Chapter Summaries

Zheng Yi explored a ruined library in the zombie-ravaged world, learned about its Blood Moon apocalypse and supernatural survivors, and returned to the Da Yi Immortal Domain with a plan to use the other world's zombies and ghosts to cultivate demonic techniques. He left determined to test this dangerous route as his only chance to advance.

• Zheng Yi read a survivor's diary and learned how the Blood Moon, zombie virus, Red-Eyed Zombies, ghosts, and zombie tides had destroyed the Western Alliance.
• A middle-aged man and his son fled into the library with zombies behind them, and Zheng Yi killed the pursuers with his Flying Sword.
• The father explained how humans absorbed zombie Corpse Cores to awaken as Ability Users and how powerful spiritual strength could make someone a Ghost Master.
• Zheng Yi found a gray Corpse Core in a dead zombie and sensed that it contained an unfamiliar kind of life-source energy.
• Zheng Yi returned to the Da Yi Immortal Domain and decided to use zombies and Malevolent Ghosts from the apocalyptic world as substitutes for the materials required by demonic cultivation.

Zheng Yi left Profound Sky City and joined the Soul Devouring Sect in Blood Mist Abyss City to obtain the Black Fiend Technique and a Soul Devouring Banner. In the Apocalyptic World, he used the banner to harvest carrion crow souls, restored his cultivation to Qi Refining Stage Three, and acquired a Soul Guiding Array to attract more spirits.

• Zheng Yi sold his residence right, left Profound Sky City, and traveled to Blood Mist Abyss City with his savings.
• Zheng Yi paid the Soul Devouring Sect's Outer Sect Elder to join the sect and received the Black Fiend Technique and a Soul Devouring Banner.
• Zheng Yi entered the Apocalyptic World, dispersed his old cultivation, and practiced the Black Fiend Technique until he stabilized at Qi Refining Stage One.
• Zheng Yi used the Soul Devouring Banner to kill a flock of carrion crows and refine their souls, restoring his cultivation to Qi Refining Stage Three.
• Zheng Yi returned to the Cultivation World and obtained a Soul Guiding Array from the Outer Sect Elder.

Zheng Yi set up a Soul Guiding Array at Luo City's abandoned Second Middle School, hoping to find a powerful ghost to serve as the primary soul for his Soul Devouring Banner. When the Blood Moon rose and the campus became a Ghost Cave, he activated the array, eager to seize the opportunity to cultivate.

• Zheng Yi arranged the materials for a Soul Guiding Array on the ruined school athletic field.
• Zheng Yi reflected that Luo City's zombies and ghosts offered a rare chance to cultivate demonic arts without the usual karmic backlash.
• As the Blood Moon rose, yin winds swept through the school and countless Vengeful Spirits appeared in a ghostly procession.
• Zheng Yi welcomed the haunting and activated the Soul Guiding Array with the Black Fiend Technique.

Zheng Yi used a Soul Guiding Array in the ruined school to attract and refine ghosts, strengthening his cultivation and Soul Devouring Banner. On the third night, the Red-Clothed Female Ghost appeared, revealed as a powerful Blood Fiend Malevolent Ghost, and tore through his Black Fiend Qi to attack him.

• Zheng Yi activated the Soul Guiding Array and used the Soul Devouring Banner to refine the ghosts drawn to it.
• Zheng Yi made the playground his base, recovering by day and cultivating against the nightly influx of ghosts.
• On the third night, the Red-Clothed Female Ghost emerged from the ruins amid corrosive Blood Sha Aura that dissolved nearby ghosts.
• Zheng Yi recognized her as a Blood Fiend Malevolent Ghost and hoped to make her the Soul Devouring Banner's primary soul.
• The Red-Clothed Female Ghost unleashed a Ghost Howl that shook Zheng Yi's soul and scattered the surrounding ghosts.
• The Red-Clothed Female Ghost tore through the Black Fiend Qi and pressed her attack on Zheng Yi.

Zheng Yi subdued the Red-Clothed Female Ghost and refined forty-nine Malevolent Ghosts into his Soul Devouring Banner. He left the school with the banner at its limit, considering its power and how it could be upgraded.

• Zheng Yi sent eighteen or nineteen Malevolent Ghosts to attack the Red-Clothed Female Ghost, restoring injured ghosts with Black Fiend Qi as they fought.
• After an hour, the Red-Clothed Female Ghost tried to flee, but Zheng Yi's ghosts blocked her and subdued her into the Soul Devouring Banner.
• Zheng Yi gained a surge of fiendish aura after refining the Red-Clothed Female Ghost, then spent around ten days refining forty-nine Malevolent Ghosts before leaving the school.
• Zheng Yi tested the full Soul Devouring Banner and observed its forty-nine skulls and ghostly mist, noting that the banner had reached its limit.
• Zheng Yi considered how the Soul Devouring Banner could be upgraded with better materials and how its ghosts grew stronger by devouring one another.

Zheng Yi completed the Soul Devouring Banner’s formation with forty-nine Vengeful Spirits, led by a Red-Clothed Vengeful Spirit, and turned to cultivating the resource-hungry Black Fiend Technique. He planned to use the Apocalyptic World’s abundant specters to strengthen the technique while remaining in Demon City until he could better protect himself.

• Zheng Yi’s Soul Devouring Banner’s forty-nine strongest Vengeful Spirits formed a powerful array, but the banner could not safely hold any more.
• Zheng Yi judged that the banner could let him contend with cultivators at Qi Refining Stage Five or Six, though he remained in Demon City because leaving would be dangerous.
• Zheng Yi began studying the Black Fiend Technique, which grew stronger through baleful qi or the refinement of souls.
• Zheng Yi recognized that the Soul Devouring Sect had provided only the technique’s first five levels, requiring disciples to return for further methods.
• Zheng Yi chose the technique because the Blood Moon creatures in the Apocalyptic World offered plentiful soul resources without producing Karmic Force.
• Zheng Yi learned that advancing Black Fiend Qi to higher forms required increasingly large numbers of mortal souls or cultivator and ghost souls.

Zheng Yi used the Soul Devouring Banner to capture vengeful spirits and cultivate the Black Fiend Technique, rapidly advancing his fiendish aura toward Azure Profound Fiend. After one night, he had completed about half of the transformation and left the ruined school to seek another place to cultivate.

• Zheng Yi set up the Soul Guiding Array at the haunted school and released evil ghosts from the Soul Devouring Banner to guard him.
• The array drew in vengeful spirits, which the ghosts weakened and delivered to Zheng Yi for him to absorb with the Black Fiend Technique.
• Zheng Yi advanced his Black Fiend Qi into Profound Yin Fiend and began transforming it into Azure Profound Fiend as frost formed around him.
• After cultivating through the night, Zheng Yi stopped when the Azure Profound Fiend transformation was only about fifty percent complete.
• Zheng Yi recalled the ghosts, packed away the array, and left the school, which seemed cleaner in the morning light.

After destroying the Fierce Ghost Land, Zheng Yi fought through hordes of zombies and collected their Zombie Crystal Cores. He sought shelter from a storm in an underground parking garage, where three powerful Hundred-Year Azure Ghosts ambushed him.

• Zheng Yi left the ruined Fierce Ghost Land after refining many Vengeful Spirits and dispersing its sinister aura.
• Zheng Yi killed more than a hundred zombies, collected nearly two hundred Zombie Crystal Cores, and decided not to swallow them because he feared harmful side effects.
• Zheng Yi entered an underground parking garage to escape a heavy rainstorm and was attacked by three old ghosts.
• Zheng Yi used the Soul Devouring Banner to summon its fierce ghosts for protection as the attackers’ Ghost Howls struck his mind.
• Zheng Yi recognized the green-faced, fanged attackers as Hundred-Year Azure Ghosts whose cultivation far surpassed that of ordinary Vengeful Spirits.

After escaping three Hundred-Year Azure Ghosts in the Apocalyptic World, Zheng Yi returned to Blood Mist Abyss City and refined the Soul Devouring Banner into his Lifebound Artifact. The artifact’s power surged and helped him break through to Qi Refining Stage Four, leaving him confident he could face the ghosts next time.

• Zheng Yi encountered three Hundred-Year Azure Ghosts in the Apocalyptic World and used the Soul Devouring Banner’s vicious ghosts to cover his escape.
• Zheng Yi returned to his inn in Blood Mist Abyss City, extended his stay, and ordered the Room Defense Array activated while he cultivated.
• Zheng Yi decided to refine the Soul Devouring Banner into his Lifebound Artifact so he would be better prepared to face the three ghosts again.
• Zheng Yi blood-sacrificed the Soul Devouring Banner and completed its refinement after half an hour.
• The Soul Devouring Banner fed energy back to Zheng Yi, helping him break through from the peak of Qi Refining Stage Three to Qi Refining Stage Four.
• Zheng Yi tested the banner’s increased power and wondered whether he could now defeat the three Hundred-Year Azure Ghosts.

Zheng Yi returned to the underground garage with his upgraded Soul Devouring Banner and challenged the three Hundred-Year Azure Ghosts that had forced him to flee before. He sent his forty-nine Malevolent Ghosts to surround them, and the battle began with the old ghosts tearing through his forces as they repeatedly reformed.

• Zheng Yi summoned forty-nine armored Malevolent Ghosts, which the Red-Clothed Female Ghost organized into teams.
• Zheng Yi entered the underground garage and resisted the three old ghosts’ soul-attacking cries with his Lifebound Artifact.
• The three Green-Faced Old Ghosts attacked Zheng Yi, who taunted them and ordered his Malevolent Ghosts to surround them.
• The old ghosts tore Malevolent Ghosts apart, but the ghosts reformed with yin energy from the Soul Devouring Banner and charged back into battle.

Zheng Yi trapped three Hundred-Year Azure Ghosts in the Soul Devouring Banner and relied on its formation and Malevolent Ghosts to wear them down. One Azure Ghost nearly broke through, but the Red-Clothed Female Ghost stopped its charge before the fight was decided.

• Zheng Yi assessed that the three Azure Ghosts were powerful but poorly coordinated, then reinforced the Soul Devouring Banner with spiritual power.
• The Red-Clothed Female Ghost and the Malevolent Ghosts surrounded the three Azure Ghosts in the underground garage and sealed off their escape.
• Zheng Yi considered the ghosts’ Blue essence souls valuable and hoped to sell them to meet his growing cultivation expenses.
• The Azure Ghosts tore through several Malevolent Ghosts, but the banner’s formation kept them separated and unable to coordinate.
• One Azure Ghost found a gap in the encirclement, but the Red-Clothed Female Ghost struck it with a crimson ribbon and halted its escape attempt.

Zheng Yi used the Soul Devouring Banner and its forty-eight malevolent ghosts to wear down the three Hundred-Year Azure Ghosts. After capturing the first, he subdued the remaining two and suppressed all three inside the banner.

• Zheng Yi restored a destroyed malevolent ghost with the Soul Devouring Banner and continued the battle against the three Hundred-Year Azure Ghosts.
• The Red-Clothed Female Ghost struck an opening in one azure ghost’s defenses, and the banner’s malevolent ghosts hacked away its body and absorbed its remnants.
• The Red-Clothed Female Ghost bound the weakened azure ghost, and Zheng Yi captured it inside the Soul Devouring Banner.
• Zheng Yi sent the freed malevolent ghosts to help surround the remaining two azure ghosts.
• The malevolent ghosts weakened and defeated the last two azure ghosts, and Zheng Yi captured and suppressed them in the banner.

After capturing three Hundred-Year Azure Ghosts, Zheng Yi recovered in a secured room and refined one into Blue Essence Soul. Absorbing the essence advanced his Black Fiend Technique, leaving his Killing Intent transformed into azure ghostfire.

• Zheng Yi sealed three Hundred-Year Azure Ghosts in the Soul Devouring Banner and realized he still needed to stay cautious in the Apocalyptic World.
• Zheng Yi settled in a clean room and ordered the Red-Clothed Female Ghost and other spirits to guard him while he recovered.
• Zheng Yi summoned a weakened Azure Ghost and burned it with azure-gray flames, refining its remains into Blue Essence Soul.
• Zheng Yi swallowed the Blue Essence Soul, advancing the transformation of his Azure Profound Fiend.
• Zheng Yi opened his palm and saw that his Killing Intent had become cold, azure ghostfire.

After advancing the Black Fiend Technique to Azure Profound Fiend and refining another Hundred-Year Azure Ghost, Zheng Yi traveled to Blood Mist Abyss City to sell its Blue Essence Soul. Several shops offered less than he wanted, and the sixth shopkeeper began inspecting the soul.

• Zheng Yi advanced his Black Fiend Technique to Azure Profound Fiend, greatly increasing his combat strength, then continued refining a second Hundred-Year Azure Ghost.
• Zheng Yi left the underground parking garage and returned to an inn in Blood Mist Abyss City before heading out to sell a Blue Essence Soul.
• Zheng Yi visited a cultivation-resource shop, rejected the shopkeeper’s offer of fifteen hundred Spirit Stones, and left with his bottle.
• After several shops offered too little, Zheng Yi brought the Blue Essence Soul to a sixth shop, where the owner asked to inspect it carefully.

Zheng Yi sold two Blue Essence Souls for Spirit Stones while concealing their source, then went to the Soul Devouring Sect’s outpost to seek access to further cultivation techniques and advancement methods. He worried that his rapid progress might draw the attention of Elder Gongsun.

• Zheng Yi sold a Blue Essence Soul to a shopkeeper for 2,700 Low-Grade Spirit Stones and bought a Mid-Grade Storage Bag.
• Zheng Yi left cautiously, changed his appearance, and sold another Blue Essence Soul for 2,600 Low-Grade Spirit Stones at a different shop.
• Zheng Yi considered selling refined resources from the Apocalyptic World but resolved not to expose his secret or trade living creatures.
• Zheng Yi went to the Soul Devouring Sect’s outpost because his current technique ended at Qi Refining Stage Five and he needed access to further teachings and Soul Devouring Banner advancement methods.
• Zheng Yi entered the outpost and wondered whether Elder Gongsun would notice how quickly his cultivation had advanced.

Zheng Yi sought promotion to Inner Sect Disciple and permission to return to the Soul Devouring Sect’s main branch after reaching the middle stage of Qi Refining. He bribed the newly arrived Outer Sect Deacon, who agreed there was room to maneuver but hinted that smoothing things over would require more.

• Zheng Yi confirmed Elder Gongsun had been transferred to the front lines of the war against the Hundred Beasts Sect, then approached the station’s new deacon.
• Zheng Yi offered the middle-aged Outer Sect Deacon a Beginner Storage Bag and requested promotion to Inner Sect Disciple and permission to return to the main branch.
• The deacon accepted the gift and praised Zheng Yi as an outstanding disciple, citing his connection to Elder Gongsun and the sect’s need for capable people during the war.
• The deacon explained that Inner Sect promotions normally required Internal Affairs Hall approval but hinted he could use his connections if Zheng Yi helped smooth over the arrangements.

Zheng Yi paid the middle-aged Outer Sect Deacon an additional bribe, and the deacon used his authority to promote him to an Inner Sect Disciple of the Soul Devouring Sect. Zheng Yi received a White Jade Token and was told to bind it to himself before reporting to the sect.

• Zheng Yi understood the deacon’s hint and quietly handed him another Beginner Storage Bag.
• After inspecting the tribute, the deacon decided to use Elder Gongsun’s connections and approve Zheng Yi’s promotion.
• The deacon congratulated Zheng Yi on becoming an Inner Sect Disciple and gave him a White Jade Token.
• The deacon explained that Zheng Yi had to drip blood on the token to bind it to his identity, then report to the sect’s Internal Affairs Hall.
• The deacon promised to notify the sect by Flying Sword Message Transmission so the Internal Affairs Hall could confirm Zheng Yi’s identity.

Zheng Yi secured an Inner Sect Disciple quota from Deacon Chen Jiu by using his preparation, money, and connection to Elder Gongsun. He left the Blood Mist Abyss City station with a jade token and directions to the Soul Devouring Sect.

• Zheng Yi claimed the Inner Sect Jade Token with his blood, forming a faint connection between it and his Divine Soul.
• Chen Jiu gave Zheng Yi a map, warned him about the Demon Domain, and told him to report Chen Jiu's name at the Internal Affairs Hall.
• Zheng Yi thanked Chen Jiu and left the station, relieved that his plan had succeeded despite Elder Gongsun's absence.
• Zheng Yi reflected that he had used information, bribery, and Elder Gongsun's reputation to obtain the branch station's Inner Sect Disciple quota.
• Zheng Yi considered how Inner Sect Disciples required aptitude and Qi Refining Middle Stage cultivation, unlike the numerous Outer Sect Disciples used as cannon fodder.

Zheng Yi traveled toward Soul Devouring Sect after securing Inner Sect Disciple status, hoping to gain access to the next parts of the Black Fiend Technique and strengthen himself. A band of Highway Robber Cultivators cornered him in a valley, and he recognized their leader’s blood-threaded sword as the threat escalated.

• Zheng Yi left Blood Mist Abyss City and followed Steward Chen Jiu’s map toward Soul Devouring Sect.
• Zheng Yi traveled cautiously through the Demon Domain, witnessing the ruins and violence left by cultivators.
• A group of five or six Rogue Cultivators blocked Zheng Yi in a valley and demanded that he surrender his belongings and cultivation.
• The leader warned Zheng Yi that his companions could overpower him, while Zheng Yi dismissed their promise to spare his life.
• Zheng Yi noticed blood threads on the leader’s Flying Sword and implied that the robbers’ habitual killings left them no way back.

Zheng Yi tested his strength against a band of highway robber cultivators and wiped them out with the Soul Devouring Banner. He continued his journey and witnessed the terrifying battle of two Foundation Establishment Realm demon cultivators from a safe distance.

• Zheng Yi fought the bandit leader with his Fine Iron Flying Sword to test his newly advanced strength.
• Zheng Yi summoned the Soul Devouring Banner and its forty-nine Netherworld Soldier Vengeful Spirits, trapping the highway robber cultivators in black mist.
• The Red-Clothed Vengeful Spirit killed the bandit leader, and the other vengeful spirits hunted down and killed his companions.
• Zheng Yi searched the bandits' bodies, burned their corpses, and continued along the road.
• Zheng Yi witnessed two Foundation Establishment Realm demon cultivators fighting from afar and felt the battle's overwhelming power.