Chapter Summaries

Lin Heng persuaded Dugu Yueli and Qin Hongyi that abandoning Dragon Sea City could draw the northern Demon Race into attacking the immortal clans. After Qin Hongyi led Yueli away, a sealed transmission array beneath the city briefly activated, prompting her to secretly seek Lin Heng’s help.

• Dugu Yueli stopped Qin Hongyi from attacking Lin Heng, who said he had come to discuss resolving the Nine Dust Alliance’s predicament.
• Lin Heng explained that abandoning Dragon Sea City could make the Demon Race believe the immortal clans were winning and tempt them to launch a surprise attack.
• Qin Hongyi accepted the plan’s logic, then warned Dugu Yueli to keep her distance from Lin Heng and led her away.
• A guarded transmission array beneath Dragon Sea City briefly lit up despite its source being sealed.
• Dugu Yueli found traces of the array’s activation and decided to secretly consult Lin Heng about how it could have happened.

Lin Heng planned to use Dugu Yueli as bait to draw out an enemy Dao Integration cultivator and trap the attackers. After Lin Yi and five clan members emerged from a Space Tunnel and headed toward Lin Heng’s location, Huahua Jiang warned him of an approaching dao pressure, leaving Lin Heng realizing the threat was coming for him.

• Saint Ye explained that a Dao Integration-level figure was rerouting through the Space Tunnel beneath Dragon Sea City, and Lin Heng proposed trapping the attacker by using Dugu Yueli as bait.
• Dugu Yueli agreed to the plan, and Qin Hongyi reluctantly allowed it despite worrying that she could not handle a Dao Integration enemy.
• Three days later, Lin Yi led five clan members out of the Space Tunnel thirty li from Dragon Sea City and followed a marker toward Lin Heng.
• Lin Heng and Bai Yi dug traps while Lin Heng prepared to use the Human Emperor Banner and Saint Ye’s Star-Suppressing Tower to contain the attackers.
• Huahua Jiang arrived and warned Lin Heng that an overwhelming dao pressure was rushing toward them, and Lin Heng realized the enemy was coming for him.

Lin Heng escaped his cell and discussed the Changlin Clan’s hidden motives with Bai Yi, while Lin Tianhe revealed that Lin Heng was Lin Zhique’s son. After learning Lin Yi had been captured, Lin Tianhe decided to handle the matter personally.

• Lin Heng used his Green Lotus Dao Fire to escape his chains, and Bai Yi questioned him about their next move and the Changlin Clan.
• Lin Heng said the Nine Dust Alliance would likely move south but that he could not predict the Changlin Clan’s schemes.
• Lin Lingdong returned to camp and told Lin Tianhe that Lin Yi had been captured by Lin Heng and could be refined if the clan failed to negotiate within five days.
• Lin Tianhe revealed that Lin Heng was Lin Zhique’s son and that he had come from the Central Domain to bring his nephew in for a meeting.
• Lin Tianhe said the Changlin Clan could not yet acknowledge Lin Heng as family and decided to take the field personally.

Lin Heng confronted Lin Tianhe, who had come to ransom Lin Yi, and rejected the Changlin Clan elder’s attempts to negotiate with promises instead of payment. Lin Tianhe claimed the clan was connected to Lin Ziqing and cited a book called “300 Tang Poems and Song Lyrics” as evidence, leaving Lin Heng stunned by the revelation.

• Dugu Yueli visited Lin Heng in the Little Black Room, but Bai Yi volunteered to negotiate with Lin Tianhe and was hurled into the city wall after approaching him alone.
• Lin Heng left the city to face Lin Tianhe, who had brought Lin Lingdong and offered a million Spirit Stones’ worth of possessions at most.
• Lin Heng demanded ten million Spirit Stones, but Lin Tianhe said the Changlin Clan would rather let Lin Yi die than pay that amount.
• Lin Tianhe offered to keep the Changlin Clan out of the Immortal Sea Summit conflict in exchange for Lin Heng releasing Lin Yi.
• Lin Tianhe claimed his clan had a connection to Lin Ziqing and pointed to its treasured book, “300 Tang Poems and Song Lyrics,” as proof.

Lin Heng negotiated with the Lin Clan and then urged the Nine Dust Alliance to retreat strategically from Dragon Sea City and the regions east of Dingyang City. Dugu Yueli revealed that the Qi Clan’s Wild Bell might be an immortal artifact, leaving the alliance facing a dangerous weapon as it prepared to withdraw.

• Lin Tianhe told Lin Lingdong that the Lin Clan would use Lin Ziqing to draw Lin Heng closer while avoiding revealing their connection to him.
• Lin Heng returned to Dragon Sea City and ordered Dugu Yueli and the others to abandon the city and retreat south from the territories east of Dingyang City.
• Lin Heng explained to Qin Hongyi that retreating would draw the Central Domain’s other immortal clans into the conflict and turn them against one another.
• Qin Hongyi agreed to persuade Dugu Wuwu but objected to Lin Heng calling him Uncle Prison.
• Dugu Yueli said the Qi Clan’s Wild Bell was rumored to be a supreme treasure from the Star-Suppressing Tower and might be an immortal artifact.
• Qin Hongyi accused the Shadow Alliance of withholding information about the Wild Bell, while Dugu Yueli remained silent.

Lin Heng arranged for the Nine Dust Alliance to shelter beyond the Great Wall Barrier as its forces and displaced civilians arrived. Ye Guang proposed seizing control of Great Wall Dao Palace, and Lin Heng confronted him as Dugu Yueli introduced Lin Heng with an affectionate title despite her private insults.

• Lin Heng persuaded the Heavenly Mystery Imperial Office to let the Nine Dust Alliance camp within the Great Wall Barrier without entering the city.
• After news of a major battle spread, the Nine Dust Alliance and local forces crossed the barrier with over a hundred thousand people and many displaced civilians.
• Lin Heng told Dugu Zixuan that the office would support the alliance's settlement efforts but leave arrangements for ordinary refugees to the alliance.
• Ye Guang apologized to Dugu Yueli for Anqiu Immortal City's fall, then questioned the alliance's retreat and proposed taking control of Great Wall Dao Palace.
• Lin Heng arrived and asked Dugu Yueli to identify him, and she named him the chief steward of the Heavenly Mystery Dao Eastern Continent Imperial Office while privately insulting him.

Lin Heng persuaded Dugu Yueli to return to the Great Wall Dao Palace voluntarily, using her secrets to secure her cooperation. She agreed to help him gain control of the Nine Dust Alliance’s strategic deployments before its counterattack against the Immortal Clan.

• Ye Guang recognized Lin Heng and angrily dismissed his half-brother Ye Tian as a bastard who had been expelled from the Ye Family.
• Lin Heng led Dugu Yueli away from the crowd and asked her to return to the Great Wall Dao Palace as a voluntary guest and hostage.
• Lin Heng explained that her visit would ease tensions between the two sides, and Dugu Yueli refused until he threatened to reveal that she had deliberately let Dragon Sea City fall.
• Dugu Yueli agreed to tell her father she was visiting Lin Heng’s mother, but Lin Heng also demanded that the Nine Dust Alliance obey his command before its counterattack.
• When Dugu Yueli protested, Lin Heng threatened to reveal that she had once kissed him, so she covered his mouth and agreed to discuss the plan.

Dugu Yueli seized leadership of the Nine Dust Alliance with Qin Hongyi's support, while Lin Heng celebrated her break with Dugu Wuwu and tried to use a pill to persuade Meng Yutong to indulge him. The chapter ended with Meng Yutong pretending to take the pill so she could uncover Lin Heng's scheme.

• Dugu Yueli told Qin Hongyi she planned to take power from Dugu Wuwu and asked for his help.
• Dugu Yueli confronted Dugu Wuwu at the Nine Dust Alliance meeting, and Qin Hongyi argued that she was the rightful alliance leader.
• Dugu Yueli took the alliance leader's seat, while Dugu Wuwu fainted in anger.
• Lin Heng learned that Dugu Yueli had defied her father and laughed about her having to rely on him.
• Meng Yutong found Lin Heng's report about the alliance and said she planned to visit the Star Sea with his mother.
• Lin Heng offered Meng Yutong a Heart-Eyes pill, and she pretended to swallow it to discover his plan.

Lin Heng drugged Meng Yutong with a Sunfall Pill, and she mocked his abilities before he tried to prove himself. Meanwhile, Dugu Yueli reclaimed leadership of the Nine Dust Alliance, then visited Great Wall Dao Palace and asked Dugu Zixuan whether she had foreseen their retreat to the south of Immortal Sea Summit.

• Lin Heng revealed that he had given Meng Yutong the same Sunfall Pill as Xiao Yao Yao, and she struck him before he tried to overpower her.
• After nearly four days, Dugu Yueli took back control of the Nine Dust Alliance, while Dugu Wuwu disowned her and entered a cold war with her.
• Dugu Yueli left Qin Hongyi in charge and traveled to Great Wall Dao Palace, where Yun Yao and Dugu Xuexue welcomed her.
• Dugu Yueli asked about Lin Heng and learned he was accompanying Meng Yutong in plowing the fields.
• Dugu Yueli asked Dugu Zixuan whether she had known from the beginning that they would have to retreat and defend the south of Immortal Sea Summit.

After Lin Heng emerged from seclusion, Dugu Zixuan asked Meng Yutong to travel beyond the Star Sea, while Lin Heng focused the Dao Palace on rebuilding and concealing its plans. He revealed that the Peng, Yu, and Long clans were sending Dao Integration experts to the Immortal Sea, then teased Dugu Yueli when she questioned why the Shadow Alliance’s news differed from the Nine Dust Alliance’s.

• Dugu Zixuan reassured Dugu Yueli that Lin Heng had not planned the alliance’s retreats in advance and said he would see her soon.
• Lin Heng emerged from seclusion, and Dugu Zixuan teased Meng Yutong about their noisy days together before asking her to travel beyond the Star Sea.
• Dugu Zixuan told Meng Yutong that Mu Li and forces from the Heavenly Profound Continent had gathered near the Long River Shattered Rift Belt, and Meng Yutong agreed to go investigate.
• Lin Heng ordered the Dao Palace to rebuild and expand the cities it still held, including constructing a new city between the Dao Palace and Falling Snow City.
• Lin Heng told Dugu Yueli that the Peng, Yu, and Long clans were sending Dao Integration experts to the Immortal Sea, then suggested he knew why the Shadow Alliance and Nine Dust Alliance had received different reports.

Lin Heng teased Dugu Yueli and refused to give up the leverage he had gained from her kiss, while the Heavenly Mystery Imperial Office began building a new city. News of Lin Heng capturing and ransoming Lin Yi spread through the cultivation world, leaving the Immortal Clans stunned and the Changlin Clan mocked.

• Lin Heng teased Dugu Yueli about her kiss and her Nine Dust Alliance, then rejected her offer to keep his insult about his mother secret in exchange for ending his blackmail.
• Lin Heng caught Dugu Yueli's hand and led her away to show her something.
• Lin Heng spent the next few days stationed at the Dao Palace First Hall, patrolling and socializing with the Senior Sisters as Yun Yao befriended Dugu Yueli.
• Lin Heng organized the Heavenly Mystery Imperial Office to build a new city, drawing attention from the Dao Palace, Falling Snow City, the Nine Dust Alliance, and the Immortal Clans.
• The Immortal Clans reacted with disbelief and the Changlin Clan faced ridicule after news spread that Lin Heng had captured Lin Yi and extorted ten million Spirit Stones before releasing him.
• Lin Yi complained to a Clan Elder that the story exaggerated his defeat and falsely claimed he had paid a ten-million-Spirit-Stone ransom.

Lin Tianhe revealed that the Old Lin Family had deliberately spread word of Lin Heng’s victory to draw powerful outsiders into the Immortal Sea and create an opening against the Central Domain clans. He ordered the family to exaggerate Lin Heng’s strength further, hoping to provoke a Supreme and force Lin Daochuan to respond.

• Lin Yi argued with Lin Lingdong and Lin Shuhao over his defeat by Lin Heng until Lin Tianhe silenced them.
• Lin Tianhe admitted that he had publicized Lin Yi’s suppression to raise Lin Heng’s reputation and attract powerful opponents to the Immortal Sea.
• Lin Lingdong questioned whether the family could raid Central Domain clans without the Supremes appearing, and Lin Tianhe explained that they needed to make the conflict escalate first.
• Lin Yi described how the Star-Suppressing Tower had sealed his Great Dao laws and True Yuan before crushing him.
• Lin Tianhe told the family to spread even more exaggerated claims about Lin Heng, believing that a Supreme’s arrival would draw Lin Daochuan into the conflict.

Lin Heng suspected the Lin Family was behind the rumors praising him and feared his next move could put everyone at risk. Before leaving to carry it out, he entrusted the Great Wall Dao Palace to Dugu Yueli, who accepted the command.

• Lin Heng questioned Dugu Yueli about the rumors, but she denied that the Nine Dust Alliance had spread them and suggested the Lin Family might be responsible.
• Lin Heng told Dugu Yueli that he felt watched and feared his next dangerous move could either bring disaster or shift victory across the Heavenly Action Continent toward their side.
• Lin Heng hugged Dugu Yueli and asked her to guard the Great Wall Dao Palace while he went outside, explaining that his other allies were occupied or unable to command it.
• Dugu Yueli joked that she would open the gates for her father and uncle, and Lin Heng threatened to spread rumors about her before handing her the Dao Palace command.
• Lin Heng disappeared and told Dugu Yueli to say he was in seclusion if the senior sisters asked where he was.

Lin Heng left the Great Wall Dao Palace in Little Yueli’s care and set out to disrupt the Immortal Clans’ plans while preparing to raid their home base. In Wilderness Town, he planned to kidnap a Holy Saintess and frame the Changlin Clan.

• Lin Heng told Saint Ye that he had entrusted the Great Wall Dao Palace to Little Yueli, then revealed his plan to bypass the Immortal Sea and attack the Immortal Clans’ home base.
• Lin Heng, Saint Ye, Huahua Jiang, and Little Black left the Great Wall Barrier as Lin Heng aimed to send demons south and prevent the Immortal Clans from uniting against the Great Wall Dao Palace.
• Three days later, Lin Heng followed a Shadow Alliance scroll to Wilderness Town, where the Qi, Pang, and Long clans were preparing to divide nearby territories through a contest between their juniors.
• Hua Qi questioned how the Shadow Alliance kept anticipating Lin Heng’s moves, and Lin Heng claimed their minds were beating as one.
• Lin Heng proposed watching the contest, capturing a Holy Son or Holy Saintess, and spreading rumors that the Changlin Clan was responsible.

Lin Heng disguised himself as a Yu Clan disciple at Wilderness Town and listened to the immortal clans discuss their challengers and the rumors about him. After learning the Shadow Alliance had spread slander about his conduct, he controlled two gossiping men and moved toward Long Shishi, waiting for a chance to act.

• Lin Heng disguised himself as a peak Golden Core Yu Clan disciple and asked two Dragon Clan men about the gathering and its fighters.
• The men told Lin Heng about Qi Wei and Peng Yukun, then praised Long Shishi as a half-step Spirit Transformation expert.
• Lin Heng asked how the clans viewed Dugu Li and himself, and the men dismissed his feats while repeating rumors that he abused his authority and forced women into prostitution.
• Lin Heng learned the Shadow Alliance was the source of the rumors and wondered whether Jiang Zhenqing had stirred up trouble.
• After the first match ended, Lin Heng used a soul-control technique on the two men and approached Long Shishi, who sensed someone watching her.

Lin Heng used Li Yun to lure Long Shishi away from Wilderness Town and abducted her. The Long Clan discovered she was missing, but did not know who had taken her.

• Long Shishi narrowly defeated Peng Yukun, giving the Long Clan the leading position among the three immortal clans.
• Lin Heng controlled Li Yun and used Long Lingyu’s name to provoke Long Shishi into following him out of town.
• Long Shishi realized Li Yun’s story did not add up, but Li Yun convulsed and collapsed before she could attack him.
• Lin Heng restrained Long Shishi, blocked her Mind Sense, and abducted her, leaving her hairpin behind.
• The Long Clan found Li Yun and Long Shishi’s hair ornament and realized she was missing.

After a Dragon Clan girl went missing, Lin Heng’s planned rumors led the Dragon Clan to suspect the Old Lin Family. Lin Tianhe’s family decided to exploit the accusation for ransom and recruit the Dragon Clan to help capture Lin Heng.

• Saint Ye spread rumors that Changlin Clan members had appeared near Wilderness Town, and the Dragon Clan connected the rumors to the missing girl.
• Lin Tianhe summoned Lin Yi and Lin Lingdong, who learned that Lin Yun and Lin Qi had visited Wilderness Town but denied kidnapping anyone.
• Lin Tianhe and the others concluded that Lin Heng had framed the Old Lin Family and discussed how to turn the accusation to their advantage.
• Lin Yi proposed pretending to hold the girl, demanding benefits, then claiming she had eloped with a Lin boy to enlist the Dragon Clan in capturing Lin Heng.
• Lin Tianhe ordered Lin Yi to negotiate with the Dragon Clan and charge a ransom based on an Early Spirit Transformation Stage captive.

Lin Lingdong met Long Qingtian and denied that the Lin Clan had abducted the Long Clan’s missing junior, claiming instead that she had eloped with Lin Heng. Long Qingtian agreed to search for the pair, while the Lin Clan planned to use Lin Heng’s location to demand more Spirit Stones.

• Long Qingtian confronted Lin Lingdong over the disappearance of a Long Clan junior and demanded her release.
• Lin Lingdong denied having her and took Spirit Stones from Long Qingtian in exchange for news.
• Lin Lingdong claimed the girl had eloped with Lin Heng, a Lin Clan junior who had gone to Wilderness Town to find her.
• Long Qingtian nearly attacked Lin Lingdong, but Lin Lingdong persuaded him to search for the pair and verify the story.
• Lin Lingdong told Lin Tianhe that Lin Yi would seek more Spirit Stones and withhold Lin Heng’s location if the Long Clan refused to pay.

Lin Heng learned that the Lin Family and Dragon Clan had joined forces to hunt him, then devised a scheme with Long Shishi to profit from their rumors that the two had eloped. The pair agreed to cooperate, with Long Shishi insisting that Lin Heng kidnap Long Lingyu as well.

• Lin Heng grew anxious when Hua Qi failed to return and told Long Shishi that her clan might have abandoned her.
• Saint Ye arrived with Little Black and reported that the Dragon Clan and Lin Family were searching for Lin Heng and Long Shishi, claiming the two had eloped.
• Lin Heng realized the Changlin Clan had turned the blame onto him and decided to use the elopement rumor to demand money from both families.
• Lin Heng freed Long Shishi and proposed that she demand betrothal gifts while he demanded ransom, with the two splitting the Spirit Stones.
• Long Shishi agreed to cooperate only if Lin Heng also kidnapped Long Lingyu, and proposed that Lin Heng take seventy percent of their gains.

Lin Heng extorted ransom from the Dragon Fourth Branch while coaching Long Shishi to demand betrothal gifts from the Old Lin Family. After Long Shishi reunited with Long Qingtian, she persuaded him to join her in turning the Lin Family’s scheme against them.

• Lin Heng sent Saint Ye to Offering City to demand 200,000 Spirit Stones for Long Shishi, and the Dragon Fourth Branch pooled its savings to pay.
• Lin Heng reassured Long Shishi that the ransom would be shared with the Lin Family’s betrothal gifts and suggested she give Long Lingyu a chance to compete before he abducted her too.
• Long Shishi left Lin Heng and was found by Long Qingtian, Lin Yi, and the others, who still believed Lin Heng had released her.
• Long Shishi told Long Qingtian that she had truly been kidnapped and repeated Lin Heng’s plan to demand betrothal gifts from the Lin Family.
• Long Qingtian worried that demanding betrothal gifts would damage Long Shishi’s reputation, but she argued that making the Lin Family pay was worth it.