Chapter Summaries

Chapter Summary: “The Best Way to Lie Low”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Changan, Da Huang, and Mu Yunyao discuss whether the Heavenly Dragon Pavilion might secretly be connected to the mysterious force supporting the World Alliance and Ironblood Sect.
• Da Huang proposes that the most effective disguise is genuine self-deception: a spy might fully convince himself that his false identity and loyalties are real, making him appear completely normal.
• Chen Changan admits that he has no fixed plan for dealing with the Heavenly Dragon Pavilion. He intends to judge the situation based on the Pavilion Master’s answers and sincerity.
• At the Heavenly Dragon Pavilion, Chen Changan directly asks the Pavilion Master whether he knows about the mysterious force behind the World Alliance and Ironblood Sect.
• The Pavilion Master claims that he investigated those groups and discovered signs of outside support, but could not identify the force itself. He denies that the Heavenly Dragon Pavilion has ever been contacted or supported by them.
• He argues that the mysterious force likely favored the World Alliance and Ironblood Sect because their rise depended entirely on that support, making them more loyal than an established power like the Heavenly Dragon Pavilion.
• When Chen Changan’s suspicion becomes clear, the Pavilion Master reacts coldly and threatens to sever relations with the Heavenreach Sacred Academy if they are not trusted.
• Chen Changan defuses the tension, explaining that he was only testing the situation. His observations reveal no obvious deception, though he remains cautious.
• Chen Changan continues to wonder why the mysterious force has apparently abandoned Ghost Abyss despite possibly opposing the Sacred Academy Alliance.
• Before leaving, he reveals that the Heavenreach Sacred Academy may soon withdraw from Ghost Abyss and suggests that the Heavenly Dragon Pavilion may be left responsible for managing the region. The Pavilion Master is surprised by how soon this might happen.

Character Developments

• Chen Changan: Demonstrates his highly cautious and analytical nature. Rather than accusing the Pavilion Master or acting immediately, he probes him while carefully studying his reactions. He remains unconvinced even after receiving apparently sincere answers, showing that his suspicion is deeply ingrained. He also reveals his flexible, situation-based approach to decision-making.
• Da Huang: Shows unexpected strategic insight by proposing that complete self-deception could be the ultimate method of infiltration. His theory gives Chen Changan a new way to interpret the Pavilion Master’s unnaturally normal behavior.
• Mu Yunyao: Acts as a straightforward observer, asking Chen Changan what he would do if the Heavenly Dragon Pavilion truly proved compromised.
• Heavenly Dragon Pavilion Master: Appears calm and convincing while denying involvement with the mysterious force. His defensive response shows both pride and frustration at being suspected, but his composed behavior leaves his true allegiance uncertain.

Significant Themes

• The power of self-deception: The chapter suggests that the most effective disguise may be one in which the infiltrator genuinely believes in the identity and loyalties he has adopted.
• Suspicion versus evidence: Chen Changan cannot find proof of wrongdoing, but the absence of evidence does not fully reassure him. The chapter emphasizes the difficulty of distinguishing genuine innocence from perfect concealment.
• Strategic patience: Chen Changan refuses to commit himself prematurely. He believes circumstances should determine his actions rather than allowing an advance decision to limit his choices.
• Political loyalty and manipulation: The mysterious force’s support of weaker, dependent factions raises questions about whether loyalty is created through necessity and dependence.
• The uncertainty of hidden enemies: Even the Sacred Academy Alliance has failed to uncover the mysterious force’s identity, suggesting that the conflict extends beyond the visible struggle for control of Ghost Abyss.

Character Interactions

• Chen Changan and Da Huang analyze the possibility that the Pavilion Master has unconsciously made his false allegiance genuine.
• Mu Yunyao challenges Chen Changan to clarify how he would respond if the Heavenly Dragon Pavilion were implicated.
• Chen Changan interrogates the Pavilion Master directly, using both his questions and close observation of the man’s expressions to test his honesty.
• The Pavilion Master pushes back against Chen Changan’s suspicion, defending the Heavenly Dragon Pavilion and threatening to withdraw from cooperation with the Heavenreach Sacred Academy.
• Chen Changan reassures him and eases the confrontation, while still privately maintaining doubt.
• Their final exchange about the future of Ghost Abyss shifts the relationship from suspicion toward a possible transfer of responsibility, though the Pavilion Master’s surprise suggests he was not expecting the Academy’s departure so soon.

Chapter Summary: “When the Dust Settled”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Changan informs the Heavenly Dragon Pavilion’s Pavilion Master that Heavenreach Sacred Academy will soon leave Ghost Abyss because it intends to advance to the rank of Senior Sacred Academy.
• He entrusts the Pavilion Master with managing Ghost Abyss, while warning him not to make trouble for the World Alliance, which has surrendered and joined Heavenreach Sacred Academy.
• Although Chen Changan appears to trust the Pavilion Master, he privately reveals that the arrangement is a test. He plans to use the World Alliance to prevent the Heavenly Dragon Pavilion from becoming the sole dominant power in Ghost Abyss.
• Heavenreach Sacred Academy successfully takes complete control of Ghost Abyss, with Wang Ba’s assistance. The academy celebrates its sudden growth and the increased resources now available to it.
• The mysterious faction behind the conflict never appears and may have abandoned Ghost Abyss. Chen Changan argues that this is not necessarily good news: their withdrawal suggests their true base lies elsewhere in Azure Origin and that they are highly cautious and strategically intelligent.
• The Dean believes the academy has nearly five thousand years to prepare for advancement, but Chen Changan gives them only one hundred years. He promises to lead them to Senior Sacred Academy status through another method, not the usual advancement competition.
• Chen Changan assigns Wang Ba to monitor Ghost Abyss and the Sacred Academy Alliance, especially because the escaped figure from Severing Saint Abyss may seek their support.
• Chen Changan and his companions prepare to enter seclusion. Da Huang protests and asks for one year to enjoy himself before committing to cultivation.

Character Developments

• Chen Changan demonstrates strategic caution beneath his confident exterior. He is willing to cooperate with the Heavenly Dragon Pavilion’s Pavilion Master but does not fully trust him, keeping the World Alliance as a counterbalance.
• He also reveals his ambitious and impatient nature by reducing the academy’s preparation period from nearly five thousand years to only one hundred.
• The Heavenly Dragon Pavilion’s Pavilion Master presents himself as cooperative and loyal, promising to send resources to Chen Changan after his departure. However, his true allegiance remains uncertain.
• Mu Yunyao correctly recognizes that Chen Changan does not genuinely trust the Pavilion Master and understands his tendency to avoid emotional guilt.
• The Dean is proud of Heavenreach Sacred Academy’s rapid rise but becomes stunned and confused by Chen Changan’s unusually short timetable for advancement.
• Wang Ba proves reliable and capable, helping bring Ghost Abyss under control and accepting responsibility for monitoring possible threats.
• Da Huang provides comic relief through his reluctance to enter seclusion, preferring to spend a year relaxing before returning to cultivation.

Significant Themes

• Trust and suspicion: Chen Changan follows the principle of using people without blindly trusting them. His relationship with the Pavilion Master is built on calculated cooperation rather than faith.
• Power and balance: The World Alliance is deliberately preserved to prevent the Heavenly Dragon Pavilion from gaining unchecked control over Ghost Abyss.
• Strategic patience and hidden enemies: The mysterious faction’s retreat shows that powerful enemies may withdraw strategically rather than being truly defeated.
• Rapid growth and ambition: Heavenreach Sacred Academy’s sudden rise contrasts with Chen Changan’s even greater expectations for its future.
• Preparation versus urgency: While the academy believes it has thousands of years to develop, Chen Changan insists that one hundred years is enough, emphasizing his confidence and relentless drive.

Important Character Interactions

• Chen Changan and the Pavilion Master exchange polite but guarded remarks about trust, loyalty, and the fate of Ghost Abyss.
• Chen Changan explains his true strategy to Da Huang and Mu Yunyao, revealing that the Pavilion Master’s control is only provisional and carefully monitored.
• The Dean questions Chen Changan about the World Alliance and the mysterious faction, leading to a discussion of the larger threat facing Azure Origin.
• Chen Changan gives Wang Ba a direct surveillance mission, emphasizing the need to watch both Ghost Abyss and the Sacred Academy Alliance.
• Da Huang humorously resists Chen Changan’s demand for renewed seclusion, eventually bargaining for one final year of freedom.

Chapter Summary: “A Different Way to Cultivate”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Changan agrees to let Da Huang leave seclusion temporarily and visit a brothel, believing that forcing him to cultivate nonstop could cause exhaustion rather than motivation.
• Chen explains to Mu Yunyao that different people require different approaches to cultivation. He had been waiting for Da Huang to clearly express his own desires and convictions.
• Inspired by Chen’s words about showing one’s attitude, Mu Yunyao decides that she and Chen should also change their cultivation method. She takes the initiative and begins an unconventional form of “dual cultivation” with him.
• The Dean and Wang Ba remain confused outside their room but accept that the two are cultivating.
• After nearly a hundred years, Da Huang returns from his outing and resumes cultivation with renewed focus. His mental burden relieved, he advances rapidly to the Sixth-Tier Primordial Saint Venerable Realm.
• Chen Changan and Mu Yunyao make an even greater breakthrough, reaching the Eighth-Tier Primordial Saint Venerable Realm and nearing the Ninth Tier.
• Wang Ba reports that Ghost Abyss is stable and fully controlled by Heavenreach Sacred Academy. Other factions have submitted and pay tribute, while the World Alliance remains cooperative.
• The Heavenly Dragon Pavilion is unusually aggressive in strengthening itself, though no suspicious outsiders have contacted it.
• The Sacred Academy Alliance remains quiet, though its headquarters cannot be monitored.
• Chen plans to advance Heavenreach Sacred Academy into a Senior Sacred Academy, using the process to test the Sacred Academy Alliance’s reaction.
• The academy has developed rapidly, though most members remain at the Primordial Saint level. The Dean has reached the Third-Tier Primordial Saint Venerable Realm.
• Chen decides to apply additional pressure to the academy’s members to encourage further growth.

Character Developments

• Chen Changan: Demonstrates patience and a nuanced understanding of cultivation. Rather than imposing a single method on everyone, he recognizes individual differences and plans strategically for both the academy and the wider political situation.
• Da Huang: Shows greater self-awareness by openly expressing his desire to relax. After fulfilling that desire, he returns to cultivation with improved focus and advances dramatically.
• Mu Yunyao: Becomes more assertive and proactive, interpreting Chen’s philosophy personally and taking the lead in their new cultivation method. Her breakthrough is especially striking, leaving Da Huang suspicious and astonished.
• Wang Ba: Continues serving as an intelligence gatherer and reports on the stability of Ghost Abyss, the academy’s development, and the Heavenly Dragon Pavilion’s behavior.
• The Dean: Has progressed from uncertainty about reaching the Primordial Saint Venerable Realm to becoming a Third-Tier expert, greatly encouraged by his advancement.

Significant Themes

• Individualized cultivation: Different people need different forms of motivation, discipline, and relaxation.
• Balance between pressure and freedom: Excessive pressure can cause exhaustion, while temporary release can restore motivation and improve results.
• Personal conviction: True progress comes when individuals make their own choices and commit to them willingly.
• Strategic patience: Chen’s earlier restrictions on Da Huang were not simple authoritarian control; he was waiting for Da Huang to develop his own resolve.
• Power and institutional growth: Heavenreach Sacred Academy is expanding its influence while strengthening its members and monitoring potential threats.
• Unconventional cultivation: The chapter humorously presents intimacy and emotional release as an effective cultivation method for Chen and Mu Yunyao.

Character Interactions

• Chen and Da Huang discuss Da Huang’s desire to visit a brothel, revealing Chen’s willingness to accommodate his subordinate’s needs.
• Mu Yunyao questions Chen’s reasoning and then applies his philosophy by initiating her own change in cultivation.
• Chen and Mu Yunyao’s intimate “cultivation battle” becomes the chapter’s main comedic event, confusing the Dean and Wang Ba.
• Mu Yunyao teases Da Huang about falling behind after his brief indulgence, while Da Huang remains confident that Chen will not abandon him.
• Chen questions Wang Ba about Ghost Abyss, the Heavenly Dragon Pavilion, and the Sacred Academy Alliance, emphasizing his cautious approach to governance and possible threats.
• Chen concludes by deciding to motivate Heavenreach Sacred Academy through increased pressure, linking personal cultivation philosophy with institutional management.

Chapter Summary: “Application for the Promotion Tournament”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Changan decides that Heavenreach Sacred Academy should apply to advance from a Holy Academy to a Senior Sacred Academy by challenging ten Senior Sacred Academies.
• Although the Dean initially questions whether the academy is advancing too quickly, Chen argues that remaining comfortable in Ghost Abyss could lead to stagnation. He believes continual progress is necessary.
• Chen reassures the Dean that leaving Ghost Abyss does not mean abandoning it. Since the academy conquered the region, it will remain their territory and must be protected.
• Chen orders Wang Ba to stay behind in Ghost Abyss and secretly guard it after the academy’s elites depart. He specifically wants to see whether demons, monsters, or other hidden threats will emerge once the strongest members leave.
• The Dean visits the local Sacred Academy Alliance branch and formally submits Heavenreach Sacred Academy’s application.
• The branch president is surprised because the academy advanced only a little over a century ago and has never attempted this unusually difficult advancement method. He warns that rushing could attract hostility or envy from established Senior Sacred Academies.
• The Dean refuses to reconsider, and the application is forwarded to the Alliance headquarters.
• Chen deliberately arranges for nearly all of the academy’s elites to travel together. He explains to Da Huang that this will make others lower their guard and appears reasonable for a serious promotion challenge.
• After a one-year wait, the Alliance approves the application. Heavenreach Sacred Academy officially enters the Promotion Tournament.
• The academy is given twenty years to complete ten successful challenges. Any failed challenge, or failure to finish all ten within the time limit, counts as an overall failure. The Alliance provides the list of ten opposing Senior Sacred Academies.

Character Developments

• Chen Changan demonstrates strategic foresight, ambition, and confidence. He views advancement not merely as a goal but as a way to prevent the academy from becoming complacent. He also plans several steps ahead by preserving a hidden guardian in Ghost Abyss and manipulating how outsiders perceive the academy’s movements.
• The Dean shows caution and responsibility. He worries that the academy has not developed long enough and that advancement could destroy its current stability, but ultimately trusts Chen’s judgment and takes responsibility for submitting the application.
• Wang Ba accepts the task of guarding Ghost Abyss and becomes the academy’s concealed safeguard. His confidence suggests he is capable of suppressing any threats that appear.
• Da Huang questions the need to send so many people, providing an opportunity for Chen to explain the deceptive purpose behind the academy’s large-scale departure.
• The branch president acts as a practical intermediary. Though surprised and concerned by the academy’s decision, he respects its determination and processes the request.

Significant Themes

• Progress versus complacency: Chen insists that safety and prosperity can lead to stagnation, while continual challenges create momentum and growth.
• Ambition and risk: Advancing to Senior Sacred Academy status offers greater opportunities but also exposes Heavenreach Sacred Academy to stronger enemies and political hostility.
• Strategic deception: Chen uses the academy’s public actions to conceal his deeper plans, presenting the mass departure as ordinary preparation while retaining a secret defender in Ghost Abyss.
• Responsibility and ownership: Even after leaving, Heavenreach Sacred Academy considers Ghost Abyss its conquered territory and remains committed to protecting it.
• Trust and institutional loyalty: Chen’s desire to reward Heavenreach Sacred Academy reflects the mutual trust that has developed between him and the academy.

Character Interactions

• Chen debates the advancement plan with the Dean, overcoming the Dean’s hesitation through arguments about long-term growth and the continued importance of Ghost Abyss.
• Chen instructs Wang Ba to remain behind, and Wang Ba willingly accepts the responsibility, reassuring Chen that he can protect the territory.
• The Dean formally argues with the branch president for the academy’s right to advance despite concerns about its haste and lack of precedent.
• Chen explains his hidden strategy to Da Huang, revealing that the academy’s large expedition is partly designed to mislead outsiders and reduce suspicion.
• The chapter ends with the Alliance’s representative informing the Dean of the tournament’s strict rules and wishing the academy success.

Chapter Summary: Fengling Sacred Academy

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Sacred Academy Alliance establishes a twenty-year time limit for Heavenreach Sacred Academy to complete its promotion challenge against ten Senior Sacred Academies.
• Chen Changan reviews the list of opponents but recognizes none of them. After obtaining their exact locations, he memorizes and organizes them by distance.
• Confident in his strength, Chen Changan estimates that he can defeat all ten academies in less than twenty years, provided the group travels efficiently.
• He leads Heavenreach Sacred Academy’s elites out of the Ghost Abyss, choosing Fengling Sacred Academy, the nearest target, as their first opponent.
• The ten opposing academies receive the challenge announcement. Most mock Heavenreach Sacred Academy, assuming that an obscure Intermediate Sacred Academy has no chance against Senior Sacred Academies.
• Fengling Sacred Academy prepares to humiliate Heavenreach, instructing its people to avoid killing but otherwise show no mercy.
• Chen Changan’s group travels at extraordinary speed, surprising even their own members. As they approach Fengling, the group becomes nervous about facing a Senior Sacred Academy.
• Chen Changan reassures them that Heavenreach will soon become a Senior Sacred Academy as well. The Dean lightens the mood by joking that the defeated academies will occupy the bottom ranks after Heavenreach advances.
• Upon arrival, Fengling’s members react with disdain. However, they are surprised to discover that Heavenreach has three Eighth-Rank Primordial Saint Venerables.
• Fengling’s Dean recognizes their strength but still considers them inadequate to challenge a Senior Sacred Academy, setting up the impending confrontation.

Character Developments

• Chen Changan remains confident, irreverent, and strategically minded. He has already planned the campaign and views the challenge as largely manageable.
• He openly minimizes the supporting group’s role, calling them the “atmosphere crew,” but also acknowledges that their hard work earned them the right to participate.
• The Dean continues to act as Chen Changan’s exasperated foil, frequently criticizing his blunt remarks while helping maintain morale through humor.
• Heavenreach’s elites show clear growth: their training has improved their speed and strength enough to keep pace during Chen Changan’s rapid journey.
• Despite their progress, they remain psychologically intimidated by the reputation and status of Senior Sacred Academies.
• Fengling Sacred Academy’s representatives are characterized by arrogance and overconfidence. Their initial contempt shifts slightly when they discover Heavenreach’s three powerful experts, though they still underestimate the challengers.

Significant Themes

• Confidence versus institutional prejudice: Fengling and the other Senior Sacred Academies judge Heavenreach by its obscure name and Intermediate status rather than its actual strength.
• Power and reputation: The chapter contrasts Heavenreach’s hidden capabilities with the established prestige of Senior Sacred Academies.
• Preparation and efficiency: Chen Changan’s planning, route organization, and emphasis on speed demonstrate the importance of strategy alongside raw power.
• Comedic camaraderie: Banter between Chen Changan and the Dean relieves tension and reveals the close, informal dynamic within Heavenreach.
• Underdog advancement: Heavenreach’s challenge represents an attempt to overturn the existing hierarchy and prove that rank does not necessarily reflect true ability.

Character Interactions

• Chen Changan repeatedly exchanges sarcastic remarks with the Dean, especially about their lack of knowledge regarding the opposing academies and their role in the campaign.
• He dismisses the Dean and others as participants whose main purpose is to create an atmosphere, prompting wounded but humorous complaints.
• The Dean responds with irritation but ultimately supports Chen Changan’s plan and helps encourage the group.
• During the journey, Chen Changan reassures the nervous elites, while the Dean’s joke about the defeated academies becoming the lowest-ranked Senior Academies helps restore everyone’s confidence.
• At Fengling, the opposing side views Heavenreach with hostility and contempt, while Heavenreach’s unexpected strength creates the first crack in Fengling’s confidence.

Chapter Summary: “Unstoppable, Sweeping All Before Them”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Heavenreach Sacred Academy arrives to challenge Fengling Sacred Academy, unaware that academy challenges require the challengers to fight their way through the gates and defeat the entire opposing academy.
• Fengling explains the rules, mocking Heavenreach’s apparent ignorance and claiming that its three strongest fighters—Chen Changan, Mu Yunyao, and Da Huang—will never make it far.
• Chen Changan refuses to argue and immediately begins the challenge. He, Mu Yunyao, and Da Huang charge into Fengling Sacred Academy while the rest of Heavenreach remains outside, loudly cheering them on.
• Fengling’s disciples are shocked and humiliated that only two people and a dog are fighting while the others act as a cheering squad.
• Fengling launches repeated attacks, but Chen Changan, Mu Yunyao, and Da Huang overwhelm every opponent and advance rapidly through the academy.
• Fengling’s dean and senior experts realize that Heavenreach’s three fighters are far stronger than their apparent cultivation levels suggest.
• The dean advises them to stop before reaching the final defenders, warning that Fengling possesses experts in the Primordial Dao Venerable Realm.
• Chen Changan firmly rejects the offer to withdraw, declaring that Fengling must either defeat them or accept defeat.
• A First-Level Primordial Dao Venerable steps forward to fight Da Huang, confident that his superior realm will end the challenge.
• Da Huang effortlessly defeats him with a single attack, humiliating Fengling and demonstrating that even a major cultivation gap cannot restrain Heavenreach’s combat power.

Character Developments

• Chen Changan displays calm confidence and decisive leadership. Rather than waste time responding to Fengling’s insults, he begins the challenge immediately and remains unwavering when confronted by stronger opponents.
• Mu Yunyao continues to act as one of Heavenreach’s main combat forces, charging forward without hesitation alongside Chen Changan and Da Huang.
• Da Huang becomes increasingly arrogant and playful, confidently volunteering to fight Fengling’s Dao Venerable expert and defeating him with ease. His taunt afterward emphasizes his overwhelming strength and irreverent personality.
• Fengling’s dean and experts shift from contempt to alarm as they recognize that Heavenreach has concealed extraordinary strength. Their confidence in Fengling’s superiority begins to collapse.
• Heavenreach’s disciples enthusiastically embrace their role as a support squad, cheering for the three fighters and adding a humorous contrast to the serious battle.

Significant Themes

• Strength hidden beneath appearances: Heavenreach is dismissed because it is only an Intermediate Sacred Academy and appears to have few combatants, but its three fighters possess power far beyond what their realms suggest.
• Arrogance and humiliation: Fengling initially mocks Heavenreach’s ignorance and small numbers, only to be repeatedly embarrassed when its defenders are defeated with ease.
• Confidence versus complacency: Chen Changan’s calm certainty is contrasted with Fengling’s complacent belief that its higher status and stronger cultivation realms guarantee victory.
• Overwhelming power and unstoppable momentum: Once the challenge begins, Heavenreach advances without pause, making Fengling increasingly desperate.
• Teamwork and morale: Though only three people fight, the rest of Heavenreach contributes through encouragement, creating a lighthearted but effective support dynamic.

Character Interactions

• Fengling’s representatives mock Chen Changan and his companions for not knowing the challenge rules, while Chen Changan responds by immediately accepting the fight.
• Heavenreach’s disciples cheer for Chen Changan, Mu Yunyao, and Da Huang, jokingly praising their appearance and performance.
• Fengling’s dean attempts to intimidate Chen Changan into withdrawing, but Chen Changan calmly turns the warning back on him.
• Da Huang volunteers to fight in place of Chen Changan and Mu Yunyao, insulting the opposing expert’s ability before defeating him instantly.
• The chapter ends with Da Huang taunting the defeated Dao Venerable, reinforcing Heavenreach’s complete dominance at this stage of the challenge.

Chapter Summary: I’ll Have Your Back From Now On

Key Plot Points and Events

• Da Huang shocks the powerhouses of Fengling Sacred Academy by defeating a First-Grade Primordial Dao Venerable with a single attack. Although everyone had assumed he was an Eighth-Tier Primordial Saint Venerable like Chen Changan and Mu Yunyao, Da Huang is revealed to be only a Sixth-Tier Primordial Saint Venerable, making his combat ability exceptionally impressive.
• The defeated Fengling powerhouse attempts to continue fighting, but the academy’s dean stops him, emphasizing that he has already lost and that the challenge’s rules prohibit killing.
• Chen Changan proposes that all remaining Fengling experts attack together to save time. The dean accepts, but Chen easily overwhelms them with the Red Dust Sword while remaining completely relaxed.
• Recognizing the overwhelming difference in strength, the dean admits defeat and ends the battle.
• Chen asks about Fengling Sacred Academy’s standing. The dean explains that it is a middle-tier Senior Sacred Academy.
• Chen then reveals the list of academies selected by the Sacred Academy Alliance as his remaining opponents. The dean is alarmed, explaining that the list contains unusually powerful academies, including Big Dipper Sacred Academy, which ranks among the top ten Senior Sacred Academies.
• The dean concludes that the Sacred Academy Alliance deliberately selected excessively strong opponents to prevent Chen’s academy from advancing.
• Chen’s next destination is Eternal Heaven Sacred Academy. The dean warns him that, although it is not much stronger than Fengling, it has a notoriously poor reputation and may disregard the rules.
• Chen probes the rules, suggesting that if Eternal Heaven breaks them, he may respond in kind—even by killing. The dean nervously admits that the rules never explicitly forbid killing, though he distances himself from Chen’s interpretation.
• Before Chen leaves, the dean promises that if trouble arises, Chen can claim that Fengling Sacred Academy supports Heavenreach Sacred Academy.

Character Developments

• Da Huang proves that his actual cultivation level does not reflect his true combat strength. His victory over a First-Grade Primordial Dao Venerable establishes him as a major threat despite being “only” a Sixth-Tier Primordial Saint Venerable.
• Chen Changan remains calm, confident, and overwhelmingly dominant. He defeats the entire group without exerting himself and displays a willingness to exploit loopholes—or use lethal force—against enemies who refuse to follow the rules.
• The Dean of Fengling Sacred Academy is shown to be reasonable and principled. He accepts defeat fairly, prevents his subordinate from continuing an unwinnable fight, warns Chen about future dangers, and ultimately offers support.
• The defeated Fengling expert reacts with anger and wounded pride but is forced to retreat after the dean reminds him to accept defeat.
• Mu Yunyao remains part of Chen’s powerful group, though she does not take a central role in the chapter.

Significant Themes

• Hidden strength and underestimated individuals: Da Huang’s performance demonstrates that cultivation rank alone cannot measure a person’s true power.
• Confidence backed by ability: Chen’s relaxed attitude is justified by his overwhelming strength, reinforcing the group’s strategy of advancing through direct challenges.
• Institutional obstruction and unfairness: The Sacred Academy Alliance appears to be deliberately stacking the challenges against Chen’s academy to prevent its advancement.
• Rules and loopholes: The chapter explores the danger of vague regulations, especially when one side refuses to fight honorably.
• Respect between rivals: Despite losing, the Fengling dean behaves honorably and establishes a potential alliance with Chen.

Character Interactions

• Da Huang’s attack changes how Fengling’s experts perceive him, transforming him from an overlooked dog into a serious combatant.
• The dean restrains his enraged subordinate and insists that the academy acknowledge defeat.
• Chen and the dean engage in a respectful but wary conversation about strength, academy rankings, and the Alliance’s intentions.
• The dean warns Chen about Eternal Heaven Sacred Academy’s dishonorable methods, while Chen responds with pointed questions about whether lethal retaliation would be permitted.
• The chapter ends with the dean offering Fengling Sacred Academy’s backing, creating a friendly connection between the two academies despite their earlier confrontation.

Summary: “Shared Glory, Shared Loss”

Key Plot Points and Events

• After Chen Changan and his companions leave Fengling Holy Academy, its members angrily criticize their arrogance, especially their claim that Heavenreach Sacred Academy will protect Fengling.
• Fengling’s dean views the situation differently. He believes Chen Changan, the mysterious powerhouse, and Da Huang have extraordinary potential and that Heavenreach Sacred Academy may eventually rise above the other Senior Sacred Academies—and even clash with the Sacred Academy Alliance.
• Rather than remain neutral, the dean proposes that Fengling gamble on Heavenreach’s future. He asks the academy members whether they truly support the existing Sacred Academy power structure or would prefer to help create something new.
• The members initially recognize the danger of this choice, but ultimately all decide to remain with the dean. Fengling Holy Academy formally pledges to stand alongside Heavenreach Sacred Academy and participate in matters concerning it.
• Meanwhile, Chen Changan leads his group toward Eternal Heaven Sacred Academy. The former battle has left the dean and the others exhilarated, since it has given them hope of reaching the Senior Sacred Academy level.
• Chen Changan warns them not to act as a cheering squad in the upcoming confrontation. Eternal Heaven Sacred Academy has a poor reputation and may disregard the rules or attack them, so the group must stay far away.
• Chen Changan predicts that the next battle will involve bloodshed and looks forward to fighting again, declaring that Eternal Heaven Sacred Academy must not disappoint him.

Character Developments

• Fengling’s dean evolves from a cautious leader into a determined risk-taker. Inspired by Chen Changan’s group, he chooses ambition and potential change over safety and neutrality.
• The members of Fengling Holy Academy move from irritation and skepticism to loyalty and commitment. Their decision to remain with the dean shows gratitude, unity, and willingness to share the risks of Heavenreach’s struggle.
• Chen Changan remains confident and pragmatic. He protects weaker allies by ordering them to keep their distance, while openly anticipating a more violent confrontation.
• Da Huang shifts from mocking the group’s excitement to acknowledging their growth and renewed fighting spirit. His comments also highlight the gap between experienced Ascenders and those who have only recently witnessed major events.
• The dean and his followers gain a new sense of purpose: their goal is no longer merely survival or advancement, but becoming strong enough to shape their own future.

Significant Themes

• Risk versus stability: Fengling must choose between remaining safely uninvolved and gambling everything on Heavenreach’s rise.
• Loyalty and shared fate: The academy’s members choose to stand with their dean and accept that Heavenreach’s victories—and future dangers—will also affect them.
• Breaking oppressive power structures: The chapter questions whether the Sacred Academy Alliance is truly desirable and imagines a future in which new factions can challenge its dominance.
• Hope and ambition: Chen Changan’s group gives Fengling a glimpse of a transformed Azure Origin, inspiring them to pursue goals once considered unreachable.
• Power and responsibility: Chen Changan recognizes that allies lacking sufficient strength may become liabilities, so he insists they avoid a battle they cannot safely join.
• The coming escalation of conflict: The contrast between the orderly Fengling challenge and the violent expectations surrounding Eternal Heaven signals that future confrontations will be more dangerous.

Character Interactions

• Fengling’s members initially condemn Chen Changan’s arrogance, but the dean reframes his behavior as evidence of immense potential.
• The dean challenges his followers to question their loyalty to the Sacred Academy Alliance, prompting them to reflect on their lack of real choice and their desire for independence.
• Da Huang teases the group for celebrating their victory, while the dean explains that the achievement represents a life-changing opportunity for people from Primordial Heaven.
• Chen Changan directly instructs Fengling’s group to remain distant during the next battle. The dean accepts this without protest, demonstrating trust in Chen Changan’s judgment.
• The chapter ends with Chen Changan anticipating violence, establishing a tense expectation for the confrontation with Eternal Heaven Sacred Academy.

Chapter Summary: “All Killed?”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Changan, Da Huang, and the third member of Heavenreach Sacred Academy arrive at Eternal Heaven Sacred Academy to issue their challenge.
• Eternal Heaven Sacred Academy is surprised that only two people and a dog have come. They had dismissed Heavenreach as insignificant and never expected it to defeat Fengling Sacred Academy.
• The Eternal Heaven Dean orders a few disciples to deal with the challengers, assuming they will be easily defeated.
• Chen Changan overwhelms the guards with a few sword strikes and leads his companions directly into the academy.
• The academy’s people report that the three invaders possess frightening strength: two are Eighth-Tier Primordial Saint Venerables, while one is a Sixth-Tier Primordial Saint Venerable.
• The Eternal Heaven Dean orders his forces to kill the challengers, deciding that the Sacred Academy Alliance will not seriously punish them for killing members of an Intermediate Sacred Academy.
• Da Huang notices that Eternal Heaven Sacred Academy has adopted lethal intent. Chen Changan welcomes this, revealing that he has been waiting for a legitimate reason to begin a full-scale slaughter.
• Chen Changan releases his concealed power and killing intent. A massacre follows as he, Da Huang, and their companion destroy the academy’s forces.
• The Dean personally joins the battle and orders everyone to attack Chen Changan, but Eternal Heaven Sacred Academy is ultimately wiped out.
• The people from Heavenreach later arrive and find the academy transformed into a blood-soaked ruin. No one from Eternal Heaven Sacred Academy has survived; only Chen Changan’s group remains, collecting the spoils.

Character Developments

• Chen Changan: Demonstrates overwhelming combat ability and strategic patience. He initially treats the challenge formally but decisively, then reveals that he had been concealing his true strength. Once the enemy attempts to kill him, he responds with merciless annihilation.
• Da Huang: Acts as Chen Changan’s observant companion, recognizing both the academy’s arrogance and its shift toward murderous intent. He remains confident and ready to participate in the massacre.
• Eternal Heaven Dean: Begins arrogant and dismissive, believing Heavenreach is too weak to threaten his academy. His confidence collapses as his people are defeated, but he still chooses escalation rather than retreat, ultimately leading his academy to destruction.
• Eternal Heaven Sacred Academy’s disciples: Their contempt turns into panic once Chen Changan breaks through their defenses. Their willingness to use lethal force becomes the justification for the retaliation that follows.
• Heavenreach Sacred Academy’s members: Initially remain away from the confrontation, but their shock upon seeing the aftermath highlights how unexpected and extreme Chen Changan’s victory is.

Significant Themes

• Arrogance and underestimation: Eternal Heaven Sacred Academy assumes Heavenreach is insignificant because only three challengers appear, making it blind to their actual strength.
• Consequences of aggression: The academy’s decision to attack with lethal intent removes any restraint from Chen Changan’s response.
• Hidden strength and sudden reversal: The apparent imbalance of power is overturned when Chen Changan reveals his true capabilities.
• Institutional pride: The Dean prioritizes the academy’s reputation over survival, choosing to fight rather than acknowledge defeat.
• Brutal power hierarchy: The chapter emphasizes that weaker academies can be destroyed instantly when they misjudge those above them.

Character Interactions

• Chen Changan confronts the academy’s representatives directly and challenges their dismissive attitude.
• The Eternal Heaven Dean and his subordinates repeatedly discuss how to eliminate the three challengers, revealing their arrogance and growing fear.
• Da Huang warns Chen Changan that the enemy intends to kill them, prompting Chen Changan’s declaration that “the hunt” is beginning.
• The Dean personally leads the final attack, but his attempt to rally the academy fails.
• The Heavenreach members’ horrified reaction to the aftermath underscores the unprecedented scale of Chen Changan’s victory.

Summary: “Sacred Academy Alliance’s Scheme”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Changan and his companions completely annihilate Eternal Heaven Sacred Academy after it attacks them, eliminating the academy in a very short time.
• Chen views the victory as profitable, praising the academy’s valuable resources. His ruthless approach—destroying enemies completely to prevent future retaliation—shocks others but earns their agreement.
• Heavenreach Sacred Academy continues challenging Senior Sacred Academies and wins repeatedly. Its reputation spreads throughout Azure Origin, despite widespread disbelief that “two people and one dog” could defeat such powerful opponents.
• Rumors claim that Heavenreach has already reached the strength of a Senior Sacred Academy, even though it is officially only an Intermediate Sacred Academy.
• The Sacred Academy Alliance monitors Heavenreach closely. Its members debate whether Chen Changan’s actions violate the rules and whether the Alliance should prevent Heavenreach from advancing.
• The Alliance Leader clarifies that the real objective is to test Chen’s strength and determine whether he is friendly toward the Alliance. Rather than kill him outright, the Alliance plans to use Heavenreach as bait to draw out a hidden enemy plotting against the Alliance.
• The Alliance Leader intends to meet Chen personally if Heavenreach advances, deliberately publicizing the meeting to make Heavenreach appear especially important. This is meant to provoke the shadowy opposition into attacking Heavenreach first.
• Chen remains unaware of the Alliance’s scheme and leads Heavenreach to its final challenge against Big Dipper Sacred Academy, one of Azure Origin’s top ten Senior Sacred Academies.
• Big Dipper’s dean is intrigued by Heavenreach and especially by the legendary trio. He suspects they may not yet have revealed their full strength.

Character Developments

• Chen Changan is established as ruthless, confident, and strategically minded. He sees total destruction of enemies as the safest way to eliminate future threats and remains unconcerned with how others perceive him.
• The Heavenreach companions continue to support Chen’s methods, though their reactions suggest that they are still adjusting to his extreme decisiveness.
• The Sacred Academy Alliance Leader emerges as a calculating political strategist. Rather than acting impulsively against Chen, he seeks to manipulate both Chen and the hidden enemy into weakening each other.
• Big Dipper’s dean is characterized as perceptive and cautious. Unlike those who dismiss the rumors, he considers the possibility that Heavenreach has been deliberately concealing its true power.

Significant Themes

• Ruthlessness and survival: The destruction of Eternal Heaven reinforces the idea that eliminating enemies completely is the most reliable form of self-protection.
• Reputation versus reality: The public doubts that only three individuals could achieve Heavenreach’s victories, showing how extraordinary their actual strength is compared with the rumors surrounding them.
• Political manipulation: The Alliance Leader plans to exploit Chen’s rise and use him as bait in a larger struggle against unseen enemies.
• Hidden strength and concealed identities: Chen’s use of a false name and Heavenreach’s apparent restraint create uncertainty about their origins and true capabilities.
• Strategic alliances and mutual exploitation: The Alliance does not necessarily view Chen as an enemy; instead, it hopes to direct his power toward its own political objectives.

Character Interactions

• Chen instructs the others that enemies should be dealt with thoroughly, influencing them to accept his harsh philosophy.
• Alliance officials question their leader about whether Chen should be stopped, while the leader persuades them that manipulating him is more advantageous than destroying him.
• The Alliance Leader’s plan depends on publicly honoring Chen and Heavenreach, turning their relationship into a calculated political trap.
• Big Dipper’s dean and his subordinates discuss Heavenreach’s unusual victories, with the dean suggesting that the famous “two people and one dog” may still be holding back.

Chapter Summary: “No Need to Go All Out”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Heavenreach Sacred Academy continues its unstoppable advance through Azure Origin, defeating opponents without needing to rest or replenish its strength.
• The Dean of Big Dipper Sacred Academy recognizes that the rumors about Heavenreach’s terrifying power may actually have understated the truth.
• Despite acknowledging Heavenreach’s overwhelming advantage, Big Dipper resolves to fight seriously and preserve its dignity.
• Half a month later, Chen Changan and two companions arrive at Big Dipper Sacred Academy. Chen immediately proposes beginning the battle without wasting time.
• Big Dipper initially doubts that only three members of Heavenreach will fight, but accepts the challenge.
• Chen and the other two defeat Big Dipper’s challengers with single blows, though Chen deliberately restrains himself to show goodwill.
• The battle inspires Big Dipper’s cultivators to surpass their usual limits. Their Dean recognizes the value of the competition but eventually intervenes when his disciples can no longer continue.
• The Dean dismisses the remaining fighters and personally challenges Chen Changan, revealing that he is a Fourth-Rank Hongmeng Dao Venerable.
• He praises Chen’s vision that Azure Origin belongs to all its inhabitants and asks Chen to demonstrate the gap between them.
• Chen states that he will not need to go all out, but promises to show proper respect to such a formidable opponent.

Character Developments

• Chen Changan continues to display overwhelming strength and confidence, defeating opponents effortlessly while remaining courteous and controlled.
• He reveals a humble, detached outlook, describing himself as merely a “passerby” in Azure Origin and suggesting that his ambitions may extend beyond it, possibly into the Endless Star River.
• The Dean of Big Dipper Sacred Academy develops from cautious observer to active challenger. Though he understands that Heavenreach may be unbeatable, he refuses to surrender without testing Chen personally.
• The Dean also shows himself to be perceptive and open-minded, appreciating Chen’s belief that Azure Origin should belong to everyone rather than a controlling alliance.
• Big Dipper’s disciples gain determination and improve through the pressure of fighting Heavenreach, demonstrating the positive effects of genuine competition.

Significant Themes

• Overwhelming power and restraint: Heavenreach’s strength is so great that even continuous battles do not exhaust them, yet Chen deliberately avoids humiliating weaker opponents.
• Healthy competition: Although Big Dipper loses, its members grow stronger because they are pushed beyond their normal limits.
• Dignity in defeat: Big Dipper chooses to fight despite the odds, valuing honor and proving its strength rather than surrendering immediately.
• Freedom versus control: Chen’s belief that Azure Origin belongs to all its people contrasts with the Sacred Academy Alliance’s desire for absolute control.
• Ambition beyond one’s world: Chen’s description of himself as a passerby hints that he and his companions may eventually leave Azure Origin and explore the unknown Endless Star River.

Character Interactions

• Chen speaks casually and confidently with Big Dipper’s representatives, proposing an immediate battle and emphasizing Heavenreach’s dominance.
• The defeated Big Dipper cultivators acknowledge Chen’s strength and appreciate that he held back, even as they struggle with the humiliation of losing.
• Big Dipper’s Dean and his advisers discuss the academy’s chances, the growth of their disciples, and the importance of continuing to resist.
• In the chapter’s final exchange, the Dean respectfully challenges Chen, while Chen responds with equal respect but makes clear that he does not need to unleash his full power.

Chapter Summary: “Successfully Challenged the Academy”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Changan challenges the Dean of Big Dipper Sacred Academy to prove that Heavenreach Sacred Academy deserves promotion to Senior Sacred Academy status.
• Chen refuses to fight at full strength because doing so could kill the Dean, but promises to defeat him without treating him lightly.
• The Dean attacks with his full power, enveloping the entire academy in his aura. Chen effortlessly suppresses him with an even stronger presence and defeats him with a single palm strike.
• The Dean acknowledges the enormous gap between them, admits his presumption, and officially grants Heavenreach Sacred Academy Senior Sacred Academy status.
• Chen accepts several days of hospitality at Big Dipper Sacred Academy before returning with his companions to Ghost Abyss. Their journey takes over two years.
• Upon returning, Chen learns that Ghost Abyss has remained peaceful, though Heavenly Dragon Pavilion has been developing at an unusually rapid pace.
• Wang Ba suspects Heavenly Dragon Pavilion is concealing something. Chen reveals that he has intentionally treated the pavilion as trustworthy, using it as bait so its members will eventually relax and expose their true intentions.
• Chen sends everyone to rest while waiting for the Dean to report to the Sacred Academy Alliance, anticipating that the Alliance will soon respond to Heavenreach’s promotion.

Character Developments

• Chen Changan: Demonstrates overwhelming strength and restraint. He defeats a Fourth-Rank Hongmeng Dao Venerable without causing widespread destruction, showing precise control and confidence. He also reveals himself to be highly strategic and patient, preferring long-term surveillance over impulsive action.
• Dean of Big Dipper Sacred Academy: Initially confident enough to demand a full battle, he is quickly humbled by Chen’s effortless victory. He honestly recognizes Chen’s superior level and accepts Heavenreach’s promotion.
• Wang Ba: Continues monitoring Ghost Abyss and raises concerns about Heavenly Dragon Pavilion’s suspicious advancement.
• Da Huang and the others: Initially question Chen’s indifferent attitude toward Heavenly Dragon Pavilion, then understand that his apparent trust is part of a larger trap.
• Heavenreach Sacred Academy’s members: Their view of Chen has clearly risen beyond that of an ordinary disciple; although he retains the title, his strength and influence now exceed even the Dean’s.

Significant Themes

• Overwhelming strength and restraint: True power is shown not through destruction but through the ability to control it completely.
• Humility and recognition: The Dean accepts defeat when confronted with the undeniable difference in strength, while Chen remains uninterested in status for its own sake.
• Strength over titles: Chen believes authority without power is meaningless, whereas genuine strength commands respect regardless of formal position.
• Patience and strategic deception: Rather than immediately attacking a suspicious faction, Chen deliberately encourages Heavenly Dragon Pavilion to lower its defenses.
• Progress and opportunity: Heavenreach’s promotion will provide better resources, benefiting both the academy and Chen’s broader plans.

Character Interactions

• Chen and the Dean engage in a respectful but tense exchange before the duel, with Chen warning him that their power levels are fundamentally different.
• After being defeated, the Dean openly praises Chen and welcomes Heavenreach as a Senior Sacred Academy.
• Wang Ba reports Heavenly Dragon Pavilion’s suspicious growth to Chen, prompting a discussion about continued observation.
• Da Huang correctly infers that Chen is using the pavilion as bait, and Chen explains the reasoning behind his plan to the group.
• Chen reassures his companions that they should remain patient and avoid acting prematurely while awaiting the Heavenly Dragon Pavilion’s inevitable mistake.

Chapter Summary: “The Alliance Leader Arrives in Person”

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Dean returns to Heavenreach Sacred Academy with news that the Alliance Leader of the Sacred Academy Alliance intends to visit personally.
• Chen Changan immediately suspects the visit is politically motivated. He believes the Alliance Leader is unwilling to confront Heavenreach Sacred Academy directly because he is not certain he can defeat Chen Changan.
• Chen explains that the Alliance Leader likely plans to publicly favor and “nurture” Heavenreach Sacred Academy. This would make the academy a target of envy and hostility among other Senior Sacred Academies.
• Chen further realizes that the Sacred Academy Alliance is using Heavenreach Sacred Academy as bait to draw out a mysterious hidden force, hoping to benefit from the conflict afterward.
• Chen reveals to the Dean that his real name is Chen Changan rather than Chen An. The Dean accepts the revelation without concern, treating the alias as a normal precaution.
• Chen chooses not to respond actively and instead prepares to wait, believing that schemes are meaningless without overwhelming strength.
• He gives the Dean another massive supply of pills to accelerate Heavenreach Sacred Academy’s cultivation and development, astonishing the Dean with both the quantity and Chen’s mysterious ability to produce them.
• Chen enters seclusion while instructing Wang Ba to remain hidden and observe events.
• The Alliance Leader’s visit is deliberately publicized through the Sacred Academy Alliance’s branches across Azure Origin. The news causes widespread discussion, envy, and resentment, particularly among powerful Senior Sacred Academies.
• The Alliance Leader eventually arrives at Heavenreach Sacred Academy with great ceremony. His outward manner is approachable, but his arrogance and disdain are evident. He has come primarily because of Chen Changan, not because he respects the academy itself.
• The chapter ends with the Alliance Leader’s attendants criticizing Heavenreach Sacred Academy for not immediately greeting him, while the Alliance Leader pretends to be patient.

Character Developments

• Chen Changan: Demonstrates sharp political insight, recognizing the Alliance Leader’s visit as a calculated attempt to manipulate public opinion and use the academy as bait. He remains calm and confident, relying on cultivation and strength rather than reacting emotionally. He also becomes more open with the Dean by revealing his true name.
• The Dean: Initially worried about the Alliance Leader’s intentions, he quickly gains a clearer understanding through Chen’s explanation. His trust in Chen deepens, and he becomes enthusiastic about using the pills to strengthen the academy.
• Alliance Leader: Is established as Azure Origin’s most powerful and influential figure. Despite presenting himself as friendly, he is proud, condescending, and primarily interested in Chen Changan’s power and potential.
• Wang Ba: Continues serving as a hidden observer under Chen’s instructions.

Significant Themes

• Political manipulation and strategic deception: The Alliance Leader’s public visit is designed to control perceptions and turn Heavenreach Sacred Academy into a target.
• Power as the basis of strategy: Chen believes schemes only matter when backed by sufficient strength; absolute power can invalidate political calculations.
• Fame and hostility: Heavenreach Academy’s unprecedented advancement brings recognition but also jealousy and resentment from established powers.
• Trust and identity: Chen’s revelation of his true name highlights the growing trust between him and the Dean, while also emphasizing the secrecy surrounding his past.
• Bait and hidden enemies: The Sacred Academy Alliance’s attempt to use Heavenreach as bait introduces the possibility of a larger confrontation with the mysterious force.

Character Interactions

• Chen and the Dean discuss the Alliance Leader’s motives, with Chen guiding the Dean toward the political reality behind the visit.
• Chen reassures the Dean that no immediate action is necessary and entrusts him with distributing the pills.
• The Dean reacts with shock to Chen’s enormous supply of pills but ultimately accepts them and leaves excited to strengthen the academy.
• Chen gives Wang Ba orders to remain concealed and monitor developments.
• Upon the Alliance Leader’s arrival, his followers confront Heavenreach Academy’s people for failing to greet him promptly, revealing the imbalance in status and the Alliance’s underlying arrogance.

Chapter Summary: With Me, You Have No Face

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Sacred Academy Alliance Leader visits Heavenreach Sacred Academy with another figure and puts on an exaggerated display of friendliness, singing and acting as though they are approachable and benevolent.
• The academy members recognize the performance as insincere but remain outwardly polite.
• When Chen Changan arrives, the Alliance Leader immediately focuses on him, praising him as a prodigy and promising future support for Heavenreach Sacred Academy while largely ignoring the Dean.
• Chen Changan deflects the praise and insists that matters concerning the academy should be discussed with its Dean, since he is “just an ordinary disciple.”
• The Alliance Leader’s subordinates react angrily, accusing Chen Changan of disrespect and reminding him of the Alliance’s authority. The Alliance Leader pretends to restrain them and display tolerance.
• Chen Changan openly mocks their behavior, calling the Alliance Leader’s performance fake and accusing him of coming merely to stage a show.
• He boldly challenges the Alliance Leader, refusing to be intimidated by threats and demanding to know whether the Alliance truly has the ability to kill him.
• Chen Changan exposes the Alliance Leader’s actual plan: to use Heavenreach Sacred Academy and Chen himself as bait to draw out the mysterious force operating behind the scenes, allowing the Alliance to avoid confronting that danger directly.
• He further reveals that the escaped individual from Severing Saint Abyss likely approached the Alliance Leader and persuaded him to act against Chen Changan.
• Caught off guard, the Alliance Leader eventually admits that Chen’s analysis is correct and proposes cooperation.
• The Alliance Leader offers several concessions: Heavenreach Sacred Academy may keep its future resources, receive a new territory, and retain control of Ghost Abyss, making it the only Holy Academy in Azure Origin with two territories.
• Chen Changan considers these terms insufficient for a life-threatening alliance and demands complete independence for Heavenreach Sacred Academy. He proposes that the academy and the Sacred Academy Alliance become equal partners, with the Alliance forbidden from interfering in the academy’s affairs.

Character Developments

• Chen Changan demonstrates exceptional perceptiveness, confidence, and fearlessness. He sees through political manipulation immediately and confronts the Alliance Leader without hesitation.
• He shifts from being treated as a promising young disciple to asserting himself as the academy’s true negotiating force.
• The Alliance Leader is revealed to be calculating and politically cautious rather than genuinely magnanimous. He initially relies on authority and theatrical goodwill but is forced to abandon the act once Chen exposes his scheme.
• Despite his irritation, the Alliance Leader proves pragmatic by admitting the truth and attempting to negotiate.
• The Dean and Heavenreach’s members remain mostly silent, reflecting their awareness of the Alliance’s power and their surprise at Chen Changan’s boldness.

Significant Themes

• False benevolence and political theater: The Alliance Leader’s friendliness is exposed as a calculated performance designed to manipulate others.
• Power and independence: Chen Changan rejects subordinate status and insists that Heavenreach Sacred Academy be treated as an equal rather than a dependent institution.
• Directness versus manipulation: Chen’s blunt honesty contrasts sharply with the Alliance Leader’s evasive tactics and staged diplomacy.
• Strategic cooperation: The chapter suggests that alliances formed from mutual self-interest can still be useful, but only when both sides negotiate from a position of respect and clear terms.
• Hidden threats: Both sides are concerned about the mysterious force behind recent events, which becomes the basis for their potential cooperation.

Character Interactions

• The Alliance Leader attempts to charm and recruit Chen Changan, but Chen refuses to be flattered or controlled.
• The Alliance Leader’s subordinates insult and threaten Chen, while their leader pretends to discipline them in order to preserve an image of tolerance.
• Chen turns the confrontation around by publicly exposing the Alliance Leader’s motives.
• After the deception is revealed, the hostile interaction becomes a negotiation: the Alliance offers material benefits, while Chen demands political autonomy and equal standing.

Chapter Summary: “You Have No Choice!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Changan confronts the Sacred Academy Alliance Leader and demands that Heavenreach Sacred Academy become completely independent and stand on equal footing with the Alliance in Azure Origin.
• The Alliance Leader initially considers the terms excessive, but realizes he cannot force Chen Changan to cooperate or prevent the academy’s independence. He reluctantly agrees.
• Chen Changan renames Heavenreach Sacred Academy as Heavenreach Holy Land, symbolizing its elevation into a powerful, independent faction.
• The Alliance Leader also agrees that the Holy Land may choose its own territory without interference, though he remains resentful and plans to exploit the Holy Land as bait in the Alliance’s future schemes.
• The former Dean is appointed Holy Lord. Although he feels unworthy, Chen Changan encourages him to grow stronger and live up to the position.
• Chen Changan orders Wang Ba to search Azure Origin for a suitable location for the Holy Land’s new headquarters.
• All members of Heavenreach Holy Land are instructed to enter seclusion and cultivate using their unrestricted resources. Chen Changan expects them to reveal their true strength when the Holy Land formally establishes itself.

Character Developments

• Chen Changan demonstrates his overwhelming confidence and authority. He openly challenges the Alliance Leader, knowing the latter has no viable alternative but to compromise.
• The Alliance Leader is forced to surrender his pride and accept Heavenreach’s independence. Internally, he remains hostile and intends to wait for an opportunity to strike when circumstances become favorable.
• The Dean undergoes a major change in status, becoming the Holy Lord. Initially insecure about his ability to lead such a powerful faction, he gains confidence from Chen Changan’s encouragement and vows to become worthy of the title.
• The members of Heavenreach Holy Land shift from shock and disbelief to determination. Chen Changan’s support has transformed them into talented cultivators, giving them renewed ambition and confidence.

Significant Themes

• Power determines authority: The Alliance Leader’s concession shows that formal status and political influence are meaningless without the strength to enforce them.
• Independence and transformation: Heavenreach’s change from academy to holy land represents both political liberation and a complete elevation of its identity.
• Leadership and self-belief: The Dean’s appointment emphasizes that leadership requires growth and responsibility, not merely existing strength.
• Strategic compromise: The Alliance agrees not out of goodwill but because refusing would leave it with even fewer advantages.
• Preparation for future conflict: The Holy Land’s seclusion and accumulation of strength suggest that its public emergence will dramatically reshape Azure Origin’s balance of power.

Character Interactions

• Chen Changan and the Alliance Leader engage in a tense power struggle, with Chen Changan speaking bluntly and the Alliance Leader reluctantly yielding.
• The Alliance Leader later explains to his subordinates that agreement was unavoidable and that cooperation preserves the possibility of using the Holy Land for strategic purposes.
• Chen Changan reassures the Dean, rejects the idea of taking the Holy Lord position himself, and pushes the Dean to become stronger.
• Chen Changan gives Wang Ba and the other members clear assignments: Wang Ba must find a new site, while everyone else must enter seclusion and prepare for the Holy Land’s future rise.

Chapter Summary: Terrifying Advancement

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Changan orders everyone in Heavenreach Holy Land to enter seclusion while Wang Ba leaves to complete an assigned task.
• News spreads across Azure Origin that Heavenreach Sacred Academy has become independent and now stands on equal footing with the Sacred Academy Alliance.
• The public initially dismisses the claim as impossible, but the Sacred Academy Alliance’s silence causes people to suspect that Heavenreach’s strength has become powerful enough to force the Alliance to compromise.
• Heavenreach Sacred Academy remains sealed and gives no explanation. Even Ghost Abyss factions hoping to pledge loyalty are unable to enter.
• Several hundred years pass. During this time, Heavenreach Holy Land’s inhabitants cultivate with abundant resources and experience astonishing breakthroughs.
• The Holy Lord emerges from seclusion as a Seventh-Tier Primordial Dao Venerable, a level surpassing the leaders of even the highest-ranked Senior Sacred Academies.
• The rest of Heavenreach Holy Land has also advanced dramatically: everyone has reached at least the Primordial Saint Venerable Realm, with many becoming Primordial Dao Venerables.
• Chen Changan, Mu Yunyao, and Da Huang emerge from seclusion. Da Huang’s cultivation has surpassed Chen Changan’s, while Mu Yunyao reaches Eighth-Tier Primordial Dao Venerable.
• Chen Changan reveals that their resources are nearly exhausted, though everyone expects Heavenreach to obtain more in the future.
• Wang Ba reports that he has selected a new site for them: Heavenly Saint Land.

Character Developments

• Chen Changan: Reaches Fifth-Tier Primordial Dao Venerable. Although his cultivation is lower than several companions, his strength and cultivation quality remain exceptionally powerful because of the enormous resources he consumes.
• Da Huang: Breaks through to Seventh-Tier Primordial Dao Venerable and proudly surpasses Chen Changan in cultivation, strengthening his role as one of Heavenreach’s top powers.
• Mu Yunyao: Advances furthest among the main group, reaching Eighth-Tier Primordial Dao Venerable.
• The Holy Lord: Makes a major breakthrough to Seventh-Tier Primordial Dao Venerable, gaining power worthy of his position and becoming a more formidable leader.
• Heavenreach’s disciples and residents: Their talents are dramatically enhanced through cultivation and resources. Even the weakest members reach the Primordial Saint Venerable Realm.
• Wang Ba: Successfully completes Chen Changan’s assignment by finding Heavenreach’s next location.

Significant Themes

• Rapid growth and transformation: Seclusion, resources, and unleashed potential turn Heavenreach’s members into near-monster-level geniuses.
• Power overturning established hierarchies: The possibility of Heavenreach standing equal to the Sacred Academy Alliance suggests that overwhelming strength can challenge even entrenched authority.
• Silence as political power: The Alliance’s refusal to deny the rumors becomes almost as significant as an official confirmation.
• Collective advancement: Heavenreach’s success is not limited to one protagonist; the entire group rises together, greatly increasing the faction’s strength.
• The cost of power: Their astonishing breakthroughs consume nearly all available resources, hinting that future expansion and resource-gathering will be necessary.

Character Interactions

• Heavenreach members celebrate and compare their breakthroughs, creating a lively atmosphere of excitement and competition.
• The Holy Lord expresses surprise at how quickly everyone else has advanced and receives congratulations for his own achievement.
• Da Huang teasingly announces that he has surpassed Chen Changan, while Chen Changan accepts the difference humorously and explains that his cultivation requires far more resources.
• Mu Yunyao reassures Chen Changan that his current cultivation is sufficient because his true strength exceeds what his realm suggests.
• Chen Changan consults Wang Ba about the new location, and Wang Ba reveals that Heavenly Saint Land has been chosen as their next destination.

Chapter Summary: Heavenly Saint Land

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wang Ba introduces Heavenly Saint Land, an unknown but exceptionally powerful location in Azure Origin. Even the Sacred Academy Alliance regards it as sacred ground and avoids offending it.
• The land contains extraordinarily dense energy—more than ten times that of Ghost Abyss in its outer region—but is covered by a dangerous, mysterious mist.
• Wang Ba explains that the mist can confuse entrants, eliminate their senses, and gradually erode their minds, potentially turning them into puppets. Even he does not dare enter casually.
• Chen Changan decides to investigate Heavenly Saint Land, believing that if the mist can be controlled or resolved, the location could become Heavenreach Holy Land’s greatest cultivation site and a natural defensive barrier.
• Wang Ba reports that Azure Origin has remained mostly quiet during Heavenreach Holy Land’s seclusion. The World Alliance has imitated their seclusion, while other factions appear to have become passive.
• Heavenly Dragon Pavilion has behaved suspiciously, repeatedly sending people to probe Heavenreach Holy Land and secretly contacting other factions. Wang Ba also detected an unfamiliar aura there, suggesting an unknown powerful presence.
• Chen Changan orders everyone to remain patient and observe Heavenly Dragon Pavilion rather than act prematurely.
• After traveling for over a year with Mu Yunyao and Da Huang, Chen Changan reaches Heavenly Saint Land. He sends his companions to wait outside and enters the mist alone.
• The mist immediately suppresses his senses, but Chen Changan remains unaffected by its mental and controlling properties. Unable to see or sense clearly, he decides to continue deeper into the land.

Character Developments

• Chen Changan demonstrates confidence and strategic restraint. He recognizes Heavenly Saint Land’s value while treating Heavenly Dragon Pavilion’s movements calmly, choosing observation over confrontation.
• He also shows his unusual strength by entering the deadly mist alone and resisting effects that even Wang Ba fears.
• Wang Ba is established as one of Azure Origin’s strongest figures, yet cautious enough to acknowledge the limits of his own abilities. He becomes an important source of intelligence about regional developments.
• The Holy Lord initially considers accompanying Chen Changan after breaking through, but recognizes the vast power gap and sensibly remains behind.
• Da Huang raises the unresolved mystery of the Qingcang Clan’s disappearance, though Chen Changan dismisses it as no longer relevant.
• Heavenly Dragon Pavilion shifts from a background faction to a potential hidden threat, apparently reacting to Heavenreach Holy Land’s independence.

Significant Themes

• Power and danger: Great opportunities often come with equally great risks, as Heavenly Saint Land’s rich energy is protected by a deadly mist.
• Strategic patience: Chen Changan chooses to monitor Heavenly Dragon Pavilion instead of exposing Heavenreach Holy Land’s intentions.
• Independence and political disruption: Heavenreach Holy Land’s rise has unsettled existing factions and forced them to change their behavior.
• Exploration of the unknown: The chapter introduces several mysteries—the nature of Heavenly Saint Land, the source of its mist, the unknown aura in Heavenly Dragon Pavilion, and the Qingcang Clan’s fate.
• Natural defense and cultivation: Chen Changan views Heavenly Saint Land not only as a source of resources but also as a potential fortress for Heavenreach Holy Land.

Character Interactions

• Wang Ba briefs Chen Changan on Heavenly Saint Land and Azure Origin’s current situation, emphasizing both the land’s value and its dangers.
• Chen Changan questions Wang Ba’s knowledge and tests the logic behind his claims before accepting the destination.
• The Holy Lord briefly offers to accompany Chen Changan, then concedes that staying behind is more useful.
• Da Huang jokes and complains about being brought along despite being forbidden to enter, creating a lighter exchange with Chen Changan.
• Da Huang’s question about the Qingcang Clan prompts Chen Changan to reflect briefly on their unexplained disappearance before he redirects attention to the immediate danger.

Chapter Summary: “Extremely Ugly Things”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Changan enters the Heavenly Saint Land and notices that the fog becomes thinner instead of denser. Once it disappears, he realizes he is still inside the land, surrounded by an extraordinarily rich concentration of energy.
• He considers the area an ideal location for the Heavenreach Holy Land because of its abundant energy and the fog’s potential as a natural barrier.
• Chen Changan soon senses danger and encounters dozens of hostile creatures, all in the Primordial Dao Venerable Realm. Because of their horrifying appearance, he names them the “Extremely Ugly Things.”
• The creatures attack him in waves. Although they are powerful by Azure Origin’s standards, Chen Changan destroys them effortlessly with Sword Qi released from his fingers.
• More and more creatures continue emerging, leaving corpses piled into mountains. Chen Changan begins to suspect that the fog surrounding the Heavenly Saint Land may exist to prevent these beings from escaping and threatening Azure Origin.
• After Chen Changan remains inside for several days, Mu Yunyao and Da Huang decide to enter the Heavenly Saint Land to find him. They discover that the fog vanishes once they pass through it and are shocked by the enormous number of corpses.
• Following the trail of dead creatures, they locate Chen Changan. He has reached the source of the monsters: an entrance or passage through which the Extremely Ugly Things emerged.
• Nearby lies the corpse of a human. Chen Changan concludes that this person opened the entrance and paid for doing so with their life.

Character Developments

• Chen Changan: Demonstrates overwhelming combat power, eliminating countless Primordial Dao Venerable Realm creatures without needing a weapon. His curiosity and strategic thinking deepen as he investigates the purpose of the fog, the origin of the monsters, and the danger they pose to Azure Origin.
• Hongchen: Shows reluctance to be used as a weapon against the creatures, forcing Chen Changan to rely on his own abilities. Their exchange highlights Hongchen’s strong personality and Chen Changan’s casual, teasing attitude toward her.
• Mu Yunyao and Da Huang: Display concern for Chen Changan when he fails to return and courageously enter the dangerous land to search for him. Their reactions to the creatures emphasize both the monsters’ grotesque appearance and the scale of Chen Changan’s slaughter.

Significant Themes

• Hidden danger beneath apparent opportunity: The Heavenly Saint Land initially appears to be an ideal cultivation site, but its abundant energy conceals a massive threat.
• Containment and protection: The surrounding fog may not merely keep outsiders away; it may be sealing the monsters inside and protecting Azure Origin from invasion.
• Power and investigation: Chen Changan’s strength allows him to survive easily, but the central mystery is not defeating the creatures—it is discovering who opened the passage and why.
• The consequences of forbidden actions: The unidentified human’s corpse suggests that opening the entrance came at a fatal cost.

Character Interactions

• Hongchen refuses Chen Changan’s intended use of her as a sword, prompting him to fight with his own Sword Qi.
• Mu Yunyao and Da Huang discuss Chen Changan’s prolonged absence before entering the Heavenly Saint Land together.
• After finding him, they question Chen Changan about the entrance and the corpse. He explains that the dead human opened the passage, causing the Extremely Ugly Things to appear and ultimately losing their life as a result.

Chapter Summary: “Another Secret”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Changan arrives at Heavenly Saint Land and discovers a corpse alongside a soul imprint.
• The imprint claims the corpse belonged to an ancient supreme expert from Azure Origin who predates the Sacred Academy Alliance’s rise.
• According to the message, the expert opened a sealed entrance while seeking a higher realm and accidentally released powerful, hideous creatures.
• Unable to reseal the entrance, he created the surrounding fog to prevent the creatures—each supposedly at least at the Primordial Dao Venerable Realm—from escaping. He eventually died after exhausting his strength.
• Chen Changan, Mu Yunyao, and Da Huang debate whether to seal the entrance or eliminate the creatures permanently. Da Huang favors sealing it so they can continue considering Heavenly Saint Land as a possible base for Heavenreach Holy Land.
• Chen Changan notices several inconsistencies: no new creatures have emerged, the soul imprint has survived unusually long, and the corpse appears untouched despite the creatures’ nature.
• The group realizes the corpse and soul imprint may have been deliberately planted, and the story about the creatures emerging from the entrance may be fabricated.
• Mu Yunyao proposes that the fog and creatures may have been designed to keep outsiders from entering rather than to stop creatures from escaping.
• Da Huang suspects the mysterious faction opposing the Sacred Academy Alliance, but Chen Changan dismisses this as illogical, arguing that such a powerful faction would not need to hide.
• Concluding that the truth lies beyond the entrance, Chen Changan decides they should enter and investigate directly.

Character Developments

• Chen Changan displays caution, skepticism, and strong analytical instincts. Rather than accepting the soul imprint’s explanation, he tests it against the surrounding evidence and identifies multiple contradictions.
• Mu Yunyao proves equally perceptive, building on Chen Changan’s doubts and developing the theory that the entrance, fog, and creatures were deliberately arranged as a defensive system.
• Da Huang initially argues for the safest and most convenient solution—sealing the entrance and ignoring the deeper mystery—but gradually recognizes the possibility that the entire account is a deception. His humorous reactions provide comic relief.
• The trio shifts from treating Heavenly Saint Land as a dangerous site to viewing it as a deliberately concealed location containing an unknown, potentially significant secret.

Significant Themes

• Deception and hidden motives: The soul imprint may be fabricated, showing that apparent testimony cannot be trusted.
• Questioning appearances: The corpse, fog, creatures, and supposed history all conceal more than they reveal.
• Responsibility and consequences: The ancient expert caused the crisis while pursuing greater power, then only partially contained the disaster.
• Curiosity versus caution: Although sealing the entrance would be safer, Chen Changan chooses investigation because leaving the secret unresolved may create a greater danger.
• Power and concealment: The existence of such formidable creatures and defenses suggests that an exceptionally powerful force deliberately hid what lies beyond the entrance.

Character Interactions

• Da Huang asks Chen Changan whether he can reseal the entrance and urges him to avoid unnecessary danger.
• Chen Changan challenges Da Huang’s assumptions by pointing out that sealing the entrance would leave a hidden threat unresolved.
• Mu Yunyao questions Chen Changan’s suspicions and helps develop the alternative explanation.
• Da Huang realizes, through Chen Changan’s questioning, that soul imprints can be forged and that the corpse may have been staged.
• The chapter ends with Chen Changan confidently proposing that the group enter the passage, turning the investigation into their next immediate objective.

Chapter Summary: Pharmacists Can Also Be Poison Masters

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Changan, Mu Yunyao, and Da Huang enter the heavily concealed region beyond the fog and discover an environment far richer in energy and resources than even the Heavenly Saint Land.
• The area seems more like a sacred land than a place associated with the grotesque monsters outside, making the hidden secret even more suspicious.
• As they explore, Chen Changan senses someone refining medicine. He distinguishes the hidden figure as a pharmacist, rather than a conventional pill refiner.
• Chen explains that pill refiners create cultivation-enhancing pills, while pharmacists specialize in researching medicines—and may also become poison masters.
• The group reaches a gorge filled with strange medicinal herbs and a manor at its center.
• A handsome young man emerges and openly admits that he created the fog and the ugly monsters guarding the region.
• Inside the manor, he reveals that the monsters are failed experimental products, though they remain strong enough to guard his home.
• The pharmacist enthusiastically explains that he once wanted to become a pill refiner but lacked the ability, so he pursued pharmacological research instead.
• He has conducted countless experiments in pursuit of the ultimate limits of medicine and his own cultivation, apparently without regard for morality or the lives of his creations.
• Intrigued by the pharmacist’s research, Chen agrees to follow him and view his “achievements.”

Character Developments

• Chen Changan remains observant, cautious, and intellectually curious. He quickly identifies that the hidden figure is not an ordinary pill refiner and recognizes the danger behind his experiments.
• Mu Yunyao demonstrates calm judgment, immediately sensing that the beautiful environment and hidden location conceal something dangerous.
• Da Huang provides comic reactions to the abundance of resources but also correctly suspects that the pharmacist may have created the monsters.
• The pharmacist is revealed to be brilliant but dangerously obsessive. His desire to master medicine has driven him into reckless experimentation, leaving him morally detached from the suffering caused by his work.

Significant Themes

• Knowledge without morality: The pharmacist’s pursuit of scientific and cultivation breakthroughs has led him to create monstrous failed experiments.
• Appearance versus reality: The pharmacist appears young, handsome, friendly, and hospitable, but his cheerful demeanor conceals a ruthless and possibly unstable mind.
• Pill refinement versus pharmacology: The chapter contrasts conventional pill refinement with broader medicinal research, including poisons and biological experimentation.
• Curiosity and danger: Chen’s desire to uncover the secret draws the group deeper into a potentially lethal situation.
• Isolation and obsession: The pharmacist has hidden himself away for a long time, becoming consumed by his research and welcoming the visitors mainly because they offer intellectual stimulation.

Character Interactions

• Chen, Mu Yunyao, and Da Huang discuss the unusual environment and speculate about why it was hidden.
• Chen explains the distinction between pill refiners and pharmacists to Mu Yunyao and Da Huang.
• The pharmacist reacts with excitement upon learning that Chen is a pill refiner, viewing him as a rare kindred figure.
• Chen questions the pharmacist about the fog, monsters, and nature of his research, while remaining outwardly polite and internally vigilant.
• The pharmacist openly shares his history and invites the group to see his experimental accomplishments, setting up the next stage of the conflict.