Chapter Summaries

Chapter Summary: “Shocked”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu An publicly humiliates Young Master Ji, forcing him and his men to kneel through overwhelming, seemingly supernatural power.
• Young Master Ji reveals that Wu An is a Transcendent, shocking everyone present, since most people believe martial arts beyond human limits exist only in fiction.
• Wu An mocks the authority of the Ji Family, claiming that if they were in Yanjing, even more members of the family would be forced to kneel.
• A young man named Yun Chen intervenes and questions Wu An’s actions. Wu An immediately forces him to kneel as well.
• Young Master Ji threatens Wu An by revealing that his elder brother, Ji Tianqing, is also in Eastsea and is protected by powerful Transcendents.
• Rather than retreating, Wu An calmly gives Ji Tianqing half an hour to arrive, then returns to his seat and casually plays with Nini.
• Meanwhile, Ji Tianqing observes Eastsea from the top of the city’s tallest building. After learning that his younger brother has been humiliated, he decides to confront Wu An.
• Ji Tianqing’s protector, Uncle Chen, claims he can kill a Transcendent under twenty years old in one move. Ji Tianqing and Uncle Chen then depart to defend the Ji Family’s reputation.

Character Developments

• Wu An is established as extraordinarily powerful, fearless, and disdainful of prestigious families. He remains completely calm despite threats from the Ji Family and shows confidence that Ji Tianqing cannot intimidate him.
• Young Master Ji shifts from arrogance to desperation. Once certain that his family name would protect him, he becomes furious and relies on his elder brother’s arrival as his final hope.
• Yun Chen is revealed to harbor resentment toward Wu An. His attempt to defend Young Master Ji fails immediately, exposing his fear and weakness when confronted directly.
• Tao Wen becomes even more admiring of Wu An, viewing his confidence and refusal to submit as heroic and extraordinary.
• Ji Tianqing is presented as far more composed and intelligent than his younger brother. Although he considers the younger man foolish, he still resolves to protect the Ji Family’s honor.
• Uncle Chen is characterized as an extremely confident and powerful protector who looks down on young Transcendents.

Significant Themes

• Power versus social status: The Ji Family’s prestige and Yanjing connections mean little against Wu An’s personal strength.
• Traditional authority versus individual supremacy: Wu An challenges the influence of the Royal Clans and elite families, suggesting that overwhelming ability can surpass inherited power.
• The shock of the supernatural: The crowd struggles to reconcile their scientific, atheist worldview with the existence of real Transcendents.
• Family honor and obligation: Despite disliking his younger brother, Ji Tianqing feels compelled to retaliate because the Ji Family has been publicly disgraced.
• Arrogance and underestimation: Ji Tianqing and Uncle Chen assume Wu An’s youth makes him inexperienced and vulnerable, setting up a likely confrontation.

Character Interactions

• Wu An and Young Master Ji engage in a confrontation dominated by threats and humiliation, with Wu An remaining calm while Ji grows increasingly enraged.
• Wu An forces Yun Chen to kneel after Yun Chen challenges his treatment of the Ji Family.
• Tao Wen quietly supports Wu An and openly admires his fearlessness.
• Ji Tianqing and Uncle Chen discuss the situation from afar, analyze Wu An’s age and strength, and prepare to confront him.
• The chapter ends with Wu An waiting confidently for Ji Tianqing while Ji Tianqing advances with killing intent.

Chapter Summary: “Who Was He?”

Plot Points and Events

• News spreads through Dragon Phoenix Hall that Ji Tianqing, the Ji Family’s eldest legitimate son and a highly influential figure from Yanjing, is coming to confront Wu An.
• The guests assume Wu An is doomed because Ji Tianqing’s status and the Ji Family’s power far exceed that of his younger brother, Young Master Ji.
• Yun Chen, still kneeling, reveals that he deliberately used the Ji Family to retaliate against Wu An for humiliating the Yun Family. He smugly expects Ji Tianqing to destroy Wu An.
• Wu An remains completely calm and refuses to show fear. He declares that neither the Han Family nor even the Nine Great Royal Clans are worthy of making him flee.
• When Ji Tianqing arrives, nearly everyone leaves their seats to welcome him. Tao Wen suggests that Wu An escape while he has the opportunity, but Wu An refuses, insisting that the Ji Family is not powerful enough to make him run.
• Ji Tianqing enters with an imposing presence and an elderly black-clad expert. Yun Chen immediately accuses Wu An of insulting the Ji Family.
• Ji Tianqing asks for Wu An’s name, apparently following his habit of identifying people before killing them.
• Once Yun Chen identifies Wu An as a member of the supposedly ruined Wu Family of Eastsea, Ji Tianqing’s previously indifferent expression changes dramatically. He recognizes the name “Young Master Wu,” creating a major cliffhanger.

Character Developments

• Wu An: Displays absolute confidence and disdain for powerful families. He relies on his own strength rather than General Chen’s protection and refuses to retreat, even when escape would be strategically safer.
• Ji Tianqing: Is introduced as a feared, influential, and ruthless heir capable of intimidating the entire room. However, his sudden reaction to Wu An’s identity suggests that he knows Wu An’s true background or has a powerful connection to him.
• Young Master Ji: Remains hostile toward Wu An and eagerly awaits his elder brother’s arrival, but his reaction to Yun Chen’s manipulation suggests he may not have known the full extent of the plot.
• Yun Chen: Becomes increasingly arrogant and vindictive. He openly admits, through his actions, that he used Ji Tianqing as a weapon against Wu An.
• Tao Wen: Shows concern for Wu An and attempts to persuade him to escape, though she begins questioning whether his refusal to retreat reflects courage or reckless pride.
• The assembled elites: Their attitudes shift quickly from fear of Wu An to confidence that Ji Tianqing will defeat him, revealing their opportunism and resentment toward Wu An’s dominance.

Significant Themes

• Power and reputation: The guests judge strength according to family status and political influence, while Wu An insists that personal power ultimately matters more.
• Arrogance versus genuine authority: Wu An’s confidence appears reckless to others, but his composure contrasts with the crowd’s panic and opportunism.
• Manipulation and revenge: Yun Chen exploits family rivalries and Ji Tianqing’s loyalty to avenge the Yun Family’s humiliation.
• Hidden identity and reversals: The chapter builds expectations that Ji Tianqing will attack Wu An, then overturns them when Ji Tianqing recognizes his name.
• Fear of elite families: The crowd treats the Ji Family as nearly untouchable, emphasizing the social hierarchy Wu An challenges.

Important Character Interactions

• Yun Chen taunts Wu An and predicts his destruction, while Wu An dismisses the Ji Family’s threat.
• Tao Wen urges Wu An to escape, but he rejects her advice and chooses to remain.
• Young Master Ji and Wu An exchange hostile, defiant attitudes, with Young Master Ji relying on Ji Tianqing’s arrival.
• Yun Chen accuses Wu An before Ji Tianqing, but Ji Tianqing’s reaction to Wu An’s identity hints that the confrontation may not proceed as expected.
• The chapter ends with Ji Tianqing recognizing Wu An as “Young Master Wu,” setting up a significant revelation about Wu An’s past and the relationship between the two families.

Chapter Summary: “Inconceivable”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ji Tianqing recognizes Wu An as “Young Master Wu,” shocking everyone because the two seemingly come from completely different social circles.
• Ji Tianqing reveals that he has heard extensively about Wu An and that several influential young masters from Yanjing are interested in meeting him.
• The chapter implies that Wu An has hidden connections to the Nine Great Royal Clans. Ji Tianqing believes this explains why those powerful clans remained silent after Wu An destroyed the provincial Shi Family.
• Fearing the possible consequences of opposing Wu An, Ji Tianqing immediately abandons any intention of avenging his younger brother.
• Ji Tianqing’s younger brother, still kneeling and enraged, demands that Wu An be killed and urges his brother to order Uncle Chen, a Transcendent-level expert, to attack.
• Instead of attacking Wu An, Ji Tianqing orders Uncle Chen to silence his own younger brother. Uncle Chen strikes him hard enough to send him crashing through several tables, leaving him unconscious and badly injured but alive.
• Wu An understands that Ji Tianqing is protecting his brother from a worse fate. He agrees not to pursue the matter.
• Wu An orders Ji Tianqing to take his brother back to Yanjing and forbids him from returning to Eastsea. Ji Tianqing readily agrees.
• The onlookers, especially those who previously mocked Wu An, are stunned by Ji Tianqing’s fear and submission.

Character Developments

• Wu An: Remains calm, detached, and authoritative throughout the confrontation. He barely speaks, yet his reputation and implied power force Ji Tianqing to submit. His decision to spare Ji Tianqing’s brother shows controlled mercy, though his reputation as a ruthless figure remains intimidating.
• Ji Tianqing: Changes from a potential opponent into a cautious subordinate almost instantly. His awareness of Wu An’s possible connection to the Nine Great Royal Clans makes him prioritize survival and family protection over revenge.
• Young Master Ji: Revealed as impulsive, arrogant, and unable to understand the larger power structure. Even after his brother backs down, he continues demanding violence and is punished by his own family.
• Uncle Chen: Demonstrates both overwhelming strength and restraint. He obeys Ji Tianqing without question and injures Young Master Ji severely enough to stop him, but deliberately avoids killing him.
• Tao Wen: Becomes increasingly suspicious of Wu An’s concealed background. She connects Ji Tianqing’s behavior to Director Zheng’s earlier fear of Wu An and realizes that important information about Wu An has been hidden from her.
• The onlookers: Their perception of Wu An changes from dismissive skepticism to fear and awe after witnessing Ji Tianqing’s submission.

Significant Themes

• Hidden power and reputation: Wu An’s influence is far greater than his public image suggests, and his reputation reaches even Yanjing’s most powerful families.
• Social hierarchy and political survival: Ji Tianqing’s retreat shows how individuals and families must submit when confronted with someone connected to a vastly superior power structure.
• Appearance versus reality: Wu An was rumored to be a useless playboy, but his composure and authority reveal that the rumors are misleading.
• Family loyalty and harsh discipline: Ji Tianqing protects his brother by punishing him himself, demonstrating that familial protection can take the form of brutal correction.
• Mercy and restraint: Wu An’s decision to let the matter go contrasts with his terrifying reputation and suggests that he is capable of choosing when violence is necessary.

Character Interactions

• Wu An and Ji Tianqing: Their interaction is one-sided in terms of power. Wu An speaks minimally and confidently, while Ji Tianqing behaves respectfully and seeks his approval.
• Ji Tianqing and his brother: Ji Tianqing rejects his brother’s demand for revenge and has Uncle Chen incapacitate him, prioritizing the family’s survival over his brother’s pride.
• Wu An and Young Master Ji: Although Young Master Ji provokes him, Wu An chooses not to retaliate directly and ultimately spares him.
• Tao Wen and Wu An: Tao Wen observes Wu An closely and begins reassessing everything she thought she knew about him.
• Uncle Chen and Young Master Ji: Uncle Chen acts as Ji Tianqing’s enforcer, using controlled but devastating force to silence and protect him.

Chapter Summary: “Those Who Offend Me Die!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• After Wu An forces Ji Tianqing, the eldest young master of the Yanjing Ji Family, to submit, the confrontation begins to wind down.
• Wu An turns his attention to Yun Chen, revealing that Yun Chen deliberately manipulated events to provoke a conflict between Wu An and the Ji Family.
• Yun Chen begs for mercy, but Wu An declares that he will not survive. He warns that if the Yun Family was involved, he will investigate them and destroy the entire family if necessary.
• Yun Chen argues that Wu An cannot kill him because murder is against the law and witnesses would expose the incident. However, Wu An kills him instantly through a mysterious spiritual technique, apparently with only a glance.
• Wu An leaves without visibly attacking Yun Chen. Uncle Chen recognizes that Yun Chen’s mind has been destroyed, leaving him effectively dead or permanently vegetative.
• Wu An informs Master Tiger of Yun Chen’s death and orders him to investigate whether the Yun Family participated in the scheme.
• Two days later, Wu An stands on his villa balcony overlooking Eastsea City and reflects that the Divine Flame is nearly finished gestating.

Character Developments

• Wu An: Demonstrates his ruthless decisiveness and overwhelming supernatural power. He refuses to tolerate schemes against himself or threats to his base in Eastsea City. His ability to kill through spiritual power establishes him as an exceptionally advanced cultivator.
• Yun Chen: Changes from a schemer confident in legal and public consequences to a terrified, desperate victim. His attempt to manipulate Wu An ultimately leads to his death.
• Ji Tianqing: Fully abandons any remaining arrogance toward Wu An. He recognizes that submitting was the correct decision and becomes convinced that Wu An must never be provoked.
• Uncle Chen: His assessment of Wu An shifts from possible contempt to profound fear and respect. He identifies Wu An as at least a Peak Qi Refining master, possibly close to becoming a Spirit Refining True Person.
• Tao Wen: Watches Wu An’s dominance with complicated admiration and renewed hope, while Nini remains innocently impressed by her brother’s influence.

Significant Themes

• Retribution and deterrence: Wu An’s philosophy is summarized by the declaration, “Those who offend me die.” He believes threats must be eliminated completely rather than merely forgiven.
• Power beyond conventional law: Yun Chen relies on legal consequences and public opinion, but Wu An’s supernatural strength makes ordinary restrictions largely irrelevant.
• Respect through overwhelming strength: Ji Tianqing and Uncle Chen recognize that Wu An’s power places him beyond ordinary martial experts, forcing the Ji Family to treat him with caution.
• Protection of one’s territory and allies: Wu An views Eastsea City as his base and treats schemes against the people and forces connected to it as unacceptable threats.
• Hidden potential and cultivation: Wu An’s young age and immense spiritual ability suggest that he may eventually break through the sealed Spirit Meridian and reach the nearly mythical realm of Spirit Refining.

Character Interactions

• Wu An confronts Yun Chen directly while Ji Tianqing observes, making clear that Yun Chen’s manipulation has earned him a death sentence.
• Yun Chen pleads and invokes the law, but Wu An responds with cold certainty and executes him through spiritual power.
• Ji Tianqing consults Uncle Chen afterward, and Uncle Chen explains the true nature of Wu An’s attack, emphasizing how dangerous and mysterious Wu An has become.
• Wu An later contacts Master Tiger, assigning him to investigate the Yun Family’s involvement while Wu An moves on to preparing for the Divine Flame’s completion.

Chapter Summary: “Seclusion”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu An’s fusion of five Gold-tier Spirit Fires— including the Pure Yang Flame and Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame—nears completion after ten days. The resulting flame is expected to become a Platinum-tier Divine Flame, giving Wu An a powerful new weapon.
• As the fusion reaches its final stage, the combined flames become unstable. Wu An realizes he can suppress them for only about half an hour and must enter seclusion before the power erupts and destroys the villa.
• To protect Nini, Wu An contacts Xu Qing and asks her to take Nini away. He also summons the old Daoist and orders him to guard the villa while he undergoes seclusion.
• Before Nini leaves, Wu An gives her the Cosmic Azure Light Ring, which can form a protective shield in times of danger. He instructs Winter Spirit to protect Nini and Xu Qing.
• Wu An warns Xu Qing to travel as far away as possible and not return until he contacts her. He then enters seclusion in the villa, sitting cross-legged to focus entirely on controlling the Spirit Fire fusion.
• While driving away from Eastsea City, Winter Spirit, Xu Qing, and Nini notice that the highway is strangely empty. Winter Spirit stops the car after sensing something wrong.
• An unknown aura suddenly covers the area, and several mysterious figures appear at the end of the highway, approaching the vehicle.

Character Developments

• Wu An: Demonstrates caution and responsibility despite possessing overwhelming power. He prioritizes protecting Nini and securing the area before attempting the dangerous fusion. His anticipation of the Divine Flame is tempered by the serious risk of losing control.
• Xu Qing: Shows genuine concern for Wu An and immediately agrees to help without demanding an explanation, reflecting the trust between them.
• Nini: Remains obedient and trusting, accepting Wu An’s protective ring and following Xu Qing and Winter Spirit away from the villa.
• Winter Spirit: Though outwardly cold and dismissive, she attempts to reassure Xu Qing and takes her protective duty seriously. Her awareness of the abnormal highway suggests strong perception and vigilance.
• The old Daoist: Treats Wu An with respect and reacts with surprise to the news of his seclusion, recognizing its significance for someone of Wu An’s level.

Significant Themes

• Power and control: Wu An’s immense strength comes with danger; mastering the five flames requires discipline and focus rather than brute force.
• Protection and responsibility: Wu An takes extensive precautions to shield innocent people from the consequences of his cultivation.
• Trust and loyalty: Xu Qing, the old Daoist, Winter Spirit, and Nini all respond to Wu An’s instructions, highlighting the relationships he has built.
• Foreshadowing and danger: The unstable fusion and the mysterious figures on the highway suggest that Wu An’s seclusion may be interrupted or that a new threat is emerging.

Character Interactions

• Wu An urgently asks Xu Qing to remove Nini from the villa, and she agrees immediately.
• He orders the old Daoist to guard the villa while he enters seclusion.
• Wu An gives Nini the Cosmic Azure Light Ring and gently instructs her not to remove it.
• He directs Winter Spirit to protect Nini and Xu Qing, while Winter Spirit reassures them during the drive.
• The chapter ends with Winter Spirit detecting an abnormal presence and confronting the appearance of several unidentified figures on the deserted highway.

Chapter Summary: “Furious Rage!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Winter Spirit realizes that three powerful Transcendent cultivators have ambushed their vehicle and may be connected to the Southern Border.
• The attackers—led by a short-haired woman, accompanied by a scar-faced man and a dull-looking man—declare that they have come under the orders of a “True Person” to seize Nini.
• Winter Spirit refuses to surrender Nini, invoking the pact that forbids powerful cultivators from acting openly in Eastsea. The short-haired woman reveals that they intend to kill everyone so the violation will remain undiscovered.
• Xu Qing attempts to flee with Nini while Winter Spirit confronts the attackers. However, the enemies are vastly stronger, easily suppressing Winter Spirit’s ice techniques.
• Xu Qing returns instead of escaping, prompting the attackers to confirm that she is Wu An’s sister and therefore valuable as a hostage. Their goal is to use Nini to force Wu An to reveal information.
• The attackers mention the destruction of the Wu Family and Wu An’s fall from being its Eldest Young Master, suggesting that their master may be connected to the family’s downfall and to the death of a servant in Eastsea.
• Winter Spirit repeatedly sacrifices herself to give Xu Qing and Nini opportunities to escape. She is severely injured by the scar-faced man but continues fighting.
• In desperation, Winter Spirit burns the Origin of Ice, expanding her Ice and Snow Domain and freezing the surrounding area. Her self-destructive attack appears intended to take the short-haired woman down with her.
• Despite Winter Spirit’s sacrifice, the dull-looking man intercepts Xu Qing and Nini. He launches a powerful invisible attack at them, but Nini is protected by the Cosmic Azure Light Ring.
• At Villa No. 1, Wu An senses that the ring has been activated. He awakens in fury, realizes Nini is in danger, and leaves the villa.

Character Developments

• Winter Spirit: Demonstrates unwavering loyalty and courage. Though fully aware that she is outmatched, she repeatedly risks her life to protect Xu Qing and Nini. Her decision to burn the Origin of Ice shows her willingness to sacrifice herself completely.
• Xu Qing: Initially tries to obey Winter Spirit and escape, but guilt and concern drive her to return. She becomes increasingly desperate yet continues protecting Nini, showing emotional strength and loyalty.
• Nini: Remains frightened but recognizes that the attackers are targeting her because of her relationship with Wu An. Her mention of her powerful brother reflects her faith in him, while the activation of the Azure Light Ring proves that she is not defenseless.
• Wu An: Does not appear directly during the confrontation, but his importance grows through the enemies’ fear of him and their plan to use Nini as leverage. His sudden awakening signals the beginning of his enraged response.
• The attackers: Their ruthlessness becomes clear. They disregard the Eastsea pact, intend to eliminate witnesses, and view Nini solely as a tool for controlling Wu An.

Significant Themes

• Loyalty and self-sacrifice: Winter Spirit willingly risks death to protect those entrusted to her.
• Family as both strength and vulnerability: Nini’s bond with Wu An gives her emotional protection but also makes her a target.
• Powerlessness against overwhelming enemies: The defenders’ repeated failed escapes emphasize the attackers’ superior cultivation and control.
• Hidden conspiracies and past grievances: References to the Wu Family’s destruction and Wu An’s former status suggest a larger plot connected to his past.
• The consequences of violence: The attackers’ willingness to violate the pact and kill witnesses signals that old rules are weakening, while Wu An’s awakening foreshadows violent retaliation.

Character Interactions

• Winter Spirit firmly confronts the short-haired woman and refuses to surrender Nini.
• Xu Qing and Winter Spirit cooperate during multiple escape attempts, with Winter Spirit acting as a shield while Xu Qing protects Nini.
• The short-haired woman taunts Nini about Wu An’s past and reveals the attackers’ intention to use her as leverage.
• Winter Spirit repeatedly orders Xu Qing not to look back and tries to draw the attackers’ attention away from the girls.
• The dull-looking man attempts to capture Xu Qing and Nini, but Nini’s Cosmic Azure Light Ring blocks his attack.
• The ring’s activation alerts Wu An, linking the desperate struggle directly to his impending intervention.

Chapter Summary: “Kill!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu An senses that the Cosmic Azure Light Ring he gave Nini has been activated. Since the ring is refined by him, he can detect its use regardless of distance.
• Realizing that only a Transcendent could bypass Winter Spirit and endanger Nini, Wu An immediately becomes enraged. He summons five mysterious, white-masked entities from his body and orders them to find his sister and kill anyone who obstructs them.
• Outside Eastsea City, Scarface and two companions discover that Nini is protected by a powerful azure barrier. Scarface estimates that even the three of them attacking together would need half a day to break it.
• The short-haired woman arrives after escaping Winter Spirit’s attack. Winter Spirit had burned her Origin of Ice, greatly increasing her power but causing irreversible damage to her Ice Spirit Body. The woman survives only because she uses a life-saving talisman given by her master.
• Near Villa No. 1, Dong Xue and the old Taoist discuss when Wu An will emerge from seclusion. The old Taoist suddenly senses that Winter Spirit is in danger and realizes Wu An’s sister may be threatened as well.
• Wu An appears at the villa and sends the five masked entities toward the danger. Dong Xue assumes he is ordering her and the old Taoist to help, but the old Taoist realizes Wu An is speaking to the summoned beings.
• The five masks fly away at terrifying speed. Their power overwhelms Dong Xue and the old Taoist, revealing that even one of them—especially the mask of joy—possesses strength greater than Wu Xuanji’s.

Character Developments

• Wu An: Displays intense fury and extreme protective instincts toward his sister. He reveals a previously hidden and highly dangerous ability, making him appear even more powerful and mysterious.
• Nini: Remains inside the protective barrier created by the Cosmic Azure Light Ring, which prevents the attackers from reaching her.
• Winter Spirit: Demonstrates overwhelming power by burning her Origin of Ice to fight back, but suffers permanent damage to her cultivation foundation.
• Short-haired woman: Escapes death through her master’s life-saving talisman. Her privileged status as her master’s blood descendant is emphasized.
• Old Taoist: Shows greater awareness of Wu An’s strength and correctly interprets the situation, recognizing the danger of Wu An’s summoned entities.
• Dong Xue: Becomes increasingly shocked and awed by Wu An after witnessing the five masks and their terrifying power.

Significant Themes

• Protective rage and loyalty: Wu An’s anger is driven by the threat to his sister, showing how far he will go to protect family.
• Hidden power and mystery: Wu An continues to conceal abilities far beyond what others expect, reinforcing his inscrutable nature.
• The cost of strength: Winter Spirit’s decision to burn her Origin of Ice illustrates that great power may require irreversible sacrifice.
• Hierarchy and overwhelming power: The reactions of the old Taoist and Dong Xue emphasize the enormous gap between Wu An and ordinary Transcendents.
• Master-disciple privilege: The short-haired woman’s special relationship with her master grants her protection unavailable to her companions.

Character Interactions

• Wu An issues the five masks a direct command to rescue his sister and eliminate all obstacles.
• Scarface and his companions discuss the difficulty of breaking Nini’s protective barrier.
• The short-haired woman explains, through her reaction, how narrowly she survived Winter Spirit’s attack, while Scarface and the dull-looking man comment on her master’s favoritism.
• Dong Xue urges the old Taoist to respond to Winter Spirit’s danger, but he restrains her after realizing Wu An’s order was directed at the five summoned masks.
• The old Taoist and Dong Xue watch in terror as the masks depart, fundamentally changing their perception of Wu An’s strength.

Chapter Summary: “Dharma Edict!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• On the outskirts of Eastsea City, Nini and Xu Qing are surrounded by three members of the Dark Realm: a short-haired woman, a scar-faced man, and a dull-looking man.
• Nini is protected by a hazy azure barrier generated by the ring Wu An gave her. The barrier also shields Xu Qing.
• The attackers debate whether to retreat or risk spending too much time breaking through the barrier and attracting Chinese authorities.
• Xu Qing concludes that fleeing would be useless, so she and Nini remain inside the barrier and wait.
• The short-haired woman leaves to contact her master for assistance. While she is gone, the other two discuss the terrifying abilities of Spirit Refining True Persons, including long-distance attacks and Spiritual Brands.
• Elsewhere above downtown Eastsea City, five strange masks representing different emotions fly across the city. Their powerful auras spread outward and begin covering a vast area.
• The short-haired woman returns, announcing that her master has permitted her to use a True Person Edict—a talisman containing a portion of a True Person’s power.
• She produces a black talisman from a wooden box and presses it against Nini’s azure barrier. Black mist pours from the talisman, but the barrier continuously repels it.
• Despite weakening slightly, the barrier withstands the True Person Edict. The short-haired woman intensifies her attack, refusing to give up.
• The chapter ends when a mysterious tearing sound approaches from the distance, suggesting the arrival of a powerful new force or threat.

Character Developments

• Nini realizes that Wu An’s azure ring is not merely an accessory but a powerful protective artifact. Her trust in Wu An’s preparations is reinforced.
• Xu Qing demonstrates calmness and strategic thinking. Rather than panicking or attempting an impossible escape, she correctly identifies waiting as their best option.
• The short-haired woman reveals determination and confidence in her master’s power. However, her surprise and growing frustration show that the azure barrier is far stronger than expected.
• The scar-faced man is curious and impressed by the abilities of Spirit Refining True Persons, while the dull-looking man displays greater knowledge and reverence toward their master.
• The relationship between the short-haired woman and her master is emphasized: she receives special privileges, including direct contact and access to a True Person Edict.

Significant Themes

• Protection and hidden power: Wu An’s seemingly simple gift proves to be a formidable defensive artifact, highlighting the theme that true strength may be concealed.
• Hierarchy and reverence: The attackers’ fear of Spirit Refining True Persons illustrates the vast power gap between ordinary cultivators and transcendent masters.
• Patience versus force: Xu Qing chooses to wait, while the short-haired woman relies on escalating power. The conflict contrasts strategic endurance with aggressive determination.
• Mystical escalation: The appearance of the five emotion-based masks and the True Person Edict expands the supernatural scale of the conflict and hints at a larger confrontation.
• Tension between factions: The Dark Realm’s hostility toward China raises the political and supernatural stakes of the pursuit.

Character Interactions

• Nini turns to Xu Qing for guidance after discovering the barrier, and Xu Qing reassures her by advising patience.
• The three attackers argue indirectly over how to proceed, with the short-haired woman taking command and the other two following her decisions.
• The scar-faced man questions the dull-looking man about their master’s abilities, prompting an explanation of Spirit Refining True Persons and Spiritual Brands.
• When the True Person Edict appears, both male attackers kneel in fear and respect, demonstrating their master’s overwhelming authority.
• The short-haired woman directly challenges Nini’s barrier with the talisman, creating the chapter’s central confrontation.

Chapter Summary: “The True Person Arrives!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• A strange white dot appears in the sky, releasing a vast transparent aura that envelops the area. The short-haired woman, the scarred man, and the dull-looking man stop using their powers and cautiously wait to see what will happen.
• A pale-masked figure suddenly appears and kills the scarred man by piercing through his chest. The masked figure reveals overwhelming strength, easily destroying the dull-looking man’s giant palm and breaking out of his supposedly unbreakable white bell.
• The dull-looking man realizes the attacker may be a Qi Refining Peak expert and attempts to escape. He is instead trapped by a sorrowful masked phantom that manipulates his emotions, persuading him to accept death before twisting his neck.
• The short-haired woman flees, but additional masked phantoms appear. Three of them surround Nini, arguing over who discovered her first and repeatedly claiming that their “lord” will know.
• Another phantom, embodying compassion and “salvation,” appears, followed by one representing rage. The short-haired woman concludes that at least four mysterious beings of Qi Refining Peak strength have appeared in Eastsea City, despite none being known among the established experts.
• While fleeing, the short-haired woman is confronted by yet another masked figure. Unable to evade its attack, she uses the black talisman containing a decree from her master, the True Person.
• The talisman summons a towering projection that protects her and reaches toward the masked figure, twisting the surrounding space. At the same time, the True Person appears ten miles away atop a skyscraper, his eyes igniting with immense golden flames.

Character Developments

• Short-haired woman: Initially cautious and commanding, she becomes increasingly terrified as the masked entities display impossible strength. Her survival instincts lead her to abandon the others and eventually rely on her master’s talisman. Her recognition that the entities may have a powerful master deepens the mystery.
• Scarred man: His confidence and aggression are abruptly ended when he is killed in the masked figure’s first attack.
• Dull-looking man: He demonstrates considerable power with his giant palm and binding bell, but his confidence collapses when both techniques fail. He is ultimately defeated through emotional manipulation rather than brute force.
• Nini: Becomes the apparent central target of the masked beings. Her fear and confusion contrast with the entities’ intense competition to claim responsibility for finding her.
• Masked phantoms: They are revealed as a group of bizarre, highly powerful beings, each seemingly embodying an emotion or spiritual concept such as sorrow, compassion, rage, and perhaps fear. Their references to a shared “lord” suggest a larger supernatural hierarchy.
• The True Person: Makes a dramatic entrance indirectly through his talisman and projection. His arrival establishes him as a figure capable of confronting the masked entities and hints at extremely formidable power.

Significant Themes

• Overwhelming power and helplessness: Established experts are rendered powerless against enemies far beyond their expectations.
• Emotion as a weapon: The phantoms exploit sorrow, fear, rage, and the desire for salvation to control or destroy their victims.
• The unknown disrupting established order: The appearance of multiple unrecognized Qi Refining Peak beings challenges the existing understanding of powerful cultivators in China.
• Salvation and death: The phantoms use religious and philosophical language to frame murder as “salvation,” questioning whether life, suffering, and death have meaning.
• Hidden masters and larger conspiracies: The masked beings’ loyalty to an unseen “lord” suggests that the immediate attacks are part of a much greater threat.

Character Interactions

• The short-haired woman coordinates with the scarred and dull-looking men, warning them not to provoke the unknown aura.
• The masked attacker kills the scarred man and battles the dull-looking man, demonstrating a vast gap in strength.
• A sorrowful phantom psychologically influences the dull-looking man before killing him.
• The masked beings surround and argue over Nini, implying that capturing her is their primary objective.
• The short-haired woman repeatedly encounters and evades different phantoms, each exploiting a different emotion.
• Her summoned True Person projection confronts the final masked figure, setting up a larger clash between the True Person and the mysterious force behind the phantoms.

Chapter Summary: “Battle Begins”

Key Plot Points and Events

• On the outskirts of Eastsea City, a powerful towering phantom—an imprint of a Spirit Refining True Person—appears to protect the short-haired woman and confronts the Avatar of Fear.
• The phantom senses an approaching threat: two immense pillars of golden flame sweep across the battlefield, setting the air and surroundings ablaze. He identifies them as possibly one of the legendary Divine Flames and creates a massive barrier to contain them.
• The phantom orders the short-haired woman to flee, then attempts to capture Nini using a gigantic hand formed from the power of heaven and earth.
• The Compassion Incarnation and two additional mask-like phantoms intervene. Although the first incarnation is crushed, the giant hand is temporarily halted. The towering phantom becomes confused by the incarnations’ ability to exist independently.
• Realizing his time may be limited and sensing another powerful cultivator in the Imperial Capital, the phantom decides to abandon his spiritual imprint if necessary in order to investigate. The short-haired woman tries to escape but is surrounded by other eerie phantoms that feed on grief, leaving her terrified.
• Winter Spirit awakens after apparently surviving her self-destruction through burning the Origin of Ice. Nini explains that golden flames melted the ice encasing Winter Spirit.
• Winter Spirit, Nini, Xu Qing, and Mu Xuejin attempt to escape, but the towering phantom attacks again. His heaven-covering hand shatters Mu Xuejin’s protective barrier.
• Wu An arrives and destroys the giant hand with a sword beam, positioning himself between the phantom and the others.
• The phantom assumes Wu An cannot threaten him because Wu An is not a Spirit Refining True Person. Wu An acknowledges that his spiritual attribute is still below the required threshold but mocks the phantom’s confidence in relying on only an imprint.
• When the phantom attacks with the power of several miles of heaven and earth, Wu An activates the “Eight Gates.” A new, overwhelming power erupts from him and suppresses the phantom’s force, shocking the True Person’s imprint.

Character Developments

• The towering phantom: Initially utterly confident in his superiority, he displays caution when confronted by the golden flames and later by Wu An’s power. His confusion over the mask phantoms and surprise at the Eight Gates reveal that he has encountered abilities beyond his expectations.
• The short-haired woman: Her confidence returns when her master appears, but she quickly becomes frightened by the Divine Flames and the grief-consuming phantoms. She relies heavily on the towering phantom for protection.
• Winter Spirit: She survives the battle despite burning the Origin of Ice, awakening confused but immediately becoming protective and decisive. She attempts to lead Nini and the others to safety, though she recognizes her inability to resist the phantom directly.
• Nini: Remains frightened but brave, worrying about Winter Spirit and warning Wu An to flee when he arrives. Her vulnerability makes her a central target of the phantom.
• Wu An: Establishes himself as the true counterforce to the invading phantom. Despite lacking the conventional realm of a True Person, he remains calm, protects the others, and reveals the previously unseen power of the Eight Gates.
• The Compassion Incarnation and mask phantoms: Demonstrate unusual independence and resilience. Their intervention delays the phantom and raises questions about their true nature.

Significant Themes

• Power beyond conventional cultivation realms: Wu An’s strength challenges the assumption that those below the Spirit Refining realm are helpless against True Persons.
• Protection and sacrifice: Multiple characters risk themselves for others, including the incarnations blocking the giant hand, Winter Spirit’s earlier self-sacrifice, and Wu An’s defense of Nini and the group.
• The unknown nature of power: Divine Flames, independent mask phantoms, and the Eight Gates all suggest forces that conventional cultivators do not fully understand.
• Confidence versus surprise: The towering phantom’s belief in the superiority of his realm is repeatedly undermined by unfamiliar abilities and unexpected opponents.
• Fear, grief, and emotional power: The Avatar of Fear and the grief-sensitive phantoms emphasize emotions as tangible and dangerous forces.

Important Character Interactions

• The short-haired woman depends on the towering phantom and urgently follows his orders, while he treats her protection as secondary to his larger objectives.
• The phantom directly clashes with the Compassion Incarnation and its mask-like counterparts, questioning their existence after they obstruct his attack.
• Nini and Winter Spirit form a brief bond, with Nini explaining how Winter Spirit survived and Winter Spirit taking responsibility for getting everyone away.
• Wu An reassures Xu Qing and protects the entire group, especially Nini, after arriving at the battlefield.
• The final confrontation is between Wu An and the towering phantom: the phantom invokes the overwhelming authority of a True Person, while Wu An counters with the Eight Gates and overturns the expected power hierarchy.

Chapter Summary: “Seven Stars”

Key Plot Points and Events

• The towering phantom realizes that Wu An has manifested a domain, something normally achievable only by a Spirit Refining True Person. This revelation makes Wu An his equal in rank and prevents him from treating Wu An as a weak subordinate.
• The phantom hesitates over whether to fight. He is only a Spiritual Brand, not his true body, and knows he could be destroyed if the imperial capital detects his presence. He recalls that more than a dozen Spirit Refining True Persons were killed a century earlier when they tried to interfere with the Founding Ancestor’s sealing of the Central Plains Spirit Meridian.
• The short-haired woman returns with two mask phantoms and begs the towering phantom for help. Realizing the danger, he chooses to yield and apologizes to Wu An for his previous actions.
• Wu An rejects the apology, remembering that the phantom masterminded the destruction of the Wu Family a year earlier and has now attacked his sister again.
• The phantom dismisses Wu An’s family grievances, arguing that long-lived cultivators should not value ordinary blood ties. He also demands that Wu An hand over the Dragon-Shaped Jade Pendant, claiming it is vital to the survival of their kind.
• Wu An refuses and declares that the old and new grudges must be settled. He gives the phantom one chance: he will use only one move, and if the phantom survives, Wu An will spare him.
• Wu An summons the Seven Star Sword, drawing on the Wu Family’s Stellar Force. Its appearance transforms the day into a star-filled night and causes the surrounding heavens and earth to tremble.
• The phantom senses overwhelming danger and attempts to escape by making his body illusory, but Wu An’s sword follows him. The single slash cleaves apart his spiritual form, after which the phantom’s body explodes.

Character Developments

• Wu An is revealed to be a Spirit Refining True Person with a fully formed domain, elevating him from a once-disgraced member of the Wu Family to a formidable equal of the phantom. He displays confidence, restraint, and immense power by offering to defeat his enemy with one attack.
• The towering phantom shifts from arrogance to caution once he recognizes Wu An’s strength. However, despite retreating and apologizing, he remains emotionally detached and entitled, refusing to acknowledge the seriousness of the Wu Family massacre.
• The short-haired woman is shown to depend heavily on the phantom and is shocked when he yields to Wu An. Her fear contrasts with Wu An’s composure.
• Xu Qing is relieved that the confrontation might end without a battle, highlighting her awareness of the danger and her concern for those involved.

Significant Themes

• Power and hierarchy: The phantom’s attitude is based on the Dark Realm’s principle that the strong dominate the weak, but Wu An’s domain overturns the power dynamic.
• Justice versus indifference: Wu An seeks justice for his family and sister, while the phantom dismisses personal loss as meaningless to long-lived cultivators.
• The consequences of arrogance: The phantom assumes Wu An will prioritize broader interests and surrender the jade pendant, but his entitlement blinds him to Wu An’s determination.
• Revenge and dignity: Wu An refuses to let the destruction of his family be reduced to a minor misunderstanding. His refusal and one-strike challenge reclaim his dignity and assert his authority.
• The danger of hidden power: The Seven Star Sword and Stellar Force reveal that Wu An’s abilities are far greater than the phantom anticipated.

Character Interactions

• The phantom initially attempts to dominate Wu An but is forced into a reluctant apology after recognizing Wu An’s domain.
• Wu An mocks the apology, directly confronting the phantom over the Wu Family’s destruction and his attack on Wu An’s sister.
• The phantom appeals to shared status and greater interests, demanding the Dragon-Shaped Jade Pendant, but Wu An rejects both his reasoning and authority.
• Their exchange escalates from negotiation to a formal one-move duel, ending with Wu An’s Seven Star Sword annihilating the phantom’s spiritual manifestation.

Chapter Summary: “Beyond Spirit Refining!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• After destroying the towering phantom, Wu An analyzes the power of the Spirit Refining True Person behind it. He concludes that Spirit Refining True Persons are comparable to domain-level martial artists from the Great Tang Twin Dragons World, though they are considerably stronger because the Urban World appears to be a higher-level world.
• Wu An speculates that Spirit Refining True Persons may not be the highest realm in the Urban World, but decides that investigating higher realms can wait. Since the enemy has now openly revealed himself and attacked Nini, Wu An resolves to settle the matter through force.
• Xu Qing approaches Wu An after witnessing his battle and admits that his power frightened her. She asks about the sudden darkness, and Wu An realizes that the Seven Star Sword’s manipulation of the stars briefly made daylight resemble night.
• Winter Spirit thanks Wu An for saving her. She explains aspects of Transcendent power to Xu Qing, helping conceal the true extent of Wu An’s abilities by giving others a plausible explanation for his supernatural methods.
• Nini runs to Wu An for comfort after the attack. He reassures her that the danger has passed.
• The group returns to Villa No. 1, where the old Taoist priest and Dong Xue are waiting. After everyone is settled, Wu An moves to the rear garden to deal with the surviving attacker.
• Wu An recalls two remaining External Incarnations, which transform back into deathly white masks. Three of his five incarnations were destroyed, but he can recreate them because they are manifestations of his own emotions; doing so will take roughly one day.
• Wu An turns his attention to the unconscious short-haired woman who led the attack. She awakens, recognizes him, and is immediately terrified.

Character Developments

• Wu An: Demonstrates overwhelming combat ability and begins thinking more deeply about the hierarchy of power in the Urban World. His protective feelings toward Nini harden into a determination to punish those responsible for threatening her. He also shows strategic awareness by allowing others to believe he is merely a powerful Transcendent.
• Xu Qing: Becomes more aware of Wu An’s frightening strength and is shaken by what she witnessed. Winter Spirit’s explanation of Transcendents opens her eyes to a much larger supernatural world.
• Winter Spirit: Survives after burning her Ice Origin and being overwhelmed by frost power. Grateful to Wu An, she begins helping him by explaining Transcendent abilities to Xu Qing.
• Nini: Remains frightened by the attack but finds safety in Wu An’s presence, reinforcing their close sibling bond.
• Short-haired attacker: Revealed to have held the highest rank among the three attackers. Upon waking and seeing Wu An, she realizes she is at his mercy.

Significant Themes

• Power beyond known limits: Wu An compares different worlds and power systems, suggesting that the Urban World contains realms surpassing Spirit Refining.
• Protection and vengeance: The attack on Nini transforms Wu An’s previously cautious investigation into a direct campaign against his enemies.
• Concealment and misdirection: Wu An deliberately allows others to interpret his abilities through the framework of Transcendents, hiding his true origins and capabilities.
• The cost of power: Although Wu An’s incarnations can be recreated, their destruction still requires time and reflects the risks involved in using demonic techniques.
• World expansion: Xu Qing’s reaction highlights how the characters’ understanding of reality is widening beyond ordinary human experience.

Important Character Interactions

• Wu An reassures Xu Qing after she expresses fear of him and answers the mystery of the sudden darkness.
• Winter Spirit respectfully thanks Wu An for saving her and provides Xu Qing with information about Transcendents.
• Wu An comforts Nini after the attack, emphasizing his protective role as her brother.
• In the final scene, Wu An confronts the surviving female attacker, who awakens in fear as she realizes he is the person now holding power over her fate.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu An confronts Zhang Yuman, a short-haired woman who has just awakened. She immediately recognizes him as a Spirit Refining True Person, since he was able to erase her master’s Spiritual Brand.
• Fearing for her life, Zhang Yuman offers herself to Wu An, even attempting to seduce him. Wu An rejects her advances and states that he only wants her to lead him to her master.
• Zhang Yuman initially refuses to betray her master and declares that she would rather die. Wu An implies that he could easily force the information from her, causing her to reconsider.
• She eventually agrees to guide Wu An personally, partly because she fears he might kill her after learning the location.
• Wu An openly reveals that his goal is to kill Zhang Yuman’s master. Zhang Yuman warns him that her master’s true strength is unknowable, as he has remained hidden for over a century and has never revealed his full abilities. Wu An remains completely unconcerned.
• Zhang Yuman is identified as an Early Qi Refining cultivator whose proximity to a Spirit Refining True Person allowed her to advance rapidly.
• Wu An secretly leaves with Zhang Yuman without informing Nini or anyone else. He has already arranged their airline tickets through Moss by altering airport data, despite having no apparent opportunity to make the booking.
• This causes Zhang Yuman to suspect that Wu An may possess the ability to predict the future.
• Meanwhile, in a mysterious black palace deep in the Southern Border, Zhang Yuman’s master senses that his Spiritual Brand has been destroyed. He orders his followers to investigate the event, find his disciples, and gather all information about what happened.

Character Developments

• Wu An: Demonstrates overwhelming confidence, emotional control, and ruthlessness. He is uninterested in Zhang Yuman’s beauty or seduction and treats confronting her master as an ordinary task. His secret manipulation of the airline system also highlights his advanced resources and preparation.
• Zhang Yuman: Shifts from fear and attempted seduction to reluctant cooperation. Though loyal to her master, her fear of Wu An’s power ultimately outweighs her resolve. She remains skeptical of Wu An’s chances against her master but is willing to let him take the risk.
• Zhang Yuman’s Master: Revealed as an ancient, mysterious, and extremely powerful Spirit Refining True Person. His black eyes, ominous presence, and ability to sense the destruction of his Spiritual Brand establish him as a major threat. He immediately begins investigating Wu An.

Significant Themes

• Power and submission: Wu An’s superior cultivation places Zhang Yuman in a position where resistance seems meaningless, forcing her to submit despite her loyalty.
• Loyalty versus survival: Zhang Yuman’s decision to betray or guide Wu An to her master reflects the conflict between devotion and the instinct to stay alive.
• Overwhelming confidence: Wu An’s calm attitude contrasts sharply with Zhang Yuman’s fear and her master’s ominous reputation, emphasizing his belief that he can defeat any opponent.
• Hidden strength and mystery: Both Wu An and Zhang Yuman’s master conceal their true capabilities. The master’s century-long silence and Wu An’s unexplained foresight create suspense about the coming confrontation.
• Preparation and control: Wu An’s ability to arrange travel in advance and manipulate systems suggests that he plans several steps ahead and controls events from behind the scenes.

Character Interactions

• Wu An intimidates Zhang Yuman through his calm authority and implicit threat of coercion.
• Zhang Yuman attempts to use beauty and seduction to preserve her life, but Wu An’s indifference frustrates her strategy.
• Their exchange establishes a tense relationship built on fear, reluctant cooperation, and mutual assessment.
• Zhang Yuman warns Wu An about her master’s unknown power, but his unchanged expression reinforces the imbalance between them.
• Zhang Yuman’s master communicates with his followers through overwhelming spiritual pressure, compelling them to kneel and obey while launching an investigation into Wu An’s actions.

Chapter Summary: “Primordial Golden Flame!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu An travels by plane from Four Seas Province toward the Southern Border, accompanied by Zhang Yuman.
• Inside his Sea of Consciousness, Wu An examines the newly completed Primordial Golden Flame, a Platinum-tier Divine Flame formed by fusing powerful Heavenly Flames through the Flame Mantra.
• Wu An recalls that, during his previous battle with the towering phantom, the flame had not yet fully fused. He now believes that even the phantom would be instantly incinerated if exposed to the completed Primordial Golden Flame.
• Although tempted to test the flame’s strength, Wu An decides not to endanger the other passengers and resolves to find a safer opportunity in the Southern Border.
• A young male passenger begins discussing the flight attendant’s appearance with Wu An. His fashionable sister repeatedly scolds him for making inappropriate remarks, creating a lighthearted interaction that Wu An finds amusing.
• Wu An recognizes that the siblings are likely young Transcendents at the Essence Refining Realm, but he chooses not to interfere because they have not provoked him.
• The young man reveals that strange phenomena—Daytime Star Appearance and Day-Night Reversal—recently occurred near Eastsea City. He speculates that they resulted from a battle between powerful Transcendents, possibly two legendary Spirit Refining True Persons.
• His sister, realizing they have discussed sensitive information openly, warns Wu An to forget what he heard or risk bringing disaster upon himself.

Character Developments

• Wu An: Demonstrates increased confidence in the power of the fully fused Primordial Golden Flame. He remains calm, restrained, and detached, deliberately avoiding unnecessary conflict despite possessing overwhelming power. His ability to identify the siblings’ cultivation also highlights his exceptional perception.
• Zhang Yuman: Continues traveling with Wu An in resignation, believing escape is impossible if he intends to kill her. Her willingness to sleep despite the danger reflects her acceptance of her circumstances. She later awakens and observes Wu An during the conversation.
• The young male Transcendent: Appears talkative, curious, and somewhat careless. He openly shares information about the mysterious Eastsea phenomena and enthusiastically speculates about their cause.
• The fashionable sister: Acts as the more cautious and responsible sibling. She frequently restrains her brother and becomes alarmed when she realizes they may have revealed dangerous information to Wu An.

Significant Themes

• Power and restraint: Wu An possesses a devastating new ability but chooses not to test it recklessly, emphasizing his control and judgment.
• The gap between realms: The completed Divine Flame may be powerful enough to destroy spiritual imprints instantly, but its effectiveness against true Spirit Refining experts remains uncertain.
• Hidden supernatural conflict: The strange celestial phenomena near Eastsea suggest that a battle between exceptionally powerful beings has taken place, hinting at larger events beyond Wu An’s immediate journey.
• Secrecy and danger: The siblings’ fear that Wu An might learn too much reflects the dangerous, concealed world of Transcendents operating alongside ordinary society.
• Acceptance of fate: Zhang Yuman’s calm sleep despite believing she may die contrasts with the siblings’ anxiety and caution.

Character Interactions

• Wu An and Zhang Yuman maintain a quiet, tense relationship shaped by her belief that he controls her fate.
• Wu An casually responds to the young man’s comments about the flight attendant, establishing a brief sense of camaraderie between them.
• The siblings bicker humorously, with the sister repeatedly silencing her brother and apologizing to Wu An.
• Their conversation shifts from casual remarks to serious discussion of supernatural events. The sister ultimately addresses Wu An directly, warning him not to remember or repeat what he has overheard.

Chapter Summary: “Southern Border”

Plot Points and Events

• Wu An and Zhang Yuman encounter siblings Miao Ziyue and Miao Ziqing, who warn Wu An that a “monstrous calamity” may be approaching. They believe he is an ordinary person and fear he might spread dangerous information about the ongoing conflict between powerful True Persons.
• Wu An internally recognizes the irony: he is actually a powerful Spirit Refining True Person, and the strange phenomena known as the Daytime Star Appearance and Day-Night Reversal were caused by him.
• Miao Ziyue and Miao Ziqing reveal that they are also traveling to Azure Sun Town in the Southern Border to visit an elder. Since Wu An is heading there as well, Miao Ziyue invites him to travel with them.
• The group arrives in Azure Sun Town after a flight and a lengthy bus journey. The town is a busy tourist destination near the Southeast Asian border, with a distinctly exotic atmosphere and an unusually high number of Transcendents.
• Miao Ziyue warns Wu An not to offend the elderly residents, explaining that outsiders have allegedly been cursed by them. Zhang Yuman dismisses the danger, confident that no ordinary Curse Art could harm a Spirit Refining True Person.
• Meanwhile, a council in Azure Sun Town discusses an urgent crisis. The Witch Lord, a Spirit Refining True Person, has demanded that the town prepare its annual human sacrifices early.
• The council learns that one of the Witch Lord’s Spiritual Brands was destroyed, causing him backlash and forcing him to seek sacrifices to recover. They conclude that the person responsible must also be a Spirit Refining True Person.
• The council debates abducting tourists to satisfy the Witch Lord but rejects the idea because of the scale and consequences. Before they reach a solution, a guard announces that the young master and young lady—Miao Ziyue and Miao Ziqing—have arrived.

Character Developments

• Wu An remains calm and detached, allowing others to underestimate him. His true power and connection to the supernatural events remain hidden.
• Zhang Yuman shows confidence in Wu An’s overwhelming strength and openly mocks the idea that local curses could threaten him.
• Miao Ziyue is introduced as friendly, sociable, and eager to help. He acts as a guide and host, inviting Wu An to accompany him through Azure Sun Town.
• Miao Ziqing appears more suspicious and observant than her brother, openly questioning Wu An’s coincidental destination but ultimately traveling with him.
• The Witch Lord is established as a powerful but injured antagonist whose authority depends on fear, spiritual power, and forced sacrifices.
• Clan Chief Miao and the council members are shown as fearful intermediaries trapped between their own moral concerns and the Witch Lord’s demands.

Significant Themes

• Hidden identity and mistaken assumptions: Wu An is repeatedly treated as an ordinary person despite being vastly more powerful than those around him.
• Power and perspective: The council views Spirit Refining True Persons as unreachable beings, while Wu An and Zhang Yuman regard the Witch Lord’s threats with relative indifference.
• Fear and oppression: The Witch Lord maintains control through demands for sacrifices, forcing local leaders to consider harming innocent tourists.
• Moral conflict: The council struggles between obeying the Witch Lord and refusing to sacrifice outsiders.
• The contrast between the ordinary and supernatural worlds: Azure Sun Town appears to be a tourist destination, but beneath its surface it is filled with Transcendents, curses, ancient powers, and hidden political tensions.

Character Interactions

• The fashionable beauty warns Wu An about the danger of discussing the conflict between True Persons, though she does not realize his actual status.
• Wu An’s brief reassurance immediately silences and unsettles her, suggesting that she senses something unusual about him.
• Miao Ziyue and Miao Ziqing question Wu An about his destination and discover that they are all heading to Azure Sun Town.
• Miao Ziyue offers to guide and protect Wu An, unaware that Wu An is likely far more powerful than anyone in the town.
• Zhang Yuman dismisses Miao Ziyue’s warnings about curses, creating a contrast between local superstition and her confidence in Wu An.
• In the council hall, the elders debate the Witch Lord’s demands until the arrival of Miao Ziyue and Miao Ziqing interrupts the discussion, linking the traveling group directly to the town’s hidden crisis.

Chapter Summary: “Despair!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Miao Ziyue and Miao Ziqing arrive at the Miao clan’s council hall, accompanied by Wu An. Zhang Yuman remains behind, pretending to be ill.
• Miao Ziyue introduces Wu An as a friend. The clan members distrust him, fearing he could be an infiltrator, but Clan Chief Miao determines that Wu An is merely an ordinary person.
• Clan Chief Miao urges the siblings to leave Azure Sun Town that afternoon because the clan is facing a dangerous situation involving the Witch Lord and urgently required sacrifices.
• Before Wu An can leave, the Witch Lord’s envoy violently enters the hall and demands that the sacrifices be delivered immediately.
• When Clan Chief Miao explains that there was insufficient time to prepare them, the envoy attacks him with a single palm strike, sending the powerful Peak Qi Refining cultivator flying and causing him to vomit blood.
• The envoy threatens to take everyone present hostage until the sacrifices are gathered. Terrified, the clan members offer no resistance and submit to being bound.
• Just as the group appears completely defeated, Wu An pushes away the person attempting to restrain him and turns his attention toward the envoy, signaling that he may finally intervene.

Character Developments

• Clan Chief Miao: Revealed to be protective of his family, especially the visiting siblings, as he tries to send them away before they become involved. Despite being the strongest person in Azure Sun Town, he is humiliated and seriously injured by the envoy, emphasizing the severity of the threat.
• Miao Ziyue: His kindness and willingness to trust Wu An are criticized as naïve and lacking caution. He is deeply anxious when the clan suspects Wu An of being an infiltrator and later becomes helpless and despairing under the envoy’s pressure.
• Miao Ziqing: Remains affectionate and familiar with Clan Chief Miao, immediately acting warmly toward him. She notices his troubled expression and shows concern, but she is also overwhelmed when the crisis unfolds.
• Wu An: Appears detached and impatient with the clan’s conversation, intending to leave after wasting time there. His decision to resist being bound suggests that he is far more capable and confident than the others realize.
• The Witch Lord’s Envoy: Establishes himself as cruel, domineering, and overwhelmingly powerful. He uses violence and intimidation to enforce the Witch Lord’s demands, treating the Miao clan’s lives as leverage.

Significant Themes

• Oppression and helplessness: The Miao clan is powerless before the Witch Lord’s authority, forced to obey even when the demands threaten their lives.
• Despair versus resistance: The clan members surrender to their fate, while Wu An’s refusal to submit introduces the possibility of a reversal.
• Misjudgment and hidden strength: The clan assumes Wu An is an ordinary, inexperienced outsider, while his calm behavior and sudden resistance hint that they have greatly underestimated him.
• Family protection and sacrifice: Clan Chief Miao attempts to protect Ziyue and Ziqing by sending them away, but the envoy’s arrival traps everyone together.
• Power and fear: The envoy’s effortless defeat of Clan Chief Miao demonstrates how absolute strength can silence opposition and control an entire community.

Character Interactions

• Miao Ziqing affectionately reunites with Clan Chief Miao, while Miao Ziyue behaves more stiffly and cautiously.
• The middle-aged woman and other clan members challenge Miao Ziyue’s decision to bring Wu An into the hall, creating tension around his trust in Wu An.
• Clan Chief Miao dismisses the accusations against Wu An but privately becomes disappointed in Ziyue’s lack of vigilance.
• Wu An’s desire to leave is viewed by the elders as disrespectful, further separating him from the clan.
• The envoy humiliates and overpowers Clan Chief Miao, then threatens the entire group to force compliance.
• The chapter ends with Wu An breaking the atmosphere of submission by refusing to be restrained and confronting the envoy.

Chapter Summary: “Suppress and Kill”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu An unexpectedly steps forward to confront the black-clad envoy of the Witch Lord, despite being regarded by everyone as an ordinary person.
• Miao Ziyue and Miao Ziqing panic, believing Wu An’s action will provoke the envoy and get him killed. Clan Chief Miao also tries to protect Wu An by explaining that he is merely a visitor with no connection to the Miao clan.
• The envoy declares that anyone who defies him is defying the Witch Lord and therefore deserves death.
• Before being attacked, Wu An asks whether the Witch Lord is a Spirit Refining True Person. The envoy proudly confirms that he is.
• Wu An reveals that the Witch Lord is the very person he has been searching for—and claims that he already erased the Witch Lord’s Spiritual Brand with a single sword strike.
• He further mocks the Witch Lord, saying that he had worried the attack might frighten the Witch Lord into hiding, but now realizes that concern was unnecessary.
• Enraged, the envoy prepares to use the Southern Border’s sinister Curse Art against Wu An. A black mist filled with skull-like shapes descends toward him, threatening to torment his soul for nine days and nine nights.
• The chapter ends as Wu An recognizes the curse as evidence that the Miao clan’s enemies were involved and manifests a golden flame in his eyes, signaling that he is about to counterattack.

Character Developments

• Wu An: Reveals remarkable confidence and hidden power. Rather than acting recklessly, he deliberately confronts the envoy to confirm the Witch Lord’s identity and location. His statement about destroying the Witch Lord’s Spiritual Brand establishes him as vastly stronger than expected.
• Miao Ziyue: Shows genuine concern for Wu An and tries to stop him, still believing him to be an ordinary person incapable of surviving the confrontation.
• Miao Ziqing: Becomes regretful that Wu An was brought into the dangerous situation, highlighting her misunderstanding of his true abilities.
• Clan Chief Miao: Attempts to save Wu An by distancing him from the Miao clan, but becomes shocked when Wu An’s words suggest he possesses extraordinary knowledge and power.
• The Black-Clad Envoy: Initially amused by Wu An’s boldness, he grows furious after Wu An insults the Witch Lord. His confidence shifts into murderous aggression as he unleashes the Curse Art.

Significant Themes

• Hidden strength beneath an ordinary appearance: Wu An is consistently mistaken for a powerless civilian, while his calm behavior hints at overwhelming abilities.
• Defiance against authority: The envoy treats opposition to the Witch Lord as an unforgivable crime, whereas Wu An openly challenges the Witch Lord’s supposed invincibility.
• Fear versus composure: The Miao clan reacts with panic, but Wu An remains calm and methodical, emphasizing the contrast between appearances and true power.
• Revelation and pursuit: Wu An’s questions reveal that his confrontation is part of a larger search for the Witch Lord.
• Dark supernatural forces: The curse, black mist, and spiritual brands expand the chapter’s supernatural power system and suggest a conflict involving souls, curses, and spiritual attacks.

Character Interactions

• Miao Ziyue and Miao Ziqing attempt to restrain or protect Wu An, believing he is endangering himself.
• Clan Chief Miao pleads with the envoy to overlook Wu An, but his defense inadvertently worsens the situation.
• Wu An calmly questions and provokes the envoy, using the exchange to confirm the Witch Lord’s identity.
• The envoy responds to Wu An’s insults with a deadly curse, setting up the imminent clash between the two.

Chapter Summary: “Benefits and Drawbacks”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu An reveals a fragment of the Primordial Golden Flame in his eyes, confirming that his power is far beyond that of ordinary Qi Refining Transcendents.
• The golden flame naturally suppresses the black mist used by the Witch Lord’s envoy, causing it to halt in midair.
• The envoy sacrifices a large amount of his cultivation—roughly ten years’ worth—by using his blood essence to amplify the Curse Art tenfold.
• The black mist expands into a terrifying, ghostly domain filled with demonic skulls and chilling winds.
• Despite the curse’s increased power, Wu An’s golden flames spread from his eyes and instantly incinerate the entire black mist.
• Everyone realizes that Wu An may be a Spirit Refining True Person, a realm vastly superior to Qi Refining.
• The black-clad envoy kneels and begs for mercy, invoking his master, the Witch Lord, who is also a Spirit Refining True Person.
• He attempts to persuade Wu An that killing him would create an unnecessary enemy and therefore be disadvantageous.
• Wu An rejects this argument and burns the envoy to nothingness without hesitation, declaring that he has no reason to hesitate before killing him.

Character Developments

• Wu An demonstrates overwhelming strength, revealing that even a small portion of the Primordial Golden Flame can completely destroy the Witch Lord’s Curse Art. His calmness and decisiveness establish him as both extraordinarily powerful and ruthless when necessary.
• The black-clad envoy shifts from arrogance and disbelief to panic and submission. His confidence in the Witch Lord’s reputation fails to protect him.
• Clan Chief Miao undergoes a sharp change in attitude. He regrets previously looking down on Wu An and realizes that he may have offended someone of a status comparable to the Witch Lord.
• The middle-aged woman is forced to abandon her confidence in the Curse Art. After witnessing its destruction, she becomes frightened of Wu An and regrets mocking him.
• Miao Ziqing reacts with terror as the curse transforms the hall into a supernatural battlefield.

Significant Themes

• Absolute power versus strategy: The envoy tries to survive by arguing that killing him would carry political and personal costs, but Wu An’s superior strength makes such calculations irrelevant.
• The danger of underestimating others: Several characters dismiss Wu An, only to discover that he stands at or beyond the level of a Spirit Refining True Person.
• Reputation and hierarchy: The Witch Lord’s name intimidates everyone present, but Wu An proves that even the Witch Lord’s authority cannot guarantee his envoy’s safety.
• Mercy and ruthlessness: Wu An initially appears calm and tolerant, but he shows that his patience has limits and that he will act decisively against those who threaten him.
• Suppression of evil: The Primordial Golden Flame serves as a natural counter to the sinister black mist, symbolizing the destruction of curses and demonic power.

Character Interactions

• The envoy attacks Wu An with the Curse Art, while the middle-aged woman confidently predicts Wu An’s defeat.
• Clan Chief Miao and the others initially fear the curse, then begin treating Wu An with awe after recognizing his likely status.
• The envoy kneels before Wu An and attempts to negotiate by invoking the Witch Lord’s strength.
• Clan Chief Miao supports the envoy’s reasoning, warning Wu An that killing him could provoke the Witch Lord.
• Wu An silently rejects their concerns and kills the envoy instantly, shocking everyone present and proving that he values neither the envoy’s threats nor the supposed “cost” of his death.

Chapter Summary: “All Beings Suffer”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu An arrives at the Miao clan’s council hall, intending to hunt down the Witch Lord and the mysterious man in black connected to him.
• He reflects on the power of his Primordial Golden Flame, recognizing it as one of his strongest techniques. Although some single-use trump cards—such as Buddha’s Fury Tang Lotus and the Miniature Star-Destroying Bomb—may be more devastating, the Golden Flame has the advantage of being inexhaustible.
• Wu An confirms that Zhang Yuman has remained nearby rather than escaping. He had secretly planted a tracking mark on her, allowing him to locate her even from great distances.
• Clan Chiefs Miao and Haku, along with the other members of the council, treat Wu An with extreme reverence after realizing that he is a powerful Spirit Refining True Person.
• Wu An questions the clan about the Witch Lord’s sacrifices. Clan Chief Haku explains that surrounding towns must offer sacrifices every five years to demonstrate submission to the Witch Lord.
• The sacrifices traditionally consist of either wild, spiritually powerful livestock or living humans. The schedule has recently been moved forward by four years, placing heavy pressure on Azure Sun Town.
• A middle-aged woman suggests sacrificing ordinary tourists instead, arguing that a few hundred disappearances would not attract attention. Miao Ziyue objects, but the woman dismisses ordinary people as inferior to Transcendents.
• The discussion recalls the brutal era a century earlier, when Transcendents ruled without laws and ordinary humans were treated like livestock.
• Wu An privately reflects on the Great Ancestor, who sealed the Central Plains’ spiritual energy and ended the age of Transcendents. He wonders whether this drastic action was intended to relieve the suffering of ordinary people.
• Although Wu An recognizes the Great Ancestor’s possible motives, he admits that he is not a saint and does not share the same ambition to save all living beings.
• Wu An orders Zhang Yuman to appear. After confirming that she has recovered, he prepares to follow her toward the Witch Lord.

Character Developments

• Wu An is portrayed as confident, calculating, and overwhelmingly powerful. He evaluates his abilities strategically and distinguishes between reusable techniques and one-time trump cards.
• His attitude toward moral issues remains detached. He understands the suffering caused by the old Transcendent order but does not feel personally responsible for correcting it.
• Zhang Yuman demonstrates obedience by remaining where Wu An expected and agreeing to guide him. Her continued submission suggests that she recognizes the imbalance of power between them.
• Clan Chief Haku becomes increasingly fearful and respectful after realizing that Wu An is actively hunting the supposedly invincible Witch Lord.
• Miao Ziyue shows compassion and moral restraint by objecting to the sacrifice of innocent tourists.
• The middle-aged woman reveals a ruthless, elitist worldview, valuing Transcendents above ordinary humans and being willing to sacrifice civilians to protect the clan.

Significant Themes

• Power and moral responsibility: The chapter contrasts Wu An’s immense power with his refusal to accept the moral obligations associated with it.
• The suffering of ordinary people: The title reflects the historical oppression of mortals under Transcendent rule and the continuing danger posed by the Witch Lord’s sacrificial demands.
• The cost of social order: The Great Ancestor’s suppression of spiritual power may have ended Transcendent tyranny, but it also created the Dharma-Ending Era. The chapter raises questions about whether destroying an entire class of powerful beings was justified to protect the masses.
• Elitism versus humanity: The middle-aged woman’s belief that ordinary people are expendable directly opposes Miao Ziyue’s more humane perspective.
• Submission and fear: The clan’s reverence for Wu An mirrors the obedience they show toward the Witch Lord, suggesting that authority in this world is often maintained through overwhelming strength.

Character Interactions

• The clan leaders respectfully apologize to Wu An and offer their assistance, revealing their fear and dependence on powerful figures.
• Wu An interrogates Clan Chief Haku about the sacrifices, forcing the clan to disclose the Witch Lord’s oppressive demands.
• Miao Ziyue challenges the middle-aged woman’s suggestion to sacrifice tourists, creating a clear moral conflict within the clan.
• Wu An silently evaluates the debate rather than intervening, emphasizing his detached personality.
• When Zhang Yuman arrives, Wu An questions her recovery and confirms that she is ready to lead him. She responds respectfully and accepts her role as his guide toward the Witch Lord.

Chapter Summary: “I Came Looking for Someone”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu An departs from Azure Sun Town, receiving an unusually reverent farewell from the entire Miao Clan. The townspeople are shocked that the clan, regarded as the town’s dominant power, treats him with such respect.
• After Wu An leaves, Clan Chief Miao questions Miao Ziyue about how she met him. She explains that Wu An came from Four Seas Province.
• A refined clan member suggests betraying Wu An to the Witch Lord, arguing that the Miao Clan could claim it had been coerced after the Witch Lord’s envoy was killed. Clan Chief Miao firmly rejects the idea, insisting that the clan will not repay Wu An’s mercy with treachery.
• Wu An and Zhang Yuman travel through the dangerous Ten Thousand Mountains toward the Witch Lord’s stronghold. Wu An finds the terrain easy to cross, though he avoids using his full abilities to prevent attracting attention.
• At the stronghold’s perimeter, servants attempt to stop them, but Zhang Yuman identifies herself as the Witch Lord’s Ninth Young Mistress. The guards immediately kneel and allow them through.
• As they proceed, Zhang Yuman explains that she is willingly leading Wu An to her master because the Witch Lord ordered her to bring him back. She also recognizes that Wu An could find the place without her.
• At the palace, a group of Qi Refining Transcendents emerges and questions Zhang Yuman about her mission. Suspicious of Wu An, their leader asks who he is and why he has come.
• Wu An calmly answers that he has come “to find someone,” setting up a confrontation or meeting with the Witch Lord.

Character Developments

• Wu An: Continues to display confidence and overwhelming power. He remains calm in unfamiliar and hostile surroundings, notices hidden details with his Three-Tomoe ability, and shows no fear while entering the Witch Lord’s domain.
• Zhang Yuman: Becomes more cooperative and transparent. Rather than plotting against Wu An, she openly admits that bringing him to the Witch Lord was part of her master’s orders. Her authority within the Witch Lord’s organization is also revealed.
• Clan Chief Miao: Demonstrates loyalty and moral resolve by rejecting the suggestion to betray Wu An. He acknowledges Wu An’s mercy and refuses to risk the clan’s honor through deception.
• The refined Miao Clan adviser: Acts pragmatically and prioritizes survival, proposing that the clan report Wu An’s actions to the Witch Lord to protect itself.
• The Witch Lord’s servants and disciples: Their fearful, hierarchical behavior emphasizes the Witch Lord’s authority. Even powerful Essence Refining and Qi Refining Transcendents serve in subordinate roles.

Significant Themes

• Power and hierarchy: Wu An’s influence is evident in the Miao Clan’s reverence and the fear surrounding the Witch Lord’s organization. The chapter contrasts ordinary people’s confusion with the hidden power structures governing the region.
• Loyalty versus self-preservation: The Miao Clan debates whether survival justifies betrayal, but Clan Chief Miao chooses loyalty and gratitude over opportunism.
• Fear and authority: The guards’ terror of Zhang Yuman and the Witch Lord reflects the oppressive hierarchy of the stronghold.
• Calm confidence in the face of danger: Wu An’s relaxed behavior underscores the difference between his true strength and the danger perceived by others.
• Inevitable confrontation: Zhang Yuman’s explanation and Wu An’s deliberate arrival suggest that the meeting with the Witch Lord has been anticipated by both sides.

Character Interactions

• The townspeople react with fear and curiosity to Wu An’s departure, while a mother warns her child not to question the Miao Clan’s behavior.
• Clan Chief Miao interrogates Miao Ziyue about Wu An, then rejects the adviser’s proposal to betray him.
• Zhang Yuman uses her status to protect the two patrol guards from Wu An’s potential punishment and guides Wu An through the stronghold.
• Wu An questions Zhang Yuman’s lack of resistance, prompting her to explain that leading him there fulfills her master’s orders.
• At the palace, the senior disciple confronts Zhang Yuman and challenges Wu An’s presence. Wu An responds with composed ambiguity, declaring that he has come to find someone.