Chapter Summaries

Tao Yu took control of the One Ring after overcoming Sauron’s mental assault and learned that Sauron was resisting the Burning Legion in the east. As Tao Yu tried to clear the skies over Barad-dûr, he triggered Mount Doom, then discovered he could direct its eruption toward the invasion point.

• Tao Yu returned with the One Ring, and Gandalf concluded that he had resisted Sauron’s attempt to corrupt him.
• Tao Yu told Gandalf and Galadriel that Sauron was mad from the Abyss’s influence and had organized a defensive line against the Burning Legion.
• Tao Yu tried to disperse the volcanic clouds with the Weather Warlock’s power, but his Demoness of Catastrophe traits prompted him to trigger Mount Doom’s eruption.
• Tao Yu, Gandalf, Galadriel, the Third Raikage, A, and Killer B protected the Human Allied Forces from the falling lava and rocks.
• Tao Yu formed a magic array that guided Mount Doom’s eruption east, sending a dense barrage of molten boulders toward the Hellfire invasion point.

Tao Yu surveyed the devastation caused by Mount Doom’s falling rocks, gained an upgraded Magic Resistance Skin skill, and took control of the surviving Orcs and Ringwraiths. He then traveled with Gandalf and Galadriel to the world boundary, where they discovered Burning Legion warlocks guarding cracks between worlds.

• Mount Doom’s volcanic boulders devastated the battlefield, killing most of the Orcs and Infernals caught in the indiscriminate bombardment.
• Tao Yu absorbed the fallen Infernals’ wish-force materials and Deified Magic Resistance Skin, granting it the ability to adapt to and eventually absorb energy attacks.
• Tao Yu used The One Ring to command the surviving Orcs and summoned the Ringwraiths, ordering the Witch-king of Angmar to gather the Orcs and avoid the Human Allied Forces.
• Tao Yu, Gandalf, and Galadriel flew over the mountains without crossing the world boundary and found a burning oil rig in the ocean.
• They saw hooded Burning Legion warlocks on the rig and recognized that each was a Boundary Breaker guarding cracks in the world boundary.

Tao Yu thwarted a sorcerous attack through a crack, then established an alliance between Middle-earth and Xingyao Frontier. He left Barad-dûr by air, expecting trade and cooperation to reshape Middle-earth while the alliance prepared for future threats.

• Tao Yu crushed the Eye of Sauron appearing through the crack and used Dream Divination to glimpse a besieged world where resistance still fought.
• Tao Yu decided to focus on defense against the Burning Legion and agreed with Gandalf and the Elven Lady to make Barad-dûr their stronghold.
• Tao Yu and Elrond, Gandalf, Galadriel, Aragorn, Théoden, Legolas, and Gimli signed a mutual-defense and free-trade alliance with Xingyao Frontier.
• Tao Yu promised to arrange trade in Wish Power crops and departed Barad-dûr on the Alien Dragon with the Nine Ringwraiths.
• Tao Yu surveyed the armies and considered how machinery and firearms could help develop Middle-earth, then flew toward the sea routes connecting it to other worlds.

Aboard the New Frontier’s aircraft carrier, Captain Laifu and Skir learned that Tao Yu was approaching with his Alien Dragon and nine other beast riders. They prepared to meet the powerful figure, whose recent exploits had won the Sun Family’s favor.

• Two pioneers fishing on the carrier spotted Tao Yu’s Alien Dragon and reported that it was accompanied by nine beast riders.
• Captain Laifu and Skir discussed the growing conflict among powerful Floating City families and their hopes of staying out of it.
• Laifu learned that Tao Yu had arrived nearby and said Tao Yu had defeated Stidi, a Boundary Breaker from the provincial capital’s Security Team.
• Laifu explained that Tao Yu had been blamed for some of the provincial capital’s recent chaos but had helped the Sun Family find a local business partner.
• Laifu and Skir decided to meet the Sun Family’s new favorite and speculated that Tao Yu might even qualify to marry into the family.

Tao Yu met Captain Laifu and the other Boundary Breakers aboard the aircraft carrier, exchanged news about recent attacks on the New Frontier, and suspected that something was nearby. He sent the Nine Ringwraiths out to scout in different directions.

• Tao Yu landed on the carrier with the Alien Dragon and the Nine Ringwraiths, then spoke with Laifu, Baan, and Sicchi about Middle-earth and Púzi's team.
• Tao Yu told the Boundary Breakers that a hidden local had killed Púzi's team except for Gant, and that he had used local forces to avenge them.
• Tao Yu learned that attackers had struck the Alien Farm, Dada Company's convoys, Las Vegas, and the Scripture Repository while key defenders were away or distracted.
• Laifu said the attackers appeared to have a specialized anti-divination ability and were waging an intelligence war.
• Tao Yu balanced a coin on his fingertip, then sent the Nine Ringwraiths on their Fell Beasts to scout after sensing something nearby.

Esdeath pursued Tao Yu across the sea after spotting him aboard the carrier, eager to fight the man who had defeated Sauron. Tao Yu flew out to meet her, and the chapter ended as their confrontation began.

• Esdeath recognized Tao Yu as the man who had killed Sauron and ordered her subordinates to stay out of the fight.
• Esdeath leaped onto the sea and raced toward Tao Yu across a trail of ice.
• Tao Yu identified the approaching force as the Luck Stealer Alliance and told Laifu and the others he would deal with the challenger.
• Laifu ordered the carrier's crew to prepare for battle while Baan and Skir discussed Tao Yu's departure.
• Tao Yu flew toward Esdeath on the Alien Dragon, and Esdeath welcomed the approaching fight.

Tao Yu confronted Esdeath in their clashing domains and used The One Ring and his arsenal of Noble Phantasms to overwhelm her. Esdeath adapted by concentrating her defenses and retreating, leaving Tao Yu surprised by her combat instincts as the fight continued.

• Tao Yu expanded his Inherent Domain and used The One Ring to push back Esdeath's freezing world.
• Esdeath declared that she would take Tao Yu as her husband, and Tao Yu threatened to enslave her before they resumed fighting.
• Tao Yu burned away Esdeath's ice spikes and formed an arsenal of Noble Phantasms, sending them at her with Legion's Power.
• Esdeath compressed her frost world to intensify its slowing effects, but Tao Yu's weapons continued to break through.
• Esdeath retreated while concentrating her attacks and defenses against the greatest threats, and Tao Yu realized she was surviving through superior combat instinct and experience.

Tao Yu killed Esdeath with the Jewel Sword, restored and enslaved her, then returned her Imperial Arm so she could rebuild her strength. Meanwhile, Liva and his companions fought their way toward the Exploration carrier, determined to prove themselves while Tao Yu was away.

• Tao Yu used Gift of the Craftsman to create the Jewel Sword and cut Esdeath apart, splitting her Inherent Domain and the sea.
• Tao Yu spent half a day gathering Esdeath's scattered spirit and reshaping her, but she returned with only fragmented memories.
• Esdeath accepted Tao Yu's authority and offered to warm his bed, while Tao Yu restored her Demon God Manifestation and told her to train with Scathach.
• Liva led his companions toward the Exploration carrier, dodging its barrage and insisting they prove their strength while the general was gone.

After seeing the Luck Stealer Alliance’s ships struggle in a chaotic stalemate, Tao Yu sent the Nine Ringwraiths to help and considered recruiting Esdeath’s loyal subordinates. The Ringwraiths’ aerial assault quickly inflicted heavy damage on the pirates.

• Tao Yu watched the battle through the Ringwraiths and realized that poor coordination was keeping the ships’ fighters locked in a stalemate.
• Tao Yu considered putting Esdeath’s loyal Boundary Breaker subordinates to work for him, then told Esdeath to help arrange a retreat in exchange for a reward.
• Skye struggled against Niu’s sound-based mental attacks, while Baan returned to the aircraft carrier poisoned by Liva’s blood.
• Baan complained that the Eight-Armed Vajra had abandoned them just as the Nine Ringwraiths descended on the ships.
• The Ringwraiths ignored Niu’s mental attacks and made repeated aerial passes, dealing more damage than the ships’ prolonged exchange of fire.

Tao Yu intervened in a battle against pirates, and Siki used the opening to destroy their ship while the Ringwraith disrupted the enemy. After learning that the pirates came from the One Piece world and that Devil Fruits might be scattered across the seas, Tao Yu and Laifu questioned the survivors, but found no immediate lead to any fruits.

• The Ringwraith snatched pirates from the ship and hurled them at it, giving Siki a chance to assemble his powered armor and fire a barrage of rockets.
• Siki destroyed the pirate ship, forcing Niu into the water, while Laifu struck the distracted Liva with an invisible air cannon.
• Tao Yu arrived on the Alien Dragon and asked Laifu about the pirates and the battle.
• Laifu explained that the pirates came from a sea connected to the One Piece world and that one of their crew had claimed to eat a Devil Fruit.
• Tao Yu and Laifu interrogated the surviving pirates and used Spirit Channeling, but found no immediate way to obtain Devil Fruits.

Tao Yu left the Exploration and returned to the Pioneer Zone with Esdeath, while the crew reflected on his growing strength and prospects. In Las Vegas, Tao Shi responded to escalating bomb attacks as the city struggled to maintain order.

• Tao Yu accepted Captain Laifu’s family token, then departed with nine Ringwraiths to continue toward Zombie World as the Exploration resumed its mission.
• Laifu, Baan, and Sqi praised Tao Yu’s strength and worried that the attention surrounding him could leave him vulnerable.
• Tao Yu and Esdeath arrived at Rainforest 01, where Esdeath freed Niu and Liva from their ice and told them to report any contact from the Priest.
• Tao Yu gave Niu and Liva Anti-divination scales, and Esdeath ordered them to stay on standby and alert her if Guval’s squad or the Sloth squad appeared nearby.
• Tao Shi led an emergency response team through Las Vegas as bomb attacks and other sabotage continued to strain the city’s new administration.

Tao Yu returned to the New Frontier and rescued Tao Shi’s emergency response team by extinguishing a warehouse fire with his Alien Dragon. His arrival revived stories about his rise and stirred rumors that he had massacred the Li family.

• Tao Shi refused a warehouse supervisor’s demand to send responders into a fire full of explosives and requested backup instead.
• Tao Yu arrived on his Alien Dragon and doused the flames with ice crystals, then invited Tao Shi to take the day off and meet some seniors.
• The supervisor recognized Tao Yu and was too frightened to object as Tao Shi climbed onto the Alien Dragon.
• People across the New Frontier began gossiping about Tao Yu’s return and the dragon he rode.
• Rumors about Tao Yu’s past spread, and many people began to suspect him of killing the Li family.

Tao Yu attended a gathering at the Scripture Repository, where he introduced Tao Shi to influential martial artists and Chosen Ones. He also learned that the New Frontier was expanding its farms and trade while remaining wary of the Luck Stealer Alliance.

• The base and Scripture Repository continued to grow, with Internal Energy lessons attracting Pioneers and martial artists from across the New Frontier.
• Shirou Emiya and Huang Rong prepared a feast for Zhang Sanfeng, Hong Qigong, Huang Yaoshi, Tao Yu, and the other guests at a gathering in the Repository’s garden.
• Tao Yu encouraged Tao Shi to meet the assembled elders and make friends instead of relying entirely on his brother’s reputation.
• Tao Yu learned that martial arts experts were advancing their field and helping establish Wish Power crop farms and trade caravans in other worlds.
• Zhang Sanfeng said the Luck Stealer Alliance was the only serious Boundary Breaker-level enemy they had faced, while Tao Yu noted that its members did not seem closely united.

Tao Yu heard the Yinkui Sect’s reports on secret approaches from other factions and flagged Moya and Vaslo for further investigation. He then visited Sun Shiqing and Xiao Longnv, where he considered giving them Demoness characteristics to strengthen them.

• Tao Yu met Zhu Yuyan at the Yinkui Sect, where she reported that the sect had stayed separate from the orthodox factions and attracted several secret requests for cooperation.
• Tao Yu used divination to identify Moya and Vaslo as suspicious, learned about their backgrounds and requests, and told Zhu Yuyan to continue her work.
• Tao Yu rewarded the Yinkui Sect and then visited Sun Shiqing, who teased him for not coming sooner and remarked that he had surpassed them in strength.
• Xiao Longnv learned that Tao Yu and Sun Shiqing were together, while Tao Yu considered giving Sun Shiqing and Xiao Longnv Demoness characteristics to increase their power.

Tao Yu used divination to warn Sun Shiqing that she might die once in an impending crisis at the base, then agreed to help her investigate the supernatural intelligence war. Sun Shiqing took him to a basement stocked with divination items to prepare.

• Sun Shiqing explained that Gan Wei was a planted informant and suspected that the investigation into him pointed to a real problem.
• Tao Yu offered Sun Shiqing and her sister occupational abilities involving divination, but warned that using one without its complement would turn them into women and risk corruption.
• Tao Yu divined for Sun Shiqing and drew the reversed Red Priest card, predicting that she would die once and survive with serious injuries.
• Sun Shiqing revealed that her Nirvana ability could save her from one fatal injury and urged Tao Yu to help win the supernatural intelligence war.
• Sun Shiqing led Tao Yu to a newly prepared basement filled with divination-related items.

Tao Yu and Sun Shiqing used layered divination tools and a ritual to trace the source of the threat against her. The trail pointed to a National Guard base in Nevada, where Tao Yu considered investigating possible links to Moya and Vaslo.

• Sun Shiqing showed Tao Yu her divination and intelligence tools, warning him to keep his crafting abilities secret.
• Sun Shiqing layered several scrolls to confuse and mislead the enemy diviner.
• Tao Yu performed a ritual with Sun Shiqing on a map and identified three possible locations: New York, the Grassland 01 World border, and Nevada.
• Tao Yu used a detailed map to locate a National Guard base in Nevada as the source of the danger facing Sun Shiqing.
• Tao Yu considered whether Panda's death at the base could help him exploit a causal link, and decided to investigate Moya and Vaslo as possible suspects.

Tao Yu agreed to investigate two targets connected to the threat against the Sun Family while Sun Shiqing arranged additional protection for Sun Guangyao. After leaving the Sun residence, Tao Yu negotiated with Puli to recover Púzi’s belongings for two million willing power.

• Tao Yu told Sun Shiqing he would investigate two easy targets, while warning that Sun Guangyao’s return might alert their enemies; she said the Sun Family would make arrangements for him.
• Tao Yu left the Sun Family’s residence and was approached by Puli, a newly arrived Boundary Breaker from Starlight Company and Púzi’s father.
• Tao Yu recalled that Púzi had died during the Lord of the Rings World Cup and told Puli that he had gathered and buried the remains according to local custom.
• Puli offered to buy back Púzi’s belongings, and Tao Yu asked for eight or ten million willing power before agreeing to search.
• Puli negotiated the price down to two million willing power, and Tao Yu agreed to have him collect the items the next day.

After Deifying Authority: Cost for a second time, Tao Yu gained finer control over exchanges and the ability to distort energy, transforming his sinister power into holy forms and finding new ways to digest his Pathways. He returned to the Yinkui Sect, where Zhu Yuyan prepared for two visitors to arrive in person.

• Tao Yu discovered that his Authority could distort energy, cleanse his spiritual state, and transform his Inherent Domain into a pristine world of mirrors.
• Tao Yu tested the Authority on Teng Lianghong's thunder attack and converted the Thunder Prison into energy he absorbed.
• Tao Yu found he could adjust how he digested his Pathways, including using accelerated time to help digest the Demoness of Unaging.
• Tao Yu returned to the Yinkui Sect headquarters, where Bai Qing'er greeted him and Wanwan immediately touched him.
• Zhu Yuyan told Tao Yu that the two visitors had accepted the sect's reply and would arrive in person, and Tao Yu said he would observe while she handled them.

Moya commissioned the Yinkui Sect to secretly investigate Cheng Yu for suspected ties to Evil God Cultists. After she left, Tao Yu’s divination revealed that Moya had also dealt with the cultists and had confirmed her suspicions through other parties, while her grudge appeared connected to Han Ya’s death.

• Moya arrived at the Yinkui Sect’s residence and met Zhu Yuyan, Wanwan, Bai Qing'er, and a veiled figure.
• Moya asked the Yinkui Sect to obtain proof that Cheng Yu was colluding with Evil God Cultists, claiming she wanted to expose him publicly.
• At Tao Yu’s prompting, Zhu Yuyan asked Moya whether she had dealt with Evil God Cultists, and Moya denied it.
• Tao Yu’s divination showed that Moya had dealt with the cultists herself, but he let her leave after the sect accepted her commission.
• Tao Yu reasoned that Moya’s grudge might stem from Han Ya’s death and divined that she had confirmed her suspicions about Cheng Yu with two other parties.

Tao Yu investigated Púli by impersonating Teng Lianghong and discovered that Púli was connected to a planned operation against the base. After learning enough to identify Tao Yu, Púli was captured and transformed, and Tao Yu took his appearance to buy time while investigating further.

• Tao Yu decided to test whether Púli was connected to the intelligence operatives he had encountered.
• Tao Yu appeared at Púli's villa disguised as Teng Lianghong and questioned him about the coming operation against the base.
• Púli revealed that he had contacted his superiors and was assigning subordinates to gather intelligence, while Tao Yu used his abilities to pressure him into speaking.
• Tao Yu brought Púli into his Inherent Domain, where Púli recognized him as Eight-Armed Vajra.
• Tao Yu transformed Púli into a black-mud silhouette, began a Dream Divination ritual, and then took Púli's appearance to deceive his servants and gain time.