Chapter Summaries

Xu Yi returned after securing a three-year non-aggression pact that restricted only the Purple Gold Heavenly King's Mansion, thwarting Kuang Wenyuan's hopes of discrediting him. Kuang Wenyuan publicly praised Xu Yi, who credited the Heavenly Court's God-Emperor for persuading the Purple Gold leaders.

• Kuang Wenyuan and Zhang Beiyue learned that the Ninth Guard had withdrawn and suspected Xu Yi had somehow persuaded the Purple Gold Royal Guard.
• Lu Yuan revealed that Xu Yi had signed a three-year non-aggression pact with the Purple Gold Heavenly King's Mansion, imposing no conditions on their side.
• Kuang Wenyuan ordered Lu Yuan to watch Xu Yi closely, acknowledging that the pact and higher-ups' attention made it harder to undermine him.
• Xu Yi returned to receive Kuang Wenyuan, who praised his mission before envoys and Middle Officials.
• Xu Yi claimed that Xu Jinge and Young Minister Qin had agreed to the pact out of fear of the God-Emperor's power.

Xu Yi deflected Lu Yuan and Kuang Wenyuan’s attempts to question him by delivering an exaggerated tribute to the Heavenly Court, then began using a Spiritually Manifesting Jade Wall to pursue insight and refine his Dao Fruit. He entered an illusion as his younger self, beginning a new cultivation trial.

• Xu Yi dismissed Lu Yuan’s suspicion and praised the Heavenly Court’s God-Emperor, leaving Kuang Wenyuan and the other officials with no choice but to commend his speech.
• Kuang Wenyuan decided to stop targeting Xu Yi for the time being, and Xu Yi’s authority in the Seventh Legion went unchallenged.
• Xu Yi chose the costly fast method of refining his Dao Fruit and went to Hesheng Studio to use its Spiritually Manifesting Jade Wall.
• Xu Yi paid Shopkeeper Tong a deposit, entered the Heavenly One cultivation chamber, and poured five thousand Profound Yellow Essences into the Glazed Octagonal Furnace.
• The jade wall drew Xu Yi into an illusion where he experienced himself as a drowsy boy studying in a village bookshop.

Xu Yi experienced eight lifetimes in the Spiritually Manifesting Jade Wall, endured their joys and suffering, and gained enlightenment that helped him break through to the Fourth Realm of Divine Map and fuse the Dao Fruit. As he tried to comprehend the arriving will of Heaven again, the Glazed Octagonal Furnace and Jade Wall reacted to the Spiritually Communicating Treasure, drawing out both of his life wheels.

• Xu Yi relived the ordinary, hardship-filled life of a mountain boy and then experienced seven more lifetimes, including those of an emperor, a beggar, and an Ancestral Shaman.
• As the Ancestral Shaman, Xu Yi repeatedly resurrected his beloved Fairy until she begged him to let her die rather than lose her remaining memories of him.
• Xu Yi accepted that all things followed their natural course, and his two life wheels transformed as he left the Spiritually Manifesting Jade Wall.
• Xu Yi's life wheels returned to their original form with pure white Divine Diagram bases, confirming that he had reached the Fourth Realm of Divine Map and fused the Dao Fruit.
• When the will of Heaven arrived, Xu Yi took out the Spiritually Communicating Treasure, and the Glazed Octagonal Furnace and Spiritually Manifesting Jade Wall reacted to it.
• Xu Yi's two life wheels left his body and circled the Spiritually Communicating Treasure alongside their Divine Diagram phenomena.

Xu Yi spent eight thousand pieces of Profound Yellow Essence stabilizing the Spiritually Communicating Treasure, which transformed into a volatile Five-Colored Bead. After leaving the refining room, he learned that the Seventh Legion had awarded him a major merit and three hundred pieces of Profound Yellow Essence.

• Xu Yi watched the Spiritually Communicating Treasure consume Profound Yellow Essence as two Divine Diagram phenomena gradually settled its chaotic energy.
• On Huang Mei's advice, Xu Yi fed the Glazed Octagonal Furnace more essence until the treasure's energy became orderly and it transformed into a Five-Colored Bead.
• Xu Yi briefly activated the Divine Diagram phenomena, causing the bead to flare with a terrifying sensation, then stopped when Huang Mei warned him about its volatility.
• Xu Yi left the Number One Heavenly Refining Room, bought two bottles of Spirit Body Pills at Hesheng Studio, and avoided Wang Rongrong's party.
• Xu Yi contacted Yu Beihai, who reported that the Seventh Legion had credited him with a major merit and deposited three hundred pieces of Profound Yellow Essence for him at the Northern Court's central hall.

Xu Yi, disguised as Suijie, helped Wang Rongrong obtain the Five Elements Spirit and returned with him to Wuji Hall. As Wang Rongrong’s allies celebrated, they discussed Xu Yi as a growing threat, and Biao Cen volunteered to kill him within three days.

• Xu Yi calculated that Wang Rongrong would be retrieving the Five Elements Spirit and transformed into Suijie before heading to Hesheng Studio.
• Old Sui greeted Suijie, and Wang Rongrong emerged with the Five Elements Spirit after Biao Cen confirmed its exceptional quality.
• Biao Cen insulted Suijie, who defended his status as a Gold-level Guest Elder, and Wang Rongrong stopped their quarrel.
• Wang Rongrong led his party to Wuji Hall, where they celebrated the successful acquisition of the Five Elements Spirit.
• Wang Rongrong warned that Xu Yi could become too powerful if left alone, and Biao Cen promised to bring back Xu Yi’s head within three days.

At Wang Rongrong’s gathering, Suijie proposed undermining Xu Yi’s official position by arranging for him to liaise with the Heavenly King of the Imperial Way’s Mansion. The group agreed to recruit Kuang Wenyuan, but a violent shockwave then struck the hall, and everyone rushed outside to find three men in black destroyed by a beam of light.

• Biao Cen demanded that Xu Yi be killed, but Gu Beiting and Old Sui warned that assassinating a Southern Heavenly Court official could unite its leaders against them.
• Suijie argued that Xu Yi’s official status was his golden body and proposed attacking his position within the Traveler Department.
• After the others insisted on hearing the full plan, Suijie proposed having Xu Yi liaise with the Heavenly King of the Imperial Way’s Mansion.
• Wang Rongrong ordered Suijie and Gu Beiting to work together to win over Kuang Wenyuan and help transfer Xu Yi to the Third Battalion.
• A shockwave struck the hall, and Biao Cen blocked it before the group rushed outside and saw a beam of light destroy three men in black.
• Jin Xiu and Jin Xian raced over to Left Peak after noticing the commotion.

Suijie confronted Xiong Wan at Wuji Cliff and killed his cloaked companion with the Sui clan's Origin Fire, revealing his formidable strength to Wang Rongrong and the others. After Suijie settled at Shaoqing Mansion, Wang Rongrong discussed cultivating him as an ally, while Huangmei finished digesting the Witch Spirit and Xu Yi's real reason for attacking Xiong Wan was revealed.

• Jin Xiu and Jin Xian apologized to Wang Rongrong for the trouble at Wuji Cliff, then Suijie rushed to the Left Peak and fought Xiong Wan and a cloaked companion.
• Suijie accused Xiong Wan of causing trouble, but Jin Xiu and Wang Rongrong urged him not to fight because Xiong Wan was a guest of Wuji Hall's Master.
• Suijie unleashed the Sui clan's Origin Fire, burned Xiong Wan's companion to ashes, and seized the man's Witch Spirit before Xiong Wan vanished.
• Wang Rongrong escorted Suijie to Shaoqing Mansion, then discussed Suijie's cultivation and possible alliance with Gu Beiting and Old Sui.
• Huangmei finished digesting the Witch Spirit, and the narration revealed Xu Yi had attacked because Xiong Wan had hired an assassin to kill Xu Yanzhi.

Xu Yi learned that Xiong Wan was secretly seeking Wuji Hall’s help to defeat Xu Yanzhi in the contest for Lord Shaoqing, and he planned to aid her after handling his current scheme. He secured funding from Wang Rongrong’s faction and infiltrated Kuang Wenyuan’s Spring Hut disguised as Lu Yuan.

• Huangmei explained that Xiong Wan was recruiting Wuji Hall to help Commander Xiong win the excavation contest against Xu Yanzhi.
• Xu Yi decided to deal with his immediate plan before preparing to help Xu Yanzhi.
• Xu Yi persuaded Gu Beiting to raise a thousand Profound Yellow Essences to help him approach Kuang Wenyuan.
• Gu Beiting reported Xu Yi’s plan to Wang Rongrong, who released the funds.
• Xu Yi disguised himself as Lu Yuan and passed the Spring Hut gatekeeper to enter Kuang Wenyuan’s base.

Xu Yi disguised himself as Suijie and pressured Kuang Wenyuan into helping transfer Xu Yi to a post where he could be dealt with. Kuang agreed, and Xu Yi left disguised as Lu Yuan.

• Xu Yi entered Spring Hut disguised as Suijie and told Kuang Wenyuan that they shared an enemy in Xu Yi.
• Xu Yi explained Wang Rongrong’s grudge and said he wanted Xu Yi transferred to handle matters involving the Heavenly King of the Imperial Way's Mansion.
• Kuang Wenyuan demanded a reward and threatened to arrest Suijie, but Xu Yi revealed he had recordings that could implicate Kuang.
• Xu Yi argued that cooperating would benefit them both, and Kuang Wenyuan agreed to rid the Traveler Department of Xu Yi.
• Xu Yi transformed into Lu Yuan and left, while Kuang Wenyuan summoned the gatekeeper but decided not to change Spring Hut’s security.

Kuang Wenyuan arranged Xu Yi’s rapid transfer to the Third Battalion, then sent him on a dangerous assignment. Xu Yi publicly accused Kuang of abusing his authority, so Kuang had him seized and taken to the court prison.

• Kuang Wenyuan fortified the Vast Sea Northern Court’s gates and arranged Xu Yi’s transfer after He Beiyi agreed to sign the paperwork.
• He Beiyi sent Jiang Yushu to warn Xu Yi, but Kuang secured approval quickly, and Xu Yi began his post at the Third Battalion two days later.
• Xu Yi attended Wang Rongrong’s banquet, then left for Wuyuan the following morning.
• Kuang Wenyuan arrived at the Third Battalion and ordered Xu Yi to go to South Mountain over the Heavenly King’s Third Guard crossing the Golden Light Line.
• Xu Yi challenged Kuang Wenyuan publicly, accusing him of using his office to settle a personal score.
• Kuang Wenyuan ordered Lu Yuan and Zhang Beiyue to seize Xu Yi, who did not resist as they dragged him to the court prison.

Kuang Wenyuan realized Xu Yi had provoked him into a public confrontation that could damage his reputation, then sought help from the Personnel Department and Protocol Department to contain the fallout. He began planning a slower retaliation while Lu Yuan and Zhang Beiyue prepared to monitor Xu Yi and investigate in Qiyu City.

• Kuang Wenyuan dismissed Jiang Yushu and the other junior officials, then discussed Xu Yi's intentions with Lu Yuan and Zhang Beiyue.
• Lu Yuan explained that Xu Yi had used his fame as the Empty Guest to make Kuang's real actions look like mistreatment, putting the Chief Censor under public scrutiny.
• Kuang Wenyuan contacted allies and arranged for the Personnel Department to reprimand Xu Yi and the Protocol Department to confirm it had selected him for the assignment.
• Kuang Wenyuan told Zhang Beiyue to watch South Mountain and Xu Yi's movements, and sent Lu Yuan to Qiyu City to meet someone at the Xifeng Wine Tower.

Xu Yi, disguised as Suijie, met Lu Yuan to negotiate Kuang Wenyuan’s covert plan against Xu Yi. He used their need to preserve Kuang’s reputation to demand payment for changing the plan, leaving Lu Yuan to consider his demand for three to five thousand pieces of Profound Yellow Essence.

• After being reprimanded and released from prison, Xu Yi received the Protocol Department’s assignment to handle the South Mountain dispute and went to Qiyu City.
• At Xifeng Wine Tower, Xu Yi met the cloaked Lu Yuan, who contacted him on Kuang Wenyuan’s behalf and urged a slower plan against Xu Yi.
• Xu Yi argued that Wang Shaoqing’s side wanted to move quickly, while Lu Yuan said Kuang Wenyuan needed to avoid making Xu Yi’s accusations appear true.
• Lu Yuan threatened to end their cooperation, but he realized Xu Yi knew Kuang Wenyuan could not back out after the plan had been set in motion.
• Xu Yi offered to accommodate Kuang Wenyuan’s slower approach if Lu Yuan’s side paid three to five thousand pieces of Profound Yellow Essence.

After refining Dao Source, Xu Yi swallowed Biao Wei's Blood Freeze and unexpectedly awakened a Witch Spirit, transforming into a powerful Great Witch with a mysterious human-shaped form. Huang Mei suspected Xu Yi possessed the extinct Heavenly Witch Body and advised him to move the Sui clan's Origin Fire into his body.

• Xu Yi finished refining Dao Source and realized his Dao Fruits were close to advancing to fourth grade.
• Xu Yi felt an intense longing for Biao Wei's Blood Freeze and swallowed it, nearly dying as its blood energy tore through his body.
• Xu Yi merged his two Fate Wheels into Clear Light, which turned the destructive blood energy into power and strengthened the vortices in his body.
• Huang Mei realized Xu Yi had developed a Witch Spirit and said the change supported the legend that humans and demons descended from the Witch Race.
• Xu Yi activated his blood energy and transformed into a giant with a human body and face, discovering a new form of power.
• Huang Mei told Xu Yi to store the Sui clan's Origin Fire inside his body, and Xu Yi welcomed the prospect of controlling it more easily.

Xu Yi manipulated Lu Yuan into agreeing to pay two thousand Profound Yellow Essence, then used news about Kuang Wenyuan to turn Wang Rongrong’s allies against him. The group debated how to proceed with their campaign against Xu Yi after learning Kuang demanded a large payment and wanted to keep Xu Yi from being transferred.

• Xu Yi negotiated with Lu Yuan and secured a promise of two thousand Profound Yellow Essence.
• Xu Yi visited Wang Rongrong’s residence, where Gu Beiting described the guards assembled near South Mountain to attack Xu Yi.
• Xu Yi told the gathering that Kuang Wenyuan might arrange Xu Yi’s transfer out of the Third Battalion.
• Wang Rongrong urged Xu Yi to explain Kuang’s terms, while Biao Cen criticized Xu Yi for wanting to withdraw.
• Xu Yi said Kuang demanded a gradual campaign and three to five thousand Profound Yellow Essence to preserve his reputation and prevent Xu Yi’s transfer, prompting the group to curse Kuang.

Xu Yi deceived Wang Rongrong into handing over four thousand Profound Yellow Essence by posing as an intermediary with Kuang Wenyuan. He then reached the South Mountain negotiation hall, where Wang demanded that Xu Yi’s side withdraw and left him feigning shock.

• Xu Yi persuaded Wang Rongrong to give him two thousand Profound Yellow Essence to deliver to Kuang Wenyuan’s side.
• Xu Yi met Lu Yuan in Qiyu City, collected the essence, and told Wang Rongrong that he had fulfilled his mission while claiming he would wait for further messages.
• Wang Rongrong praised Suijie’s talents to Gu Beiting and Old Sui, then invited them to watch his meeting with Xu Yi.
• After pocketing four thousand Profound Yellow Essence, Xu Yi arrived at the negotiation hall atop South Mountain and confronted Wang Rongrong about joining forces with Kuang Wenyuan.
• Wang Rongrong demanded Xu Yi’s unconditional withdrawal from the southern foothills and the surrounding three thousand li, then left as his followers praised him and mocked Xu Yi.

Xu Yi kept pretending to be cornered by Wang Rongrong and Kuang Wenyuan while steering their plot toward a final assault, but Xiao Tao arrived to reveal that her Chief Inspector had decided to intervene. The chapter ended with Xu Yi asking what fire she planned to put out for him.

• After Xu Yi reported his failed South Mountain negotiations, Kuang Wenyuan publicly comforted him to appear magnanimous.
• Xu Yi continued shuttling between Wang Rongrong's negotiation hall and Kuang Wenyuan, enduring staged praise and written reprimands.
• Xu Yi, disguised as Suijie, warned Wang Rongrong's group that Xu Yi might have prepared a countermeasure, but they dismissed his concern.
• Wang Rongrong sent Suijie to tell Kuang Wenyuan that they planned to launch their final strike, and Xu Yi returned to the Vast Sea Northern Court expecting an assault by the next day.
• Xiao Tao told Xu Yi that her Chief Inspector had decided to put out the fire at the Traveler Department, leaving Xu Yi asking what she meant.

Xu Yi interrupted Kuang Wenyuan’s gathering and cursed him under the guise of paying his respects, enraging the Chief Censor but preventing him from immediately sending Xu Yi to prison. He then rebuked a young heir of the Cao family for feasting while war threatened the border.

• Xu Yi arrived at Spring Hut and heard Director Yu and Yi Bingwei performing for Kuang Wenyuan and his guests.
• Kuang Wenyuan urged the two women to play and dance without their veils and formal robes, but Xu Yi entered before they could comply.
• Xu Yi bowed three times to Kuang Wenyuan and claimed he was honoring him before a foretold bloody death.
• Kuang Wenyuan ordered Xu Yi seized, but Lu Yuan warned him that doing so would let Xu Yi escape the negotiations and Wang Rongrong’s planned strike.
• A youth in gold robes challenged Xu Yi, and Xu Yi identified him as the young master of the Cao family before condemning the gathering as unfilial amid the threat of war.

Xu Yi humiliated Kuang Wenyuan at a banquet and then defied his accusation of neglecting the South Mountain negotiations, vowing to stay there until the rebels withdrew. After leaving the court, Xu Yi received news that Xu Yanzhi had injured Lord Shaoqing in an attempted assassination and threatened Wang Rongrong.

• Xu Yi shamed Kuang Wenyuan and the gathered young masters with a poem, prompting them to leave Spring Hut in anger.
• Director Yu and Yi Bingwei argued with Xu Yi over their attempt to help him, then left him alone at Leisure Pavilion.
• Kuang Wenyuan summoned Xu Yi to the central hall and threatened to remove him from office if he failed to end the South Mountain standoff.
• Xu Yi accused unnamed officials of arranging the clashes and vowed not to leave South Mountain until the Imperial Dao rebel army withdrew.
• Xu Yi received Gu Beiting's message that Xu Yanzhi had injured Lord Shaoqing in an assassination attempt and threatened Wang Rongrong.

Xu Yi confronted Wang Rongrong and his allies at the negotiating hall, claiming he could control the Five Elements Spirit despite their belief that Biao Wei's witch power governed it. He demonstrated his control, leaving the assembled conspirators stunned and Biao Cen demanding an explanation.

• Xu Yi arrived at the negotiating hall, where Wang Rongrong had gathered the people involved in the hunt for him.
• Biao Cen mocked Xu Yi, but Xu Yi taunted the group and asked why Suijie was absent.
• Xu Yi revealed that the Five Elements Spirit was the only card he had and accused Wang Rongrong of breaking their supposed peace.
• Wang Rongrong summoned Gu Beiting and Old Sui, who brought the Five Elements Spirit in an open brocade box.
• Xu Yi raised the Five Elements Spirit and made it shine, stunning Wang Rongrong and Biao Cen.
• Biao Cen insisted the demonstration was impossible because Biao Wei's witch power was supposed to control the Five Elements Spirit.

Xu Yi pressured Wang Rongrong’s group over the damaged Five Elements Spirit, then negotiated with Suijie for its restoration. Suijie returned with Xu Yi’s demand of five thousand Profound Yellow Essences and an end to the South Mountain standoff, and Wang Rongrong urged him to accept.

• Xu Yi dismissed Wang Rongrong’s attempts to explain and said he would discuss terms with Suijie at Xifeng Wine Tower in Qiyu City.
• Old Sui blamed Kuang Wenyuan for exposing their plans, while Wang Rongrong contacted Suijie and offered at most three thousand Profound Yellow Essences.
• Suijie arrived and apologized to Wang Rongrong, then recounted how he had warned Xu Yi about Kuang Wenyuan’s plans and the threat to Xu Yi’s Official Status.
• Suijie said Xu Yi had demanded eight thousand Profound Yellow Essences and an end to the South Mountain standoff, then left after Suijie countered with five thousand.
• Wang Rongrong panicked and told Suijie to contact Xu Yi and accept the five-thousand-essence demand.