Chapter Summaries

Shen Changchuan persuaded the others to continue into Jue Tian Valley’s forbidden grounds, where they found Li Changzun preparing a ritual with the bound Li Lineage Old Ancestor. Li Changzun unleashed a black ant marked with molten-gold patterns, and its cry filled the pursuers with a powerful sense of danger.

• Gu Xuanqing identified the drained corpses of more than thirty Li Lineage cultivators as victims of a Devil Dao secret technique, while the group suspected Li Changzun was making a desperate counterattack.
• Patriarch Ouyang urged the others to retreat and wait for Li Changzun’s borrowed power to fade, but Shen Changchuan insisted on investigating because he needed to find the Flying Sky Spirit Breaking Ant.
• Half a day later, Gu Xuanqing, Jian Wuhen, Patriarch Ouyang, Shen Changchuan, and more than ten Late-stage Out of Body Stage cultivators reached the Li Lineage’s forbidden grounds.
• The group found the Li Lineage Old Ancestor bound to a blood-red platform while Li Changzun stood over him, and Gu Xuanqing demanded that Li Changzun surrender.
• Li Changzun claimed the pursuers were now the ones who should surrender, then caused a black ant with golden patterns to burst from the Li Lineage Old Ancestor’s head; its cry made everyone sense overwhelming danger.

Li Changzun unleashed the Flying Sky Spirit Breaking Ant King and tried to seize Shen Changchuan, but Shen used You Longzi’s Jade Talisman to destroy Li Changzun’s divine soul. The Ant King was left motionless, and Shen turned his attention to cultivating the Void Escape Gu.

• Li Changzun revealed that he had created the Flying Sky Spirit Breaking Ant King by making the ants slaughter one another and sacrificing his clansmen and the Li Lineage’s Old Ancestor.
• The Ant King used Space Power to suppress everyone, forcing even Jian Wuhen to one knee as Li Changzun reached for Shen Changchuan and declared his ambition to raise the Li Lineage.
• Shen Changchuan activated the Jade Talisman he had prepared, unleashing You Longzi’s Spirit Wandering realm divine soul attack.
• The attack shattered Li Changzun’s divine soul and left the Flying Sky Spirit Breaking Ant King motionless, while the surrounding cultivators reeled from the impact.
• Shen Changchuan explained that he had relied on a few trump cards and then eyed the Ant King, eager to cultivate the Void Escape Gu.

Shen Changchuan killed Li Changzun, subdued the mindless Flying Sky Spirit Breaking Ant King, and secured his target from the campaign against Jue Tian Valley. While studying the seized Gu knowledge afterward, he discovered that the Li lineage’s core methods for controlling the ants were missing because all its Out of Body Stage members had been wiped out.

• Shen Changchuan severed Li Changzun’s head and found that the soul attack had shattered the Flying Sky Spirit Breaking Ant King’s awareness.
• Shen Changchuan soothed the Ant King with the Gu Control Secret Art and stored it in a Gu worm bag, considering whether it could strengthen his future Void Escape Gu.
• After Li Changzun’s death, Shen Changchuan obtained Gu Dao records from the Li lineage and began studying how to control Flying Sky Spirit Breaking Ants.
• Over the next five days, the forces cleared and inventoried Jue Tian Valley, and Gu Xuanqing decided to establish a garrison outpost there.
• Shen Changchuan learned that the seized records lacked the core ant-control methods, which had been held only by Li lineage members at the Out of Body Stage realm; all of them were dead.

After the Ancient Sword Sect found no records of how to control the Flying Sky Spirit Breaking Ant, Shen Changchuan created a rudimentary method but worried it would not be enough to refine the Void Escape Gu. He decided to investigate a nearby treasure-map location in hopes of finding the lost inheritance.

• Shen Changchuan learned that the Li lineage's records contained no deeper methods for controlling the Flying Sky Spirit Breaking Ant and considered developing one himself.
• After seven days, Shen Changchuan devised a simple control method, though he knew it would likely be inadequate for refining the Void Escape Gu.
• Shen Changchuan weighed the time needed to develop a true method against his goal of reaching the Out of Body Stage ninth level before the Immortal Sect's Centennial Grand Competition.
• Shen Changchuan decided to follow his treasure map, hoping its location might hold an inheritance taken during an earlier Li lineage rebellion.
• Shen Changchuan met Gu Xuanqing, accepted his generous share of the spoils from Jue Tian Valley, and prepared to investigate the treasure-map location.

After receiving the largest share of the spoils for his role in defeating the Li Family, Shen Changchuan gave Gu Xuanqing a crude method for controlling Flying Sky Spirit Breaking Ants in place of the promised assistance. He followed a Treasure Map to an unremarkable mountain forest and, after an exhaustive search, uncovered a bundle buried deep underground.

• Shen Changchuan received the greatest share of the spoils, including resources from the battle and the Li Family treasury.
• Shen Changchuan gave Gu Xuanqing a Jade Slip containing his newly devised method for controlling Flying Sky Spirit Breaking Ants as compensation for the missing Li Family inheritance.
• Shen Changchuan departed Jue Tian Valley and followed the Treasure Map to an unnamed mountain forest three hundred li away.
• Shen Changchuan found no clues with his Insightful True Eyes and spread his Spiritual Sense through the forest and underground for half an hour.
• Shen Changchuan discovered something buried beneath a hill, cut it open with a sword light, and retrieved a golden-threaded bundle.

Jian Wuhen anticipated fighting Shen Changchuan at the Immortal Sect's Centennial Grand Competition and studied a secret technique Shen had created. Meanwhile, Shen found the Li family's buried inheritance, which provided the methods he needed for the Flying Sky Spirit Breaking Ant and left only Purple Star Sand to obtain for refining the Void Escape Gu.

• Jian Wuhen told Gu Xuanqing he wanted to fight Shen Changchuan at the grand competition in ten years, when Shen might have reached the Out of Body Stage ninth level.
• Gu Xuanqing gave Jian Wuhen the Jade Slip Shen had created after integrating Gu-control techniques, and Jian praised Shen's talent and looked forward to their future duel.
• Jian viewed Shen as a future whetstone for his Sword Dao, though he thought Shen was still too immature to challenge him now.
• Shen examined the Jade Slips buried underground and discovered they held the Li family's core Gu Dao inheritance and extensive records on controlling Flying Sky Spirit Breaking Ants.
• Shen concluded that the inheritance had resolved the main ingredient for refining the Void Escape Gu, leaving Purple Star Sand as the only remaining material.

Shen Changchuan discovered the treasure was tied to the Li family’s old rebellion and set off for Soul Severing City, but a Spirit Wandering realm cultivator ambushed him. You Longzi saved his disciple and confronted the attacker, Wan Zunli.

• Shen Changchuan concluded the treasure map had been left by Li family traitors involved in an old rebellion, which Pan Yunfei had likely helped advance.
• Shen Changchuan mounted Little Wind and flew toward Soul Severing City with the recovered items.
• Wan Zunli of the Corpse Refining Sect appeared and attacked Shen Changchuan with a crushing strike that left him unable to move.
• You Longzi intervened, shattered Wan Zunli’s attack, and reassured Shen Changchuan that he had been protecting him.
• You Longzi confronted Wan Zunli for ambushing his disciple after breaking through to the Spirit Wandering realm and declared that Wan Zunli had brought death upon himself.

Wan Zunli ambushed Shen Changchuan while he searched for treasure, but You Longzi appeared to save his disciple and drove Wan Zunli into flight. You Longzi warned Shen Changchuan that his bounty made traveling alone dangerous.

• Wan Zunli, who had secretly followed Shen Changchuan and waited for him to be alone, launched an all-out attack while Shen searched for treasure.
• You Longzi appeared beside Shen Changchuan, and Wan Zunli fled after recognizing the powerful master.
• You Longzi struck from a distance and blasted the mountains near Wan Zunli with a tremendous punch.
• Shen Changchuan thanked You Longzi for saving his life, and You Longzi rebuked him for his arrogance.
• You Longzi warned Shen Changchuan that he topped the Demonic Path Alliance's Out of Body Stage bounty list and must not travel alone or let others learn his whereabouts.

Shen Changchuan admitted that overconfidence had nearly cost him his life and resolved to pursue cultivation opportunities more cautiously. You Longzi accepted his reflection and revealed that he had spared Wan Zunli, leaving Shen Changchuan to take revenge himself.

• Shen Changchuan acknowledged that he had underestimated the dangers of the trip and nearly died when Wan Zunli's Spirit Wandering-level aura prevented him from using his trump card.
• Shen Changchuan reflected that he still needed to fight for cultivation resources, but should conceal his identity and movements rather than openly expose himself to danger.
• You Longzi accepted Shen Changchuan's understanding and considered how quickly his youngest disciple had improved.
• You Longzi told Shen Changchuan that he had destroyed Wan Zunli's Life-Bound Refined Corpse but left Wan Zunli alive and seriously injured, so Shen Changchuan could take revenge himself.

You Longzi canceled his planned trade for an opportunity to advance into the Spirit Wandering realm after seeing Shen Changchuan’s talent and progress. Two months later, Shen Changchuan reached the middle stage of the Out of Body Stage Seventh Layer by cultivating with the spoils he gained at Jue Tian Valley.

• You Longzi told his contact that he no longer needed the advancement opportunity he had planned to trade for.
• You Longzi recalled arranging the costly trade to secure Shen Changchuan a path to the Spirit Wandering realm, but changed his mind after seeing Shen Changchuan cast a perfected Second Order Top Grade spell without slowing his cultivation.
• Shen Changchuan broke through to the middle stage of the Out of Body Stage Seventh Layer in his rented Cave Abode in Soul Severing City.
• Shen Changchuan realized that the High-grade Spirit Stones he had used came from the spoils of his victories at Jue Tian Valley and his share of the Li family's assets.

After returning to Soul Severing City, Shen Changchuan used High-grade Spirit Stones and insights from his near-death encounter with Wan Zunli to improve and stabilize his cultivation. He studied the Li family's inheritance and the Flying Sky Spirit Breaking Ant King's control techniques to advance his Void Escape Gu plan, then received a visit from Shen Yingxia.

• Shen Changchuan reflected on how You Longzi's guidance and his battle with Wan Zunli had helped him reach the middle phase of the Out of Body Stage Seventh Layer.
• After several days of cultivating, Shen Changchuan stabilized his realm and began studying the Li family's inherited secret technique and the Flying Sky Spirit Breaking Ant King.
• Shen Changchuan realized that controlling the Ant King required a difficult third-tier Gu Dao secret technique and that failing to master it could ruin his Void Escape Gu plan.
• Shen Changchuan studied Gu techniques from Jade Slips he had collected, steadily improving his Gu Dao secret technique knowledge and understanding of the Ant King's inheritance.
• Shen Yingxia, the Shen Family Third Elder, came to visit Shen Changchuan.

Third Elder Shen Yingxia visited Shen Changchuan late at night to offer him Purple Star Sand and clear the air about his branch’s ties to First Madam. Shen Changchuan accepted the gift after assuring him that he held no grudge against the branch, leaving their relationship on more cordial terms.

• Shen Changchuan recalled Shen Yingxia’s ties to First Madam and remained wary despite their shared role in rescuing Senior Sister Wei.
• Shen Yingxia visited Shen Changchuan’s Cave Abode under cover of night and asked to speak privately.
• Shen Yingxia explained that his branch had followed First Madam for connections but had never joined her schemes against Shen Changchuan, then offered him a jade box as a gift.
• Shen Changchuan opened the box, recognized the Purple Star Sand he needed, and told Shen Yingxia he would not seek revenge against the branch.
• Shen Changchuan offered to pay for the Purple Star Sand, but Shen Yingxia insisted he accept it as a belated congratulatory gift for advancing to the Out of Body Stage.

After receiving Purple Star Sand from the Third Elder, Shen Changchuan planned to refine the Void Escape Gu and use it to strengthen his chances in the Immortal Sect Grand Competition. Worried about danger in the Southern Yue Land and his family’s safety amid First Madam’s growing power, he decided to return to the Tiannan Domain and secretly left Soul Severing City.

• The Third Elder quietly departed Shen Changchuan's Cave Abode after giving him Purple Star Sand, and Shen Changchuan accepted that he wanted to keep their reconciliation secret from First Madam.
• Shen Changchuan considered how the Li Family had used the Flying Sky Spirit Breaking Ant King to produce attacks containing Space Power, and hoped the Void Escape Gu could help him create a Space Slash.
• Shen Changchuan planned to refine the Void Escape Gu and believed its power could help him contend for the top ten in the joint Immortal Sect Grand Competition.
• Shen Changchuan decided to leave the Southern Yue Land because Demonic Path Alliance cultivators posed a grave threat and First Madam's influence had grown with the Zhou Family's arrival in Tiannan City.
• One month later, Shen Changchuan informed You Longzi and secretly left Soul Severing City.

Lu Haoxuan, an Inner Sect disciple of the Yuqing Immortal Sect, arrived in Qing City seeking Han Qinhu over an item belonging to the Immortal Sect Daozi. After Du Fucheng warned him that Han Qinhu was Shen Changchuan’s maternal grandfather, Lu Haoxuan dismissed Shen’s reputation and promised to kill him if he objected.

• Du Fucheng welcomed Lu Haoxuan’s enormous flying vessel to Qing City and agreed to guide him to Great Bay Village.
• Lu Haoxuan told Du Fucheng that Han Qinhu was connected to an item belonging to the Immortal Sect Daozi and threatened to kill Han and his kin if the item could not be recovered.
• Du Fucheng warned Lu Haoxuan that Han Qinhu was Shen Changchuan’s maternal grandfather and described Shen’s remarkable cultivation and combat achievements.
• Lu Haoxuan scoffed at Shen Changchuan’s reputation and promised Du Fucheng that he would kill Shen if he dared raise an objection.

Lu Haoxuan and Du Fucheng confronted Han Qinhu in Great Bay Village, demanding a token linked to the destruction of the Shihe River Fu Family. Han Qinhu admitted that he had sought revenge against the family eight years earlier but was baffled to learn that it had been wiped out three days after his visit.

• Lu Haoxuan and Du Fucheng arrived over Great Bay Village and demanded to know who Han Qinhu was.
• Han Qinhu stepped forward and admitted that he had gone to the Shihe River Fu Family eight years earlier to avenge his sworn brother.
• Han Qinhu recalled that the Fu Family Patriarch had killed Fu Weitong as an apology after learning of Shen Changchuan's standing.
• Du Fucheng revealed that the Fu Family had been destroyed three days after Han Qinhu's visit and demanded the token it had possessed.
• Han Qinhu asked what token they meant and denied knowing when the Fu Family had been destroyed.

Lu Haoxuan attempted to Soul Search Han Qinhu for the token tied to the Immortal Sect Daozi, despite Du Fucheng warning him about Han Qinhu's connection to Shen Changchuan. Just as Lu Haoxuan began, an unseen shockwave stunned him and Du Fucheng, and Han Qinhu was whisked hundreds of zhang away.

• Du Fucheng warned Han Qinhu that the token belonged to the Immortal Sect Daozi and urged him not to provoke Lu Haoxuan.
• Han Qinhu denied knowing about the token or the Fu Family's destruction, insisting he had only gone to settle accounts with Fu Weitong.
• Lu Haoxuan seized Han Qinhu from afar and declared that a Soul Search would reveal the truth.
• Du Fucheng tried to stop Lu Haoxuan by invoking Han Qinhu's ties to Shen Changchuan and You Longzi, but Lu Haoxuan dismissed his warning.
• Lu Haoxuan placed his hand on Han Qinhu's head to begin the Soul Search, but an invisible shockwave froze him and Du Fucheng, and Han Qinhu appeared hundreds of zhang away.

Shen Changchuan returned to Great Bay Village in time to rescue Han Qinhu from Lu Haoxuan’s soul-searching attempt. He faced Lu Haoxuan’s overwhelming punch with a promise to defeat him with one sword, then unleashed the Jade Wood Piercing Cloud Sword.

• Shen Changchuan received Han Yue’er’s emergency Communication Talisman and raced back to Great Bay Village.
• Shen Changchuan interrupted Lu Haoxuan’s attempt to search Han Qinhu’s soul and rescued Han Qinhu.
• Han Qinhu insisted he had not taken the token Lu Haoxuan was seeking, and Shen Changchuan reassured him before confronting Lu Haoxuan.
• Lu Haoxuan attacked Shen Changchuan with a powerful punch and mocked his claim that one sword would be enough.
• Shen Changchuan formed a sword with two fingers and cast the Second Order Top Grade Jade Wood Piercing Cloud Sword.

Shen Changchuan defeated Lu Haoxuan with a perfected Second Order Top Grade spell, then captured him and brought him into Great Bay Village’s back mountain. As Han Qinhu handled the aftermath, several cultivators secretly left the village and sent Communication Talismans in different directions.

• Shen Changchuan’s sword strike shattered Lu Haoxuan’s fist shadow and broke his bronze mirror, heavily injuring him.
• Lu Haoxuan recognized that Shen Changchuan had perfected a Second Order Top Grade spell, while Shen Changchuan dismissed his boastful strength.
• Shen Changchuan struck Lu Haoxuan down onto a mountaintop, knocked him unconscious, and carried him into Great Bay Village’s back mountain.
• Du Fucheng followed Shen Changchuan into the village rather than flee, and Han Qinhu began handling the aftermath.
• Several cultivators slipped out of Great Bay Village and sent secret Communication Talismans in multiple directions.

In Tiannan City, Zhou Yi urged Zhou Tianhai to kill Shen Changchuan, but he refused until the Zhou Family's plans were complete. Elsewhere, Tianmo Sect’s Saintess learned of Shen Changchuan’s rise and ordered him watched, suspecting he held a great secret while believing Shen Chong was likelier connected to Elephant Mountain Sect’s legacy.

• Zhou Yi read reports of Shen Changchuan’s growth and asked Zhou Tianhai to eliminate him, saying he had likely killed Lingyun.
• Zhou Tianhai refused to act while the Zhou Family’s plans were at a crucial point, but promised to kill Shen Changchuan once they were complete.
• Zhou Yi decided she might use Shen Changchuan’s enemies to kill him by another hand.
• Tianmo Sect’s Saintess and an old woman reviewed reports on Shen Changchuan and questioned how he had grown so powerful in Tiannan Domain.
• The Saintess dismissed the idea that Shen Changchuan had obtained Elephant Mountain Sect’s legacy, suspected Shen Chong instead, and ordered her followers to watch Shen Changchuan closely.

After Shen Changchuan captured Lu Haoxuan, he weighed how to handle the Yuqing Immortal Sect disciple and prepared for a future clash with the Immortal Sect Daozi. He entered secluded cultivation, mastered the Li family's Gu technique, and gained control of the Flying Sky Spirit Breaking Ant King.

• News spread that Shen Changchuan had defeated and captured Lu Haoxuan with one sword, while people debated whether he could match an Immortal Sect Daozi.
• The Devil Cultivator Alliance learned Shen Changchuan had left Southern Yue Land, and its higher-ups secretly gathered to discuss the setback.
• Shen Changchuan chose to imprison Lu Haoxuan and contacted You Longzi for advice, while resolving to strengthen himself before the Daozi came for him.
• Shen Changchuan began secluded cultivation to advance his Gu technique and prepare to refine the Void Escape Gu.
• After a month, Shen Changchuan absorbed the Li family's Gu technique inheritance and gained control over the Flying Sky Spirit Breaking Ant King.