Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Yan awakens from his dream, finding Mount Mishan and Mishan City replaced by Cloud City.
• He learns that history has been altered, preventing the Dharma-Ending Era and transforming Mishan City into a sacred land of cultivation.
• Li Yan encounters Zhang Jiu (Dragon Tiger Immortal Venerable's reincarnation), who warns him about his attire.

Character Developments

• Li Yan remains the central figure, guiding and influencing others.
• Dragon Tiger Immortal Venerable (Zhang Jiu) accepts Li Yan as his master, finding peace and enlightenment in Li Yan's words.

Significant Themes

• Reincarnation and Destiny: Li Yan and Dragon Tiger Immortal Venerable discuss their possible future reunion, hinting at the cyclical nature of life and death.
• Transformation and Change: The transformation of Mishan City into Cloud City illustrates the power of Li Yan's influence and the potential for change in the world.

Character Interactions

• Li Yan and Dragon Tiger Immortal Venerable share a heartfelt conversation, leading to the latter's enlightenment and acceptance of Li Yan as his master.
• Li Yan's encounter with Zhang Jiu highlights the changes in history and the potential consequences for Li Yan himself.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Yan is refining the Emperor Lord's severed arm using the Myriad Manifestations Spirit Fire, which is pushing the process to completion in just three months, rather than decades.
• Li Yan sends his Nascent Soul Clone to check on the Heavenly Evolution Pavilion, where he discovers that the Yao Jue Dao Patterns have taken effect, distorting the pavilion's space and corrupting the cultivators within.
• The cultivators are being influenced by the Sitting and Forgetting Dao, losing their ability to discern reality from illusion and practicing a false form of cultivation.

Character Developments

• Li Yan demonstrates his control and understanding of the Myriad Manifestations Spirit Fire, showing growth in his cultivation abilities.
• The cultivators in the Heavenly Evolution Pavilion display a decline in their mental states, highlighting the insidious nature of the Sitting and Forgetting Dao.

Significant Themes

• The theme of truth and falsehood is further explored, with the Sitting and Forgetting Dao representing the manipulation of perception and reality.
• The power of understanding and knowledge is emphasized, as Li Yan gains insight into the Vast Void Dao Ancestor's methods and adapts his strategies accordingly.

Character Interactions

• Li Yan interacts with the corrupted cultivators in the Heavenly Evolution Pavilion, observing their altered states and the effects of the Sitting and Forgetting Dao.
• Li Yan's Nascent Soul Clone communicates with Li Yan himself, relaying the information about the pavilion and the cultivators within.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Yan stands at the edge of the high platform, holding the 'Chaos Reversal' sword, surveying the encircled Central Continent.
• The minions of the Four Ancient Gods surround the continent, each force bringing unique chaos: Blood Corpses, illusory pavilions, seductive music, and plague.
• Li Yan uses the 'Chaos Reversal' sword to reverse the corruption and control of the Four Gods' minions, restoring them to their original states.

Character Developments

• Li Yan demonstrates his power and mercy, choosing to save and reverse the corruption rather than destroy.
• The disciples, initially expecting a violent display of power, are shocked and moved by Li Yan's actions.

Significant Themes

• The power of mercy and salvation over destruction.
• The reversal of karma and origin.
• The limits of the Four Ancient Gods' power.

Character Interactions

• Li Yan interacts with his disciples, answering their anticipation of his power with a lesson on the difficulty of salvation.
• The restored beings prostrate themselves towards Li Yan, expressing their gratitude and worship.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Yan arrives in the Abyss of the Netherworld, where the Purple Micro Star Lord, one of the four emperors of the Old Heavenly Court, awaits him.
• The Star Lord cannot deduce Li Yan's purpose or identity, finding him unusual as only Ancient Gods can interfere with his star readings.
• Li Yan reveals that he has broken the seal around the Abyss, allowing everyone to return to the cultivation world.
• The Star Lord invites Li Yan to tour the Heavenly Court but avoids discussing leaving the Abyss.
• Li Yan argues that the Abyss is a prison, not a paradise, as everyone is immortal but trapped, and decay is even a luxury.

Character Developments

• Li Yan: Shows determination to bring the Old Heavenly Court back to the cultivation world. He demonstrates profound insights into the nature of eternity and imprisonment.
• Purple Micro Star Lord: Initially curious and calm, he becomes defensive and silent when Li Yan exposes the truth about the Abyss. He struggles with Li Yan's words, feeling ashamed.

Significant Themes

• Eternity vs. Change: The Abyss offers eternal life but lacks change and growth, leading to stagnation and imprisonment.
• Truth vs. Illusion: Li Yan's blunt truths about the Abyss challenge the illusions of paradise held by its inhabitants.
• Freedom vs. Confinement: The Abyss represents confinement, while Li Yan advocates for freedom and choice.

Character Interactions

• Li Yan & Purple Micro Star Lord: Their interaction is tense yet respectful. Li Yan challenges the Star Lord's views, while the Star Lord is curious about Li Yan's unusual nature.
• Li Yan & Ancient Dragon Ao Jiao: Ao Jiao admires Li Yan's eloquence and agrees with his assessment of the Abyss, finding it amusing that Li Yan shames the human immortals.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Yan plans to seize Jingxu Daoist's cave while he's heavily injured.
• Li Yan learns about the cave's mechanisms and array protections from Xuan Ye Daoist's memories.
• Jingxu Daoist returns to his cave, and Li Yan ambushes him, using his Sub Shadows and Corpse Puppet Su Mo to distract and delay him.
• Li Yan enters the cave, activates the mountain protection array, locking Jingxu Daoist out.
• Li Yan takes control of the cave and plans to loot its treasures.

Character Developments

• Li Yan demonstrates strategic thinking, resourcefulness, and decisiveness in seizing the cave.
• Jingxu Daoist shows his power and techniques but is outsmarted and outmaneuvered by Li Yan.
• Su Mo, the Corpse Puppet, displays loyalty and combat prowess, protecting Li Yan and following his orders.

Significant Themes

• Ambition and opportunism: Li Yan takes advantage of Jingxu Daoist's weakness to achieve his goals.
• Betrayal and revenge: Li Yan's actions are a form of revenge against his former master, Jingxu Daoist.
• Power dynamics: The struggle between Li Yan and Jingxu Daoist highlights the power imbalance and its consequences.

Character Interactions

• Li Yan and Jingxu Daoist: Their interaction is marked by animosity, with Li Yan outsmarting and outmaneuvering his former master.
• Li Yan and Su Mo: Their relationship is one of master and servant, with Su Mo displaying unwavering loyalty to Li Yan.
• Jingxu Daoist and Xuan Ye Daoist: Their relationship is one of master and disciple, with Xuan Ye Daoist serving Jingxu Daoist and providing him with information.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Yan returns to Jingxu Temple with the White Bone Blood Crystal.
• Xuanwang, his master, takes the crystal and refines it into a pill, the Nether God Pill, using Ming Zhe's soul.
• Li Yan ingests the pill, absorbing Ming Zhe's memories and gaining knowledge about the sect and cultivation realms.
• Xuanwang expresses interest in cultivating Li Yan, hinting at future intentions to use him as a pill-making resource.

Character Developments

• Li Yan: Gains knowledge and power from Ming Zhe's memories, understands the sect's dynamics, and realizes Xuanwang's intentions towards him.
• Xuanwang: Reveals his true nature as a cultivator who uses disciples for pill-making, showing greed towards Li Yan's potential.

Significant Themes

• Deception and True Intentions: Xuanwang's true intentions are revealed, highlighting the theme of deception and hidden agendas.
• Power and Greed: The desire for power and resources drives characters' actions, with Xuanwang's greed for Li Yan's potential being a key example.

Character Interactions

• Li Yan and Xuanwang: Their relationship evolves as Li Yan learns about Xuanwang's true intentions, setting up a potential conflict.
• Li Yan and Ming Zhe (through memories): Li Yan absorbs Ming Zhe's memories, gaining insight into his past and the sect's history.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Yan finds a statue of himself in Cloud City, carved as the 'First Generation Holy Lord.'
• Zhang Jiu suspects Li Yan might be the reincarnation of the First Generation Holy Lord due to their striking resemblance.
• Representatives from the Moonlight Sword Sect and Heavenly Pivot Hall invite Li Yan to their respective sects, claiming him as a potential disciple of their founding ancestors.

Character Developments

• Li Yan: Struggles with his identity and the reverence shown to him as the 'First Generation Holy Lord.' He remains humble and unassuming despite the attention.
• Zhang Jiu: Initially suspects Li Yan's true identity but dismisses the idea due to the vast difference in their cultivation stages.

Significant Themes

• Identity and Reincarnation: Li Yan's true identity as the 'First Generation Holy Lord' is a central theme, with Zhang Jiu briefly considering Li Yan's reincarnation as a possibility.
• Legacy and Respect: The founding ancestors' legacies continue to influence the current sects, with both the Moonlight Sword Sect and Heavenly Pivot Hall vying for Li Yan's 'affiliation.'

Character Interactions

• Li Yan and Zhang Jiu: Zhang Jiu shares the history of Cloud City and Li Yan's statue with Li Yan, leading to a brief discussion about Li Yan's potential connection to the 'First Generation Holy Lord.'
• Li Yan and Sect Representatives: Li Yan is invited by both the Moonlight Sword Sect and Heavenly Pivot Hall, with each side claiming him as a potential disciple of their founding ancestors.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Yan comprehends one-tenth of the Ancient Dao Runes, gaining a profound understanding of multiplying spell power.
• He saves the Ember Extinguishing Immortal thirty thousand years early, but the dream doesn't end.
• The seal on Mount Mishan's Divine Tomb loosens, and a Mountain Devouring Giant Python emerges, swallowing the entire Mishan Sacred City and Li Yan's group.

Character Developments

• Li Yan: Becomes more confident in his identity as an immortal from the White Jade Capital and looks forward to testing his newfound Ancient Dao Runes.
• Longyue and Jin Mie: Their faith in Li Yan's identity as their master strengthens, and they experience the warmth of having a master's protection.

Significant Themes

• Master-Disciple Relationship: The bond between Li Yan and his disciples deepens, with Longyue and Jin Mie finding comfort in Li Yan's protection.
• Power and Comprehension: Li Yan's understanding of Ancient Dao Runes allows him to multiply spell power, hinting at the importance of comprehension in cultivation.

Character Interactions

• Li Yan teases Longyue and Jin Mie about the blood poison, lightening the mood between them.
• The Dragon Tiger Immortal Venerable alerts Li Yan and his disciples about the loosened seal on Mount Mishan's Divine Tomb, leading to their encounter with the Mountain Devouring Giant Python.
• Li Yan's group tries to save themselves from being swallowed, but they are ultimately dragged into the underground abyss by the giant python.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Ancient God invades Moonlight's dream, attempting to corrupt her with bloodlust.
• Li Yan discovers Moonlight's inner struggle with her bloodthirsty nature, suppressed for thousands of years.
• Moonlight, under Li Yan's guidance, embraces her desire for battle, defeating numerous Bloodline clones.
• The Ancient God retreats, unsuccessful in corrupting Moonlight.

Character Developments

• Moonlight: Overcomes her internal conflict, accepts her bloodthirsty nature, and gains clarity about her path.
• Li Yan: Demonstrates understanding and support for Moonlight's true self, helping her overcome her inner demon.

Significant Themes

• The struggle between suppression and acceptance of one's true nature.
• The pursuit of personal freedom and clarity in cultivation.
• The corrupting influence of the Ancient God's bloodline.

Character Interactions

• Li Yan and Moonlight: Master and disciple bond deepens as Li Yan guides Moonlight to accept her true self.
• Moonlight and the Ancient God: Moonlight resists the Ancient God's corruption, ultimately defeating its influence.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Yan's shadow, dull due to the Side Effect Normalization System, surprises Crescent Shadow by stealing the Blood Shadow Venerable's energy and immortal techniques.
• Li Yan uses his sub-shadow to lure Crescent Shadow into a trap, capturing him using the Soul Locking Banner through the Blood Shadow Immortal Technique.
• Li Yan reveals his presence and interrogates Crescent Shadow, who reveals that he is a Shadow Fiend under the Blood Shadow Venerable, managing Mishan Outer City.

Character Developments

• Li Yan demonstrates his cunning and strategic thinking by luring Crescent Shadow and capturing him.
• Crescent Shadow, initially confident, becomes terrified and submissive when faced with Li Yan's power.

Significant Themes

• The power dynamics between shadows and their hosts, with Li Yan's shadow demonstrating unexpected capabilities.
• The manipulation of magical artifacts through immortal techniques, showcasing Li Yan's versatility.

Character Interactions

• Li Yan and Crescent Shadow: Li Yan manipulates Crescent Shadow, first luring him and then interrogating him, demonstrating his dominance.
• Li Yan and Su Mo: Su Mo shows puzzlement about Li Yan's plan, but trusts him and follows his lead.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Yan, holding the Blood Token, leads six Senior Brothers and Sisters down the mountain to Cliff Village, maintaining a safe distance to avoid danger and keep his options open.
• Ming Zhe and the others try to persuade Li Yan to help them escape, but he remains vigilant and suspicious of their intentions.
• Upon reaching Cliff Village, Li Yan discovers that the villagers are 'Disguised Skin Fiends'. Ming Zhe and the others try to use the chaos to kill Li Yan but fail to consider that he might be more than he seems.

Character Developments

• Li Yan demonstrates his intelligence, caution, and ruthlessness. He reaches the third level of the Blood Condensation Realm secretly and plans to use the six Senior Brothers and Sisters as test subjects for the Bloodline Lamp Burning Method.
• Ming Zhe and the other Senior Brothers and Sisters show their desperation and willingness to betray each other and Li Yan to survive.

Significant Themes

• Trust vs. Suspicion: Li Yan's initial suspicion of Ming Zhe and the others, and their attempts to deceive him, highlight the theme of trust and its absence in their relationships.
• Power and Control: The Blood Token gives Li Yan power over the lives of the six Senior Brothers and Sisters, illustrating the corrupting influence of power and the lengths people will go to maintain control.
• Appearance vs. Reality: The Disguised Skin Fiends in Cliff Village represent the theme of things not being as they seem, reflecting the deceptive nature of the world Li Yan finds himself in.

Character Interactions

• Li Yan's interactions with Ming Zhe and the others are characterized by mistrust and manipulation. He uses the Blood Token to control them and keeps them at a distance to protect himself.
• Ming Zhe and the others interact with each other through small-scale voice transmissions, plotting against Li Yan and each other, highlighting their desperation and lack of loyalty.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Yan is refining the Emperor Lord's severed arm in the formation core.
• Ao Jiao visits Li Yan, seeking to help in the refinement process.
• Ao Jiao attempts to enter the red mist but is overwhelmed by the Deathly Aura.
• Li Yan saves Ao Jiao and explains the difference between her Rectification Rune and the living side effects of the arm.

Character Developments

• Li Yan demonstrates his immense power and control over the Deathly Aura, further solidifying his status as Ao Jiao's master.
• Ao Jiao experiences a significant emotional shift, moving from arrogance and defiance to reverence and fear towards Li Yan's power.

Significant Themes

• The power gap between Li Yan and Ao Jiao, highlighting the theme of personal growth and understanding one's limits.
• The living nature of the side effects, emphasizing the unpredictable and dangerous aspects of the Emperor Lord's power.

Character Interactions

• Li Yan and Ao Jiao's interaction shows Li Yan's patience and understanding, while Ao Jiao's failure serves as a learning experience, fostering respect and humility.
• Li Yan's calm and collected demeanor contrasts with Ao Jiao's initial arrogance and subsequent fear, highlighting their different approaches to power and knowledge.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Yan senses an attack on the Mountain Protection Array and receives a human-skin map from Yao Chen, leading to the Divine Tomb.
• Li Yan enters the Divine Tomb, encountering a bizarre scene: a Blood Pool filled with corpses blooming with Shore Flowers, and women in white dancing around a skull mound. These women are immortal cultivators from tens of thousands of years ago, seemingly trapped and ageless.
• Li Yan observes the scene closely, risking awakening the women and being dragged into the Blood Realm of Delight.

Character Developments

• Li Yan demonstrates courage and curiosity, entering the Divine Tomb despite its danger.
• Yao Chen shows resourcefulness and caution, giving Li Yan the map but also harboring secrets.
• The Ember Extinguishing Immortal, residing in the Demonic Eye, reveals her past and expresses concern for Li Yan's safety.

Significant Themes

• The dangers and allure of ancient, forbidden places like the Divine Tomb.
• The contrast between the joyous, illusory scene and the grim reality of the Blood Pool and corpses.
• The consequences of awakening ancient powers and the potential loss of control.

Character Interactions

• Li Yan and Yao Chen: Li Yan accepts Yao Chen's map, showing trust, while Yao Chen harbors hidden intentions.
• Li Yan and the Ember Extinguishing Immortal: The immortal expresses concern for Li Yan's safety but also underestimates his capabilities.
• Li Yan and the white-robed women: Li Yan observes the women closely, risking interaction and potential danger.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Yan is suspected of being a Blood Cultivator due to his actions against them and his mysterious past.
• Hall Master Su Mo invites Li Yan to the Heavenly Pivot Hall as a guest to investigate his true intentions.
• Li Yan is greeted warmly by the awakened lion spirit beasts at the Heavenly Pivot Hall, surprising the disciples.
• Sixth Elder Xu Mo approaches Li Yan with a strange demeanor, trying to show him a 'treasure.'

Character Developments

• Li Yan remains calm and collected despite the suspicions against him, showing no signs of guilt or nervousness.
• Hall Master Su Mo displays diplomatic skills by inviting Li Yan to her hall instead of imprisoning him, aiming to investigate him subtly.
• Sixth Elder Xu Mo is revealed to be a perverted old man with a strange obsession, potentially harboring ill intentions towards Li Yan.

Significant Themes

• Suspicion and trust: The cultivators in Cloud City are wary of Li Yan due to his mysterious past and actions, highlighting the theme of trust being hard to earn and easy to lose.
• Appearance vs. reality: Li Yan's resemblance to the First Generation Holy Lord influences the cultivators' perceptions of him, while his true intentions remain unclear.
• Power dynamics: The cultivators' attitudes towards Li Yan change based on their perception of his power, with Hall Master Su Mo treating him with respect due to his strength.

Character Interactions

• Li Yan and Hall Master Su Mo: Their interaction is polite but tense, with Su Mo trying to investigate Li Yan subtly, while Li Yan remains calm and collected.
• Li Yan and Sixth Elder Xu Mo: Their interaction is uncomfortable and suspicious, with Xu Mo's strange behavior and insistence on showing Li Yan a 'treasure' raising red flags.
• Li Yan and the awakened lion spirit beasts: The beasts' friendly behavior towards Li Yan surprises the Heavenly Pivot Hall disciples, hinting at a connection between Li Yan and the First Generation Holy Lord.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Yan plans to leave Cloud City and asks Sixth Elder Xu Mo for help.
• He meets Hall Master Su Mo, who initially refuses to let him leave due to safety concerns.
• Li Yan convinces Su Mo to grant him a token to leave, and she agrees.
• Li Yan asks Su Mo about the ascension of Moonlight Immortal Venerable and Ember Extinguishing Immortal Venerable.

Character Developments

• Li Yan demonstrates his charisma and influence, convincing both Elder Xu and Su Mo to comply with his wishes.
• Su Mo shows concern and protectiveness towards Li Yan, hinting at a past connection.
• Elder Xu becomes more devoted to Li Yan, seeing him as a divine figure.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics and influence: Li Yan's charisma and mysterious background allow him to sway powerful figures like Su Mo and Elder Xu.
• Past connections: The bond between Li Yan and Su Mo is hinted at, suggesting a shared history.

Character Interactions

• Li Yan and Su Mo: Li Yan's calm and confident demeanor convinces Su Mo to grant him a token to leave the city, despite her initial refusal.
• Li Yan and Elder Xu: Elder Xu becomes more devoted to Li Yan, seeing him as a divine figure and aiding in his plans.
• Li Yan's influence over Su Mo and Elder Xu highlights his growing power and control within Cloud City.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The corpse cultivators retreat, realizing they can't defeat Li Yan's 128 Blood Flesh Golden Bodies.
• Li Yan discovers he can generate Blood Qi from the conflict between Bloodline Dao Runes and Ancient Dao Runes.
• Li Yan prevents a conflict between Cloud City cultivators and Blood Serving Sect, ordering them to retreat.
• Li Yan meets Yan Po Shan, who expresses his loyalty and offers him the Dragon Blood Warship.

Character Developments

• Li Yan demonstrates his strategic thinking and calmness under pressure, revealing his true power to Yan Po Shan.
• Yan Po Shan shows his ambition and eloquence, hoping to align himself with Li Yan for the benefit of his sect.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics and alliances in the cultivation world.
• The potential threat Li Yan poses to the Bloodline Emperor Lord and his followers.
• The theme of deception and trust, with the traitor still unknown.

Character Interactions

• Li Yan and Yan Po Shan: Yan Po Shan expresses his loyalty to Li Yan, while Li Yan remains guarded, suspecting an internal traitor.
• Li Yan and the corpse cultivators: Li Yan demonstrates his power and strategic thinking, forcing the corpse cultivators to retreat.
• Li Yan and the cultivators of Cloud City and Blood Serving Sect: Li Yan prevents a conflict between the two groups, showing his authority and control.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yan Qing Qing feels inferior after learning about Li Yan's powerful companions.
• Li Yan reveals that Yan Qing Qing hosts the remnant soul of the Moonlight Sword Immortal.
• The Purple Micro Star Lord demands Li Yan to unfreeze the Heavenly Soldiers and Heavenly Generals he injured.
• Li Yan ignores the Purple Micro Star Lord and enters the Yuan Xu Immortal Mansion with his disciples and Yan Qing Qing.
• Inside the Immortal Mansion, Li Yan rests and contemplates his recent experiences.
• The Moon Eater Commander appears in the Immortal Mansion, holding a sword to Li Yan's neck.

Character Developments

• Yan Qing Qing experiences feelings of inferiority and loss for the first time, struggling to accept her new situation.
• Li Yan demonstrates his disregard for authority and power, even in the face of the Purple Micro Star Lord.
• The Moon Eater Commander's appearance suggests they have not given up on pursuing Li Yan.

Significant Themes

• Status and Power Dynamics: Yan Qing Qing's struggle with her new status and Li Yan's disregard for authority highlight the theme of power dynamics.
• Identity and Self-Worth: Yan Qing Qing's feelings of inferiority and loss explore the theme of personal identity and self-worth.
• Pursuit and Perseverance: The Moon Eater Commander's persistence in pursuing Li Yan emphasizes the theme of relentless pursuit.

Character Interactions

• Li Yan comforts Yan Qing Qing, showing a rare moment of compassion and understanding.
• Li Yan's disregard for the Purple Micro Star Lord's demands highlights their tense relationship.
• The Moon Eater Commander's appearance sets up a tense interaction with Li Yan, suggesting a continuation of their conflict.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Moon Eater Commander, a projection, confronts Li Yan, leaving a purple moon brand on him.
• Li Yan realizes she's not her true self and is willing to talk.
• The Commander expresses deep hatred for Li Yan, wanting to harm him, but can't due to being a projection.
• Li Yan brews tea calmly while the Commander threatens him.
• The Commander reveals that the Abyss of the Netherworld is not invincible and the White Jade Capital has infiltrated it.
• She hints at knowing Li Yan from the Divine Tomb battle tens of thousands of years ago.
• The Commander leaves, warning Li Yan about the impending Old Heavenly Court's extermination.

Character Developments

• Li Yan remains calm and composed despite the Commander's threats, showing his mental strength and nonchalance.
• The Moon Eater Commander is revealed to be a yandere, expressing both love and hate towards Li Yan, hinting at a past connection.

Significant Themes

• The past catching up with Li Yan, as the Commander knows him from the Divine Tomb battle.
• The looming danger of the Old Heavenly Court's extermination and the instability of the Abyss of the Netherworld.

Character Interactions

• Li Yan and the Moon Eater Commander's interaction is tense yet calm, with Li Yan trying to understand her motives while she expresses her hatred and desire for revenge.
• The Commander's yandere behavior hints at a deep, possibly romantic, connection with Li Yan from the past.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Yan observes Xuan Yue War Marshal using high-level Bloodline Dao Runes to bypass the Abyss of the Netherworld's time-stop law, sacrificing his lifespan with each use.
• Xuan Yue War Marshal reveals he's working with White Jade Capital to free his fellow Old Heavenly Court members from the Abyss.
• Li Yan offers to lead them to White Jade Capital if Xuan Yue War Marshal can strike him with his ax. Xuan Yue War Marshal attempts to do so, but Li Yan catches the ax with his bare hand, shocking everyone.

Character Developments

• Li Yan: Shows courage and confidence in protecting Ao Jiao, revealing he has a secret plan.
• Xuan Yue War Marshal: Admits to working with White Jade Capital, shows remorse, and is willing to sacrifice himself for his fellow immortals. Realizes Li Yan's power after failing to injure him with his ax.

Significant Themes

• Sacrifice: Xuan Yue War Marshal is willing to sacrifice his lifespan and infamy to save his fellow immortals.
• Power Dynamics: Li Yan's display of power challenges Xuan Yue War Marshal's authority and changes the power dynamics between them.
• Trust and Betrayal: Xuan Yue War Marshal betrays Li Yan's trust by revealing his alliance with White Jade Capital, but Li Yan's offer to lead them to White Jade Capital suggests he might still trust Xuan Yue War Marshal.

Character Interactions

• Li Yan and Xuan Yue War Marshal: Initially adversarial, they form an uneasy alliance after Li Yan's display of power. Xuan Yue War Marshal admires Li Yan's courage and is willing to follow him.
• Li Yan and Ao Jiao: Li Yan protects Ao Jiao, causing her to have feelings for him. She's initially worried about Li Yan's safety but is later surprised by his power.
• Xuan Yue War Marshal and the Old Heavenly Court members: Xuan Yue War Marshal is willing to sacrifice himself to save his fellow immortals, showing his loyalty and care for them.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A storm cloud, the Ghost-faced Dragon Nightmare (Ao Yan), appears, having escaped from the Chaos Rift and stimulated its Candle Dragon bloodline.
• Li Yan leads the Old Heavenly Court to retreat into the Abyss of the Netherworld, but Ao Yan pursues them, able to enter despite the Abyss's protective laws.
• Ao Yan uses its 'Eye of Eternal Night' ability, causing those who meet its gaze to age rapidly and experience terrifying illusions, losing lifespan.
• Li Yan realizes that Side Effect Shelter prioritizes protecting him over others, making it difficult to defend against instant attacks like Ao Yan's.

Character Developments

• Li Yan demonstrates strategic thinking and concern for his allies, but also understands the system's limitations in protecting others.
• Ao Yan, now possessing Candle Dragon powers, becomes more arrogant and vengeful towards Li Yan.

Significant Themes

• The consequences of one's actions (Ao Yan's suffering in the Chaos Rift and its return for revenge).
• The struggle between power and morality (Ao Yan's disregard for life and Li Yan's concern for his allies).

Character Interactions

• Li Yan and Ao Yan: Enemies with a history, now facing off with increased stakes.
• Li Yan and the Heavenly Soldiers/Generals: Li Yan shows concern for their well-being, while they follow his orders.
• The Longevity Simings: They watch the events unfold with interest, with Da Nuo Siming revealing he was involved in Ao Yan's release.