Chapter Summaries

After arriving in a primeval forest with a Village-Building Decree, Zhang Yang refused to trade away his soul and fought the Azure Wolf using recruited soldiers. The Azure Wolf was killed at great cost, and the decree harvested its soul and materials.

• Zhang Yang found himself trapped behind the decree’s protective barrier while an Azure Wolf waited outside, and learned that his energy would run out unless he recruited help or sold part of his soul.
• Zhang Yang refused to sell his soul and recruited a Spearman, a Sword and Shield Soldier, and a Longbowman to test their strength against the Azure Wolf.
• After the Longbowman wounded the wolf, Zhang Yang recruited ninety more Spearmen and ordered them to attack, though the Azure Wolf slaughtered most of them.
• Zhang Yang ordered the Longbowman to shoot the wolf’s eyes while the remaining Spearmen continued their assault, leaving the wolf severely wounded and blind.
• The last Spearman killed the Azure Wolf by thrusting into its chest wound, and the decree captured a remnant wolf-demon soul and awarded energy, wolf meat, fangs, and blood.

After Zhao Xiao'er became an Elite Spearman, Zhang Yang faced a Black Giant Bear that nearly broke through Level One Protection. Zhao Xiao'er’s fatal strike wounded the bear, allowing Zhang Yang’s remaining soldiers to kill it and recover its remnant soul and materials.

• Zhang Yang recruited Sword and Shield Soldiers and Longbowmen, used Level One Vision to avoid nearby threats, and moved away from the bloody battlefield.
• Zhang Yang used the Azure Wolf Remnant Soul to cultivate Zhao Xiao'er into an Elite Spearman, whose weapon was also enhanced.
• A Black Giant Bear charged Zhang Yang’s group, battered Level One Protection, and killed Zhao Xiao'er after he wounded it with a spear thrust.
• Zhang Yang recruited twelve Spearmen and directed the Longbowmen to attack as the wounded bear grew weaker and killed more soldiers.
• A Longbowman shot the bear in the eye, and the remaining soldiers killed it; the Fantasy Village Building Order captured its remnant soul and yielded Energy, meat, fangs, and demon blood.

After Zhao Xiao'er died, Zhang Yang trained Tang Dashan into an Elite Archer and led his soldiers through the Primeval Forest in search of safety and resources. A Level 5 Red Eagle Demon nearly killed them all, but Zhang Yang used his last Energy to protect himself and kill it, leaving him with its soul and valuable spoils.

• Zhang Yang took Zhao Xiao'er's Enhanced Spear, recruited soldiers, and trained Tang Dashan into an Elite Archer before setting out through the forest.
• A venomous insect killed one soldier, so Zhang Yang spent Energy to recruit three Hunters to clear the path.
• The Red Eagle Demon attacked from above, shattered Zhang Yang's Level One Protection, and killed more than half his soldiers, including Tang Dashan.
• Zhang Yang charged the wounded Red Eagle Demon while his remaining soldiers fought it, and used his final Energy to block its pounce with Level One Protection.
• Zhang Yang pierced the Red Eagle Demon's chest with his Enhanced Spear and killed it, gaining 150 Energy, its complete soul, feathers, its heart, and its blood.

After weighing whether to strengthen himself or cultivate elite troops, Zhang Yang chose to enhance five soldiers with the Level 5 Red Eagle Demon Soul and set out to hunt using stealth and vision. He led them to kill a lightning-fast black demon, but the close fight left him aware that even elite troops could barely survive.

• Zhang Yang used concealment to recover, studied the Red Eagle Demon Soul’s enhancement options, and decided to cultivate soldiers rather than strengthen himself.
• He sold the Red Eagle heart for 50 energy, recruited a Sword and Shield Soldier and a Spearman, and selected three Longbowmen for enhancement.
• The five soldiers became elites, and the three Elite Archers gained Crimson Eagle Feather Battle Runes that boosted precision, Gravity Shot, and movement agility.
• Zhang Yang used stealth and vision to track a nearby danger point, then led the five elite soldiers into an ambush against a huge black leopard-like demon.
• The Elite Archers wounded the demon with Wind Chasing Triple Shot, and Zhang Yang’s Protection barrier stopped its charge long enough for the Elite Spearman to kill it while the Elite Sword and Shield Soldier guarded him.

Zhang Yang and his soldiers were ambushed by hundreds of Black Spiders after killing one in the forest. They survived the swarm, and Zhang Yang realized Level One Vision could not detect threats underground or in the sky.

• Zhang Yang recruited and enhanced another Spearman after finding that killing a Black Panther Demon had yielded a damaged demon soul.
• Zhang Yang sent his Elite Archers to kill a giant Black Spider, then discovered hundreds of yellow danger dots surrounding his group.
• Zhang Yang ordered reinforcements and fought as the Black Spiders overwhelmed his soldiers with webs, dragging some away.
• Zhang Yang led his soldiers through the spider silk, and they killed most of the spiders before the survivors fled.
• Qin Yidao warned Zhang Yang that the spiders might have emerged from a nearby nest, and Zhang Yang realized Level One Vision could not scout underground or high above.

Zhang Yang abandoned the Black Spiders' nest, but two Spider Demon Elders emerged and attacked him with demonic arts. He committed his troops to a desperate battle and ordered an attempt to overcome the spiders' defenses by targeting one of their eyes.

• Zhang Yang found the Black Spiders' nest entrance and decided to retreat rather than enter it.
• Two Giant Black Spiders attacked Zhang Yang with Imprisonment Demonic Art and Soul Restraint Demonic Art, but his C+ soul resisted them.
• Zhang Yang recruited 180 Spearmen and sent them to surround the spiders while his protected elites sought openings to attack.
• Liu Dali told Zhang Yang that an invisible force deflected attacks aimed at the spiders' vital areas.
• Zhang Yang ordered Wu Yuan and Duan Jiu to use Gale Pierce on the left spider, then told Liu Dali, Qin Yidao, and Sun Goudan to shoot its eyes with Wind Chasing Triple Shot.

Zhang Yang led his soldiers against two Giant Black Spiders, losing many men before killing both Spider Lords. As the survivors succumbed to poison, he found a Fragment of Hope and a complete Spider Lord Demon Soul that could potentially save him and strengthen his forces.

• Zhang Yang sent Wu Yuan and Duan Jiu to attack while three Elite Archers prepared to fire, but the Giant Black Spiders’ silk and Demonic Arts kept them at bay.
• Zhang Yang charged into battle as a tank, drawing the spiders’ attention, but one spider bound Duan Jiu and strangled him with black silk.
• Wu Yuan struck at a spider, allowing the Elite Archers to hit its eyes, while Zhang Yang protected Wu Yuan with Level One Protection and the Elite Sword and Shield Soldier cut through the spider silk before being burned to death.
• Zhang Yang rushed out and killed a Giant Black Spider with his Enhanced Spear, then retreated with Wu Yuan as poison left them coughing blood.
• The Village Building Order captured the spiders’ souls and awarded Zhang Yang a Fragment of Hope, a damaged Fantasy Village Building Order, and other rewards.
• Zhang Yang discovered that the Fragment of Hope could grant a wish and that the complete Spider Lord Demon Soul could strengthen soldiers or raise his attributes, but he still needed to find a way to cure the poison.

Zhang Yang used the incomplete Lord-Grade Demon Soul to cure and promote Wu Yuan, then absorbed the complete Demon Soul himself, gaining stronger attributes and new soul abilities. After clearing the Spider nest and examining its spoils, he decided to leave rather than establish his village there.

• Zhang Yang chose to use the complete Lord-Grade Demon Soul on himself and the incomplete one to promote the poisoned Wu Yuan, while the Fragment of Hope unexpectedly produced a windproof lighter.
• Zhang Yang gained F+ strength, agility, and defense, B- soul strength, the Keenness trait, and the Bind spell, while Wu Yuan became a Captain with a Captain-Grade spear and new combat skills.
• Zhang Yang led his soldiers through the Spider nest, killed the remaining Black Spiders, burned their eggs and webs, and found no treasure or secret resources.
• Zhang Yang examined the Spider Tribe’s Village Building Order, Civilization Code, silk, and venom, learning that the incomplete order could improve his own Village Building Order.
• Zhang Yang considered why the Spider Lords had guarded their nest, then rejected settling there and decided to leave and develop elsewhere.

Zhang Yang hunted more demons, expanded his forces, and fortified the underground camp before nightfall. When the forest fell unnaturally silent, he upgraded the Fantasy Village Building Order, gaining stronger concealment, protection, and vision abilities as he prepared for danger.

• Zhang Yang led Wu Yuan and thirteen soldiers on a hunt, killing eight demons and gaining four Elite Spearmen and four Elite Sword and Shield Soldiers.
• Zhang Yang returned to the underground camp, noticed the surrounding plants seemed unusually lush, and ordered the soldiers to reinforce the entrances before nightfall.
• Zhang Yang activated Level One Vision and found the forest empty and silent, while Wu Yuan warned that fog and a hostile presence were approaching.
• Zhang Yang ordered the camp entrance sealed and spent 700 energy to upgrade the Fantasy Village Building Order using the damaged Spider Tribe Civilization Code Blueprint.
• Zhang Yang inspected the upgraded order, which offered Level 2 Concealment, Level 2 Protection, and Level 2 Vision, and resolved to strengthen his soldiers and escape the Primeval Forest.

Zhang Yang and his soldiers were trapped underground when living roots attacked their camp, and he realized the cleared-away Demonized Venom had been protecting the Spider Tribe from them. After he threw the remaining venom outside, the roots fell silent and the group dug their way out, only to freeze at what they saw.

• Zhang Yang woke to find a tree root had killed Zhao Shitou, and another root killed a soldier who approached it.
• Roots burst through the cavern from every direction, forcing Zhang Yang and his soldiers into a cramped Level 2 Protection barrier as the attack overwhelmed their camp.
• Zhang Yang realized that the Spider Tribe’s venom had kept the Root Monsters at bay and that clearing the venom had removed their defense.
• Zhang Yang threw all fifty remaining units of Demonized Venom beyond the barrier, triggering a strange rumbling and an earthquake that buried the group underground.
• After the roots fell silent, Zhang Yang and the others dug their way out and froze at what they saw.

Zhang Yang tracked down the wounded Root Monster, which ambushed his group, and imprisoned it so his soldiers could attack. After Wu Yuan tore out its tree heart, Zhang Yang collapsed from exhaustion.

• Zhang Yang searched for the Root Monster but found no trace of it and led his soldiers back toward their original route.
• The Root Monster erupted from the ground, skewered three soldiers, and trapped Zhang Yang's group inside its roots.
• Zhang Yang cast Bind and used his B-rank soul to imprison the Root Monster.
• Wu Yuan and the soldiers attacked the immobilized monster, and Wu Yuan ripped a green tree heart from its main body.
• Zhang Yang ended the spell and passed out from exhaustion.

After Zhang Yang recovered inside the Wood Demon Tower, he learned that his Imprisonment Spell had killed the Earth-Walking Wood Demon but prevented the Village Building Order from claiming its usual rewards. A mysterious Deer Beast Demon arrived for the tower and summoned more than fifty Azure Wolf Demons, leaving Zhang Yang and his soldiers surrounded.

• Zhang Yang woke inside the Earth-Walking Wood Demon's hollow, where Wu Yuan told him the demon was dead and the corpse had been healing him.
• The Village Building Order revealed that Zhang Yang's Imprisonment Spell had strangled the Level 15 demon but denied him its energy, soul, and materials; he received the Wood Demon Tower instead.
• Zhang Yang learned that the tower could disguise itself in the forest, heal soldiers, and restore Soul Power, then rested inside it until he recovered.
• Zhang Yang considered keeping the tower in place and building a village, but decided his remaining Village Building Order slots were too valuable to spend.
• A huge Deer Beast Demon appeared and fixed its attention on the Wood Demon Tower, prompting Zhang Yang and his soldiers to form a defensive line.
• The Deer Beast Demon howled, making the Azure Wolf head on its antlers vanish as more than fifty Azure Wolf Demons charged Zhang Yang's group from the forest.

Zhang Yang and his soldiers survived the Red Eagle Demons’ assault and turned the fight in their favor, but the Deer-Headed Demon summoned more monsters and began preparing a powerful attack. Zhang Yang tried to bind it himself, only to discover that its soul was stronger than his own.

• Zhang Yang activated Level 2 Protection and ordered his soldiers into formation, but the Deer-Headed Demon summoned five Red Eagle Demons to join the Azure Wolves’ assault.
• Zhang Yang escaped into the Wood Demon Tower as the Red Eagles shattered the barrier, while Wu Yuan and the others used the blast’s aftermath to kill or disable the attackers.
• Zhang Yang and his soldiers killed the remaining Red Eagles, then restored Level 2 Protection and gained the upper hand against the Azure Wolves.
• The Deer-Headed Demon summoned twelve Wild Ox Demons and began eating the objects hanging from its antlers, so Zhang Yang left Wu Yuan in command and prepared fresh soldiers.
• Zhang Yang cast the Imprisonment Spell at the Deer-Headed Demon, but it failed to bind the demon and only made it stagger.

Zhang Yang drove off the Deer-Headed Demon, then decided to establish a village rather than abandon the Wood Demon Tower. He began construction on a hill and received a choice of two initial buildings, leaving him to select them.

• Zhang Yang repeatedly cast Imprisonment on the Deer-Headed Demon, disrupting its attacks until Wu Yuan killed the remaining Wild Ox Demons.
• Wu Yuan hurled his spear at the Deer-Headed Demon, but a Level 3 Protection barrier deflected it; the demon shut down the barrier and escaped into the forest.
• Zhang Yang woke three hours later, upgraded his remaining ordinary soldiers, and moved the Wood Demon Tower and his troops to a hill three kilometers away.
• Zhang Yang weighed escaping without the Wood Demon Tower against building a village and chose to stay and protect the tower.
• Zhang Yang spent 500 Energy to begin establishing a village, marking out a 2,000-square-meter area and receiving a list of buildings from which to choose two.

Zhang Yang established his village, gained a new talent, and learned that Wu Yuan’s spear-throwing ability might qualify him for a dangerous Hero’s Trial. He postponed the trial as night approached and focused on keeping the village safe.

• Zhang Yang selected a Level 1 Training Ground and Barracks, then paid to upgrade the Wood Demon Tower to Level 2 as part of his village construction.
• Zhang Yang used the complete Level 5 Red Eagle Demon Soul to raise his Strength and gain the Eagle Eye talent, then examined the Red Eagle corpse’s one-use attack ability.
• Wu Yuan reported that he had found no demon activity nearby, and Zhang Yang asked him about his powerful spear throws.
• Wu Yuan explained that the skill had appeared instinctively after the Earth-Walking Wood Demon’s tree core vanished, and he agreed to teach it to other soldiers.
• A message offered Zhang Yang the chance to begin a potentially deadly Hero’s Trial for Wu Yuan, but Zhang Yang ignored it and told Wu Yuan to arrange night patrols and have the soldiers rest.

Zhang Yang joined Wu Yuan’s training in carving throwing spears, but Wu Yuan showed him the terror of facing death to teach him what awe meant. Shaken, Zhang Yang began carving a second spear with a new understanding of the weapon and the danger it represented.

• Wu Yuan returned from patrol with carefully selected wood and said he planned to teach the soldiers to make and throw wooden spears.
• After breakfast, Wu Yuan had Zhang Yang and the soldiers carve their own spears while the Elite Archers kept watch.
• Wu Yuan criticized Zhang Yang’s first spear, saying he lacked awe, then aimed it at him from a hundred meters away.
• Zhang Yang felt certain he was about to die as Wu Yuan threw the spear between his legs and into the ground.
• Wu Yuan apologized and asked to be punished, but Zhang Yang said he understood and began carving a second spear with a changed attitude.

While carving wooden spears, Zhang Yang discovered he could use Bind Spells to enchant them into magic artifacts. He gave Wu Yuan an Imprisonment Spear and ordered more crafted before going to sleep, confident he could face the approaching deer demon.

• Wu Yuan trained the soldiers to throw wooden spears in synchronized volleys while Zhang Yang continued carving and improved his Elementary Blade Technique.
• Zhang Yang repeatedly cast Bind Spells on a spear carved by Wu Yuan until it became an Imprisonment Spear that could bind a target for one to three seconds.
• Zhang Yang celebrated his discovery, and Wu Yuan mistook his excitement for mastery of throwing with his heart.
• Zhang Yang demonstrated the spear’s power to Wu Yuan, gave it to him, and ordered Wu Yuan to craft high-quality spears for him and equip the best throwers.
• Zhang Yang went to sleep while Wu Yuan tried to warn him that the artifact might work differently in his hands.

Zhang Yang discovered how to control his Soul Power directly, using it to perceive and manipulate matter with extraordinary precision. He began applying the new ability to carving wooden spears, leaving Wu Yuan amazed.

• Zhang Yang concluded that high-quality wooden spears and repeated Soul Power exposure had enabled him to create Imprisonment Spears, and decided to find a way to nurture them directly with Soul Power.
• Wu Yuan brought nineteen elite soldiers to train in spear throwing and explained that resting near the Wood Demon Tower quickly restored their fatigue.
• Wu Yuan proposed fortifying the hill around the Wood Demon Tower, and Zhang Yang approved the plan while assigning soldiers to build a stockade and fell trees.
• Zhang Yang watched Wu Yuan carve and realized that intense focus might let his Soul Power connect to the physical world.
• Zhang Yang used Soul Power to perceive and destroy insects, then examined a wooden branch in detail and carved it with exceptional precision.
• Wu Yuan saw Zhang Yang's carving and asked how he had done it, and Zhang Yang jokingly said he had been possessed by a ghost.

Zhang Yang used Soul Power to strengthen a growing tree and worked with Wu Yuan to make steel-hard spears, then created an Imprisonment Spear that could pierce defenses and bind its target. With the village countdown nearly over and the deer demon still missing, Zhang Yang prepared for its arrival as his soldiers and fortress advanced.

• Zhang Yang beat Wu Yuan in carving a wooden spear and then used Soul Power to select and nurture a tree, increasing its toughness before Wu Yuan cut it down.
• Wu Yuan carved twelve steel-hard spears from the strengthened tree, and Zhang Yang began nurturing them with his soul.
• Zhang Yang infused a spear with Bind and created an intermediate magical artifact, the Imprisonment Spear, which could penetrate armor or shields and bind a target.
• Zhang Yang speculated that the deer demon might be waiting until the village was established, but he could not work out its motive.
• The Longbowmen continued building the fortress, while nineteen elite soldiers improved their spear throwing and learned to hit fixed targets from one hundred meters.
• Zhang Yang prepared to face the deer demon with the new weapon and looked forward to its appearance.

Zhang Yang’s village was established, activating missions that revealed why the deer demon had waited to attack until the Village Building Order was placed. After inspecting the village’s new capabilities, Zhang Yang prepared to face the approaching battle with greater confidence.

• Wu Yuan reported that the deer demon and its forces were likely hiding nearby, while the village’s defenses and supplies were ready for battle.
• The Village Building Order countdown ended, the village was established, and a Training Ground and Barracks appeared as the Wood Demon Tower reached Level 2.
• Zhang Yang learned that his missions included keeping the village alive for three hundred years, recruiting inhabitants, collecting White Fragments of Hope, and defeating fifteen foreign-race village chiefs within twenty years.
• Zhang Yang realized the deer demon had spared him so the Village Building Order would drop after the village was established, and he questioned the wider implications of the missions and Earth’s Civilization Code.
• Zhang Yang examined the newly activated Village Building Order, noted its upgraded traits and the Level 2 Wood Demon Tower’s abilities, and vowed to fight the deer demon.