Chapter Summaries

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Changan warns Sect Master Qi that the two great abodes may not merely sabotage the Elder Council recruitment—they may infiltrate the Heavenly Profound Sect by sending spies disguised as Rogue Cultivators.
• Chen explains that the infiltrators are unlikely to be recognizable members of the two abodes. Instead, they would probably be unfamiliar Rogue Cultivators brought in as recruits.
• He suggests that overly aggressive troublemakers should be treated as potential threats and excluded—or even killed—because they could disrupt the Elder Council’s unity, whether or not they are actual spies.
• Chen also cautions against recruits who are excessively quiet and secretive, since they may be deliberately hiding their identities and intentions.
• His central principle is that the Sect should recruit talent, not potential traitors or uncontrollable troublemakers.
• During the six months before recruitment, Chen continues cultivating while the Heavenly Profound Sect prepares for the event.
• The number of recruits grows from several dozen to nearly one hundred, increasing both excitement and concern within the Sect.
• Although the Sect cannot openly investigate the recruits before recruitment begins, Da Huang and Xiao Hei secretly gather intelligence while pretending to wander around casually.
• They uncover more than twenty highly suspicious individuals who appear to know one another, share missions, and maintain covert contact.
• Chen sends the list to Sect Master Qi through Wang Ba. Sect Master Qi is shocked and angered by the number of suspected infiltrators, realizing that perhaps a third of the candidates may be connected to the two great abodes.

Character Developments

• Chen Changan demonstrates strategic intelligence, caution, and ruthless practicality. He views the recruitment as both a search for talent and a defensive operation against infiltration.
• Sect Master Qi becomes increasingly impressed by Chen’s judgment and abilities. He also grows more worried about the Sect’s security and privately suspects that Chen has an extraordinary background.
• Da Huang and Xiao Hei prove themselves capable investigators. Their harmless appearances allow them to lower suspects’ guard and overhear important information.
• Wang Ba serves as a reliable messenger, carrying Chen’s findings directly to Sect Master Qi.
• Chen’s playful rewards for Da Huang and Xiao Hei—visiting a brothel for Da Huang and receiving amusing trinkets for Xiao Hei—highlight the familiar, comedic relationship among Chen and his companions.

Significant Themes

• Security versus trust: The Sect must recruit outsiders while fearing that some may secretly be enemies.
• The danger of extremes: Both overly conspicuous troublemakers and excessively secretive individuals are considered unreliable.
• Pragmatism and ruthless judgment: Chen argues that eliminating possible threats may be preferable to allowing even one dangerous infiltrator into the Sect.
• Leadership and unity: The Elder Council must contain people who can cooperate and remain loyal, not merely powerful individuals.
• Hidden identities and deception: The suspected spies conceal themselves as ordinary Rogue Cultivators, making appearances and behavior important clues.
• Unrecognized ability: Chen’s mysterious origins and exceptional insight cause Sect Master Qi to suspect that he comes from an extremely powerful background.

Character Interactions

• Chen and Sect Master Qi debate how to identify infiltrators and what kinds of recruits should be rejected.
• Da Huang and Xiao Hei report their discoveries to Chen and receive praise and personalized rewards.
• Chen instructs Wang Ba to deliver the intelligence to Sect Master Qi without explanation, trusting that the Sect Master will understand its significance.
• Sect Master Qi reacts with anger and concern upon seeing the list, concluding that the two great abodes have seriously underestimated neither the Sect’s vigilance nor the scale of their own infiltration.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Heavenly Profound Sect holds its first recruitment for the newly established Elder Council. Only people connected to the sect are present, including outside applicants and the sect’s own Inner Sect Elders.
• The Grand Elder personally oversees the recruitment because he proposed creating the Elder Council.
• Chen Changan and his companions unexpectedly appear among the candidates rather than the spectators. Their participation causes surprise and suspicion, especially because they have only recently joined the sect.
• Observers discover that Chen Changan and the others’ cultivation cannot be easily detected. Some speculate that they have already reached the Ultimate Immortal Ascension Realm, despite previously being in the Ultimate Mortal Transformation Realm.
• Their extraordinary talent-test results are recalled, making the possibility of their rapid advancement seem credible.
• Several outside applicants accuse the Heavenly Profound Sect of favoritism. They worry that Chen Changan and the others will occupy limited Elder Council positions despite their relatively low cultivation and lack of experience.
• One applicant openly demands that the sect explain what he calls an unfair or “shady” arrangement.
• The Grand Elder counters that the Elder Council belongs to the Heavenly Profound Sect, so its own members have every right to participate. He argues that if the applicants fear losing their places to newly ascended sect members, they may not have been qualified in the first place.
• The Grand Elder reveals that the recruitment will begin with rules and warns that anyone unwilling to accept them should withdraw.

Character Developments

• Chen Changan and his companions: Their decision to participate instead of observe reinforces their mysterious status and suggests that their strength has advanced dramatically. Their presence alone disrupts the atmosphere and threatens the confidence of other candidates.
• The Grand Elder: He demonstrates authority, composure, and sharp rhetoric. Rather than apologize for the sect’s decisions, he firmly defends its rights while steering the gathering toward the official selection process.
• Sect Master Qi and the Grand Elder: Their exchanged glance reveals that they are cooperating behind the scenes. They know the instigator is one of the people identified by Chen Changan as suspicious but deliberately avoid exposing him prematurely.
• The outside applicants: Their anxiety and competitiveness become clear. Some are less concerned with fairness than with protecting their chances of obtaining an Elder Council position.
• Heavenly Profound Sect disciples: They strongly side with their sect and resent outsiders who presume to demand explanations from it.

Significant Themes

• Authority and legitimacy: The chapter questions who has the right to challenge an institution’s internal decisions, especially when outsiders seek entry into it.
• Merit versus privilege: The applicants interpret the sect’s internal candidates as beneficiaries of favoritism, while the Grand Elder argues that true candidates should be able to compete regardless of origin.
• Rules and order: The Grand Elder emphasizes that the Elder Council can only function through clearly established rules, foreshadowing the formal selection criteria.
• Hidden agendas and political maneuvering: The recruitment is not merely a test of strength; Chen Changan, the Grand Elder, and Sect Master Qi are also watching for conspirators and potential troublemakers.
• Fear of the unknown: The candidates’ uncertainty about Chen Changan’s cultivation and the selection process fuels suspicion and conflict.

Character Interactions

• Sect disciples and outside applicants debate Chen Changan’s qualifications and speculate about his cultivation.
• The outsiders challenge the Heavenly Profound Sect’s fairness, while the sect disciples angrily defend their organization.
• The Grand Elder directly confronts the instigator, dismantling his accusations and questioning whether the applicants are truly qualified.
• The Grand Elder and Sect Master Qi communicate silently, maintaining their plan to observe suspicious individuals without revealing what they know.
• The chapter ends with the Grand Elder addressing everyone collectively and demanding acceptance of the rules before recruitment proceeds.

Chapter Summary: “Character Can Stand the Test of Time”

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Heavenly Profound Sect establishes an Elder Council and begins recruiting candidates for twenty positions.
• The Grand Elder announces the Council’s rules before recruitment proceeds. Members must contribute to the sect and cannot enjoy its resources without fulfilling duties.
• Sect Master Qi explains that accepted members will receive basic cultivation resources, with additional rewards for completing missions.
• Selection will evaluate both strength and character. However, the sect will not directly test human nature, believing that character reveals itself naturally over time.
• Instead, candidates are encouraged to observe and supervise one another, allowing unethical or unreliable individuals to expose themselves gradually.
• The first stage will focus on combat strength. Heavenly Profound Sect’s own members will participate alongside outside candidates but will not occupy the twenty available positions.
• Combatants will draw lots to determine opponents. Winners advance immediately, while losers receive a second chance; the five strongest among the initial losers will also advance.
• The random drawing system is intended to prevent favoritism or manipulation by the sect.

Character Developments

• The Grand Elder demonstrates a practical and uncompromising approach by insisting that rules be established before candidates receive benefits.
• Sect Master Qi presents the selection system as fair, transparent, and focused on long-term reliability rather than superficial tests of morality.
• The candidates initially question the strict rules, benefits, fairness of the competition, and how character can be judged. They gradually become more accepting as the sect explains its safeguards.
• The candidates also begin secretly observing one another, becoming part of the sect’s indirect method of evaluating character.

Significant Themes

• Character reveals itself over time: The chapter emphasizes that genuine morality cannot easily be measured through artificial tests; people’s true nature eventually becomes apparent.
• Fairness and transparency: The sect seeks to prevent favoritism through clear rules, equal participation, random pairings, and a second chance for defeated candidates.
• Responsibility and mutual trust: Elder Council members will undertake missions together, making reliability and character essential because one untrustworthy companion could endanger everyone.
• Merit balanced with morality: Strength is necessary for advancement, but the sect also values integrity and cooperation.
• Mutual supervision: Rather than relying solely on official judgment, the sect encourages candidates to observe and expose one another’s flaws.

Character Interactions

• The Grand Elder and Sect Master Qi work together to explain and defend the recruitment system.
• Candidates challenge the officials with questions about rules, benefits, character assessment, fairness, internal sect participation, and opponent selection.
• Sect Master Qi responds calmly and persuasively, gaining the candidates’ approval by emphasizing equal treatment.
• The crowd largely agrees that character matters as much as strength and praises Heavenly Profound Sect’s reputation for fairness.
• By the chapter’s end, the candidates are prepared to draw lots and begin the strength-based selection.

Chapter Summary: “Do Dogs Participate Too?”

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Elder Council selection begins with a fair, anonymous lottery. The 120 participants draw numbers, and matches are arranged so that number one faces number 120, number two faces number 119, and so on.
• The participants are surprised to discover that Da Huang, Chen Changan’s dog, is competing in the selection rather than merely accompanying his master.
• The crowd debates whether Da Huang can cultivate human techniques and whether he is truly a dog. Some suspect that his current form may not be his true form, but Da Huang proudly ignores their speculation.
• Chen Changan and his companions draw their numbers without being matched against one another. Chen Changan draws number one, meaning he must fight the participant who drew number 120.
• His opponent, a Third-Tier Ultimate Immortal Ascension Realm cultivator, assumes victory will be easy because Chen Changan is only at the First-Tier.
• Chen Changan advises him to attack seriously, but the opponent interprets this as arrogance and launches an assault.
• Chen Changan defeats him instantly with a single flash of sword light. The opponent collapses, alive but completely unable to continue.
• The spectators are stunned by the overwhelming difference in strength. Chen Changan’s victory proves that he can defeat opponents two cultivation tiers above him with ease.
• Heavenly Profound Sect’s disciples, initially jealous or doubtful of Chen Changan’s special status, become fully convinced that his strength justifies his participation and privileges.

Character Developments

• Chen Changan: Demonstrates extraordinary combat ability and confidence. Although his cultivation realm appears low, his actual fighting strength is far beyond what others expected. His calm warning to his opponent shows both self-assurance and a lack of unnecessary malice.
• Da Huang: Reveals that he is an official participant in the selection, suggesting that his abilities and origins are more mysterious than they appear. His proud reaction to the crowd’s attention reinforces his amusing, self-satisfied personality.
• Chen Changan’s opponent: Begins the match arrogant and confident, believing that defeating a First-Tier cultivator will be effortless. His instant defeat leaves him humiliated and afraid to meet Chen Changan’s eyes.
• Heavenly Profound Sect disciples: Shift from curiosity, jealousy, or skepticism to admiration and respect after witnessing Chen Changan’s overwhelming victory.

Significant Themes

• Fairness and impartiality: The anonymous lottery prevents favoritism and cheating, allowing everyone to accept the tournament’s results.
• Strength versus cultivation level: Chen Changan’s victory emphasizes that realm alone does not determine combat ability. True power, talent, and technique can overcome a large difference in cultivation.
• Prejudice and changing perceptions: Many participants initially underestimate both Chen Changan and Da Huang. Chen Changan’s victory forces them to reconsider their assumptions.
• Hidden identities and potential: The uncertainty surrounding Da Huang’s true form hints that appearances may conceal extraordinary origins or abilities.
• Recognition through action: Rather than defending his reputation verbally, Chen Changan proves his worth through a decisive battle.

Character Interactions

• The participants openly speculate about Da Huang’s eligibility, species, and possible future position on the Elder Council, while Da Huang responds with silent pride.
• Chen Changan’s companions compare their lottery numbers and confirm that they will not face one another immediately.
• Chen Changan and his opponent exchange tense words before the match. Chen Changan urges him to fight seriously, while the opponent responds with arrogance and threats.
• After the one-strike victory, the spectators discuss Chen Changan’s power and acknowledge that Heavenly Profound Sect was right to permit him to participate.
• The chapter ends with Chen Changan observing that his victory may have caused other contestants to panic, foreshadowing heightened tension in the tournament.

Chapter Summary: The Importance of Preserving Footage

Key Plot Points and Events

• Many participants in the Elder Council selection were secretly sent by the Carefree Abode and Exquisite Grotto. Their goals were to infiltrate the Heavenly Profound Sect or disrupt the selection rather than genuinely join the Elder Council.
• Chen Changan, Sect Master Qi, and their allies had already identified several infiltrators but deliberately avoided exposing them immediately. They wanted to avoid frightening hidden conspirators into becoming more cautious.
• The first day of the selection progressed extremely slowly because many contestants were evenly matched. Mu Yunyao did not even get the chance to compete, while Da Huang complained about the delays.
• Chen Changan assigned Da Huang and Xiao Hei to investigate possible secret meetings after the day’s matches. They successfully discovered three separate groups conspiring against the selection.
• The conspirators decided to target legitimate competitors rather than Heavenly Profound Sect members directly. Their plan was to injure contestants severely—without killing them—so that fewer people could advance to the Elder Council.
• Da Huang and Xiao Hei secretly recorded and preserved footage of the conspirators’ conversations, providing undeniable evidence and revealing additional infiltrators.
• Mu Yunyao asked whether Chen Changan would allow the conspirators to act before dealing with them, but Chen Changan rejected the idea. He decided to expose them immediately to prevent disruption and protect the selection.
• On the second day, just as contestant eleven was about to begin a match, Chen Changan stopped the proceedings and announced that he had something important to show everyone.

Character Developments

• Chen Changan demonstrates strategic patience and caution by allowing the infiltrators to reveal themselves rather than acting prematurely. Once he obtains conclusive evidence, he acts decisively and prioritizes the selection’s safety.
• Da Huang and Xiao Hei prove their usefulness as covert investigators. They not only gather information but preserve recordings that prevent the conspirators from denying their actions.
• Mu Yunyao shows curiosity and concern about Chen Changan’s strategy, questioning whether he will wait for the conspirators to make their move.
• The infiltrators shift from passive troublemakers to organized conspirators, agreeing to deliberately eliminate legitimate competitors through severe but technically defensible attacks.
• Sect Master Qi and the Heavenly Profound Sect remain vigilant, monitoring the participants and maintaining control of the selection despite the hidden threats.

Significant Themes

• The importance of evidence: Preserving footage ensures that the conspirators cannot manipulate the situation or escape responsibility through excuses.
• Patience versus immediate action: Chen Changan waits until he has uncovered the broader conspiracy, then acts before any real damage occurs.
• Political infiltration and loyalty: The selection is not merely a competition; it is also a battleground between the Heavenly Profound Sect and rival factions.
• Manipulation of rules: The conspirators intend to exploit the lack of explicit restrictions against severe attacks, exposing how rules can be twisted for political purposes.
• Protecting fairness and institutional stability: Chen Changan’s intervention is intended to preserve the integrity and smooth progress of the Elder Council selection.

Character Interactions

• Da Huang complains to Chen Changan and the others about the slow pace of the matches, then eagerly accepts the mission to investigate secret gatherings.
• Da Huang and Xiao Hei work together to spy on and record the conspirators’ discussions.
• Da Huang reports their findings to Chen Changan, including the expanded list of infiltrators.
• Mu Yunyao asks Chen Changan how he plans to respond, prompting him to explain that the evidence will be revealed publicly.
• Chen Changan addresses the entire audience on the second day, halting the next match and preparing to expose the conspiracy.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Changan reveals secretly recorded footage showing several participants conspiring against the Heavenly Profound Sect during its selection.
• The evidence identifies their connection to the Carefree Abode and the Exquisite Grotto, who apparently intend to undermine the sect and disrupt the selection.
• The exposed individuals deny everything, accusing the Heavenly Profound Sect of fabricating evidence and using the incident as an excuse to favor secretly chosen candidates.
• Chen Changan explains that the sect anticipated their interference, monitored everyone from the beginning, and recorded their actions to provide the assembled candidates with proof.
• Sect Master Qi gives Chen Changan full authority to deal with the infiltrators.
• Chen Changan declares that anyone who offends the Heavenly Profound Sect will be killed without mercy. He then immediately attacks and kills more than thirty Ultimate Immortal Ascension Realm experts with Sword Qi.
• Despite being only at the first level of the Ultimate Immortal Ascension Realm, Chen Changan defeats them instantly, shocking everyone present.
• He warns the remaining hidden conspirators to leave voluntarily or face the same fate.

Character Developments

• Chen Changan demonstrates overwhelming combat strength, decisiveness, and absolute loyalty to the Heavenly Profound Sect. His reputation rises dramatically as everyone realizes that his battle power far exceeds his cultivation level.
• Sect Master Qi shows complete trust in Chen Changan by publicly granting him unrestricted authority, confirming his importance within the sect.
• The conspirators are exposed as deceptive and ruthless. Their attempts to deny the evidence fail to protect them.
• The attending rogue cultivators shift from curiosity and suspicion to admiration and worship after witnessing Chen Changan’s strength.
• The Heavenly Profound Sect members are angered by the conspiracy and become more aware of Chen Changan’s extraordinary status and abilities.

Significant Themes

• Strength as authority: Chen Changan’s overwhelming power establishes his right to command more convincingly than rank or cultivation level.
• Loyalty and protection: The Heavenly Profound Sect protects its own interests and responds decisively to threats.
• Exposure versus deception: Secret schemes and false denials collapse when confronted with undeniable evidence.
• Deterrence through force: Chen Changan’s execution of the conspirators serves as both punishment and a warning to future enemies.
• Reputation and admiration: The rogue cultivators’ respect reflects the cultivation-world belief that genuine strength earns authority and loyalty.

Character Interactions

• The gathered participants question and condemn the conspirators after viewing the footage.
• The accused attempt to manipulate Sect Master Qi and the crowd by claiming they are being framed.
• Chen Changan directly refutes their excuses and explains how the sect uncovered their plot.
• Sect Master Qi publicly supports Chen Changan, instructing him to decide the conspirators’ fate.
• Chen Changan responds with a decisive massacre and then addresses the remaining hidden enemies, offering them one final chance to withdraw.

Chapter Summary: “Killing Was the Only Way to Intimidate Them”

Key Plot Points and Events

• After Chen Changan exposes the possibility that infiltrators from rival forces are among the Elder Council selection participants, Sect Master Qi temporarily cancels the competition.
• Qi offers suspicious participants a chance to leave peacefully, warning that anyone who remains despite harboring hostile intentions will suffer the same fate as the previously exposed troublemakers.
• Chen explains that the Heavenly Profound Sect must respond forcefully. Its leniency has encouraged outsiders to believe they can cause trouble without consequences.
• Although Chen does not know exactly who the hidden infiltrators are, he studies everyone’s reactions. He identifies those whose panic suggests guilt and plans to deal with them directly if they remain.
• By nightfall, many participants secretly flee, leaving only about half of the original group. This confirms Chen’s psychological tactic was effective.
• The Grand Elder and Sect Master Qi conclude that the Carefree Abode and the Exquisite Grotto likely orchestrated the infiltration. They agree the two factions must be punished.
• Chen proposes demanding compensation. If the factions refuse, he intends to force them to comply through violence.
• Chen takes responsibility for dealing with the Carefree Abode and Exquisite Grotto while Sect Master Qi continues overseeing the selection.
• He leaves alone, believing it will be easier to act without restraint. Da Huang and the others jokingly—or enthusiastically—encourage him to kill enough enemies to count for their share as well.

Character Developments

• Chen Changan is portrayed as ruthless, calculating, and highly perceptive. He uses fear and psychological pressure as strategic tools, believing that suspicion and decisive action can be justified when the safety of the entire sect is at stake.
• Sect Master Qi becomes increasingly impressed by Chen’s leadership and judgment, even admitting that Chen seems more suited to be sect master. At the same time, Qi remains uneasy about Chen’s aggressive methods.
• The Grand Elder and other sect leaders shift from concern about the incident to support for retaliatory action against the rival factions.
• Da Huang and Chen’s companions demonstrate complete confidence in Chen’s strength and temperament, expecting him to respond with overwhelming violence.

Significant Themes

• Fear as a weapon: Chen argues that only severe consequences will deter enemies from testing the Heavenly Profound Sect.
• Justice versus evidence: He believes protecting the sect can justify acting on suspicion rather than waiting for formal proof.
• Leadership and responsibility: Chen takes on the dangerous task of confronting the rival factions, while Qi focuses on maintaining the sect’s internal affairs.
• Reputation and deterrence: The sect’s future security depends on convincing outsiders that attacks against it will carry a heavy price.
• Moral ambiguity: The chapter questions how far one should go to protect a community, especially when killing may be based on suspicion rather than certainty.

Character Interactions

• Chen and Sect Master Qi debate whether leniency or harsher punishment is the proper response to the infiltrators.
• Qi admires Chen’s decisiveness but worries that his methods are too extreme.
• Chen rejects the idea of becoming sect master, claiming the position is too burdensome, despite displaying strong leadership qualities.
• The Grand Elder supports punishing the Carefree Abode and Exquisite Grotto, while Qi seeks Chen’s advice on how to proceed.
• Chen’s companions choose to remain for the selection and trust him to handle the rival factions alone, even encouraging his violent retaliation.

Chapter Summary: “You Have No Evidence, but I Do!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Changan leaves the Heavenly Profound Sect and travels alone to the Carefree Abode.
• He openly identifies himself as a member of the Heavenly Profound Sect and requests an audience with the Carefree Abode Master.
• The Carefree Abode’s members become uneasy, suspecting that their secret interference in the Heavenly Profound Sect’s Elder Council selection may have been exposed.
• An Elder recognizes Chen Changan as one of the survivors of the Netherworld Mystic Realm expedition and accuses him of possibly killing the Carefree Abode’s participants.
• Chen Changan challenges the accusation, demanding evidence and warning that unfounded claims could be interpreted as an attempt to provoke war.
• When the Carefree Abode argues that suspicion is justified because only the Heavenly Profound Sect’s people survived, Chen Changan counters by accusing them of sabotaging the Heavenly Profound Sect’s Elder Council selection.
• The Carefree Abode insists that the Heavenly Profound Sect also has no proof. Chen Changan then reveals recorded images documenting the Carefree Abode’s actions.
• The Carefree Abode attempts to question the authenticity of the images, but Chen Changan threatens them by recalling that he killed those who demanded similar proof at the Heavenly Profound Sect.
• Rather than immediately declaring war, Chen Changan offers the Carefree Abode a chance to compensate the Heavenly Profound Sect and settle the matter.
• The Carefree Abode Master offers ten years’ worth of resources, but Chen Changan rejects the proposal as insincere and demands a thousand years’ worth of resources.

Character Developments

• Chen Changan demonstrates confidence, composure, and formidable political skill. He uses the Carefree Abode’s own arguments against them and maintains control despite being alone in hostile territory.
• He also reveals a ruthless side through his threat that opponents who refuse to accept his evidence may simply be killed.
• The Carefree Abode Master becomes increasingly wary and pressured as Chen Changan exposes the organization’s misconduct. He struggles between preserving the Abode’s dignity and avoiding an open conflict with the Heavenly Profound Sect.
• The Carefree Abode Elder is shown to be suspicious and accusatory, but his claims lose force once Chen Changan produces concrete evidence.
• The Carefree Abode’s disciples and elders shift from confidence and hostility to anxiety after realizing that their actions have been recorded.

Significant Themes

• Evidence versus suspicion: The chapter repeatedly contrasts unsupported accusations with concrete proof.
• Political intimidation and power: Chen Changan uses words, evidence, and implied violence to force the Carefree Abode into a defensive position.
• Diplomacy backed by strength: Although Chen Changan threatens war, he offers negotiation—provided the Carefree Abode pays a sufficiently large price.
• Dignity versus survival: The Carefree Abode must choose between maintaining its pride and conceding resources to avoid greater losses.
• Turning accusations back on the accuser: Chen Changan skillfully reverses the Carefree Abode’s allegations, making them defend their own actions.

Character Interactions

• Chen Changan initially interacts politely with the Carefree Abode’s guards and leadership, but his calm demeanor conceals an aggressive purpose.
• The recognized Elder accuses him of murdering the Carefree Abode’s expedition members, leading to a verbal confrontation.
• Chen Changan and the Carefree Abode Master engage in a battle of rhetoric, each insisting that suspicion alone does not constitute proof.
• Once Chen Changan displays the recorded evidence, the Carefree Abode’s members lose their composure.
• The final negotiation centers on compensation: the Carefree Abode offers ten years of resources, while Chen Changan declares that only one thousand years would demonstrate adequate sincerity.

Chapter Summary: “Challenge the Heavenly Profound Sect?”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Changan demands that the Carefree Abode hand over a thousand years’ worth of resources as compensation for its conflict with the Heavenly Profound Sect.
• The Carefree Abode refuses, accusing Chen Changan and the Heavenly Profound Sect of making unreasonable demands and failing to offer an explanation for their own past actions.
• Chen Changan reveals that his actions have the approval of the Heavenly Profound Sect’s sect master, then abandons negotiation and attacks.
• Despite appearing to be only at the first level of the Ultimate Immortal Ascension Realm, Chen Changan kills a third-level Elder of the Carefree Abode with a single sword strike.
• He continues slaughtering the Carefree Abode’s leaders and disciples, rejecting their offer to surrender their resources in exchange for mercy.
• Chen Changan declares that the Carefree Abode will be completely erased for provoking him and the Heavenly Profound Sect. The entire sect is exterminated in less than a day, and Chen Changan takes its resources.
• He immediately travels to confront the Exquisite Grotto, suggesting that he intends to eliminate the Heavenly Profound Sect’s enemies rather than allow them to recover or retaliate.
• Meanwhile, the Heavenly Profound Sect’s elders worry about the consequences of Chen Changan’s actions, especially the possibility that the Carefree Abode and Exquisite Grotto might unite against them.
• The sect discusses the recently completed Elder Council selection. They praise Mu Yunyao and the other newly chosen members but worry that their extraordinary talents may cause them to leave the sect eventually.
• The elders also agree to monitor outsiders who entered the Elder Council, since their loyalty and intentions remain uncertain.
• The chapter ends when a panicked disciple announces that someone has arrived to challenge the Heavenly Profound Sect.

Character Developments

• Chen Changan is portrayed as ruthless, decisive, and overwhelmingly powerful. He has no intention of settling the conflict peacefully and adopts a “destroy the roots” strategy to prevent future retaliation.
• The Carefree Abode’s leaders shift from arrogance and disbelief to fear once Chen Changan demonstrates that his apparent cultivation level does not reflect his true combat strength.
• Sect Master Qi appears cautious and pragmatic. Although he approved Chen Changan’s mission, he admits that he cannot predict Chen Changan’s actions or their consequences.
• The Heavenly Profound Sect’s elders become increasingly aware that the sect’s talented younger members, particularly Mu Yunyao and the other geniuses, may eventually outgrow the sect.

Significant Themes

• Power hidden beneath appearances: Chen Changan’s low apparent cultivation conceals his ability to kill much stronger opponents effortlessly.
• Ruthlessness and deterrence: Chen Changan believes enemies must be eliminated completely to prevent future trouble, emphasizing the harsh logic of survival in the cultivation world.
• Revenge and consequences: The Carefree Abode’s earlier provocation results in its total destruction, showing that conflicts between powerful sects can escalate beyond negotiation.
• Growth versus loyalty: The Heavenly Profound Sect benefits from nurturing extraordinary talents but fears that their rapid advancement will eventually take them elsewhere.
• Uncertainty and impending conflict: The sect’s concerns about internal outsiders and the arrival of a challenger foreshadow further danger.

Character Interactions

• Chen Changan confronts the Carefree Abode’s leaders, trading hostile accusations with them before ending the discussion through violence.
• The Carefree Abode’s master attempts to threaten Chen Changan, then tries to bargain by offering the sect’s resources, but Chen Changan rejects the offer and continues the extermination.
• Sect Master Qi and the elders debate whether Chen Changan’s actions could bring disaster upon the Heavenly Profound Sect.
• The elders discuss Mu Yunyao and the other newly selected council members, expressing both admiration for their strength and concern about retaining them.
• The chapter closes with the elders reacting to a disciple’s alarm that an unknown challenger has appeared at the Heavenly Profound Sect.

Chapter Summary: “Da Huang VS Zhan Tian”

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Heavenly Profound Sect learns that a mysterious outsider named Zhan Tian has arrived to issue a challenge.
• Zhan Tian claims he travels around challenging powerful experts to improve his combat skills. Although he uses a likely false name, his extraordinary bearing suggests an impressive background.
• He asks to fight the strongest person in the sect, apparently intending to challenge the Grand Elder.
• Sect Master Qi recognizes that Zhan Tian is at the fifth level of the Ultimate Immortal Ascension Realm, only one level below the Grand Elder. Concerned that the Grand Elder might suffer a public defeat, the sect hesitates.
• Da Huang volunteers to fight instead, giving the sect a suitable representative without risking the Grand Elder’s reputation.
• Da Huang and Zhan Tian immediately discover that they share an unusual connection: both have visited brothels. Their vulgar exchange creates a comedic atmosphere and establishes them as “kindred spirits.”
• Despite the large difference in cultivation, Da Huang and Zhan Tian fight evenly. Their first clash ends without a clear winner, and they subsequently exchange hundreds of moves.
• The spectators conclude that Da Huang’s ability to match a higher-level opponent demonstrates that he may already have the advantage in terms of actual strength.

Character Developments

• Zhan Tian is revealed to be a confident, serious, and likely exceptionally talented young cultivator. He seeks challenging opponents and treats every battle seriously, but he is also surprisingly humorous and open-minded.
• Da Huang once again displays his immense combat ability despite his lower cultivation. He is arrogant, direct, and shamelessly lewd, but he also shows loyalty and hospitality toward someone he considers a new friend.
• Sect Master Qi demonstrates caution and political awareness by avoiding a potentially damaging battle between Zhan Tian and the Grand Elder.
• The disciples’ admiration for Da Huang grows as they witness him stand against an opponent with a higher cultivation level.

Significant Themes

• Strength versus cultivation: The battle emphasizes that realm alone does not determine combat ability. Da Huang’s lower cultivation does not prevent him from matching Zhan Tian.
• Respect between strong opponents: Both fighters recognize the other’s abilities and approach the duel seriously.
• Comedic camaraderie: Their shared brothel experience creates an absurd but immediate bond, blending humor with the chapter’s action.
• Reputation and sect morale: Sect Master Qi’s reluctance to let Zhan Tian challenge the Grand Elder highlights the importance of public victories and the preservation of institutional prestige.
• Hidden identities and extraordinary backgrounds: Zhan Tian’s false name and unusual talent suggest that he may come from a powerful faction.

Character Interactions

• Sect Master Qi questions Zhan Tian about his purpose and background before agreeing to the challenge.
• Zhan Tian requests to fight the strongest member of the sect, prompting concern among the elders and disciples.
• Da Huang steps forward as the substitute opponent.
• Da Huang and Zhan Tian quickly move from suspicious strangers to joking “kindred spirits” after discovering their shared interests.
• Their friendly conversation transitions into a serious and evenly matched battle, with both promising not to hold back.
• The disciples watch anxiously, debating whether Da Huang can win, while recognizing that matching a stronger opponent already proves his exceptional strength.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• After a fierce half-hour battle, Zhan Tian and Da Huang stop fighting. Zhan Tian is thrilled by the challenge, while Da Huang remains smug, having clearly impressed him.
• Zhan Tian praises Da Huang and becomes curious about Da Huang’s “big brother” and “Sister-in-law,” whom Da Huang claims are vastly stronger.
• Da Huang points out Mu Yunyao as his Sister-in-law. Zhan Tian immediately becomes eager to challenge her, believing her combat ability may exceed even Da Huang’s.
• Mu Yunyao refuses, explaining that she has no interest in wasting time on a fight that offers her no benefit. Her response forces Zhan Tian to reconsider his assumption that others should accept his challenges simply because he enjoys them.
• Zhan Tian jokingly tries to call Mu Yunyao “Sister-in-law,” but she firmly rejects the familiar title.
• Chen Changan arrives and offers to accept Zhan Tian’s challenge. Zhan Tian is overjoyed and attacks without restraint.
• Chen Changan defeats Zhan Tian effortlessly, repeatedly kicking him through the sky before Zhan Tian can even react. The Heavenly Profound Sect members watch in amusement and pity.

Character Developments

• Zhan Tian: Revealed as an enthusiastic battle seeker who values powerful opponents and uses combat to identify his weaknesses. However, his impulsive and overly familiar nature leads him to underestimate the people around Da Huang. His confidence is completely shattered when Chen Changan defeats him without effort.
• Da Huang: Establishes himself as both powerful and boastful. He genuinely respects Chen Changan and Mu Yunyao, repeatedly warning Zhan Tian that challenging them would be disastrous. He also displays a teasing, sibling-like relationship with Mu Yunyao.
• Mu Yunyao: Demonstrates confidence, independence, and clear boundaries. She refuses to fight merely to satisfy someone else’s desire for excitement and rebukes Zhan Tian’s presumptuous behavior.
• Chen Changan: Appears calm and harmless but is revealed to possess overwhelming strength. His casual acceptance of Zhan Tian’s challenge and effortless victory reinforce his immense power.

Significant Themes

• Strength and hierarchy: The chapter emphasizes the enormous gap between different levels of power, with Zhan Tian’s impressive battle ability becoming meaningless against Chen Changan.
• Respecting personal choice: Mu Yunyao challenges Zhan Tian’s assumption that strong fighters are obligated to accept his challenges.
• Overconfidence and humility: Zhan Tian’s excitement and confidence quickly turn into helplessness when he encounters someone far beyond his ability.
• Comedic contrast: Serious battle intent is repeatedly undercut by banter, mistaken identities, exaggerated reactions, and Chen Changan’s almost casual domination.

Character Interactions

• Zhan Tian and Da Huang share a competitive but increasingly respectful exchange after their battle.
• Da Huang praises Chen Changan and Mu Yunyao while mocking Zhan Tian’s chances against them.
• Mu Yunyao and Da Huang interact like close family, with Da Huang teasing her and Mu Yunyao openly admitting her favoritism toward Chen Changan.
• Zhan Tian’s attempts to ingratiate himself with Mu Yunyao are rejected, though she eventually agrees to let Chen Changan fight him.
• Chen Changan’s effortless defeat of Zhan Tian confirms Da Huang’s warnings and leaves the observers amused, shocked, and somewhat sympathetic toward Zhan Tian.

Chapter Summary: I Wiped Them All Out

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Changan defeats Zhan Tian so completely that Zhan Tian’s confidence and pride are shattered.
• Rather than becoming discouraged, Zhan Tian realizes that his previous victories had made him arrogant and that he still has much to learn.
• Zhan Tian thanks Chen Changan for the lesson and accepts that there are always stronger people and greater realms beyond his current understanding.
• Chen Changan warns Zhan Tian that admiring or pursuing his sister-in-law would have resulted in death, emphasizing how seriously he protects his relationships.
• Chen Changan meets with Qi Sect Master to report the outcome of his mission.
• Zhan Tian discusses Chen Changan’s overwhelming strength with Da Huang and concludes that even other famed geniuses cannot compare to him.
• Impressed by the Heavenly Profound Sect and eager to remain, Zhan Tian abandons his original role as a challenger and decides to join the sect.
• The Grand Elder quickly appoints Zhan Tian to the Elder Council, recognizing the value of gaining such a powerful ally.
• Zhan Tian and Da Huang immediately bond over their shared interest in visiting brothels, much to Mu Yunyao’s exasperation.
• In the discussion hall, Chen Changan reveals that the Carefree Abode and the Exquisite Grotto have been completely destroyed.
• The sect leaders are stunned, having expected difficulty but never total annihilation. Chen Changan proudly confirms: “I wiped them all out.”

Character Developments

• Zhan Tian: Experiences a major psychological breakthrough. His defeat transforms his arrogance into humility, self-awareness, and renewed determination. He also decides to join the Heavenly Profound Sect rather than continue challenging opponents.
• Chen Changan: Demonstrates overwhelming strength, confidence, and ruthless decisiveness. He also acts as a mentor to Zhan Tian while making clear that betrayal or romantic interference involving his family would not be tolerated.
• Da Huang: Continues to admire Chen Changan while teasing Zhan Tian. He quickly forms a mischievous friendship with him based on their shared interests.
• Grand Elder: Shows political awareness and efficiency by immediately recruiting Zhan Tian into the Elder Council.
• Mu Yunyao: Observes the changing group dynamic with resignation, recognizing that Zhan Tian may become a permanent member of their party.

Significant Themes

• Humility through defeat: Zhan Tian learns that losing to a stronger opponent can be more valuable than continuing to win against weaker enemies.
• Personal growth and self-awareness: His ability to understand and accept his flaws allows him to avoid becoming trapped by arrogance.
• Strength and absolute dominance: Chen Changan’s effortless victory and destruction of two major powers establish him as far beyond ordinary geniuses and sect leaders.
• Loyalty and protection: Chen Changan’s warning regarding his sister-in-law shows the seriousness of his personal boundaries and devotion to those close to him.
• Recruitment and alliance-building: Zhan Tian’s decision to stay strengthens the Heavenly Profound Sect and expands its circle of powerful figures.

Important Character Interactions

• Chen Changan and Zhan Tian: Their confrontation evolves into a mentor-student-like exchange, with Zhan Tian sincerely thanking Chen Changan for correcting his arrogance.
• Zhan Tian and Da Huang: The two trade insults and jokes, quickly developing a comedic but friendly partnership.
• Grand Elder and Zhan Tian: The Grand Elder immediately formalizes Zhan Tian’s recruitment into the Elder Council.
• Mu Yunyao and the group: She reacts helplessly to Da Huang and Zhan Tian’s shared antics and worries about the growing size of their party.
• Chen Changan and Qi Sect Master: Chen Changan delivers the shocking report that both enemy forces have been completely eliminated.

Chapter Summary: No Matter the Rules, Fists Are the Hardest Truth

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Changan confirms that he completely destroyed both hostile cave abodes, leaving no survivors or hidden threats.
• Sect Master Qi and the others are shocked by the scale and thoroughness of his actions, recognizing that the destruction will cause major upheaval throughout the Forgetfulness River Territory and possibly nearby territories.
• Chen Changan urges the Heavenly Profound Sect to immediately seize the two cave abodes’ territories and resources before rival forces can react.
• The Grand Elder leads several Elders and trusted disciples to take control of the abandoned territories.
• Sect Master Qi explains that the destruction of the two cave abodes has disrupted the region’s established balance of power. An unwritten rule prevents one force from completely dominating a territory, meaning outside factions may now intervene and compete for the newly available resources.
• Chen Changan argues that strength matters more than rules. He insists that any faction attempting to seize the Heavenly Profound Sect’s territory should be defeated, and that the sect should reclaim territory from those who attack it.
• The Heavenly Profound Sect resolves to prepare for future conflicts while using the coming crisis as an opportunity to expand and grow stronger.

Character Developments

• Chen Changan demonstrates his decisive, ruthless, and strategic nature. Although his actions appear aggressive, he has eliminated all future threats and immediately recognizes the opportunity created by the cave abodes’ destruction.
• He also reveals a bold philosophy: advancement inevitably creates enemies, and survival depends on superior strength rather than adherence to supposedly stable rules.
• Sect Master Qi shifts from concern over the consequences to accepting Chen Changan’s more aggressive outlook. He recognizes that the Heavenly Profound Sect must prepare for conflict instead of relying on cautious, peaceful development.
• The Grand Elder is portrayed as efficient and action-oriented, promptly carrying out the order to absorb the cave abodes’ territories.
• The other elders initially worry about the sect becoming a target, but Chen Changan’s confidence pushes them toward a more determined and confrontational stance.

Significant Themes

• Strength over rules: The chapter’s central idea is that formal rules and unwritten agreements matter only when backed by power. As Chen Changan puts it, “fists are the hardest truth.”
• Expansion inevitably creates conflict: A rising sect cannot grow without threatening existing powers, ensuring opposition and bloodshed.
• Crisis as opportunity: The destruction of the cave abodes creates danger but also gives the Heavenly Profound Sect access to vast new resources and territory.
• Balance of power and political instability: The region’s stability depends on multiple forces checking one another. Removing two major powers leaves a vacuum that outsiders will attempt to fill.
• Preparation and retaliation: The sect must strengthen itself, remember those who attack it, and be willing to retaliate or seize resources in return.

Character Interactions

• Sect Master Qi questions Chen Changan about the consequences of destroying the cave abodes, leading to an explanation of the region’s unwritten balance-of-power rule.
• Chen Changan challenges Qi’s caution, arguing that the sect should not fear becoming a common enemy because growth will naturally provoke opposition.
• Chen Changan encourages the Grand Elder to act quickly, and the Grand Elder responds decisively by organizing the takeover.
• By the end of the discussion, Sect Master Qi and the elders move from anxiety and hesitation toward resolve, accepting that the Heavenly Profound Sect must embrace confrontation if it wishes to rise further.

Chapter Summary: “Sleeping, Evolution”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Da Huang is absent because he has gone to a brothel with Zhan Tian, who has officially joined the Heavenly Profound Sect’s Elder Council.
• News spreads rapidly that the Heavenly Profound Sect has destroyed the Carefree Abode and the Exquisite Grotto and seized their territories.
• The destruction shocks the River of Forgetfulness Territory. Other factions recognize the takeover as a rare opportunity to expand, and many expect the region to descend into chaos.
• The Heavenly Profound Sect prepares for the coming conflicts, understanding that controlling the two former territories will attract attacks from powerful rivals.
• Da Huang and Zhan Tian return immediately after hearing the news. Da Huang treats the upheaval as an exciting break from ordinary cultivation.
• Chen Changan questions Zhan Tian about his background and reasons for staying. Zhan Tian admits that he has a significant identity and selfish motives, but insists he has no ill intentions.
• Chen Changan accepts Zhan Tian provisionally, recognizing both his honesty and the sect’s current need for capable allies.
• Da Huang asks about Hongchen and Gou Sheng, revealing that Hongchen has been asleep since entering Ultimate Heaven, while Gou Sheng has been undergoing an unusually long evolution.
• Chen Changan suggests that Ultimate Heaven and the Ultimate Land may be triggering unknown transformations connected to the approaching final battle.

Character Developments

• Chen Changan remains calm and confident despite the enormous consequences of his actions. He demonstrates good judgment by cautiously assessing Zhan Tian rather than blindly trusting him.
• Zhan Tian reveals himself to be ambitious, adventurous, and self-aware. Although he acknowledges personal motives for following Chen Changan, his honesty earns him permission to remain in the sect.
• Da Huang continues to provide comic relief through his enthusiasm for brothels, which he humorously describes as a form of cultivation. He also shows concern for absent companions such as Hongchen and Gou Sheng.
• Hongchen remains mysterious, with his prolonged sleep possibly representing a hidden awakening or transformation.
• Gou Sheng is undergoing an unexplained evolution that has lasted for years, suggesting major changes may be occurring beyond the characters’ awareness.

Significant Themes

• The consequences of power: The Heavenly Profound Sect’s victory immediately destabilizes the wider region and attracts competitors.
• Opportunity and ambition: Rival factions are willing to risk conflict to seize the territories left behind by the destroyed abodes.
• Trust and honesty: Zhan Tian’s frank admission of selfish motives allows Chen Changan to accept him, emphasizing that concealed intentions are more dangerous than openly acknowledged ones.
• Adventure versus stagnation: Zhan Tian and Da Huang both value excitement and growth over a predictable life devoted solely to cultivation.
• Transformation and hidden change: Hongchen’s sleep and Gou Sheng’s evolution imply that major developments may be occurring quietly as the final battle approaches.

Important Character Interactions

• Chen Changan and Mu Yunyao discuss Da Huang, Zhan Tian, and the sect’s expanding influence.
• Da Huang and Zhan Tian bond over their shared enthusiasm for pleasure and adventure, with Zhan Tian admiring Da Huang’s unconventional outlook.
• Chen Changan and Zhan Tian have a serious conversation about Zhan Tian’s identity, ambitions, and loyalty. Their exchange establishes a cautious but genuine foundation of trust.
• Da Huang and Chen Changan discuss the unexplained absences of Hongchen and Gou Sheng, prompting reflection on the changes taking place in Ultimate Heaven.

Chapter Summary: “Such a Gap?”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhan Tian asks Da Huang about the meaning of the mysterious “Decisive Battle Ground,” but Da Huang warns him not to pry into matters he does not understand.
• Curious about the difference between himself and Chen Changan’s group, Zhan Tian reveals that his potential value is five million—a result once considered extraordinary.
• Da Huang reveals that Guan Ao and Wang Ba each possess a potential value of thirty million, leaving Zhan Tian shocked, especially because both are servants within the group.
• Chen Changan then reveals Da Huang’s potential value: an astonishing one hundred and fifty million. Zhan Tian is devastated by the enormous gap and begins questioning his own talent.
• Chen Changan encourages Zhan Tian not to become discouraged, emphasizing that personal strength matters more than innate potential. He distributes the group’s newly acquired resources equally, including to the recently joined Zhan Tian.
• Zhan Tian is pleasantly surprised by receiving resources, recognizing the gesture as proof that Chen Changan and the others now accept him as one of their own.
• The group resumes cultivation, while the wider Forgetfulness River Territory becomes increasingly unstable.
• After approximately six months, outside forces learn that the Heavenly Profound Sect has destroyed two powerful cave abodes and obtained their territories and resources.
• Numerous factions begin planning to invade the Forgetfulness River and seize the newly available territory. Some intend to negotiate secretly with the Heavenly Profound Sect, while others anticipate a larger conflict.
• The outside forces decide to move quickly, hoping to secure territory before rival factions arrive and before the Heavenly Profound Sect can consolidate its position.

Character Developments

• Zhan Tian experiences a major blow to his pride after discovering that his five-million potential value is insignificant compared with the talents of Guan Ao, Wang Ba, and especially Da Huang. However, Chen Changan’s support redirects his attention from comparison toward cultivation and self-improvement.
• Da Huang continues to behave arrogantly and playfully, teasing Zhan Tian about the vast difference in their potential. His extraordinary talent is presented as one of the group’s hidden advantages.
• Chen Changan demonstrates leadership and fairness by encouraging Zhan Tian and giving him an equal share of resources despite his recent arrival. He also reinforces the group’s practical philosophy: strength and effort matter more than potential alone.
• Guan Ao and Wang Ba are revealed to possess remarkable talent despite their servant status, challenging Zhan Tian’s assumptions about social position and ability.
• The external factions are portrayed as opportunistic and strategic, viewing the Heavenly Profound Sect’s recent victories as an opening to expand their own influence.

Significant Themes

• Talent versus effort: Innate potential creates advantages, but Chen Changan insists that cultivation and actual strength are what ultimately matter.
• Humility and shattered pride: Zhan Tian’s confidence is undermined when he realizes that abilities he considered exceptional are ordinary compared with those of his companions.
• Equality and belonging: Chen Changan’s equal distribution of resources shows that loyalty and group membership matter more than seniority or background.
• Hidden strength: Characters who appear to occupy low social positions, such as servants, may possess extraordinary abilities.
• Political opportunism and instability: The destruction of the two cave abodes creates a power vacuum, attracting outside forces and threatening to plunge the Forgetfulness River into war.
• Strength as the basis of security: The chapter repeatedly suggests that resources, status, and territory are meaningless without enough power to defend them.

Important Character Interactions

• Zhan Tian and Da Huang: Their conversation begins with Zhan Tian’s curiosity and pride, but Da Huang’s revelations leave him stunned and embarrassed. Da Huang deliberately prolongs the suspense before Chen Changan reveals the truth about his talent.
• Zhan Tian and Chen Changan: Chen Changan shifts from exposing Zhan Tian’s inferiority to encouraging him. His decision to include Zhan Tian in the resource distribution strengthens their relationship.
• Chen Changan and the group: By treating Zhan Tian equally, Chen Changan reinforces his role as a fair and confident leader.
• The external factions: Their discussions reveal competing strategies—some favor negotiation with the Heavenly Profound Sect, while others focus on rapid military expansion. Together, they establish the looming threat of invasion.

Chapter Summary: The Possibility of a Complete Purge

Key Plot Points and Events

• The previously calm Forgetfulness River Territory becomes the focus of widespread speculation. Although many factions have entered the region, none immediately fight over the territories once controlled by the Carefree Abode and Exquisite Grotto.
• Observers suspect that the factions may be coordinating a larger plan: instead of fighting individually, they could unite to destroy the Heavenly Profound Sect and divide all the valuable territories among themselves.
• Within three days, representatives from seven factions visit the Heavenly Profound Sect to negotiate for territory. Their goal is to gain land without suffering losses in open combat.
• The Heavenly Profound Sect’s disciples become increasingly anxious, fearing that even with Chen Changan, Zhan Tian, and the newly created Elder Council, the sect may not withstand an alliance of so many factions.
• Qi Sect Master worries about the negotiations and the pressure facing the sect. Chen Changan suggests that the factions should be made to compete among themselves rather than forcing the Heavenly Profound Sect to choose who receives territory.
• Chen Changan then identifies a more serious danger: the negotiations may only be the beginning. The factions could eventually decide to purge the entire Forgetfulness River Territory, including the Heavenly Profound Sect, and redistribute all its resources.
• Zhan Tian explains that stronger factions seek territory not necessarily because they value the region itself, but because it can serve as a remote stronghold, branch station, and source of resources and talent for their central headquarters.
• Chen Changan realizes that the crisis is an ideal opportunity to test the newly established Elder Council and observe the true character of its members and the surrounding factions.

Character Developments

• Chen Changan remains calm and perceptive, treating the crisis less as an immediate threat and more as a strategic opportunity. He quickly sees beyond the factions’ stated desire for negotiation and recognizes the possibility of a region-wide purge.
• Qi Sect Master is anxious and inexperienced in dealing with such a large-scale political crisis. His understanding develops as Chen Changan and Zhan Tian reveal the deeper motives of the visiting factions.
• Zhan Tian demonstrates his broader experience and strategic insight by explaining why powerful factions would covet the Forgetfulness River despite its relatively limited importance.
• The Heavenly Profound Sect’s disciples become worried about their sect’s survival, showing that the sect’s new strength has not yet eliminated its vulnerability to a united enemy.
• Da Huang provides a brief humorous contrast, proudly reacting to Chen Changan’s compliment about its spinning.

Significant Themes

• The strong devour the weak: The chapter emphasizes that territorial expansion is driven by usefulness and power rather than morality or benevolence.
• Hidden motives beneath diplomacy: Negotiation may appear peaceful, but it can conceal preparations for greater conflict and exploitation.
• Expansion and strategic resources: Powerful factions seek outposts and supply sources to strengthen their main forces, even when they do not highly value the territory itself.
• Testing human nature: Chen Changan views the crisis as a way to expose people’s true loyalties, ambitions, and willingness to cooperate or betray others.
• Calm before the storm: The unnatural peace in the region suggests that a much larger confrontation may be approaching.

Character Interactions

• The visiting factions’ representatives astonish one another by discovering that many groups had independently conceived the same negotiation strategy.
• Qi Sect Master repeatedly presses Chen Changan for guidance, while Chen Changan responds with teasing remarks and strategic questions rather than immediate reassurance.
• Chen Changan challenges Qi Sect Master to think beyond the obvious territorial negotiations and recognize that the Heavenly Profound Sect itself may be targeted.
• Zhan Tian supports Chen Changan’s warning by explaining the broader strategic value of the Forgetfulness River.
• The exchange between Chen Changan and Qi Sect Master ends with Chen Changan embracing the crisis as a test for the Elder Council and, more broadly, for everyone involved.

Chapter Summary: “What Exactly Are You?”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Changan and Qi Sect Master discuss how the Heavenly Profound Sect’s Elder Council members will respond to the current crisis. Rather than testing their loyalty directly, Chen believes their choices—staying or leaving—will reveal their true character.
• Members who remain will be recognized as trustworthy and treated well in the future. Those who leave will not be punished, but they will permanently lose the chance to rejoin the Elder Council. This crisis will therefore purify the Council.
• Qi Sect Master raises the problem of factions that have entered Heavenly Profound Sect territory. Chen proposes confronting them through negotiations backed by intimidation, arguing that fear is necessary to prevent the sect from being repeatedly targeted.
• Chen reveals that he has advanced to the Second Layer of the Ultimate Immortal Ascension Realm. He claims that no one below that realm can defeat him and that he should be capable of fighting an Ultimate True Immortal, despite never having faced one.
• Impressed by Chen’s confidence and strength, Qi Sect Master leaves the matter of dealing with the hostile factions entirely to him.
• Zhan Tian offers to use his own connections to assist, but Chen rejects the idea, advising him not to rely on others unless absolutely necessary.
• Instead, Chen assigns Zhan Tian to investigate the Forgetfulness River and discover whether additional factions have secretly entered the River of Forgetfulness Territory.
• The chapter ends with Zhan Tian questioning Da Huang’s true identity after Chen refers to hidden enemies as “dogs” and Da Huang reacts defensively.

Character Developments

• Chen Changan demonstrates a pragmatic understanding of human nature. He does not force loyalty or condemn those who retreat, but he makes clear that choices have lasting consequences. His confidence and leadership also grow as he takes responsibility for confronting the hostile factions.
• Qi Sect Master becomes increasingly reliant on Chen, acknowledging both his strategic judgment and overwhelming combat potential. Their exchange also humorously highlights Qi Sect Master’s reluctance to remain responsible for the sect’s dangerous decisions.
• Zhan Tian develops greater respect for Chen, openly calling him “Big Brother.” He accepts Chen’s superiority without resentment and begins seeking opportunities to prove his own usefulness.
• Da Huang becomes the focus of a new mystery. His unusually powerful and abnormal nature prompts Zhan Tian to suspect that he possesses a hidden identity.

Significant Themes

• Human nature and loyalty: People’s true character is revealed through how they respond to danger, not through forced tests or declarations of allegiance.
• Trust and consequences: The Heavenly Profound Sect allows individuals to choose freely, but loyalty and betrayal carry different long-term outcomes.
• Power as protection: Chen argues that the sect must inspire fear in its enemies because passive compromise only encourages further aggression.
• Self-reliance: Chen teaches Zhan Tian that relying on personal ability should come before seeking outside connections.
• Hidden identities and strength: The chapter emphasizes that appearances can be deceptive, especially through Chen’s concealed combat ability and the hints surrounding Da Huang.

Character Interactions

• Chen and Qi Sect Master debate how to judge the Elder Council and handle hostile factions, with Chen taking the more aggressive and confident position.
• Qi Sect Master reacts with alarm to Chen’s willingness to confront powerful enemies, while Chen reassures him that his recent breakthrough gives him the strength to act.
• Zhan Tian praises Chen’s cultivation speed and accepts him as a superior, leading Da Huang to tease him about calling Chen “Big Brother.”
• Chen and Zhan Tian discuss independence and responsibility before Chen assigns him the investigation mission.
• Zhan Tian’s final question to Da Huang introduces the chapter’s closing mystery: what exactly is Da Huang?

Chapter Summary: “Don’t Want to Talk? Then Don’t Talk”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Twelve factions gather at the Heavenly Profound Sect to negotiate over the Forgetfulness River and its resources.
• Qi Sect Master reveals that he will not lead the discussion; Chen Changan and Mu Yunyao enter, with Chen taking the seat of authority while Qi Sect Master stands aside.
• The factions are insulted that two apparent juniors have been placed in charge and accuse the Heavenly Profound Sect of disrespect.
• Chen Changan refuses to be intimidated. When the factions threaten to rely on force and possibly unite against the Heavenly Profound Sect, he accepts their challenge instead of negotiating.
• The factions openly imply that they may attack the Heavenly Profound Sect and divide its territory. Chen interprets this as a direct threat and orders that none of them be allowed to leave.
• Guan Ao and Wang Ba block the council hall’s exit and attack. The visiting factions quickly realize that the two defenders are far more powerful than expected.
• Qi Sect Master worries that the Heavenly Profound Sect is acting too openly, but Chen explains that the massacre is meant to intimidate all other factions. He argues that those who came to seize the sect’s resources have no right to complain if the Heavenly Profound Sect retaliates and takes their territories.

Character Developments

• Chen Changan establishes himself as the Heavenly Profound Sect’s decisive and ruthless leader. He is confident, confrontational, and unwilling to tolerate threats or disrespect.
• Qi Sect Master shifts from a cautious negotiator to someone willing to support Chen, though he remains uneasy about the sect’s aggressive approach.
• Mu Yunyao accompanies Chen in a position of authority, reinforcing his status, though she does not speak extensively in the confrontation.
• Guan Ao and Wang Ba demonstrate their loyalty and strength by immediately carrying out Chen’s order and sealing the hall’s exits.
• The twelve factions move from arrogance and intimidation to shock when they discover that the Heavenly Profound Sect has both the resolve and power to fight back.

Significant Themes

• Strength determines authority: The visiting factions believe numbers and political backing give them control, but Chen insists that power—not empty threats—decides the outcome.
• Deterrence through overwhelming force: Chen deliberately chooses an open and brutal response so that every faction will fear challenging the Heavenly Profound Sect.
• Reversal of intimidation: The factions arrive intending to pressure the sect, but their threats expose their hostility and give Chen justification to retaliate.
• Pride and territorial sovereignty: Chen makes clear that the Forgetfulness River belongs to the Heavenly Profound Sect and that outsiders cannot enter and demand a share.
• Defiance of conventional diplomacy: Chen rejects prolonged negotiation when he believes the other side is acting in bad faith, turning a council meeting into an immediate confrontation.

Important Character Interactions

• Chen and the visiting faction leaders clash verbally after they question his authority and insult the Heavenly Profound Sect.
• Qi Sect Master supports Chen’s position, even when the factions challenge whether Chen represents the sect.
• Chen orders Guan Ao and Wang Ba to attack, transforming the tense negotiation into a battle.
• Qi Sect Master questions the wisdom of such an overt assault, while Chen explains that secrecy would undermine its purpose: frightening future challengers.
• Chen’s final stance is uncompromising: anyone who comes to plunder the Heavenly Profound Sect risks losing everything and never returning.

Chapter Summary: “The Strong Make the Rules”

Key Plot Points and Events

• After Chen Changan suggests “counter-robbery,” Qi Sect Master is confused about his meaning.
• Before they can discuss the matter further, Wang Ba and Guan Ao effortlessly defeat and eliminate representatives from twelve factions who had come to cause trouble.
• Chen Changan explains that these factions will inevitably seek revenge to restore their reputations.
• Since Chen Changan is powerful enough to defeat them, their destruction would leave their territories vulnerable. The Heavenly Profound Sect could then seize those regions under the existing unwritten rules of the cultivation world.
• Qi Sect Master worries that the Heavenly Profound Sect lacks the manpower and foundation to occupy and defend so much territory.
• Chen Changan proposes cooperating with powerful local figures: the Heavenly Profound Sect would conquer the territories, while local experts would help govern and protect them in exchange for a share of the resources and authority.
• He acknowledges that such allies might eventually become greedy or rebellious, but believes the time gained will allow the Heavenly Profound Sect to recruit forces, accumulate resources, and grow stronger.
• Chen Changan emphasizes that intimidation must accompany benefits. A sufficiently ruthless first impression will make potential collaborators afraid to betray the sect too soon.
• For now, they decide to wait until the crisis in Forgetfulness River is resolved and the hostile factions make their next move.
• Chen Changan asks Qi Sect Master to send resources to the Guan Family and the Heavenly Origin Martial Grounds, using his own supplies rather than the sect’s. Qi Sect Master is surprised by Chen Changan’s connection to these obscure factions.

Character Developments

• Chen Changan: Reveals himself as a strategic and ambitious leader. He is not merely reacting to threats; he intends to use enemy retaliation and territorial instability to expand the Heavenly Profound Sect’s influence. His philosophy is that power determines the rules, and he is willing to use both coercion and cooperation to build an empire.
• Qi Sect Master: Initially struggles to follow Chen Changan’s unconventional reasoning but gradually understands the plan. He demonstrates political awareness by identifying the dangers of overexpansion, insufficient manpower, and the eventual greed of local allies. Chen Changan’s teasing remark suggests Qi Sect Master is becoming more capable of keeping up with his thinking.
• Wang Ba and Guan Ao: Their overwhelming victory reveals that they had previously concealed or underused their true strength. They are shown to be far more powerful than others, including Qi Sect Master, had realized.
• The twelve factions: Their failed attack becomes the trigger for a larger conflict and potentially provides the Heavenly Profound Sect with an opportunity to acquire their territories.

Significant Themes

• Power creates and enforces rules: Existing rules are portrayed as tools used by the weak, while truly powerful individuals can establish new rules through overwhelming strength.
• Expansion versus sustainability: Conquering territory is easy compared with governing and defending it. The chapter explores the logistical dangers of rapid growth.
• Coercion and cooperation: Chen Changan’s strategy combines fear with material incentives, ensuring that local powers benefit from serving him while remaining intimidated by his strength.
• Strategic patience: The Heavenly Profound Sect must use the time before betrayal or rebellion to build its forces and consolidate power.
• Hidden strength: Wang Ba and Guan Ao’s performance reinforces the idea that appearances and past performances can conceal a person’s true capabilities.
• Loyalty and self-interest: Local allies may cooperate for profit, but their loyalty is conditional and vulnerable to greed.

Character Interactions

• Chen Changan and Qi Sect Master engage in a strategic discussion, with Chen Changan leading Qi Sect Master through a series of questions until he grasps the plan.
• Qi Sect Master challenges Chen Changan’s strategy by pointing out the Heavenly Profound Sect’s limited foundation and the risks posed by greedy allies.
• Chen Changan responds by explaining how rapid growth, intimidation, and shared profits can temporarily solve those weaknesses.
• Chen Changan’s request to send resources to the Guan Family and Heavenly Origin Martial Grounds raises questions about his personal relationships and suggests that these factions have special significance to him.

Chapter Summary: “Higher—You’re the Higher One!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• The River of Forgetfulness Territory remains puzzled by Heavenly Profound Sect’s silence after numerous outside forces allegedly went to confront it. Many speculate that the forces are negotiating, while others suspect Heavenly Profound Sect has already acted.
• The Tiger Roar Alliance had planned to let the various forces weaken Heavenly Profound Sect before taking advantage of the conflict. Concerned that Heavenly Profound Sect may have already made a move, the alliance decides to confront the sect directly.
• The alliance heads toward Heavenly Profound Sect, intending either to force it out of the territory or destroy it.
• Da Huang and the others return from investigating the situation and report that at least five external forces are preparing to annex or destroy Heavenly Profound Sect.
• Chen Changan confidently declares that every force that comes will be destroyed.
• Chen learns that the destruction of the twelve forces that previously attacked Heavenly Profound Sect has not become known anywhere in the River of Forgetfulness Territory.
• He confronts Qi Sect Master, who explains that he ordered the news to be spread. Grand Elder then reveals that he sent people to spread the information directly in the territories belonging to the defeated forces, believing this would reach them faster.
• Chen Changan and Qi Sect Master realize the misunderstanding and jokingly praise Grand Elder for thinking on a “higher” level.

Character Developments

• Chen Changan remains overwhelmingly confident and unconcerned about the many forces targeting Heavenly Profound Sect. He views the incoming enemies as opportunities to demonstrate the sect’s strength and attract more attention.
• Da Huang continues acting as an investigator and messenger, gathering intelligence about the hostile forces. He greatly overestimates Chen Changan’s strength in comparison to any possible opponent.
• Qi Sect Master attempts to carry out Chen Changan’s orders but is confused when the intended publicity campaign appears to have failed.
• Grand Elder is shown to be practical but comically literal in his interpretation of instructions. His decision to spread the news directly in the enemies’ home territories technically follows the order, though it fails to create rumors locally.

Significant Themes

• Hidden strength and intimidation: Heavenly Profound Sect’s calmness causes outsiders to speculate about its true power.
• Strategic patience and opportunism: The Tiger Roar Alliance waits for other forces to weaken Heavenly Profound Sect before making its move, revealing the opportunistic nature of the competing factions.
• Miscommunication and irony: The lack of rumors is not due to secrecy or failure, but because the news was sent elsewhere. The situation creates a humorous contrast between Chen Changan’s expectations and Grand Elder’s interpretation.
• Confidence bordering on arrogance: Chen Changan treats the destruction of multiple forces as routine and assumes no outside force can threaten him.

Character Interactions

• Outside observers debate Heavenly Profound Sect’s silence and strength.
• Tiger Roar Alliance members pressure their leader to act, leading to the decision to confront the sect.
• Chen Changan questions Da Huang about the enemy forces and later criticizes Qi Sect Master for failing to spread the news.
• Qi Sect Master summons Grand Elder, who explains his unusual publicity strategy.
• Chen Changan and Qi Sect Master respond by giving Grand Elder thumbs-up and jokingly calling him “the higher one,” turning the misunderstanding into a comedic moment.