chi recognized that his formation had a flaw, then Luo Zhu cried out as two dark crimson pillars of light swept toward the three Kings from behind.

Ye Zhen escaped Illusion Array King Chen Chi’s trap by burrowing underground, then incapacitated Chen Chi, Ice Fiend King Luo Zhu, and River Crossing King Chi Yulong with the Soul Refining Divine Light. He offered the survivors a choice: submit to his Soul Locking Puppet Technique or die, and the chapter ended as Chen Chi and Luo Zhu faced that decision.

• Ye Zhen escaped the Eight Directions Chaotic Illusion God Array underground, then attacked Chen Chi, Luo Zhu, and Chi Yulong from behind with the Soul Refining Divine Light.
• Ye Zhen sealed the three Palace Opening Realm Kings’ powers and crippled their bodies, leaving them helpless.
• Ye Zhen offered to spare the three if they opened their souls and cooperated with his Soul Locking Puppet Technique.
• Chi Yulong rejected Ye Zhen’s offer, so Ye Zhen smashed his head, seized his Innate Soul, and sealed away his Innate Soul Light.
• Ye Zhen asked the terrified Chen Chi and Luo Zhu what choice they would make.

Ye Zhen forced Ice Fiend King Luo Zhu and Illusion Array King Chen Chi to choose between death and becoming his puppets, then used the Soul Locking Puppet Technique to bind them. He sent them to establish nearby strongholds and flew toward Chihuo Martial City to cultivate Earth Core Fire Marshal’s inheritance.

• Ye Zhen told Luo Zhu and Chen Chi that their only choices were life or death, and Luo Zhu chose to live as a puppet.
• Chen Chi agreed to cooperate but asked Ye Zhen to swear not to force him to pass on his inherited formation arts, and Ye Zhen made the Soul Oath.
• Chen Chi concealed their auras with an Illusion Formation while Ye Zhen used the Soul Locking Puppet Technique to bind both Palace Opening Realm Kings.
• Ye Zhen told the two puppets to return to their estates, establish strongholds near Qinggang Martial Capital within a month, and come when summoned.
• Ye Zhen flew toward Chihuo Martial City to enter secluded cultivation and absorb Earth Core Fire Marshal’s martial inheritance.

After half a month in seclusion, Ye Zhen absorbed the Earth Core Fire Marshal’s martial inheritance and learned how his one-zhang Profound Fire Spirit Meridian could speed up cultivation of the Innate Fire Spirit Battle Body. He continued his retreat to study artifact refining, convinced that its precise control of spiritual power and flames could help him defeat stronger opponents.

• Ye Zhen spent half a month absorbing the Earth Core Fire Marshal’s martial teachings, gaining a deep foundation in martial arts despite making little direct progress in strength.
• Ye Zhen studied the Unchanging Profound Fire Scripture and learned that his one-zhang Profound Fire Spirit Meridian could let him cultivate the Innate Fire Spirit Battle Body far faster than ordinary martial artists.
• Ye Zhen began tempering his body for the Innate Fire Spirit Battle Body on the third day of his retreat, then remained in seclusion after the half month ended.
• Ye Zhen turned to the Profound Heaven Artifact Refining Art after the Earth Core Fire Marshal’s advice changed his view of artifact refining.
• Ye Zhen learned that artifact refining trained fine control over spiritual power and flames, making it a weapon for overcoming stronger opponents.

Ye Zhen began practicing the Profound Heaven Artifact Refining Art, recognizing that it could help him gain resources and modify his Spirit Weapons. He advanced far faster than Earth Core Fire Marshal’s records suggested, and suspected another factor was contributing to his progress.

• Ye Zhen resolved to learn artifact refining for its benefits, including precise control, access to cultivation resources, and the ability to improve his Spirit Weapons.
• Ye Zhen studied the Profound Heaven Artifact Refining Art and learned how refining skill depended on the art, flames, Soul Power, and accumulated experience.
• After eight days of study, Ye Zhen successfully refined Low-grade Treasure Artifacts and Treasure Armors with only one failure across his first fifteen attempts.
• Ye Zhen spent four days refining twenty Mid-grade Treasure Weapons and armors without a single failure.
• Ye Zhen attributed his speed to the Profound Heaven Artifact Refining Art, Heaven Grade flames, and Earth Core Fire Marshal’s experience, but suspected another important factor was involved.

Ye Zhen’s Four-colored Innate Soul Light helped him master artifact refining at an extraordinary pace, and he progressed from Treasure Artifacts to Spirit Weapons. His secluded training was interrupted when Hong Jiayin delivered news that the Divine Sacrifice would begin in half a month, just as Ye Zhen received a Talisman Signal of his own.

• Ye Zhen concluded that his Four-colored Innate Soul Light explained his exceptional success at inscribing formations and refining Treasure Artifacts.
• Ye Zhen refined one hundred High-grade Treasure Artifacts with a one hundred percent success rate, including eleven Top-grade Treasure Armors.
• After studying Spirit Weapon refinement and correcting the Spirit-Connecting Formation, Ye Zhen successfully refined a Spirit Weapon on his tenth attempt and went on to achieve a success rate above seventy percent.
• Hong Jiayin told Ye Zhen that the Divine Sect had ordered branch hall masters to prepare defenses and return for the triennial Divine Sacrifice, which would begin in half a month.
• Ye Zhen wondered why he had not received a Talisman Signal, and a streak of talisman light descended before him.

Pig Three described the deserts near his home in Gansu as quiet places for family barbecues and children to play. He recounted how two four-wheel-drive vehicles became stuck during an outing, then recommended the area’s uncrowded dunes, seasonal lake, and golden poplar forests to visitors.

• Pig Three explained that his group brought water and chose desert barbecue spots for the children’s enjoyment.
• The children played barefoot in the sand and slid down dunes while the adults joined them.
• The group’s four-wheel-drive vehicle got bogged down, and a second vehicle also became stuck while trying to tow it.
• The group dug the vehicles free with help from a four-wheel-drive pickup and returned home close to three in the morning.
• Pig Three encouraged visitors to explore the nearby uncrowded deserts, seasonal lake, and golden poplar forests.

Ye Zhen left Chihuo Martial City for Qinglan Martial Capital after rewarding the Crimson Fire Branch Hall’s outstanding members with artifacts he had refined. His return heightened the city’s already tense atmosphere, and the Sun Moon Divine Cult welcomed him as an honored guest.

• Ye Zhen decided to leave Chihuo Martial City immediately to find materials for refining Spirit Weapons and upgrading the Great Force Divine Hammer.
• Ye Zhen gave Hong Jiayin a Storage Ring containing a hundred High-grade Treasure Artifacts, including eleven pieces of Top-grade Treasure Armor and a Low-grade Spirit Weapon for Hong Jiayin.
• Ye Zhen arrived in Qinglan Martial Capital and noticed that the rival factions’ patrols were tense as conflict loomed among the five great factions.
• Longevity Sect patrol members spotted Ye Zhen and sent Talisman Signals, spreading news of his return throughout the city.
• Ye Zhen reunited with Feng Qingyue above the Sun Moon Divine Cult Headquarters and embraced her as the three jade bells rang nine times to announce an honored guest.

Ye Zhen learned that Jian Qianxiong was publicly preparing him to succeed as Cult Master, then discovered why the Sun Moon Divine Cult had not attacked the Longevity Sect. Yin Changsheng had returned from near death restored to full strength and accompanied by powerful allies, one of whom had gravely wounded Wu Ying.

• Jian Qianxiong welcomed Ye Zhen with a grand reception and appointed him assistant officiant for every Divine Sacrifice, signaling his likely succession.
• Tian Guizhang and Yao Sen realized Ye Zhen’s rise threatened their long-standing hopes of becoming Cult Master, and Tian regretted bringing Ye Zhen into the Divine Cult.
• Ye Zhen asked Jian Qianxiong why the Divine Cult had not attacked the weakened Longevity Sect, and Jian revealed that Wu Ying had been badly injured investigating the matter.
• Ye Zhen read intelligence that Yin Changsheng had sold valuable Longevity Sect assets for ten million High-grade Spirit Crystals and vanished for three days.
• Yin Changsheng reappeared restored to full strength with ten powerful figures, and Wu Ying revealed that one of them had nearly killed him with a single palm strike.

Ye Zhen learned the Sun Moon Divine Cult’s highest secret after hearing of the Longevity Sect’s sudden rise in power, then received permission to visit the treasure vault and study Wu Ying’s damaged cloak. He reunited with Feng Qingyue beneath the moon, where she came to understand Jian Qianxiong’s strictness as a father’s concern.

• Wu Ying reported that a red-haired young man had destroyed his Shadow Moon Cloak with one palm and that the Longevity Sect now had seven powerful Palace Opening Realm Kings, with Yin Changsheng and the red-haired man appearing exceptionally strong.
• Jian Qianxiong made Ye Zhen swear a Soul Oath, then shared a Jade Talisman containing the Sun Moon Divine Cult’s highest secret; Ye Zhen asked whether its forbidden method could counter the Longevity Sect, but Jian Qianxiong refused to test it.
• Wu Ying told Ye Zhen that three Palace Opening Realm Kings had arrived to restore the Myriad Stars Tower branch, and Jian Qianxiong gave Ye Zhen a Grand Elder token for the treasure vault and let him take Wu Ying’s damaged cloak to study.
• After leaving Jian Qianxiong’s residence, Ye Zhen received Feng Qingyue’s invitation to drink beneath the moon and joined her in the Moonlight Hall’s rear courtyard.
• Feng Qingyue cried as she told Ye Zhen she had realized Jian Qianxiong’s confinement of her had come from worry, and Ye Zhen reassured her that it was not too late to understand her father’s love.

Ye Zhen set aside his plan to assassinate Yin Changsheng after learning that the Longevity Sect leader had recovered and gained a powerful ally. He gathered materials from the Sun Moon Divine Cult’s Treasure Vault and began refining Mid-grade Spirit Weapons, leaving the chapter with him starting work in his courtyard.

• Ye Zhen learned that Yin Changsheng had healed, increased his cultivation, and gained the support of a powerful red-haired man, so he abandoned his assassination plan.
• Ye Zhen chose to refine a Moon Concealing Silver Light Wheel, three sets of Black Silkworm Silk Armor, and repair Wu Ying’s Shadow Moon Cloak.
• Ye Zhen went to the Treasure Vault, where Steward Wang initially hesitated to provide the requested Black Silkworm Silk.
• Ye Zhen’s Four-colored Innate Soul Light frightened Steward Wang, who then handed over the Black Silkworm Silk and other materials.
• Ye Zhen returned to his courtyard, posted Cloud Winged Tiger King Xiao Mao as guard, and began refining Mid-grade Spirit Weapons.

Ye Zhen refined several Mid-grade Spirit Weapons and reforged the Great Force Divine Hammer into the powerful God-Shattering Magnetic Light Hammer. As he prepared to make more armor before the Divine Sacrifice, a golden Cult Master's Edict arrived and stunned him.

• Ye Zhen failed his first Moon Concealing Silver Light Wheel refinement, made a Low-grade version on his second attempt, then succeeded with a powerful Mid-grade wheel on his third.
• Ye Zhen refined Black Silkworm Silk Armor, repaired Wu Ying's Shadow Moon Cloak, and achieved a success rate above seventy percent on his armor refinements.
• Ye Zhen used Dust Stone and Geomagnetic Spiritual Power to reforge the Great Force Divine Hammer into the God-Shattering Magnetic Light Hammer, resolving four problems using the Earth Core Fire Marshal's notes.
• Ye Zhen tested the new hammer's speed and weight, then prepared to refine two more pieces of Black Silkworm Silk Armor before the Divine Sacrifice.
• A golden Talisman Signal bearing a Cult Master's Edict arrived, and Ye Zhen was stunned after reading it.

Ye Zhen was summoned to the Divine Sect Main Hall over the Black Silkworm Silk he had taken from the treasure vault, where Chief Artifact Master Jin Mu and Deputy Cult Master Tian Guizhang accused him of depriving the cult of Spirit Weapons. Ye Zhen rejected Tian Guizhang’s insinuations and promised to explain himself, leaving the gathered leaders waiting for his response.

• Ye Zhen arrived at the Divine Sect Main Hall and learned that Jin Mu was demanding the Black Silkworm Silk he had reserved for refining Spirit Armor.
• Jin Mu confronted Ye Zhen and demanded that he return every bit of the silk, while Cult Master Jian Qianxiong tactfully asked Ye Zhen to give it back if he had not used it.
• Tian Guizhang accused Ye Zhen of taking the material to play with and rallied many of the gathered leaders to demand an explanation.
• Ye Zhen challenged Tian Guizhang’s accusation, then laughed and agreed to explain what had happened.

Ye Zhen answered accusations over the missing Black Silkworm Silk by challenging Chief Artifact Master Jin Mu to a contest in artifact forging. He wagered all his wealth and himself, leaving Jin Mu weighing the risk as the Divine Sect’s leaders looked to Cult Master Jian Qianxiong.

• Jian Qianxiong privately warned Ye Zhen not to humiliate Jin Mu, whose artifact-forging skill and disciples were vital to the Sun Moon Divine Cult.
• Tian Guizhang urged Ye Zhen to consider the Cult Master’s efforts to recruit Jin Mu, and Ye Zhen recognized the Deputy Cult Master as his enemy.
• Ye Zhen helped Chief Steward Wang to his feet and promised to restore his dignity after Jin Mu had beaten him and forced him to kneel.
• Ye Zhen told the Divine Sect’s leaders that he had taken the Black Silkworm Silk because he was learning artifact forging, prompting Jin Mu to question and scorn him.
• Ye Zhen challenged Jin Mu to an artifact-forging contest and wagered everything he owned, including himself, if he lost.
• Jin Mu hesitated over the high stakes and turned toward Jian Qianxiong, while the other leaders awaited the Cult Master’s response.

Ye Zhen challenged Jin Mu to a weapon-forging contest, then revealed the Mid-grade Spirit Weapons he had forged to demonstrate his skill. He gifted Feng Qingyue a weapon and armor, presented another armor to Jian Qianxiong, and left Jin Mu stunned by his results.

• Ye Zhen taunted Jin Mu into agreeing to a weapon-forging contest, and they swore a Soul Oath before Jian Qianxiong and the Divine Cult's upper ranks.
• Jin Mu described his forging record and claimed a twenty-percent success rate for Mid-grade Spirit Weapons, while the Divine Cult's officials privately remembered his wasteful demands for materials.
• Ye Zhen presented Feng Qingyue with the Moon Concealing Silver Light Wheel, a Mid-grade Spirit Weapon, and described its power.
• Ye Zhen gave Feng Qingyue a Black Silkworm Silk Armor, also a Mid-grade Spirit Armor, and persuaded her to refine it immediately.
• Ye Zhen presented another Black Silkworm Silk Armor to Jian Qianxiong, who laughed thunderously as Jin Mu stood dumbstruck.