Chapter Summaries

Lin Shuguang rushed to Kunshan with Han Yi and Cao Chao to rescue Professor Ding, who had been abducted by the Demonic Cultivators. After Black Robe questioned Professor Ding about Fulong Cave and heard him call for the Sacred Insect, Lin Shuguang defeated the assassins guarding the route and reached an apparently empty courtyard.

• Han Yi drove Lin Shuguang and Cao Chao toward Huchong Road after the bureau reported a suspected attack on Professor Ding's convoy, and Cao Chao shared Professor Ding's warnings about gods and a possible resurgence.
• Cao Chao learned that the Demonic Cultivators had abducted Professor Ding and were near Kunshan, so Han Yi took a shortcut toward the mountain.
• Black Robe questioned Professor Ding about his discoveries in Fulong Cave, but Professor Ding muttered about a divine miracle and resurgence before asking, "Sacred Insect, are you there?"
• Black Robe ordered dozens of cloaked assassins to kill the pursuers approaching the mountain pass.
• Lin Shuguang fought through the assassins with his saber, while Cao Chao and Han Yi witnessed his strength.
• Lin Shuguang, Cao Chao, and Han Yi followed the assassins' route to a secluded courtyard with its gates open, and Lin Shuguang sensed that someone was still there.

Lin Shuguang and the Third Department agents entered an underground palace where Zhao Minghui’s First Department team had found Professor Ding in a coffin but feared the black-robed figure on the platform. After realizing Zhao Minghui was baiting them, Lin Shuguang threw Curly Hair toward the platform, where a huge shadow lunged at him.

• Lin Shuguang, Cao Chao, and Han Yi encountered the First Department in the hall and followed them through a hidden passage after a scream sounded.
• The group found an underground palace with dead Demonic Cultivators kneeling beneath a floating black-robed figure, and Zhao Minghui’s team confronting the platform.
• Lin Shuguang confirmed the worshippers were dead and told Cao Chao and Han Yi to look for Professor Ding while they waited to learn more.
• Zhao Minghui told Lin Shuguang that Professor Ding was inside the coffin and challenged the Third Department to bring him down for a share of the credit.
• After Curly Hair insulted the Third Department, Lin Shuguang grabbed him and hurled him toward the platform, where a huge black shadow lunged at him.

Lin Shuguang helped recover Professor Ding from the collapsing underground palace and returned him to the Special Management Bureau, where Bureau Chief Luo Hui credited him with completing the mission. The chapter left Zhao Minghui disgraced and Lin Shuguang curious about the mysterious Damo Institute.

• Lin Shuguang and Zhao Minghui drove back the giant centipede Ferocious Beast as Black Robe transformed, took Professor Ding's coffin, and smashed his way out of the collapsing palace.
• A bald, six-scarred senior battled Black Robe and the centipede, then threw the coffin to Lin Shuguang and ordered him to take it to the bureau.
• Lin Shuguang brought Professor Ding to the Special Management Bureau ahead of Zhao Minghui, who arrived furious that his First Department had received no mission credit.
• Bureau Chief Luo Hui rebuked Zhao Minghui and confirmed that Lin Shuguang would receive credit for recovering Professor Ding, despite another senior's role.
• Ma Wei learned how Zhao Minghui had clashed with Lin Shuguang, and Cao Chao described Lin Shuguang's ruthless use of Curly Hair to test the danger.

Lin Shuguang’s strength continued to grow while Lei Sen left to join the military after confronting him and seeing how far he was behind. Lin Shuguang reunited with Feng San, arranged lodging and dinner for his martial arts students, and heard Feng San ask him to introduce him to a woman.

• Lei Sen received approval to join the military, decided to leave the next day, and told Lin Shuguang he had changed after their fight at Desolate Mountain.
• Lei Sen challenged Lin Shuguang to show his strength, but Lin Shuguang defeated his attack with a saber strike and said he had used only thirty percent of his power.
• Lei Sen left Demon Martial for the Western Frontier while Lin Shuguang’s blade techniques and bone-tempering cultivation continued to improve.
• Feng San met Lin Shuguang outside Demon Martial and revealed that he had recently become a martial artist and brought five students to compete in the Demon Capital.
• Lin Shuguang arranged a hotel and dinner for Feng San and the students, then Feng San joked that he wanted Lin Shuguang to introduce him to a woman.

Lin Shuguang learned that the Blood Desolate Land had been locked down and wondered whether the incident was connected to Fulong Cave, whose secrets might involve the gods awakening. Several days later, he joined a mission against an interprovincial human-smuggling organization and entered its courtyard alone.

• Feng San told Lin Shuguang that soldiers had locked down the Blood Desolate Land, leaving hunting teams struggling.
• Lin Shuguang called Si Qianjun, who confirmed trouble in the Blood Desolate Land similar to the incident at Fulong Cave, but told him to remain at the training camp.
• Lin Shuguang speculated that gods might be awakening and resolved to focus on cultivation until he grew stronger.
• Cao Chao told Lin Shuguang that the Third Department would raid an interprovincial Snakehead Organization that trafficked Awakened for experimentation or use as puppets.
• Lin Shuguang entered the courtyard alone while Cao Chao and Han Yi waited by the car, and a thunderous boom shook the street.

Lin Shuguang rescued captives from a Demonic Cultivator hideout and recognized Ye Tianhao among them, but could not get him to speak. After leaving Ye Tianhao food and earning over twenty million from the operation, Lin received a Silver Box Ye Tianhao left at the school gate, and his Martial Dao Will Crystal trembled wildly.

• Cao Chao and Han Yi found Lin Shuguang in the hideout basement, where he handed them the surviving Demonic Cultivator leader and helped free the captives.
• Lin Shuguang recognized Ye Tianhao, took him to a restaurant, and left him a meal when he could not bring himself to eat in front of him.
• Cao Chao brought Lin Shuguang the operation's proceeds, which exceeded twenty million, and Lin asked him to look for more missions.
• Lin Shuguang spent money improving his Martial Dao Will and saber techniques.
• A school security worker told Lin Shuguang that a friend had left him a Silver Box, and the Martial Dao Will Crystal in his sea of consciousness trembled wildly when he received it.

Lin Shuguang activated a mysterious bronze medal and received a surge in cultivation, then learned it was connected to Xianyang Cave and the Heavenly Dao. Meanwhile, Bloodhand’s Demonic Cultivators linked the unknown saber expert to earlier attacks and planned to lure him out with the Divine Temple’s help.

• Lin Shuguang opened Ye Tianhao’s Silver Casket and activated the bronze medal, which transported him to a vision of a white-browed elder naming him the Holy Son of the Heavenly Dao Academy.
• Lin Shuguang returned to his quarters as the medal lost its power, and his Bone Tempering Resonances climbed to thirty-one.
• Lin Shuguang read Ye Tianhao’s letter and learned the medal had come from a powerful Martial Artist associated with Xianyang Cave, but he soon forgot the elder and hall, remembering only the words “Heavenly Dao.”
• Bloodhand reported to the hidden Demonic Cultivator leader that the Special Management Bureau had captured Old Liu and that the saber expert responsible had vanished.
• The leader connected the saber expert to the deaths of Zuo Rongfei and Zuo Haoping and the Fulong Cave incident, then ordered his followers to coordinate with the Divine Temple and prepare to lure the expert out.

After Lin Shuguang trained Hu Shaoqing, Cao Chao summoned him to rescue children abducted by the Divine Temple. Division One hijacked the mission, but Lin Shuguang ordered Cao Chao and Han Yi to continue toward the hideout anyway.

• Meng Shenzhou returned from secluded training, boasted about his cultivation, and lost a spar with Lin Shuguang.
• Hu Shaoqing demonstrated the saber strike Lin Shuguang had taught him and received a passable assessment.
• Cao Chao told Lin Shuguang that the Divine Temple had abducted more than a dozen children, and Lin Shuguang left with Cao Chao and Han Yi for the rescue mission.
• Cao Chao learned that Zhao Minghui of Division One had taken over the mission, but Lin Shuguang ordered them to proceed.
• Han Yi drove to the hideout, where Cao Chao spotted Division One's vehicles, and Lin Shuguang told them to get out.

Zhao Minghui attacked the Divine Temple’s hideout at an abandoned villa, believing the assignment would let him get back at Lin Shuguang. After killing Bloodhand, Zhao discovered Yan Hai had been waiting for him, and Yan Hai struck him down as the chapter ended.

• Yan Hai waited at the villa with Bloodhand and a group of kidnapped children, confident Zhao Minghui would come.
• Zhao Minghui broke into the villa with his men, killed Bloodhand, and ordered the surviving assassins killed and the children rescued.
• Zhao revealed he had manipulated the assignment away from Lin Shuguang’s group so he could humiliate Lin.
• Yan Hai emerged from the hall and killed Curly Hair, shocking Zhao and the other attackers.
• Yan Hai attacked Zhao with overwhelming force, and Zhao’s saber strike failed to stop Yan Hai’s punch from hitting his shoulder.

Yan Hai attacked the Special Management Bureau team while searching for the saber-wielding Lin Shuguang, but Lin arrived and overwhelmed him. Lin confronted Zhao Minghui over stealing his mission, then used him to blunt Yan Hai’s attack before launching a devastating saber strike.

• Yan Hai gravely wounded Zhao Minghui and slaughtered the Special Management Bureau members who charged him.
• Zhao Minghui realized Yan Hai was seeking Lin Shuguang, and Yan Hai blamed him for ruining his plan.
• Lin Shuguang burst through the wall and struck Yan Hai, then relentlessly drove him through the villa and injured his arm.
• Lin Shuguang questioned Zhao Minghui about stealing his mission, and Zhao denied wanting to be his enemy.
• Yan Hai attacked again, so Lin held Zhao Minghui in the way of his fist and followed with a powerful saber slash.

Lin Shuguang defeated and killed Yan Hai, then helped rescue the children and said Yan Hai had killed Zhao Minghui. Hong Baiqing arrived and ordered Lin Shuguang, Cao Chao, and Han Yi detained over Zhao Minghui’s death.

• Lin Shuguang attacked Yan Hai despite his attempts to bargain and recruit him into the Divine Temple.
• Cao Chao and Han Yi arrived as Lin Shuguang unleashed a powerful saber strike that smashed Yan Hai through the courtyard walls.
• Lin Shuguang found Yan Hai unable to stand, killed him, and gained 1,200 cal of Blood Energy Value.
• Cao Chao led the unconscious children out and reported that Zhao Minghui had already been dead when they arrived.
• Hong Baiqing arrived, ordered Lin Shuguang, Cao Chao, and Han Yi detained, and demanded they explain what had happened.

After Zhao Minghui’s death, Hong Baiqing accused Lin Shuguang and his companions of involvement and tried to take them in, but Lin Shuguang openly challenged him. Lu Hong arrived to protect his people, and the confrontation ended with Lin Shuguang warning Hong Baiqing to watch his tone.

• Hong Baiqing questioned why Lin Shuguang had survived while the others died, and Lin Shuguang insulted him in reply.
• Hong Baiqing attacked with his aura, but Lin Shuguang drew the Slaughter Blade and matched his spear strike.
• Lu Hong arrived and confronted Hong Baiqing, refusing to hand over Cao Chao, Han Yi, and Lin Shuguang.
• Lu Hong blamed Hong Baiqing’s approval for Zhao Minghui’s presence at the mission site and his death, while Hong Baiqing accused Lin Shuguang of killing him.
• Lin Shuguang slashed at Hong Baiqing and declared that he was not his subordinate, telling him to watch his tone.

Lin Shuguang was cleared of responsibility for Zhao Minghui’s death after the trace report confirmed Yan Hai had killed him, and Lu Hong promised to protect him from Hong Baiqing. Back at his lodgings, Lin Shuguang learned Lu Hong was Meng Shenzhou’s uncle and spoke with his younger sister, Lin Xiaoxi, who made Meng Shenzhou ask for a first-meeting present.

• The trace examiner’s report confirmed that Yan Hai’s fist technique had killed Zhao Minghui, leaving Hong Baiqing unable to defend his accusations against Lin Shuguang.
• Lu Hong praised Lin Shuguang, promised him a reward for completing the mission and killing Yan Hai, and warned that Director Luo could punish Hong Baiqing if he abused his authority again.
• Cao Chao drove Lin Shuguang back and praised him for standing up to Hong Baiqing.
• Meng Shenzhou visited Lin Shuguang and revealed that Lu Hong was his youngest maternal uncle.
• When Lin Xiaoxi called, Meng Shenzhou tried to introduce himself as Lin Shuguang’s good buddy, but she insisted that real friends gave her a first-meeting present.
• Lin Shuguang sent Meng Shenzhou away and reassured Lin Xiaoxi that he would come home soon and bring her something tasty.

Lin Shuguang advanced his cultivation during Demon Martial’s Training Camp as the bureau and students reacted to his growing reputation. After Huang Qisheng reported that Yisheng Business had cheated and beaten his workers, Lin went there and attacked its staff, leaving the business in stunned silence.

• Zhao Minghui’s death and Lin Shuguang’s clash with Hong Baiqing stirred fear and curiosity throughout the Special Management Bureau.
• Lin Shuguang spent three million to raise his cultivation to Bone Tempering 34 Resonances, startling Hu Shaoqing with the force of his breakthrough.
• Yan Kai announced that the hundred-day Training Camp would end in two days and warned the students to keep their training experiences and methods private.
• Lin Shuguang declined Meng Shenzhou’s invitation to stay in the Demon Capital, then left after Huang Qisheng called him for help.
• Huang Qisheng told Lin Shuguang that Yisheng Business had sold him inferior silver phosphorus ore and beaten him and his workers, so Lin went to confront the business.
• A clerk at Yisheng Business called for help, but Lin Shuguang kicked him through the counters and silenced the establishment.

Lin Shuguang wrecked Yisheng Business after its workers cheated and attacked Huang Qisheng, then demanded compensation and summoned the person in charge. Zhou Chuanqian arrived, recognized Lin Shuguang, and tried to make peace, but Lin Shuguang asked how he would settle the account.

• Lin Shuguang blasted Xiao Ding and a middle-aged man aside, then demanded that Yisheng Business's person in charge appear.
• Lin Shuguang split the hall with a saber strike, demanded twenty million in compensation, and threw Uncle Zhong into a counter when he offered three million and hinted at consulting his superiors.
• Lin Shuguang gave Yisheng Business's boss ten minutes to arrive and waited while Huang Qisheng stayed behind him.
• Zhou Chuanqian arrived, recognized Lin Shuguang, apologized for his subordinates, and invited him for a drink.
• Lin Shuguang refused to accept Zhou Chuanqian's overture and asked how he would settle the account.

Lin Shuguang defeated Zhou Chuanqian after Zhou’s men assaulted Huang Qisheng, forcing the business to pay compensation and the attackers to face punishment. Afterward, Lin asked Cao Chao to protect Huang Qisheng and said he would leave the Demon Capital the day after tomorrow.

• Lin Shuguang demanded thirty million from Zhou Chuanqian and ordered everyone who had struck Huang Qisheng to sever an arm.
• Zhou Chuanqian attacked Lin Shuguang with an earth-element spear, but Lin cut it apart and defeated him with a saber strike.
• Lin Shuguang made Zhou Chuanqian pay thirty million and threatened the clerks until they identified those who had hit Huang Qisheng.
• Lin Shuguang took Huang Qisheng to a restaurant, where Cao Chao agreed to look out for him and report Zhou Chuanqian’s conduct to the bureau.
• Lin Shuguang told Cao Chao he would leave the Demon Capital the day after tomorrow and urged him to act boldly on his behalf.

With his departure from Demon Martial approaching, Lin Shuguang followed Hu Shaoqing to an abandoned amusement park where they discovered a Dimensional Channel leading to another world. They entered the strange realm, and Lin Shuguang prepared to explore farther despite the mysterious voice Hu Shaoqing had heard before.

• Lin Shuguang told Hu Shaoqing that he was leaving the next afternoon, and Hu Shaoqing nervously asked whether he could trust him.
• Hu Shaoqing described seeing another world inside an abandoned amusement park and hearing a voice that urged him to submit.
• Lin Shuguang accompanied Hu Shaoqing to the amusement park, where they felt their bodies grow hot as they approached the unfinished building.
• Lin Shuguang identified the mirage-like opening as a Dimensional Channel and stepped through into a realm with roughly four times Earth's gravity.
• Hu Shaoqing followed Lin Shuguang into the realm and recognized the place, but the voice he had heard before did not return.
• Lin Shuguang asked Hu Shaoqing to leave a marker before they continued farther into the realm.

Lin Shuguang fought the Sea King in the alternate dimension, where its power entered his sea of consciousness and settled beside his Martial Dao Will Crystal. The new crystal replenished him and helped him break through three Bone Tempering rings before the dimension began to collapse.

• Lin Shuguang followed Hu Shaoqing to the shore, where Giant Stone Monsters formed from reef rocks and attacked them.
• Lin Shuguang destroyed the monsters and faced the Sea King, whose voice Hu Shaoqing recognized as the one that had bewitched him before.
• The Sea King attacked with a water chain and a True Dragon, but Lin Shuguang destroyed both and slashed through the Sea King's form.
• The Sea King reformed, entered Lin Shuguang's sea of consciousness, and settled into a blue crystal orb beside his Martial Dao Will Crystal.
• The blue orb replenished Lin Shuguang and raised his cultivation from thirty-five to thirty-seven Bone Tempering rings, while the alternate dimension began to collapse.
• Lin Shuguang grabbed the unconscious Hu Shaoqing and rushed toward the exit.

After escaping a collapsed Alternate Dimension, Lin Shuguang went to the Special Management Bureau to confront Finance chief Pang Xiaonian for withholding mission rewards. He beat Pang Xiaonian and demanded to know who had ordered the deduction while Hong Baiqing warned him to stop.

• Lin Shuguang brought the unconscious Hu Shaoqing out of the collapsed Alternate Dimension and warned him against reporting it.
• Lin Shuguang tried to draw insight from the blue sphere and Martial Dao Will Crystal, then trained the next day.
• Lin Shuguang discovered that the Special Management Bureau had paid him only twenty thousand for the mission, while Cao Chao and Han Yi had also received far less than expected.
• Lin Shuguang went to the Finance Department alone and battered Pang Xiaonian for withholding their rewards.
• Hong Baiqing arrived and ordered Lin Shuguang to stop, but Lin Shuguang kept Pang Xiaonian pinned and demanded to know who had told him to withhold the payment.

Lin Shuguang confronted Pang Xiaonian over the mission rewards docked from his pay and forced the Special Management Bureau’s Finance Department to promise full repayment. After Hong Baiqing backed down and left, Lin Shuguang prepared to return to Demon Martial.

• Pang Xiaonian claimed he had distributed most of Lin Shuguang’s reward to the families of fallen Division One comrades, but Lin Shuguang argued that their compensation should come from the national treasury.
• Lin Shuguang’s speech turned the onlookers against Pang Xiaonian, and Lin Shuguang drew the Slaughter Blade and unleashed a powerful attack.
• Hong Baiqing blocked Lin Shuguang with his War Spear, then put it away and ordered Pang Xiaonian to repay the full amount within a day.
• Pang Xiaonian fell to his knees and promised to repay Lin Shuguang, who demanded the money be in his account before evening.
• Cao Chao met Lin Shuguang downstairs, and Lin Shuguang said he would collect his luggage and return to Demon Martial.