Recaps

Su Ming confronted Zhang Chen over his jealousy of Qin Qing, provoking Liu Zai until Qin Qing invoked the Qin Family's authority and sent Zhang Chen's group away. After Qin Qing explained the auction procedures and departed, she wondered at Su Ming's unusual indifference to her.

• Su Ming accused Zhang Chen of treating him like a rival for Qin Qing's attention, and Zhang Chen denied it.
• Su Ming told Zhang Chen to rein in his useless jealousy, prompting Liu Zai to release his Five-star Hunter aura.
• Qin Qing stopped the confrontation by reminding Zhang Chen and Liu Zai that they were in the Qin Family's Myriad Treasures Auction House.
• Zhang Chen apologized to Qin Qing, gave Su Ming a long look, and left with Liu Zai and the others.
• Qin Qing apologized to Su Ming and explained the auction procedures before leaving for the auction hall.
• As she departed, Qin Qing recalled her close encounter with Su Ming and called him a strange man.

After Zhang Chen retreated, he ordered an investigation into Su Ming’s identity as Wang Yue, while Xu Xiayan and Wang Di discussed the incident and left without meeting him. News of the confrontation spread through Tianfeng City, prompting many people to investigate Wang Yue; Su Ming then encountered minor trouble at the auction.

• Zhang Chen told Liu Zai to investigate whether Wang Yue was really from the Wang Family before deciding how to retaliate.
• Xu Xiayan and Wang Di watched Zhang Chen leave and discussed his pursuit of Qin Qing and the Wang and Qin families’ possible marriage alliance.
• Wang Di confessed that he would not marry anyone but the person he loved, and Xu Xiayan brushed off his words.
• Xu Xiayan decided not to approach Wang Yue, and she and Wang Di left without meeting Su Ming.
• After news of Zhang Chen’s setback spread, several people ordered investigations into Wang Yue’s identity before considering how to deal with him.
• Su Ming faced several minor troubles at the auction that followed.

Su Ming faced coordinated bidding from Zhang Chen and other family disciples, who drove up the prices of the items he wanted. As the Alchemy Armor’s price climbed past 500,000 Contribution Points, Su Ming smiled at Zhang Chen’s private room and challenged him, while the Crimson Vein Stones remained the auction’s looming prize.

• Zhang Chen and other family disciples drove the Heavenly Heart Staff and Cleansing Potion to inflated prices, forcing Su Ming to give up on them.
• Su Ming bid on the Fine Grade Alchemy Armor, and Zhang Chen immediately raised the price to 500,000 Contribution Points.
• Liu Zai warned Zhang Chen that he had already spent more than half the Zhang Family’s 2,000,000-point budget, which they needed for the Crimson Vein Stones.
• Zhang Chen said he would sell resources meant for his advancement so he could keep competing and make things difficult for Su Ming.
• Xu Xiayan, Wang Di, Qiao Zhi, and the Mo Family siblings watched the contest, while Mo Li chose to wait before helping Su Ming.
• Su Ming smiled at Zhang Chen’s private room and wondered whether Zhang Chen was wealthy enough—and would live long enough—to enjoy what he bought.

Su Ming retaliated against Zhang Chen’s faction by driving up auction prices, then joined the bidding for the Crimson Vein Stones, which he had supplied to the auction house. The chapter ended with Su Ming outbidding Zhang Chen and taunting him as the hall fell silent.

• After Zhang Chen won the Fine Grade Alchemy Armor, Su Ming bid on later lots to inflate their prices before withdrawing, angering Zhang Chen and other bidders.
• The auction returned to normal after Su Ming stopped provoking the room, and Qin Qing introduced four Crimson Vein Stones as the grand finale.
• Qiao Zhi, Mo Li, Xu Xiayan, and Zhang Chen bid for the stones, while Liu Zai told Zhang Chen that he had only 600,000 Contribution Points left.
• Su Ming joined the bidding and raised the price to 650,000, knowing the stones belonged to him and that the proceeds would benefit him.
• Zhang Chen roared Wang Yue’s name, and Su Ming answered, “Grandpa is here. What do you want?”

Su Ming's four Crimson Vein Stones sold for 1,500,000 Contribution Points after fierce bidding, with Xu Xiayan winning them for her team. Qin Qing transferred Su Ming's total proceeds of 2,030,000 Contribution Points and waived the handling fee.

• Zhang Chen raised his bid to 700,000 Contribution Points and ordered Liu Zai and the others to use their Alchemy Weapons as collateral, then Su Ming countered at 750,000.
• Qiao Zhi, Mo Li, Xu Xiayan, and other factions joined the bidding, pushing the price of the four Crimson Vein Stones to 1,000,000 Contribution Points.
• Zhang Chen, Mo Li, and the remaining bidders continued competing until Xu Xiayan won the stones for 1,500,000 Contribution Points to help Summer Chasing Smoke advance toward S-rank.
• Su Ming realized the auction had earned him close to two million Contribution Points and wondered how Xu Xiayan's aunt would react when she learned where the stones came from.
• Qin Qing told Su Ming that his Hazard Breed Phantasmal Demon Blood, Ghoul Claw, and Crimson Vein Stones had sold for a total of 2,030,000 Contribution Points, all of which she had transferred to his terminal without charging a handling fee.

After earning more than two million Contribution Points from the auction, Su Ming asked Qin Qing to gather more supplies and left Myriad Treasures Auction House unnoticed. Zhang Chen blamed Su Ming for humiliating him and ordered Liu Zai to investigate Wang Yue, while keeping three items Su Ming had wanted; a strange sound then approached Zhang Chen’s vehicle.

• Su Ming discussed the auction proceeds with Qin Qing and asked her to gather another batch of supplies for him.
• Su Ming rejected Qin Qing’s request to exchange contact information and slipped away into the night.
• Zhang Chen smashed items in his vehicle, then ordered Liu Zai and his team to investigate Wang Yue and take no missions for now.
• Zhang Chen stewed over Qin Qing’s warmer treatment of Su Ming and resolved to make Su Ming suffer, pointing to the three auction items he had kept from him.
• A sound tearing through the air shot toward Zhang Chen’s vehicle, but he did not notice it.

Su Ming, disguised in black, ambushed Zhang Chen’s convoy to take the auction items and defeated Liu Zai and the guards. He took the items after revealing that he had destroyed the surveillance cameras and blocked detection devices, leaving Zhang Chen without evidence to identify him.

• Su Ming cut Zhang Chen’s limousine in half and incapacitated the driver and the Hunters who attacked him.
• Su Ming wounded Liu Zai in a fight, then kicked him into a roadside railing and left him unable to fight.
• Zhang Chen recognized the masked attacker as Wang Yue and threatened to have him wanted for seizing the auction items.
• Su Ming stopped Zhang Chen’s laughter by saying he had destroyed the nearby cameras and blocked the detection devices, then challenged him to produce evidence.

Su Ming fought Zhang Chen, a Five-Star Peak Level Hunter, after ambushing him and his men. As Zhang Chen bombarded him with arrows from a powerful bow, Su Ming used the Ancient Blade Technique Legacy to counter the attack and left Zhang Chen stunned.

• Su Ming revealed that he had sabotaged surveillance and alchemical detection devices before attacking Zhang Chen and his men.
• Zhang Chen erupted with fury and unleashed his Five-Star Peak Level strength against Su Ming.
• Zhang Chen used a masterwork bow to fire Demonic Power arrows that exploded into relentless barrages across the battlefield.
• Su Ming dodged and parried the arrows while recalling the legacy’s one hundred and eight blade techniques.
• Su Ming used a blade technique to make every arrow explode in midair, then sent a blade light sweeping toward Zhang Chen.

Su Ming overwhelmed Zhang Chen with the growing force of his blade strikes until Zhang Chen used Demonization to turn into a lizard-like demon. Su Ming exposed the limits of Zhang Chen’s bow and provoked him into charging at close range, then vanished Fire Fang and raised his glowing right hand as the battle reached its climax.

• Su Ming struck Zhang Chen repeatedly with Fire Fang, building momentum and inflicting severe injuries despite Zhang Chen’s desperate defenses.
• Zhang Chen used Demonization, transforming into a lizard-like demon and stopping Su Ming’s blade before knocking him back with his tail.
• Su Ming explained that Zhang Chen’s bow consumed Demonic Power and gained little from Demonization, then taunted him about his endurance and lack of close-combat skill.
• Furious, Zhang Chen abandoned his bow, took up his short sword, and charged Su Ming.
• Su Ming made Fire Fang vanish and raised his right hand, which began to glow with deep blue light.

After Zhang Chen and his entourage were gravely injured, the Zhang Family and others suspected the mysterious Wang Yue had attacked them for their auction items. Su Ming returned home, hid his identity and the stolen goods, and remained confident that no one could connect Wang Yue to him.

• Steward Yu told Qin Qing that Zhang Chen and his companions had suffered severe injuries, the Zhang Family was demanding answers, and the missing auction items were the only clear clue.
• Qin Qing suspected Wang Yue had attacked Zhang Chen to take the auction items.
• Xu Xiayan and Wang Di discussed the Wang Family's investigation into whether Wang Yue belonged to their family, and Xu Xiayan decided they should win him over if he did.
• Su Ming returned home, removed his disguise, and used the Blue Demon Peace Ring to suppress his blood essence and spiritual nature.
• Su Ming planned to offer up the Cleansing Potion and hide the Heavenly Heart Staff and Alchemy Armor in his cheat's inventory.

After the Zhang Family robbery became a major news story, Su Ming stayed home while the authorities investigated. Chi Qian and the others emerged from seclusion stronger than before, and Su Ming prepared to introduce them to someone.

• The Professional Center and the Zhang Family began investigating the theft, questioning forces and people connected to the auction.
• Su Ming's companions finished their training and tested their improved abilities in the underground training ground.
• Tong Xinyao reached the peak of three-star Warlock, Feng Qing'er reached the peak of four stars, and Mu Yan advanced to five stars.
• Chi Qian advanced from the five-star peak to six stars, making her a standout expert in Tianfeng City.
• Su Ming praised the women and took out his terminal, saying he would introduce someone to them.

Xu Xiayan returned to her villa, now renovated and used as Su Ming’s team headquarters, and questioned whether he could lead a team that aimed to recruit High-level Professionals. A powerful voice from the hall reassured her that the members had joined Azure Mercury out of genuine admiration for Su Ming.

• Xu Xiayan visited her villa after years away and praised Su Ming for restoring it.
• Su Ming invited Xu Xiayan inside and explained that he had renovated the villa to serve as Azure Mercury’s headquarters.
• Xu Xiayan asked whether the villa could accommodate the team, and Su Ming said he planned to recruit only High-level Professionals, aside from people with special talents.
• Xu Xiayan worried that Su Ming, a one-star Warlock, might struggle to control members far stronger than himself and wondered if he truly led the team.
• A powerful voice from the hall told Xu Xiayan that the members had joined because they genuinely admired Su Ming.

Xu Xiayan met Chi Qian and the other members of Su Ming’s team, and discovered that Chi Qian had recovered and advanced while the others had grown far stronger than their records showed. Seeing their loyalty and trust in Su Ming left Xu Xiayan baffled about how he had managed to bring such remarkable women together.

• Chi Qian emerged from the underground training ground, and Xu Xiayan was astonished by her restored appearance and strength as a Six-Star Hunter.
• Chi Qian credited Su Ming with saving her and helping her break through, then told Xu Xiayan she had signed a lifelong service contract with him.
• Mu Yan, Feng Qing'er, and Tong Xinyao joined them, and Xu Xiayan recognized the women as talented former members of True Red.
• Xu Xiayan sensed that Mu Yan had become a Five-star Hunter, Feng Qing'er had reached the peak of four stars, and Tong Xinyao had reached the three-star peak.
• Xu Xiayan saw that the women trusted Su Ming and wondered how he had won their loyalty.

Xu Xiayan realized how capable Su Ming was and understood that his showing her his strength was a sign of trust. After playful teasing over what she should call him, Xu Xiayan chased Su Ming into the living room, while Chi Qian and the others discussed how she compared with Chi Qian in a fight.

• Xu Xiayan compared Su Ming's rapid recruitment of powerful team members with her own early team-building efforts and realized he was far more capable than she had assumed.
• Su Ming told Xu Xiayan he had revealed his abilities because he trusted her after seeing how much she worried about and helped him.
• Xu Xiayan pinched Su Ming's ear when he nearly called her Auntie, then chose to call him little brother Xiao Ming instead of little brother.
• Su Ming compared Feng Qing'er to a chihuahua that called him Big Brother, making Feng Qing'er protest as the others ignored her.
• Xu Xiayan teased Su Ming until he retreated to the living room, and she happily chased after him.
• Chi Qian told Mu Yan, Feng Qing'er, and Tong Xinyao that Xu Xiayan was stronger as a six-star Professional, but Chi Qian had more confidence in her killing techniques and could not predict who would win.

Xu Xiayan told Su Ming and Azure Mercury about a rare Hidden Wonderland soon to appear near Tianfeng City and explained its dangers and entry restrictions. Though Azure Mercury’s E-class rank barred them from entering directly, Su Ming learned that teams could hire other teams for access, leaving open a possible way in.

• Xu Xiayan confirmed Azure Mercury was in good shape and encouraged Su Ming to build on his early success.
• Xu Xiayan explained that a Hidden Wonderland was expected to appear near northern Tianfeng City, and Chi Qian described the rare, treasure-filled regions.
• Xu Xiayan warned that Hidden Wonderlands were extremely dangerous and that only B-class or higher teams could enter.
• Su Ming noted that teams could hire other teams to help with difficult missions, and Xu Xiayan confirmed that this system could also grant entry to a Hidden Wonderland.

Xu Xiayan revealed that she had accepted a confidential Rank SS Mission and wanted to hire Azure Mercury to help Summer Chasing Smoke complete it in the Hidden Wonderland. Su Ming accepted her offer of 500,000 Contribution Points, leaving both teams set to work together.

• Xu Xiayan told Su Ming and the others that she had accepted a Rank SS Mission commissioned by Tianfeng City's authorities, but kept its details secret.
• Xu Xiayan explained that Summer Chasing Smoke alone might not complete the mission, so she had prepared supplies, strengthened a team member, and sought other teams to hire.
• Chi Qian recalled how True Red's failed Rank S Mission had ended in disaster, then resolved to focus on the present.
• Xu Xiayan offered Azure Mercury 500,000 Contribution Points and access to the Hidden Wonderland's treasures in exchange for helping Summer Chasing Smoke.
• Su Ming accepted the commission, and he and Xu Xiayan shook hands.

Su Ming and Azure Mercury prepared for the Rank SS mission in the Hidden Wonderland, which was expected to appear in a month. Chi Qian, Mu Yan, Feng Qing'er, Tong Xinyao, and Xiao Hai'er began training or strengthening themselves, while Su Ming used a top-tier Cleansing Potion to draw out his bloodline potential.

• Xu Xiayan confirmed she would notify Azure Mercury of the gathering details for the Hidden Wonderland mission and left after asking Su Ming to prepare.
• Su Ming told Chi Qian, Mu Yan, Feng Qing'er, and Tong Xinyao to prepare for the mission when they returned to the villa.
• Chi Qian trained with her sword and resolved to adapt her restored right hand and strengthen herself before the mission, while Mu Yan resumed training with her whip.
• Xiao Hai'er consumed a red medicinal stone to grow stronger, and Feng Qing'er and Tong Xinyao also used items to improve their strength.
• Su Ming poured the top-tier Cleansing Potion into a hot bath, deciding to awaken his bloodline potential rather than wait until he reached the peak of five-star strength.

Su Ming spent a month cultivating while Azure Mercury rose from Rank E to Rank C and Chi Qian and the others drew widespread attention. As a Hidden Wonderland prepared to appear near Tianfeng City, Xu Xiayan summoned Su Ming for a reunion, signaling that events were about to begin.

• Su Ming secluded himself to improve his Hunter strength while Chi Qian led Azure Mercury through twelve Rank B Missions and secured its promotion to Rank C.
• Chi Qian became a Six-Star Professional, Mu Yan reached Five-Star, and Feng Qing'er also advanced to Five-Star while Tong Xinyao remained on the verge of breaking through.
• Qiao Zhi repeatedly tried to recruit Chi Qian and the other women, leading to clashes between Jade Dragon Pavilion and Azure Mercury that required the Professional Center to mediate.
• Tianfeng City's powerful teams and families quietly prepared for a Hidden Wonderland expected to appear north of the city, driving up demand for extraordinary items.
• Xu Xiayan messaged Su Ming and invited him to meet for a reunion.

Su Ming and Chi Qian attended Xu Xiayan’s gathering at the Professionals’ Bar after Azure Mercury rose from E-rank to C-rank in record time. Xu Xiayan introduced Su Ming to Wang Di and prepared to introduce them to the other invited leaders.

• Su Ming brought Chi Qian to Xu Xiayan’s gathering, while the other Azure Mercury members stayed away.
• The gathered Professionals watched Su Ming and Chi Qian enter, and Xu Xiayan called them over.
• Xu Xiayan praised Azure Mercury’s rapid rise, and Su Ming credited Chi Qian and the rest of his team.
• Xu Xiayan introduced Wang Di, a Six-Star Professional and her second-in-command, to Su Ming and Chi Qian.
• Wang Di offered Su Ming his help, and Su Ming returned the courtesy while remaining calm.
• Chi Qian clarified that she was now Azure Mercury’s Vice-Leader, and Xu Xiayan began introducing them to the other guests.

Su Ming learned why Xu Xiayan had gathered eleven powerful teams for the Rank SS mission and heard her explain the backgrounds of the two A-class teams, Iron Rose and Jade Dragon Pavilion. The teams’ strengths and rivalries were laid bare as the group prepared for the mission.

• Xu Xiayan told Su Ming that eleven teams, including Azure Mercury, had accepted her employment, and highlighted Iron Rose and Jade Dragon Pavilion as A-class teams.
• Su Ming and Chi Qian recognized Iron Rose’s Zhu Yun and Jade Dragon Pavilion’s Qiao Zhi, who watched them with hostility.
• Xu Xiayan explained that Zhu Qian led Iron Rose, a team with seven High-level Professionals, and that Zhu Yun admired Chi Qian and had repeatedly invited her to join.
• Xu Xiayan explained that Iron Rose recruited only women because of the Zhu Family’s bloodline and the team’s origins.
• Xu Xiayan described the Qiao brothers’ Jade Dragon Pavilion as an old team with the most High-level Professionals in Tianfeng City, though it lacked a Six-Star Professional besides Qiao Liang.

Su Ming learned that Jade Dragon Pavilion was pursuing Chi Qian because it lacked Six-Star combat power, then confronted Vice-Leader Qiao Zhi when he tried to recruit her. The chapter left Su Ming challenging Qiao Zhi to explain why he thought he was entitled to judge Su Ming’s worth.

• Xu Xiayan explained that Jade Dragon Pavilion had many High-level Professionals but only one Six-Star Professional, which drove Qiao Zhi’s repeated efforts to recruit Chi Qian.
• Chi Qian said Qiao Zhi should focus on breaking through to Six-Star, while Xu Xiayan suggested he may have given up after repeated failures and turned to managing the team’s affairs.
• Xu Xiayan offered to introduce Su Ming to other team leaders, but Su Ming noticed Qiao Zhi approaching with his attendants.
• Qiao Zhi went straight to Su Ming and offered Jade Dragon Pavilion’s full support in fulfilling one condition if Su Ming transferred Chi Qian’s allegiance and gave up her Contract Scroll.
• Su Ming rejected Qiao Zhi’s offer and reminded him that he had recruited Chi Qian after Qiao Zhi had failed for a year, then asked what made Qiao Zhi think he could judge Su Ming.

Su Ming defended Azure Mercury’s worth to Qiao Zhi, while Chi Qian publicly declared she would never leave the team. After Qiao Zhi departed, Xu Xiayan confirmed the teams would gather in three days to set out for the Hidden Wonderland, and Su Ming learned that major team leaders were courting Azure Mercury because of its potential.

• Su Ming challenged Qiao Zhi’s assumptions about Azure Mercury and argued that Chi Qian had joined because the team offered what she wanted.
• Chi Qian declared that loyalty to Su Ming and her former companions meant she would never leave Azure Mercury, and Xu Xiayan warned Qiao Zhi to stop pestering her.
• Qiao Zhi threatened that Chi Qian would regret her choice, then left the bar with Jade Dragon Pavilion after Xu Xiayan announced the gathering at Tianfeng City’s north gate in three mornings.
• Xu Xiayan told the assembled team leaders to meet at the north gate in three mornings and set out together for the Hidden Wonderland.
• Leaders from major teams approached Su Ming to make friends, and Xu Xiayan explained they wanted to avoid offending Azure Mercury because of its rapid growth and Chi Qian’s presence.

Su Ming and Azure Mercury arrived at the wilderness north of Tianfeng City, where a descending black-city mirage drew large teams and the army. Su Ming reunited with Bai Ruxiang, Bai Xuefei, and Bai Xiaoyan, who had joined Xu Xiayan’s team and were impressed by how much he had accomplished.

• Professionals and soldiers gathered around the Hidden Wonderland as a black-city mirage descended from the sky.
• Su Ming and Azure Mercury met Xu Xiayan, who explained that the army was there partly to enforce the entry restrictions and maintain order.
• Su Ming was surprised to see Bai Ruxiang, Bai Xuefei, and Bai Xiaoyan accompanying Xu Xiayan.
• Bai Ruxiang explained that she and Bai Xiaoyan had joined Summer Chasing Smoke, while Bai Xuefei had been recruited for special cultivation.
• Su Ming noticed how much the three Bai Family Hunters had grown stronger, and Bai Xuefei acknowledged him with a nod.
• The three women reflected on Su Ming’s rise and recognized that he had built Azure Mercury into a team with multiple High-level Professionals.

Su Ming reunited with Xu Xiayan’s team and learned that Wang Qian had advanced to Six-Star, bringing 'Summer Chasing Smoke' close to S-class strength. Xu Xiayan explained that completing the SS-level mission could earn the team S-class status, then revealed that the army was guarding the Hidden Wonderland against Phantom Demons escaping and heading for Tianfeng City.

• Su Ming asked about Wang Yihan and learned that the Wang family was cultivating her as a direct descendant at its main residence.
• Xu Xiayan introduced Wang Qian, a veteran of 'Summer Chasing Smoke' who had used the Crimson Vein Stone to advance from Five-Star Peak Level to Six-Star.
• Su Ming realized that 'Summer Chasing Smoke' now had three Six-Star Professionals and could surpass some S-class Teams in strength.
• Xu Xiayan explained that completing the SS-level mission could provide the achievements 'Summer Chasing Smoke' needed to become an S-class Team.
• Feng Qing'er and Tong Xinyao asked why the army had surrounded the area, and Xu Xiayan revealed that it was guarding against Phantom Demons escaping the Hidden Wonderland and heading toward Tianfeng City.

Xu Xiayan explained the Hidden Wonderland mission’s rules and dangers to Su Ming and his companions, including the S-class Teams guarding Tianfeng City while A-rank teams entered. The teams would explore separately for seven days before gathering at a destination on the labyrinth’s tenth level, where the mission would begin.

• Xu Xiayan explained that Tianfeng City's S-class Teams would hunt Phantom Demons outside the Hidden Wonderland, while teams ranked A or below entered to explore.
• Xu Xiayan told Su Ming and Chi Qian that the Wonderland would open around dusk, remain accessible for about ten days, and require them to move quickly away from its entrance.
• Xu Xiayan sent Su Ming a topographical map showing the Wonderland's ten-level inverted-pyramid labyrinth, where deeper levels held greater treasures and stronger Phantom Demons.
• Xu Xiayan instructed the teams to explore separately and gather resources before meeting at the marked destination on the tenth level seven days later to begin the mission.
• Su Ming and his companions examined the map and prepared to venture into the Wonderland.