Chapter Summaries

Key plot points and events

• Chen Lie declines Chu Ling’er’s offer to use the Divine Intent Cave on its final day and attends an open lecture for his martial arts class.
• Chen Jingjing offers to buy some of Chen Lie’s Credits with Aurora Coins, but he refuses, saying he has little to spare. Tao Yunshu is surprised, not realizing how quickly he spends his Credits.
• Chen Lie tells Hou Yutan that he has grasped four of the Five Elements Intents. He explains that mastering all five removes their mutual resistance, making later Martial Dao True Intents equally difficult rather than increasingly difficult.
• Instructor Huang Zongcheng lectures on reaching the Five Qi Converging to Origin Realm, a True Qi-stage ultimate realm that lays the foundation for becoming a Grandmaster. He also announces the upcoming New Student Martial Arts Grand Competition and its substantial rewards.
• Chen Lie decides he will enter the competition if the rewards are worthwhile. Afterward, he visits Huang Zongcheng to request approval to apply to the Mental Power Department as a dual-department student.
• Huang explains that Chen Lie must meet strict requirements: an eligible Consciousness Sea World, a Heaven-Grade Consciousness Spirit ranking, and at least third-order Mental Power. Chen Lie confirms that he qualifies, surprising Huang.
• Teaching Assistant Huang Yuxi learns that Chen Lie has mastered four Five Elements Intents and offers to guide him toward Martial Dao True Intent the next morning.

Character developments

• Chen Lie appears confident in his martial and mental-power abilities, though he is reserved about his finances. He pursues dual-department status and plans to compete for the university’s rewards.
• Hou Yutan and his peers are encouraged by Chen Lie’s explanation of Martial Dao progress and consider entering the competition despite concerns about their cultivation levels and lack of weapons.
• Qiao Xuanxi has improved her combat strength by mastering a Mystic-grade palm technique and a Spirit-grade movement technique. Her view of Chen Lie’s relative talent shifts after hearing his progress, though she still recognizes his strength.
• Huang Zongcheng is impressed when Chen Lie confirms he meets the demanding dual-department qualifications.
• Huang Yuxi recognizes Chen Lie’s rapid progress and takes an interest in helping him advance.

Significant themes

• Ambition and competition: Students aim for the True Qi Ultimate Realm, the Hidden Dragon Rankings, and the upcoming tournament.
• Talent versus resources: The group debates whether skill and talent can compensate for expensive weapons and other advantages.
• Perseverance and progression: The lecture frames martial advancement as a difficult but attainable process, with mastery of foundational concepts enabling further growth.
• Balancing disciplines: Chen Lie’s application reflects the challenge—and promise—of pursuing both martial arts and mental power.

Character interactions

• Chen Lie politely refuses Chen Jingjing’s trade offer, while Tao Yunshu explains the value of Aurora Coins and wonders why Chen Lie lacks Credits.
• Chen Lie encourages Hou Yutan by clarifying how the Five Elements Intents relate to Martial Dao True Intent.
• Huang Zongcheng’s lecture gives the class guidance on cultivation and motivates discussion about the tournament.
• Chen Lie discusses competition prospects and equipment shortages with Hou Yutan, Nie Cheng, and Qiao Xuanxi.
• Chen Lie seeks Huang Zongcheng’s approval for dual-department study, then speaks with Huang Yuxi, who offers him personal instruction.

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• Huang Zongcheng gives Chen Lie an application form for a dual-department student assessment in the Mental Power Department and reminds him to prepare for the university-wide New Student Martial Arts Grand Competition.
• Huang Yuxi states she will tutor Chen Lie and arranges to meet him at the Martial Arts Arena the next day to help him comprehend Martial Dao True Intent.
• Chen Lie contacts Chu Ling'er and asks her to guide him through the Mental Power Department assessment.
• After submitting the application, Chen Lie undergoes the assessment:
  • Mental power aptitude test: He achieves gold aptitude level 2.5, passing the required threshold of gold level 2.
  • Consciousness Spirit test: Chen Lie deliberately reveals only his "Liu Earth Musk Deer" Star God, hiding his other Star Gods. The device identifies an unknown Heaven-Grade Consciousness Spirit, names it "Heaven-Devouring Giant God," and classifies it as capable of devouring all mental power, with mental power attack amplification of 10–15 times.

2. Character Developments

• Chen Lie: Shows strategic caution by concealing most of his true abilities during the Consciousness Spirit test. His mental power aptitude has improved significantly, likely due to opening his Primordial Spirit Aperture and the all-around enhancement of Defying Fate.
• Huang Yuxi: Takes the initiative to mentor Chen Lie, hoping his progress may help her overcome her own martial arts bottleneck.
• Chu Ling'er: Demonstrates loyalty and priority for Chen Lie by abandoning her precious Divine Intent Cave practice time to assist him.

3. Significant Themes

• Mentorship and guidance: Huang Yuxi and Huang Zongcheng both invest in Chen Lie's growth, recognizing his potential.
• Hidden potential and strategy: Chen Lie carefully chooses what to reveal, protecting his true strength while still passing the assessment.
• Opportunity and preparation: The upcoming Martial Arts Grand Competition and dual-department assessment highlight Chen Lie's rising status and his need to prepare for greater challenges.
• The mystery of power: The "Heaven-Devouring Giant God" Consciousness Spirit hints at Chen Lie's unique, devouring-style mental power and extraordinary latent combat ability.

4. Character Interactions

• Chen Lie with Huang Zongcheng and Huang Yuxi: Receives the assessment form and instructions; Huang Yuxi volunteers to tutor him, and Huang Zongcheng expresses confidence in his chances.
• Chen Lie with Chu Ling'er: Works together smoothly; she guides him through the unfamiliar Mental Power Department and stays by his side during the assessment.
• Chen Lie with the assessment examiner, Du Hailin: Completes the aptitude and Consciousness Spirit tests under his direction, with the examiner noting his result as "not bad" but not exceptionally standout.

Summary of Chapter: Huang Yucheng's Contempt

1. Key Plot Points

• Mental Power Assessment: Chen Lie takes the Dual-Department Student assessment in the Mental Power Department. The Consciousness Spirit detector shows a strange benchmark (anywhere from 30th to 1st on Heaven-Grade ranking). His Consciousness Spirit, named "Giant-Beaked Spirit God" from Aurora Star, has the ability to devour Mental Power — similar to the 11th-ranked Devouring Heaven Taotie but slightly weaker (10–15x amplification vs 19x). Chief examiner Du Hailin passes Chen Lie immediately without testing his realm, citing his obvious talent.
• Benefits Granted: Chen Lie receives: 100,000 Credits monthly, two free entries to Divine Intent Cave (ordinary) per month, 20% discount on Mental Power resources, and free movement within the Mental Power Department. As a secondary-department student, he must find his own instructor.
• Divine Intent Cave No. 0: Chen Lie asks about the special cave he used earlier. Chu Ling'er explains he cannot enter No. 0 regularly; those slots are reserved for top students. She transferred her own five days of access to him, which others might see as foolish. He learns he can obtain more by challenging the Hidden Dragon Rankings (requires peak 4th-order Qi Gathering, Ultimate Realm with Five Qi Converging at Origin, and uncovering Divine Treasury, though defeating a ranked student can substitute).
• Cultivation Progress: Chen Lie uses another 20,000 jin of Yuan Stones, bringing his total consumption past 100,000 jin. He estimates he'll need 120–130,000 jin to break into the Second-Order Roaming Qi Realm. His physique is comparable to a Starry Sky Behemoth, making his resource needs astronomical.
• Meeting Huang Yuxi: Chen Lie returns to the Martial Way Department and meets assistant instructor Huang Yuxi, who tests his speed while leading him to a cottage. He keeps up easily at speeds that trouble ordinary Tier 4 Martial Artists.
• Huang Yucheng's Contempt: Inside the cottage, Huang Yuxi's younger sister, Huang Yucheng (the baby-faced girl who had led Chu Ling'er), recognizes Chen Lie and treats him with open disdain. She believes he swindled Chu Ling'er out of valuable resources and despises him for "bewitching an underage girl." Huang Yuxi remains unaware of the history and focuses on training her sister in techniques (four of five mastered).

2. Character Developments

• Chen Lie: Confirms his extraordinary Consciousness Spirit and resource-heavy cultivation path. He is pragmatic, unfazed by Huang Yucheng's hostility, and continues seeking ways to access better cultivation resources (Hidden Dragon Rankings).
• Huang Yucheng: Fully embraces her contempt for Chen Lie, viewing him as a manipulative parasite living off Chu Ling'er. Her immature personality contrasts with her elder sister's professionalism.
• Huang Yuxi: Professionally assesses Chen Lie's abilities (speed, cultivation) and is impressed. She appears to be a capable instructor intent on pushing her sister.
• Chu Ling'er: Remains loyal and generous to Chen Lie, suppressing her curiosity about his test results. She is evidently well-connected and favored by Starry Sky University.

3. Significant Themes

• Elite Resource Inequality: Access to Divine Intent Cave No. 0 and other advanced resources is heavily gated; only top geniuses receive privileges. Chen Lie's massive Yuan Stone consumption highlights the cost of producing elite Martial Artists.
• Misjudgment and Prejudice: Huang Yucheng judges Chen Lie purely on gossip and appearances, unaware of his true strength and the nature of his relationship with Chu Ling'er.
• Perception vs. Reality: The assessment staff mistake the Consciousness Spirit's benchmark; Chen Lie's strength is underestimated by those around him.

4. Character Interactions

• Du Hailin & Staff: Discuss the anomaly of the Consciousness Spirit's detection range, then conclude it is a legitimate powerful external star domain spirit.
• Chen Lie & Du Hailin: Du Hailin explains the privileges and rules of Dual-Department Students; Chen Lie accepts and thanks him.
• Chu Ling'er & Chen Lie: She explains Divine Intent Cave No. 0 and the Hidden Dragon Rankings; he learns how to obtain more access. Their exchange is friendly and practical.
• Huang Yuxi & Chen Lie: A test of speed; Huang Yuxi is mildly surprised by his performance, showing a professional interest in his potential.
• Huang Yucheng & Chen Lie: She coldly ignores his greeting and openly shows contempt; Chen Lie remains polite. Huang Yuxi comments on her sister's attitude but does not pursue the matter.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Lie is chosen by Huang Yuxi as her assistant-teaching student.
• Huang Yuxi gives Chen Lie a set of Yin Five Elements Secret Arts to help him comprehend Martial Dao True Intent.
• Chen Lie learns from Huang Yuxi about the importance of cultivating both Yin and Yang Five Elements Secret Arts for future Two Forms True Qi cultivation.
• Huang Yuxi teaches Chen Lie and Huang Yucheng the cultivation experience for Xin Metal Origin Purity Force.

Character Developments

• Chen Lie: Shows dedication to improving his Martial Dao skills by quickly memorizing the Five Elements Secret Arts and seeking Huang Yuxi's guidance.
• Huang Yuxi: Demonstrates her responsibility as an assistant instructor by providing Chen Lie with resources and guidance to help him progress.
• Huang Yucheng: Shows indifference towards Chen Lie, indicating her disapproval of his character.

Significant Themes

• The importance of talent and comprehension in Martial Dao cultivation.
• The role of guidance and resources in aiding cultivation progress.
• The distinction between Martial Dao and Mental Power cultivation.

Character Interactions

• Chen Lie and Huang Yuxi: They interact as assistant-teaching student and instructor, with Huang Yuxi providing guidance and resources to Chen Lie.
• Chen Lie and Huang Yucheng: They have a tense relationship due to Huang Yucheng's disapproval of Chen Lie's character, leading to minimal interaction and cooperation between them.

Chapter Summary: “Sheng Yingluo’s Warning”

Key plot points and events

• Chen Lie enters the Sumeru Illusion Realm and accepts Sheng Yingluo’s invitation to meet at Elixir Origin Hall. He helps her practice simulated breakthroughs, alternating between guided attempts and independent practice. Her success rate improves dramatically, and Chen Lie agrees to return daily because she must leave the Canglan Star Domain soon.
• Sheng Yingluo says she compensated Mu Yunyao as Chen Lie had requested. She also warns him that the Order Army strictly controls the Mengzhang Divine Refining Chapter and that unauthorized cultivation could bring severe punishment. Chen Lie understands but is unmoved: he has already secretly learned the similarly guarded Lingguang Divine Refining Chapter.
• Back in reality, Chen Lie rents a Sumeru Stone for twenty days, allowing him to enter the Illusion Realm without traveling to the chamber.
• He spends several days practicing the Xin Metal Origin Purity Force. On the sixth day, he reaches its introductory stage, while Huang Yucheng—who has mastered all five elemental secret arts—silently judges his progress as poor and refuses to help.
• Ning Fan calls Chen Lie to recruit him for a secret-realm expedition the next morning. Chen Lie agrees, as he had promised Blue Star’s senior staff he would support Ning Fan. Zhang Wenwu separately urges him to help for Blue Star’s sake, but Chen Lie tells him he has already agreed.
• At the Space Jump Station, Chen Lie meets Ning Fan’s Blue Star group, including Tang Yan’er, and learns they will be joined by allies from Red Flame Planet. The chapter ends as Spirit Flame Princess Zhu Jingxi greets Ning Fan and Chen Lie.

Character developments

• Chen Lie shows commitment to helping Sheng Yingluo and is willing to make time for daily guidance. He remains pragmatic about the risks of secretly cultivating restricted techniques. In ordinary training, however, his progress in the Xin Metal art appears slow to outside observers.
• Sheng Yingluo continues to rely on Chen Lie’s expertise and grows substantially through his instruction. She also shows concern for him by warning him about the consequences of learning the Mengzhang Divine Refining Chapter.
• Huang Yucheng becomes increasingly dismissive of Chen Lie, interpreting his slow progress as evidence of poor talent and questioning her sister’s choice of tutor.
• Ning Fan takes the lead in organizing a secret-realm expedition and seeks Chen Lie’s help.
• Chen Lie and Tang Yan’er establish a friendly connection through their shared East River Province background and their places in the Martial Way Department.

Significant themes

• Privilege and unequal opportunity: Chen Lie contrasts his difficult origins with Sheng Yingluo’s immense advantages in family power, training, talent, and resources.
• Effort versus fate: Chen Lie’s promising future is only one possible path; he must work relentlessly to make it real.
• Restricted knowledge and risk: Both Chen Lie and Sheng Yingluo have learned guarded cultivation arts, highlighting the danger and value of forbidden techniques.
• Misjudgment and appearances: Huang Yucheng judges Chen Lie by his visible progress, unaware of the broader abilities and circumstances that shape his path.
• Duty and solidarity: Chen Lie honors his promise to support Ning Fan and accepts the appeal to help fellow Blue Star natives.

Character interactions

• Chen Lie patiently teaches Sheng Yingluo, while she expresses gratitude, reports helping Mu Yunyao, and warns him about the Order Army’s rules.
• Huang Yucheng observes Chen Lie’s practice and privately ridicules his pace, but the two do not speak.
• Ning Fan invites Chen Lie to the expedition; Zhang Wenwu reinforces the request on behalf of Blue Star, though Chen Lie has already agreed.
• Tang Yan’er greets Chen Lie warmly and exchanges details about their Martial Way Department classes.
• At the station, Blue Star’s group meets the Red Flame Planet party, and Zhu Jingxi formally greets Ning Fan and Chen Lie.

Chapter Summary: Dual-Origin Secret Realm

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhu Jingxuan explains that the southern, western, and northern star regions have demanded a special martial competition to determine who will command the newly formed Interstellar Allied Forces.
• The competition will involve students below the third year of Starry Sky University, effectively limiting participants to below the Fifth-Order Qi Manipulation Realm. Blood-Qi Stage Martial Artists are also barred, apparently because the other regions fear Chen Lie’s overwhelming strength.
• Ning Fan reveals that the winning side will gain the authority to nominate the commander of the Allied Forces, giving it major influence over future interstellar military affairs.
• Ning Fan and Chen Lie travel with their companions to the Dual-Origin Secret Realm to obtain Spirit Jade.
• Ning Fan explains that Spirit Jade is necessary for cultivating Origin Qi and opening the Divine Treasuries. He needs ten pieces of Innate Spirit Jade to break through to the Five Qi Converging to Origin Realm before the upcoming competition.
• The secret realm is a small planet filled with powerful Star Beasts. Acquired Spirit Jade exists in the middle region, while rare Innate Spirit Jade is found only in the core area.
• Because Fourth-Order Qi Gathering Realm Martial Artists would be detected and attacked by high-grade Star Beasts in the core, Chen Lie is the only member of the group capable of safely entering it.
• Ning Fan introduces Chen Lie to his allies Meng Qian and Zhuo Danqiong. The group then begins advancing through the outer beast region, protecting Chen Lie while clearing a path toward the core.

2. Character Developments

• Chen Lie: His reputation as the Eastern Star Region’s strongest Blood-Qi Stage fighter is confirmed. His past victory over Xue Zhiran makes him the principal reason other regions changed the competition rules. He is now trusted with the dangerous task of collecting Innate Spirit Jade.
• Ning Fan: Revealed to be at the late Fourth-Order Qi Gathering Realm and already possessing Five Elements True Qi and complete Martial Dao True Intent comprehension. His immediate goal is to break through to the Five Qi Converging to Origin Realm before the interstellar competition.
• Zhu Jingxuan and Zhu Jingxi: They demonstrate political awareness and support for Ning Fan and Chen Lie. Zhu Jingxi is also close to her own breakthrough and frames her progress as a friendly competition with Ning Fan.
• Meng Qian and Zhuo Danqiong: Introduced as trusted allies of Ning Fan who are willing to risk entering the secret realm to assist him.
• The expedition group: Their roles become clearly defined, with Ning Fan and Meng Qian leading the assault, while the others guard Chen Lie’s flanks.

3. Significant Themes

• Political power and military authority: The martial competition is not merely a contest of strength; it will determine which star region controls the Interstellar Allied Forces and gains influence over future conflicts.
• Fear of exceptional talent: The restrictive rules demonstrate how Chen Lie’s extraordinary combat ability has altered the political landscape. Rival regions are attempting to neutralize him through regulations rather than direct confrontation.
• Resource-driven advancement: Spirit Jade represents the importance of rare resources in reaching higher martial realms. Ning Fan’s breakthrough is both a personal goal and a matter of regional survival.
• Trust and cooperation: The mission depends on alliances between fighters from different planets, with stronger members protecting Chen Lie so that he can fulfill the most dangerous objective.
• Risk versus opportunity: The group must navigate powerful Star Beast territories to obtain resources that could dramatically change the balance of power.

4. Character Interactions

• Zhu Jingxuan and Zhu Jingxi discuss the political implications of the competition with Ning Fan and Chen Lie.
• Ning Fan explains the competition’s rules and stakes to Chen Lie, ensuring that he understands why his strength has made him a target.
• Zhu Jingxi challenges Ning Fan to see who can reach the Ultimate Realm first, creating a friendly but competitive dynamic.
• Ning Fan takes responsibility for Chen Lie’s safety and personally organizes the expedition.
• Meng Qian and Zhuo Danqiong warmly reunite with Ning Fan and agree to support his breakthrough.
• Meng Qian is impressed by Chen Lie’s reputation and recognizes that his strength makes him uniquely suited to enter the core region.
• The chapter ends with Ning Fan’s group advancing into the Star Beast herds in a coordinated formation, with Chen Lie moving toward the center of the secret realm under their protection.

Chapter Summary:

Innate Spirit Jade

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Lie’s group enters the Dual-Origin Secret Realm and is immediately attacked by waves of Star Beasts.
• Ning Fan and Meng Qian lead the charge, using powerful True Qi and saber techniques to break through the beast hordes while avoiding prolonged battles.
• The group faces increasingly dangerous attacks, including two eagle-type Star Beasts from above. Lü Xianchuan is severely injured when one breaks both his shoulder bones and damages his meridians.
• After passing through several waves of beasts, the group reaches the central area of the secret realm.
• Ning Fan explains that Chen Lie must enter the core area to collect Innate Spirit Jade, while the others gather Acquired Spirit Jade. Innate Spirit Jade is needed to cultivate Origin Qi, and Ning Fan requires at least ten pieces.
• Ning Fan warns Chen Lie about the dangers of the secret realm, including powerful Star Beasts, restricted black zones, public border areas, and people who may rob others for Spirit Jade.
• Chen Lie declines Ning Fan’s Iceflame Darts and instead requests a saber. Meng Qian lends him an eight-times-refined Spirit Treasure-grade scimitar.
• Chen Lie enters the red zone and begins searching Star Beast nests. He uses Mental Power to instantly knock out the beasts before searching for Spirit Jade.
• After checking seven nests without success, Chen Lie finds his first piece of Innate Spirit Jade in the eighth nest. After several hours, he collects four pieces from over twenty nests.
• Two other collectors inform him that the red zone has been overexploited and advise him to search near the edge of the black zone, where Spirit Jade is more plentiful but robbery is more common.
• Chen Lie enters the black zone belonging to Canglong Star and discovers that its much larger territory yields Spirit Jade far more efficiently, finding three pieces in only five nests.

2. Character Developments

• Chen Lie demonstrates strong judgment and restraint during the beast assault, carefully analyzing Ning Fan and Meng Qian’s combat abilities. His powerful Mental Power allows him to defeat second-order Star Beasts quickly and efficiently.
• His hidden strength is revealed when Ning Fan tells the others that Chen Lie opened his Primordial Aperture during the Blood-Qi Stage, shocking Yu Wenqin, Zhao Siqi, and Tang Yan’er. This confirms that Chen Lie is far stronger than his apparent cultivation level suggests.
• Ning Fan proves to be a capable leader who prioritizes escape and group survival over unnecessary combat. He trusts Chen Lie’s abilities and selects him for the dangerous task of gathering Innate Spirit Jade.
• Meng Qian is shown to be generous and cooperative by lending Chen Lie his valuable Spirit Treasure-grade scimitar.
• Lü Xianchuan displays courage and endurance after being badly injured, though he eventually accepts Ning Fan’s order to move into the group’s protected center.
• Yu Wenqin, Zhao Siqi, and Tang Yan’er gain a greater appreciation of Chen Lie’s potential after learning about his Primordial Aperture.

3. Significant Themes

• Strength beyond appearances: Chen Lie appears to be only a First-Order Qi-Nourishing Realm martial artist, yet his Primordial Aperture and Mental Power make him much more formidable than expected.
• Cooperation and trust: The group survives because each member fulfills a role, protects the others, and trusts Ning Fan’s leadership and Chen Lie’s capabilities.
• Resource competition: Spirit Jade is extremely valuable and difficult to obtain, illustrating the intense competition surrounding martial resources.
• Risk versus reward: The safer red zone is largely depleted, while the more productive black zone is outside school protection and filled with greater dangers, including potential robbery.
• Strategic combat: The group avoids wasting strength on overwhelming beast hordes, and Chen Lie defeats enemies efficiently rather than engaging in prolonged fights.
• Unequal territories and exploitation: The contrast between Starry Sky University’s small, overexploited red zone and Canglong Star’s vast black zone highlights how access to resources depends on territory and prior exploitation.

4. Character Interactions

• Ning Fan and Meng Qian work together at the front of the formation, clearing paths through the Star Beasts.
• Zhuo Danqiong protects the group from aerial attacks, while Lü Xianchuan, Zhao Siqi, Yu Wenqin, and Tang Yan’er defend the flanks.
• Yu Wenqin checks Lü Xianchuan’s injuries, and Ning Fan orders him to stop fighting and remain with Chen Lie in the center.
• Ning Fan instructs Chen Lie on identifying Innate and Acquired Spirit Jade and warns him about dangerous regions and potential thieves.
• Chen Lie rejects the offered darts, leading Ning Fan to obtain Meng Qian’s scimitar for him.
• After Chen Lie leaves, Yu Wenqin questions Ning Fan’s choice. Ning Fan reveals Chen Lie’s Primordial Aperture, changing the group’s perception of him.
• Chen Lie later speaks with two wary Spirit Jade collectors, who explain the poor yield in the red zone and direct him toward the black zone.

Chapter Summary: “Competing for Spirit Jade: Shao Lin!”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Lie decides that Starry Sky University’s red zone is too thoroughly searched and enters Canglong Star’s black zone to gather Innate Spirit Jade.
• He discovers that the black zone contains Spirit Jade in many Star Beast nests, collecting nine pieces from sixteen nests. Because Innate Spirit Jade is far superior to Acquired Spirit Jade for cultivating the Divine Treasury, he becomes determined to gather as much as possible.
• Realizing that the black zone is not protected by Starry Sky University’s rules, Chen Lie devises a counter-robbery strategy. He openly carries a bundle of Spirit Jade to tempt others into attacking him first.
• Chang Kun takes the bait and attacks with Lightning True Qi, but Chen Lie easily defeats him with his Spirit Treasure-grade saber and high-grade Earth-rank saber art.
• Chen Lie takes Chang Kun’s storage bag and discovers that it contains 1,500 Innate Spirit Jade gathered by Chang Kun’s entire group. He refuses to share them and keeps everything.
• Chang Kun reports the loss to Shao Lin, a famous Canglong Star genius and leader of the group.
• Shao Lin deduces that Chen Lie is likely another powerful Third-Order Qi Accumulation Realm Martial Artist using a Breath-Concealing Talisman.
• Chen Lie continues luring and counter-robbing people, succeeding six more times but gaining less than two hundred Spirit Jade in total.
• Nearing the public area, Chen Lie becomes cautious. Worried that stronger Martial Artists may be present and unwilling to risk exposing the millions of jin of Divine Source in his storage bag, he decides not to enter.
• Shao Lin and his companions catch up with him. Shao Lin politely demands the return of the 1,500 Spirit Jade, but Chen Lie refuses, sarcastically rejecting the idea that returning the jade would be the price of friendship.
• The chapter ends with Shao Lin drawing his azure treasure sword and Chen Lie raising his crimson curved saber, setting up their confrontation.

Character Developments

• Chen Lie: Demonstrates confidence, tactical cunning, and overwhelming combat ability. He shifts from cautious exploration to deliberately baiting robbers and profiting from counterattacks. His refusal to enter the public area shows that, despite his boldness, he remains strategically careful about unknown enemies and protecting his hidden wealth.
• Chang Kun: Begins as an arrogant aggressor who assumes Chen Lie is an easy target. After being defeated, he becomes fearful and humiliated, losing both the Spirit Jade and his confidence. He relies on Shao Lin to recover the group’s resources.
• Shao Lin: Is established as a respected genius from Canglong Star. He has comprehended sword intent, reached the Third-Order Qi Accumulation Realm, and has a reputation for defeating powerful opponents. Although initially calm and diplomatic, Chen Lie’s refusal gradually provokes him into preparing for battle.
• Shao Lin’s companions: The girl is openly admiring of Shao Lin and quick-tempered toward Chang Kun and Chen Lie. The boy helps reinforce Shao Lin’s reputation by praising his achievements.

Significant Themes

• Strength and predation: The black zone operates according to a survival-of-the-strongest mentality, where gathering resources is less profitable than taking them from weaker opponents.
• Resource competition and cultivation: Innate Spirit Jade is essential for cultivating the Divine Treasury, making it a valuable strategic resource rather than ordinary treasure.
• Cunning versus brute force: Chen Lie wins not only through superior saber strength but also through psychological manipulation, using his visible Spirit Jade to lure greedy opponents into attacking first.
• Reputation versus actual power: Shao Lin’s fame and accomplishments intimidate others, but Chen Lie dismisses his reputation and judges him only by the strength he displays.
• Caution amid confidence: Both sides recognize that hidden experts may be using Breath-Concealing Talismans. The uncertain power structure of the secret realm forces Chen Lie and Shao Lin to balance ambition with prudence.

Character Interactions

• Chen Lie humiliates Chang Kun by defeating him instantly, rejecting his attempt to negotiate a partial payment, and taking all 1,500 Spirit Jade.
• Chang Kun invokes Shao Lin’s reputation in an attempt to frighten Chen Lie, but Chen Lie responds with another slap and dismisses the threat.
• Shao Lin’s group discusses Chen Lie as a possible equal-level expert before meeting him, showing their cautious respect for his strength.
• Shao Lin attempts to resolve the conflict peacefully by asking Chen Lie to return the Spirit Jade, but Chen Lie mocks the demand and refuses.
• The final exchange becomes a direct challenge: Shao Lin draws his sword and asks one last time, while Chen Lie silently answers by drawing his saber.

Chapter Summary: “Finally Found You, My Lucky Star...”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Lie battles Shao Lin over stolen Innate Spirit Jade. Shao Lin initially underestimates him but realizes Chen Lie is a concealed Third-Order Qi Accumulation Realm Martial Artist with an exceptional saber technique.
• The two exchange more than a thousand attacks. Shao Lin uses his advanced sword aura and the Azure Nether Sword Art, while Chen Lie counters with the powerful Blood Dragon Saber Technique.
• Their strongest techniques—Shao Lin’s “Sword Rises from the Azure Nether” and Chen Lie’s “Blood Dragon Emerges from the Sea”—collide, creating a massive disturbance. Neither gains a decisive advantage.
• Chen Lie’s lower cultivation realm begins to disadvantage him, and his True Qi reserves are limited by the demanding Earth-rank saber technique. Shao Lin notices this and prepares to press his advantage.
• However, Shao Lin’s Breath-Concealing Talisman develops cracks from the intensity of the battle. Unable to risk exposing his cultivation and attracting powerful Star Beasts, he attempts to negotiate for half of the Spirit Jade.
• Chen Lie refuses, correctly suspecting that Shao Lin is bluffing. Shao Lin leaves with his companions, leaving the spectators confused about the battle’s outcome.
• During the aftermath, Shen Jiuxi ambushes Chen Lie with a Geng-Metal Divine Palm. He narrowly dodges, discovering that she is the girl he has encountered before during his cultivation.
• Shen Jiuxi reveals that she has been searching for him because he destroyed medicinal fields belonging to the reclusive Elder Shi. She intends to bring him back so that Elder Shi will teach her swordsmanship.
• She gives Chen Lie the choice of coming willingly or being crippled and dragged away. When he refuses, she challenges him to withstand one sword strike.
• Shen Jiuxi unleashes the “Heaven-Sundering Draw Sword Technique.” Chen Lie counters with “Blood Dragon One-Slash,” but the tremendous impact leaves him shaken and breaks his borrowed Spirit Treasure-grade saber in half.

Character Developments

• Chen Lie: Demonstrates extraordinary combat ability despite being only at the First-Order Qi-Nourishing Realm and concealing his actual strength. His high-grade saber technique and powerful physique allow him to fight far above his apparent level. He also shows sharp judgment by recognizing Shao Lin’s attempted bluff and refusing to surrender any Spirit Jade. Nevertheless, the battle exposes his limitations in True Qi reserves and cultivation level, especially against a superior genius like Shen Jiuxi.
• Shao Lin: Is established as a highly talented Sword Cultivator with considerable sword intent and the potential to rank among the Hidden Dragon Rankings. Though initially aggressive, he is forced to withdraw when his Breath-Concealing Talisman begins to fail. His retreat suggests caution and strategic awareness rather than outright defeat.
• Shen Jiuxi: Emerges as an even more formidable genius. As an Upper Divine Aperture Blood-Qi Martial Artist already ranked on the Hidden Dragon Rankings, she possesses overwhelming sword aura and confidence. Her fixation on finding Chen Lie gives her a playful but dangerous attitude, and she treats him as her “lucky star” while openly threatening to cripple him.

Significant Themes

• Hidden strength and mistaken identity: Chen Lie’s Breath-Concealing Talisman causes others to underestimate his realm, while his combat ability reveals that appearances are deceptive.
• Genius versus cultivation level: The fights emphasize how exceptional techniques, physiques, divine apertures, and battle experience can allow characters to challenge opponents across cultivation realms.
• Resource competition and survival: The Spirit Jade is valuable enough to provoke intense combat, while the dangers of the Dual-Origin Secret Realm force cultivators to conceal their strength and retreat when necessary.
• Confidence and refusal to yield: Both Chen Lie and Shen Jiuxi display stubborn confidence. Chen Lie refuses to be intimidated, while Shen Jiuxi assumes victory and attempts to force him into submission.
• The cost of power: Chen Lie’s powerful saber technique rapidly consumes True Qi, and his final clash with Shen Jiuxi destroys his weapon, showing the physical and material price of fighting stronger opponents.

Character Interactions

• Chen Lie and Shao Lin: Their interaction is a battle of saber against sword, with mutual recognition of each other’s talent. Shao Lin tries to negotiate after his talisman cracks, but Chen Lie rejects him.
• Shao Lin and his companions: His companions admire and trust him but are confused by his sudden withdrawal. He refuses to explain and orders them to leave.
• Shen Jiuxi and the spectators: The spectators recognize Shen Jiuxi as a famous Hidden Dragon Rankings genius and become certain that Chen Lie is outmatched.
• Chen Lie and Shen Jiuxi: Their relationship begins with hostility and misunderstanding. Shen Jiuxi views Chen Lie as the culprit behind the destroyed medicinal fields and wants to capture him, while Chen Lie considers her unreasonable and rejects her demands. Their first direct clash ends with Shen Jiuxi’s sword breaking Chen Lie’s saber, leaving their confrontation unresolved.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Shen Jiuxi discovers that Chen Lie has survived her attack despite his spirit treasure-grade saber being cut in half by her Sword-Drawing Technique. She demands compensation for the destroyed weapon, but Chen Lie refuses unless she can take his sword from him.
• Chen Lie uses his Mental Power and the illusion of the Gui Gold Sheep Star God to deceive Shen Jiuxi. In the illusion, she believes the reclusive Senior Shi has arrived, accepted her as a disciple, and agreed to teach her the Heavenly Evolution Sword Art.
• Shen Jiuxi performs the formal disciple ceremony—three kowtows and nine bows—in front of the crowd, though everyone else sees her bowing to Chen Lie. She also hands over her sword case. The illusion then turns humiliating when the “master” punches her.
• When Shen Jiuxi realizes she has been tricked, she becomes enraged and vows to kill Chen Lie. Chen Lie flees, taking her sword case and spirit sword with him.
• Shen Jiuxi pursues him at tremendous speed, even breaking the sound barrier. Chen Lie repeatedly uses Mental Power attacks, particularly the Horn Wood Dragon Consciousness Spirit, to slow her down whenever she closes the distance.
• After more than an hour of pursuit, Chen Lie heads into the Ten-Star Alliance’s public zone and then into a dense forest filled with dangerous Star Beast nests, hoping the difficult terrain will help him escape.
• In the forest, Chen Lie unexpectedly encounters Ruan Liusu, along with Wenren Qingyue and her older sister Wenren Qinghe. Ruan openly identifies Chen Lie as her boyfriend.
• Shen Jiuxi catches up and insults Chen Lie again. Ruan Liusu immediately defends him, drawing her sword and attacking Shen Jiuxi with the Four Seasons Reincarnation Sword Art.
• Although Shen Jiuxi is a powerful Third-Order martial artist who has opened her Upper Divine Aperture, Chen Lie’s Mental Power attacks combine with Ruan Liusu’s sword techniques to suppress her.
• Ruan Liusu nearly lands a lethal strike using her Autumn Imagery and Geng Metal Killing Sword Form. Driven to desperation, Shen Jiuxi unleashes her Ultimate-Realm True Qi and Five Elements Divine Palm, destroying the surrounding forest and attacking Ruan.
• Chen Lie prepares to intervene, but Wenren Qinghe steps in first and blocks Shen Jiuxi’s palm with a single sword strike. The chapter ends with the confrontation unresolved.

Character Developments

• Chen Lie: Demonstrates the strength and versatility of his Mental Power, using illusion, psychological humiliation, and repeated consciousness attacks rather than relying solely on physical combat. He remains cautious, recognizing that Shen Jiuxi is far stronger than an ordinary Third-Order martial artist and choosing evasion and strategy over direct confrontation.
• Shen Jiuxi: Her pride and temper are badly damaged by Chen Lie’s illusion. Her humiliation drives her into an increasingly irrational pursuit, though she remains extremely powerful and eventually reveals the full strength of her Five Elements cultivation.
• Ruan Liusu: Shows strong loyalty and protectiveness toward Chen Lie, immediately confronting Shen Jiuxi when she learns he is being hunted. Her swordsmanship has advanced to the Late-Stage Second-Order Roaming Qi Realm, and she proves capable of pressuring even Shen Jiuxi when supported by Chen Lie.
• Wenren Qinghe: Initially dismissive of Chen Lie because of his Blue Star background, she recognizes Shen Jiuxi’s identity and understands the danger of the fight. Despite her earlier lack of interest in Chen Lie, she ultimately protects Ruan Liusu by blocking Shen Jiuxi’s strongest attack.
• Wenren Qingyue: Serves as an acquaintance linking Chen Lie and Ruan Liusu’s group, confirming their relationship and adding context about Chen Lie and Ruan’s families having met.

Significant Themes

• Cunning versus brute strength: Chen Lie cannot easily defeat Shen Jiuxi directly, so he relies on illusion, mental attacks, terrain, and evasive tactics.
• Pride and humiliation: Shen Jiuxi’s violent pursuit is fueled less by the stolen sword than by the public disgrace of being deceived into kowtowing to Chen Lie.
• Loyalty and defense of relationships: Ruan Liusu immediately takes Chen Lie’s side, turning a personal pursuit into a broader confrontation.
• Prejudice and social status: Wenren Qinghe looks down on Chen Lie because he comes from Blue Star, reflecting the importance of background and reputation among the star systems.
• Hidden strength and underestimated talent: Chen Lie’s Mental Power and Ruan Liusu’s swordsmanship allow them to challenge an opponent widely regarded as a top genius.

Character Interactions

• Chen Lie and Shen Jiuxi engage in a battle of deception and pursuit: he humiliates and evades her, while she relentlessly attempts to recover her sword and kill him.
• Ruan Liusu openly claims Chen Lie as her boyfriend and confronts Shen Jiuxi for insulting him.
• Wenren Qinghe questions the wisdom of Ruan’s challenge, recognizing Shen Jiuxi’s formidable reputation, but ultimately intervenes to save Ruan from Shen’s Five Elements Divine Palm.
• The chapter closes with Wenren Qinghe’s intervention, leaving the outcome of the fight between the two groups uncertain.

Chapter Summary: Good Advice Cannot Save the Doomed

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Lie ends his Mental Power attack on Shen Jiuxi, clearing her mind but provoking her further. Having already tricked away her spirit sword and Sword-Nurturing Casket, he becomes the target of her fury.
• Shen Jiuxi attacks Chen Lie with the Scarlet Gold Divine Palm, but Chen Lie retreats behind Wenren Qinghe and Wenren Qingyue.
• Wenren Qinghe blocks Shen Jiuxi’s attack and declares that Shen Jiuxi will not be allowed to harm Chen Lie. Although she initially wants to avoid conflict, Ruan Liusu’s request forces her to take Chen Lie’s side.
• Shen Jiuxi threatens Wenren Qinghe, but Qinghe’s superior strength and higher ranking make Shen realize she cannot win without her sword. She eventually withdraws, promising to settle the debt later.
• Shen demands the return of her spirit sword and Sword-Nurturing Casket. Chen Lie refuses, arguing that she ambushed him and destroyed one of his treasured sabers. He gives her one month to bring a ten-times-tempered spirit-grade saber and one million Star-Origin Galactic Coins as compensation.
• After Shen leaves, Wenren Qinghe explains her extraordinary talent, her powerful family, and the danger of antagonizing her. Chen Lie remains unconcerned and decides to retain the sword temporarily until proper compensation is paid.
• Qinghe warns Chen Lie that he may regret his decision, while Ruan Liusu openly supports him and promises to seek her master’s protection if Shen Jiuxi retaliates.
• Chen Lie explains that he is collecting Innate Spirit Jade for Blue Star and describes the larger competition among the four star domains for command of the Interstellar Allied Forces.
• Ruan Liusu gives Chen Lie more than a thousand Innate Spirit Jades to aid his cultivation, despite objections from Qinghe and Qingyue.

Character Developments

• Chen Lie: Becomes more assertive and calculating. He refuses to be intimidated by Shen Jiuxi’s status or family and treats the stolen weapon as leverage for compensation. His confidence reflects his growing strength and willingness to challenge powerful opponents.
• Shen Jiuxi: Shifts from furious aggression to reluctant retreat. Her pride is badly wounded by losing her weapon, being forced to retreat, and having her belongings held hostage. Nevertheless, she remains determined to reclaim them and take revenge.
• Wenren Qinghe: Reveals herself as cautious, politically aware, and significantly stronger than Shen Jiuxi. She protects Chen Lie mainly because of Ruan Liusu, not because she approves of his choices, and repeatedly warns him about the consequences.
• Ruan Liusu: Demonstrates strong loyalty and affection toward Chen Lie. She openly defends him, rejects the idea that helping him is shameful, offers her master’s protection, and willingly gives him her own cultivation resources.
• Wenren Qingyue: Acts as a blunt critic, accusing Chen Lie of relying on Ruan Liusu and questioning the wisdom of giving him support.

Significant Themes

• Pride and face: Shen Jiuxi’s humiliation makes the conflict personal, while her reluctance to involve her family reflects the importance of reputation.
• Power, status, and potential: Wenren Qinghe emphasizes that Shen’s talent and family connections make her a dangerous future enemy, but Chen Lie refuses to be ruled by conventional hierarchies.
• Loyalty and mutual support: Ruan Liusu sees helping Chen Lie as a natural part of their relationship, challenging the others’ belief that he should face danger alone.
• Advice versus personal choice: Qinghe offers practical warnings, but Chen Lie follows his own judgment. The chapter’s title suggests that wisdom cannot save someone who is determined to make—or accept—the consequences of their choices.
• Strategic restraint: Chen Lie does not permanently steal Shen’s sword; instead, he uses it as leverage while calculating the limits of her family’s ability to intervene.

Important Character Interactions

• Chen Lie and Shen Jiuxi: Their hostility intensifies into a formal personal grudge, with Chen demanding compensation before returning her treasured weapons.
• Wenren Qinghe and Shen Jiuxi: Qinghe blocks Shen’s attack and openly challenges her, establishing a conflict between two powerful young talents.
• Ruan Liusu and Wenren Qinghe: Ruan pressures Qinghe to protect Chen Lie, while Qinghe struggles between avoiding political trouble and honoring her responsibility toward her mother’s disciple.
• Chen Lie and Ruan Liusu: Their affectionate relationship is reinforced through mutual trust, emotional support, and Ruan’s generous gift of Spirit Jade.
• Wenren Qingyue and Chen Lie: Qingyue mocks his dependence on Ruan Liusu, highlighting the tension between his unconventional methods and the sisters’ expectations of independence.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ruan Liusu repeatedly urges Chen Lie to accept her support, so he finally takes the Spirit Jade she offers him.
• Wenren Qinghe becomes concerned that Liusu is seriously involved with Chen Lie. She learns about Chen Lie’s achievements on Blue Star: he rose from an impoverished province, became the strongest Blood-Qi Martial Artist in the Eastern Star Region, helped Blue Star enter the Interstellar Alliance, and opened a Heaven Aperture before entering Starry Sky University.
• Although Chen Lie’s accomplishments are extraordinary in the Eastern Star Region, Wenren Qinghe believes he is insignificant compared with the elite geniuses of the Ten-Star Alliance. She and Wenren Qingyue speculate that Liusu admires him because of his dramatic rise from obscurity.
• Wenren Qinghe decides that Liusu will eventually abandon Chen Lie once she realizes how ordinary he is on Canglong Star and at Starry Sky University.
• Ruan Liusu escorts Chen Lie to the Ten-Star Alliance area of the Dual-Origin Secret Realm. He declines her offer to return through Canglong Star’s exclusive wormhole because others are waiting for him.
• Outside the secret realm’s core area, Chen Lie examines the Sword-Nurturing Casket he obtained from Shen Jiuxi. Inside is a pale-gray ancient sword with a semi-independent sword spirit. He identifies it as a Lesser Heavenly Treasure, powerful enough to cut a Spirit Treasure-grade saber in half.
• The sword spirit speaks to Chen Lie in a childish voice and asks about Shen Jiuxi. Chen Lie explains that Shen temporarily used it as collateral for a debt, then returns the sword to its casket.
• Chen Lie discovers another Spirit Treasure-grade saber in the casket and decides to use it to compensate Meng Qian for the saber destroyed during his fight with Shen Jiuxi.
• Chen Lie returns to Ning Fan’s group with more than a hundred Innate Spirit Jade, astonishing everyone. He explains that he obtained them after someone tried to rob him and was defeated instead.
• He reveals that Meng Qian’s crimson saber was cut in half by a single sword strike. Although Chen Lie offers the replacement saber, Meng Qian and Ning Fan refuse the compensation, deciding the damaged weapon can be reforged at the Divine Armory.
• After leaving the secret realm, Chen Lie returns to Starry Sky University and enters the Sumeru Illusion Realm.
• He meets Mu Yunyao and Sheng Yingluo at the Elixir Origin Hall. Sheng confirms that Mu Yunyao has received the rewards Chen Lie requested for her: a Sacred-Grade Qi Gong method, a Sacred-Grade Martial Technique, a Heaven-Grade Spirit Treasure, and other cultivation resources.

Character Developments

• Chen Lie: Shows humility and practicality by accepting help only after Ruan Liusu insists, refusing to keep excess Spirit Jade for himself, and immediately offering compensation for Meng Qian’s damaged saber. His ability to obtain over a hundred Innate Spirit Jade and wield or survive against a Lesser Heavenly Treasure further establishes his growing power.
• Ruan Liusu: Demonstrates strong affection and loyalty toward Chen Lie. She openly protects him, offers him resources and transportation, and asks him to contact her if Shen Jiuxi causes trouble.
• Wenren Qinghe: Becomes skeptical of Chen Lie because of his humble background and lower standing at Starry Sky University. She plans to separate him from Liusu indirectly by allowing Liusu to recognize the difference in their status.
• Wenren Qingyue: Initially treats the relationship casually but agrees with her sister’s assessment. She admits she would admire someone with Chen Lie’s achievements if such a person existed on Canglong Star.
• Meng Qian and Ning Fan: Act fairly and generously toward Chen Lie. Rather than blaming him for the broken saber, they decide it can be repaired and refuse to let him suffer a loss.
• Mu Yunyao: Receives substantial compensation for hardships she previously endured and respectfully thanks Chen Lie.
• Sheng Yingluo: Fulfills Chen Lie’s request and makes clear that Mu Yunyao’s rewards were granted because of his recommendation.

Significant Themes

• Relative talent and status: Chen Lie is extraordinary in the Eastern Star Region but appears ordinary among the elite of Starry Sky University, highlighting how power and reputation depend on one’s environment.
• Social background versus personal achievement: Wenren Qinghe judges Chen Lie partly by his origins and lack of elite backing, while Liusu values his accomplishments and character.
• Loyalty and emotional attachment: Liusu’s willingness to support Chen Lie contrasts with the Wenren sisters’ belief that their relationship is temporary.
• Debt and compensation: Chen Lie repeatedly tries to repay what he owes, while Ning Fan and Meng Qian demonstrate that friendship and fairness can matter more than material loss.
• Inherited privilege versus earned success: Shen Jiuxi possesses a Lesser Heavenly Treasure at a young age because of her background, whereas Chen Lie has had to struggle and obtain comparable resources through combat and perseverance.
• Recognition and gratitude: Chen Lie uses his influence to secure rewards for Mu Yunyao, while Sheng Yingluo emphasizes that Mu’s gratitude should be directed toward him.

Important Character Interactions

• Chen Lie and Ruan Liusu: Their affectionate relationship is shown through Liusu’s support, concern for his safety, and willingness to help him against Shen Jiuxi.
• Wenren Qinghe and Wenren Qingyue: The sisters discuss Liusu’s relationship and strategize about how to make her realize Chen Lie’s supposed inferiority in the wider world.
• Chen Lie and the sword spirit: Their brief exchange reveals the sword’s childlike personality and its close bond with Shen Jiuxi.
• Chen Lie, Ning Fan, and Meng Qian: They resolve the damaged-saber issue amicably, with Chen Lie offering compensation and the others choosing repair instead.
• Chen Lie, Sheng Yingluo, and Mu Yunyao: Sheng confirms that Chen Lie arranged Mu’s rewards, and Mu formally expresses her gratitude to him.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Mu Yunyao receives an opportunity to request a reward from Sheng Yingluo and Chen Lie. Instead of asking for personal wealth or cultivation resources, she asks the Saint Envoy Hall to recognize her late father’s son, Mu Yunze, as successor to the Seventeenth Army’s command.
• Because Yunze is still too young and weak to command a major Interstellar Allied Force, Mu Yunyao requests that their aunt, Mu Lan, manage the army temporarily. Sheng Yingluo approves, imposing a ten-year deadline for Yunze to reach the required cultivation level; otherwise, Haoran Star may appoint another commander.
• After Mu Yunyao leaves, Sheng Yingluo and Chen Lie continue practicing her simulated breakthrough in the Elixir Origin Hall. With Chen Lie’s guidance, she corrects the cause of her occasional failures and eventually succeeds consistently.
• Sheng Yingluo invites Chen Lie to visit the Canglan Saint Envoy Hall before she returns to Beichen Star Province, but he declines because of his own cultivation schedule. They part with the expectation that they will meet again.
• Chen Lie spends several days cultivating the Xin Metal Origin Purity Force at Huang Yuxi’s Little Hut and studying Metal Intent in the Martial Intent Cave. The technique greatly accelerates his comprehension, allowing him to complete the five Five Elements Intents.
• Huang Yucheng becomes suspicious because Chen Lie appears to be progressing unusually slowly in the Five Elements Secret Arts. She warns Huang Yuxi that his apparent lack of progress could jeopardize Yuxi’s position as an assistant instructor.
• In reality, Chen Lie has secretly mastered the Xin Metal Origin Purity Force and also the Geng Metal Origin Purity Force. He then focuses on cultivating the Primordial Limitless Qi Gong, consuming far more Yuan Stones than expected and nearing the Second-Order Roaming Qi Realm.
• The chapter ends with Huang Yuxi summoning Chen Lie to the Little Hut the following morning.

Character Developments

• Mu Yunyao demonstrates loyalty, responsibility, and political awareness by prioritizing her family’s military inheritance over personal rewards. She also carefully protects her younger brother from being placed in a position beyond his current ability.
• Mu Yunze gains a legitimate path to inherit his father’s military command, while receiving a ten-year period to mature and strengthen.
• Mu Lan is positioned as the practical acting commander of the Seventeenth Army.
• Sheng Yingluo becomes more respectful and personally interested in Chen Lie after learning about his Defying Heaven and Changing Fate achievement. She recognizes his extraordinary potential and begins addressing him as “Brother Chen.”
• Chen Lie continues to conceal the true extent of his abilities. He refuses to rely on supposed outside support, despite Sheng Yingluo’s belief that a powerful master is guiding him. His mastery of multiple techniques and intents reveals his exceptional foundation and efficiency.
• Huang Yuxi begins questioning Chen Lie’s ability because of his apparent slow progress, but remains concerned about his performance as her assigned student and its effect on her teaching position.
• Huang Yucheng is observant but misled by Chen Lie’s deliberate concealment. Her doubts create potential tension between Chen Lie and the Huang sisters.

Significant Themes

• Responsibility over personal gain: Mu Yunyao uses her reward to secure justice and stability for her family rather than benefiting herself.
• Legitimacy and political fairness: The chapter criticizes attempts by powerful family elders and military authorities to manipulate succession for personal profit.
• Hidden strength and misjudgment: Chen Lie’s apparent incompetence is a deliberate illusion; others judge him based on incomplete information.
• Long-term cultivation and foundations: The chapter emphasizes the importance of early breakthroughs, strong fundamentals, and preparation for future realms rather than short-term advancement.
• Mentorship and mutual recognition: Chen Lie guides Sheng Yingluo’s breakthrough, while she recognizes his unusual potential and treats him as a peer.
• Persistence and resource demands: Chen Lie’s cultivation requires enormous resources, illustrating both the difficulty of his path and the scale of his potential.

Important Character Interactions

• Mu Yunyao and Sheng Yingluo: Yunyao respectfully presents her request, and Sheng agrees to issue the succession order under specific conditions.
• Mu Yunyao and Chen Lie: She bows to and thanks Chen Lie, whose support helps secure the Saint Envoy Hall’s approval.
• Chen Lie and Sheng Yingluo: They discuss cultivation age limits, Defying Heaven and Changing Fate, and their future prospects. Chen Lie coaches her through repeated breakthrough simulations, strengthening their mutual respect.
• Huang Yucheng and Huang Yuxi: Yucheng reports Chen Lie’s supposed failure to progress and warns that he may harm Yuxi’s career. Yuxi decides to personally investigate.
• Huang Yuxi and Chen Lie: Yuxi summons him to the Little Hut, setting up a likely confrontation or evaluation in the next chapter.

Chapter Summary: “Zero Martial Intent Cave”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Lie returns to the dormitory, then goes to Little Hut early the next morning to cultivate the Gui Water Origin Purity Force. He deliberately chooses to master the more difficult yin-based technique first, believing that his Pure Yang Precious Blood will later help him master the Ren Water technique as well.
• Huang Yuxi and Huang Yucheng arrive. Huang Yuxi asks about Chen Lie’s progress with the Five Elements Secret Arts, and he reveals that he has already mastered both the Xin Metal and Geng Metal Origin Purity Forces in less than half a month.
• Huang Yuxi teaches Chen Lie her cultivation experience and insights regarding the Gui Water Origin Purity Force.
• She announces that she has obtained two places in the Zero Martial Intent Cave and will take Chen Lie and Huang Yucheng there to comprehend Martial Dao True Intent.
• Huang Yuxi explains the importance of Martial Dao True Intent:
  • It allows martial artists to fully control the power of the Five Elements.
  • A cultivator with True Intent can release roughly twice the power of someone at the same level who lacks it.
  • Comprehending True Intent is necessary for reaching the Five Qi Converging at the Origin Realm and beginning Divine Treasury cultivation.
• Huang Yuxi warns Huang Yucheng that competition for the Hidden Dragon Rankings will become increasingly fierce as the freshman geniuses of the Ten-Star Alliance grow stronger.
• She evaluates Chen Lie’s potential, noting that his foundation is comparable to the Upper Divine Aperture and that the Origin-Heaven Qi-Gathering Scripture could give him strong future potential. She believes he may eventually reach the top hundred of the Hidden Dragon Rankings if he closes his gaps in other areas.
• Huang Yuxi also urges Chen Lie to retrieve his Five Elements spiritual objects so he can begin cultivating Five Elements True Qi. Chen Lie conceals that the objects are part of an Innate Divine Meridian and refuses to let someone else retrieve them.
• The group travels to the Zero Martial Intent Cave. Huang Yuxi assigns Chen Lie and Huang Yucheng to comprehend Metal True Intent, since Chen Lie has only mastered the Metal-based Origin Purity Forces.
• Huang Yuxi leaves the two behind, partly hoping Chen Lie’s progress with the Origin-Heaven Qi-Gathering Scripture will provide insight into her own stalled cultivation and her pursuit of the Yin-Yang Profound Void realm.
• Huang Yucheng leads Chen Lie underground to the Metal Earth Meridian and the Zero Metal-Intent Cave. She explains that the Zero Cave Abodes provide a much stronger effect than ordinary Martial Intent Caves, but each student may normally use each type only once.
• Chen Lie learns that exceptionally talented students can comprehend one type of Martial Dao True Intent in around ten days using the Zero Martial Intent Cave. Since he has already used an ordinary Martial Intent Cave in the past, his advantage will be reduced.
• Chen Lie calculates that comprehending all five types of True Intent could otherwise take him about five months, which he considers unacceptable because he must enter the Primordial Essence Domain before turning thirty.
• He privately resolves to find a way to use the Zero Martial Intent Cave multiple times, even though Huang Yucheng tells him that only students with extraordinary rankings—such as the top ten of the Hidden Dragon Rankings—might receive such privileges.
• Chen Lie and Huang Yucheng enter cave abodes No. 34 and No. 33 respectively. Chen Lie discovers that the cave contains an extremely dense concentration of metal element, with Xin Metal and Geng Metal Intent closely intertwined, and begins comprehending Metal True Intent.

Character Developments

• Chen Lie demonstrates rapid progress, mastering two opposing Metal Origin Purity Forces in less than half a month. However, he remains aware that his aptitude for comprehending Martial Dao True Intent is weaker than that of elite students.
• His careful decision to cultivate Gui Water before Ren Water shows strategic thinking and a willingness to endure short-term difficulty for greater long-term gains.
• Chen Lie becomes more ambitious and determined. Rather than accepting the expected five-month cultivation period, he begins planning to exploit the Zero Martial Intent Cave repeatedly.
• He continues to guard his secrets, especially the true nature and location of his Five Elements spiritual objects.
• Huang Yuxi acts as a knowledgeable mentor and takes responsibility for guiding both Chen Lie and Huang Yucheng. She recognizes Chen Lie’s unusual foundation and potential, while also hoping to learn from his cultivation of the Origin-Heaven Qi-Gathering Scripture.
• Huang Yuxi’s own ambition is revealed: she is striving to break through to the Yin-Yang Profound Void realm and eventually reach the True Dragon Rankings.
• Huang Yucheng is comparatively less mature and less accomplished. She follows her sister’s instruction but is skeptical of Chen Lie’s confidence and mocks his lofty goal of using the Zero Martial Intent Cave repeatedly or reaching the highest rankings.

Significant Themes

• Aptitude versus strategy: Chen Lie’s natural aptitude may be inferior to that of the top geniuses, but he compensates through careful choices, powerful techniques, secret resources, and relentless planning.
• The importance of foundations: The chapter emphasizes that a strong Blood-Qi foundation, high-grade cultivation methods, and complete control of the Five Elements determine later advancement.
• Competition and urgency: The Hidden Dragon Rankings represent an increasingly competitive martial world. Delaying progress risks being overtaken by younger geniuses.
• Mentorship and opportunity: Access to rare resources such as the Zero Martial Intent Cave can dramatically accelerate cultivation, but these opportunities are limited and reserved for the most talented or specially recommended students.
• Secrecy and independence: Chen Lie refuses to expose the true nature of his spiritual objects, showing that advancement requires not only talent but also caution and control over one’s personal advantages.
• Ambition against perceived limits: Huang Yucheng views Chen Lie’s goals as unrealistic, while Chen Lie quietly commits himself to surpassing the restrictions others believe apply to him.

Important Character Interactions

• Huang Yuxi questions Chen Lie about his progress and then personally teaches him the Gui Water Origin Purity Force.
• She advises both Chen Lie and Huang Yucheng about Martial Dao True Intent, Five Qi Converging at the Origin, Divine Treasury cultivation, and the Hidden Dragon Rankings.
• Huang Yuxi encourages Chen Lie to obtain his Five Elements spiritual objects, but he politely refuses while hiding their true significance.
• Huang Yucheng leads Chen Lie through the Zero Martial Intent Cave and explains its rules, benefits, and limitations.
• Their conversation reveals a contrast between Chen Lie’s quiet determination and Huang Yucheng’s skeptical, teasing attitude.
• The chapter ends with Chen Lie entering the Metal-Intent Cave and beginning his attempt to comprehend Metal Martial Dao True Intent.

Chapter Summary

Key plot points and events

• Chen Lie discovers that Zero Martial Intent Cave lets him comprehend Metal True Intent nearly four times faster than an ordinary cave. After more than ten hours, he reaches just over 10%, then continues until his session ends at 5 a.m. with roughly 20% comprehension.
• His progress convinces him that he needs long-term access to the cave, making competition for a place on the Hidden Dragon Rankings seem unavoidable.
• Outside, Chang Kun angrily confronts him for staying past his allotted time—but recognizes Chen Lie and immediately apologizes, remembering their earlier clash in the Dual-Origin Secret Realm. Huang Yucheng watches, disappointed that Chang Kun backs down so quickly.
• Huang warns Chen Lie that Starry Sky University will assess teaching assistants at midterm, and that his performance could threaten her sister’s position. Chen Lie assures her he will be fine.
• Ruan Liusu arrives and enthusiastically embraces Chen Lie. She offers to share a cave with him, and introduces herself to Huang Yucheng as Chen Lie’s girlfriend. Ruan and Chen then use Cave No. 2, accompanied by Wenren Qingyue.
• While discussing Shen Jiuxi’s earlier attack, Chen Lie explains how he forced her to kneel after she broke one of his treasured sabers.
• Chen examines Ruan’s cultivation and finds that five of her ten profound apertures—including all Five Divine Apertures—are nearly depleted, despite her belief that she had used substantial Divine Source. He suspects her master may be withholding her progress, but decides not to intervene yet.
• Sharing the cave slows Chen’s progress, but after Ruan finishes her own Metal Intent comprehension, Chen advances faster. By the end of their sixteen-hour session, he has reached about one-third comprehension. Ruan completes her Metal Intent as well, and they leave together.

Character developments

• Chen Lie proves disciplined and increasingly focused on accelerating his cultivation. His rapid progress reinforces his ambition to secure ongoing access to Zero Martial Intent Cave. He also shows caution when he discovers Ruan’s depleted apertures, recognizing that challenging her powerful master could be dangerous.
• Ruan Liusu is openly affectionate toward Chen and confident in their relationship. She completes her Metal Intent comprehension and becomes the subject of a troubling discovery about her cultivation foundation.
• Huang Yucheng remains skeptical of Chen and protective of her sister’s teaching-assistant role, though she is surprised by Ruan’s closeness with him.
• Chang Kun displays fear and deference toward Chen after their earlier encounter.
• Wenren Qingyue stays quiet and observant, still unsure how to carry out her sister’s plan.

Character interactions

• Chang Kun’s confrontation turns into an immediate apology when Chen challenges him, while Huang watches, hoping Chen will be embarrassed.
• Huang warns Chen about the consequences of poor midterm results; he dismisses her concern without explaining his plans in detail.
• Ruan greets Chen warmly, identifies herself as his girlfriend, and shares the cave with him. Their intimacy and ease contrast with Huang’s initial confusion.
• Chen discusses Shen Jiuxi with Ruan, then examines her hand and detects the unusual state of her apertures.

Significant themes

• Cultivation through opportunity and effort: Chen’s progress depends not only on talent and persistence but also on access to rare training facilities.
• Power and restraint: Chang Kun backs down because of Chen’s reputation, while Chen himself avoids confronting a powerful figure without understanding her intentions.
• Hidden costs behind apparent privilege: Ruan’s access to secret realms and training grounds masks a potentially serious weakness in her cultivation.
• Trust and uncertainty: Chen and Ruan’s closeness is clear, but the mystery surrounding her master’s actions complicates how far Chen can safely help her.

Key plot points and events

• Starry Sky University announces its Freshman Martial Arts Grand Competition, scheduled for April 10, with participation effectively required: freshmen who opt out lose a month’s Credits.
• The tournament progresses from campus-and-department divisions to university-wide contests between the Martial Way, Sword Dao, and Mental Power departments. Rewards range from Credits and cultivation resources to powerful techniques, spiritual objects, and weapons.
• Hou Yutan and Qiao Xuanxi consider how far they might advance and what the prizes could do for their cultivation. Chen Lie says he expects to reach the department-wide top ten, though he privately intends to win the whole competition for access to the Zero Martial Intent Cave.
• After class, Instructor Huang Zongcheng questions Chen’s apparently low cultivation level. Examining him, Huang discovers that Chen has built an extraordinarily deep foundation, despite Chen concealing much of his true strength. Huang advises him not to rush a breakthrough for the sake of a short-term contest.
• Shen Yifei warns Chen that Shen Jiuxi is searching for him through the Shen Family’s collateral branches. She is a powerful Hidden Dragon Rankings contender, and Chen still possesses her Natal Flying Sword.
• Chen cultivates with twenty thousand jin of Yuan Stones and approaches perfection in the First-Order Qi-Nourishing Realm. He expects to break through naturally within days.

Character developments and interactions

• Chen Lie remains confident and ambitious, but conceals the true extent of his cultivation and abilities. He prioritizes a stable foundation over appearances and continues training intensively.
• Huang Zongcheng shifts from doubting Chen’s competition prospects to recognizing the exceptional depth of his foundation. He respects Chen’s progress and urges patience rather than a hurried breakthrough.
• Hou Yutan is encouraged by the competition’s rewards and sees a possible route to the division’s top hundred, which would fund his Five Elements cultivation.
• Qiao Xuanxi hopes to reach the top fifty by breaking through to the Third-Order Qi Accumulation Realm, but Chen’s progress shakes her confidence.
• Shen Yifei acts as a helpful informant, warning Chen about Shen Jiuxi’s search and strength.

Significant themes

• Foundation versus rapid advancement: Chen and Huang emphasize that durable cultivation matters more than winning a temporary contest.
• Competition and ambition: The generous prizes motivate freshmen to test themselves and improve.
• Hidden strength and unequal expectations: Chen’s visible cultivation understates his actual power, while students from powerful planets are assumed to dominate.
• Resources and opportunity: Credits, spiritual objects, and other rewards are crucial to advancing in cultivation, especially for students with costly training goals.

Chapter Summary: Withered Myriad Sword Domain

Key Plot Points and Events

• After completing his cultivation, Chen Lie returns to Little Hut to practice the Gui Water Origin Purity Force.
• Huang Yucheng confronts him about his slow progress in comprehending Metal True Intent, worrying that his performance could cause her sister, Huang Yuxi, trouble during Starry Sky University’s midterm assessment.
• Chen Lie confidently promises to reach the True Qi Ultimate Realm before the assessment, though Huang Yucheng remains skeptical and leaves angrily.
• That evening, Huang Yucheng criticizes Chen Lie to her father and sister, claiming his talent is poor because he took a long time to master a Five Elements Secret Art and showed little progress in the Metal-Intent Cave.
• Huang Yuxi reveals that Chen Lie actually mastered two Five Elements Secret Arts—the Geng Metal and Xin Metal Origin Purity Forces—in less than half a month. Huang Zongcheng confirms that Chen Lie is unusually talented and may eventually surpass Huang Yucheng.
• Chen Lie spends the night cultivating the Lingguang Divine Refining Chapter.
• The next day, Hou Yutan invites Chen Lie to Heaven Second Campus’s Resource Market Street to buy cultivation resources. Chen joins Hou Yutan, Qiao Xuanxi, and Nie Cheng.
• The group discusses the high cost of cultivating Five Elements and Mysterious Yin True Qi, as well as their debts and financial difficulties. Chen Lie suggests selling some of the Divine Source they obtained from Divine Source Ancient Star to outside buyers, since Starry Sky University pays poorly for it.
• Chen Lie purchases two thousand pounds of Spirit Nourishing Flowers, using his Mental Power Department student discount. His financial security contrasts sharply with his friends’ struggles to afford Yuan Stones and repay loans.
• Ruan Liusu contacts Chen Lie and comes to meet him. She introduces herself to the others as Chen Lie’s girlfriend, surprising Hou Yutan, Qiao Xuanxi, and Nie Cheng.
• Ruan invites Chen Lie to the Withered Myriad Sword Domain, a special Sword Dao Department location where one can cultivate swordsmanship and comprehend Sword Intent. Her master gave her two access spots, originally intended for her and Qingyue, but Qingyue is unavailable.
• Chen Lie accompanies Ruan Liusu to the domain, where she suggests that he test his swordsmanship talent using the Myriad Swords Stele at the entrance.

Character Developments

• Chen Lie remains confident and self-assured despite others underestimating him. He continues to conceal or downplay his true abilities, particularly his rapid cultivation progress and financial resources.
• Huang Yucheng is shown to be protective of her sister but also prejudiced against Chen Lie. Her assumptions about his poor talent are decisively disproven.
• Huang Yuxi demonstrates fairness and trust in Chen Lie, correcting her sister’s misunderstanding and recognizing his exceptional potential.
• Huang Zongcheng confirms that Chen Lie is far more talented than he initially appears and may soon surpass Huang Yucheng.
• Qiao Xuanxi becomes increasingly shaken by Chen Lie’s achievements. Her former sense of superiority fades as she realizes she cannot identify an area in which she compares favorably to him.
• Hou Yutan, Qiao Xuanxi, and Nie Cheng are portrayed as financially burdened students struggling with expensive cultivation resources and loan repayments.
• Ruan Liusu openly identifies herself as Chen Lie’s girlfriend and shows closeness and trust by inviting him to a rare Sword Dao opportunity.

Significant Themes

• Hidden talent and mistaken judgment: Chen Lie’s abilities are repeatedly underestimated because he does not openly display his progress.
• Comparison and insecurity: Huang Yucheng and Qiao Xuanxi judge Chen Lie against their own standards, only to feel threatened or humbled by his achievements.
• Financial inequality in cultivation: Advanced cultivation requires enormous amounts of resources, creating debt and hardship for many students, while Chen Lie’s wealth gives him a major advantage.
• Trust and recognition: Huang Yuxi and Ruan Liusu recognize Chen Lie’s potential and treat him with confidence, contrasting with those who doubt him.
• Social connections and opportunity: Chen Lie’s relationships provide access to valuable resources and experiences, including the invitation to the Withered Myriad Sword Domain.

Important Character Interactions

• Chen Lie and Huang Yucheng: They argue over Chen Lie’s cultivation progress, with Chen Lie refusing to justify himself and confidently asserting that he will meet his goal.
• Huang Yucheng, Huang Yuxi, and Huang Zongcheng: Their family discussion exposes Huang Yucheng’s mistaken assumptions and establishes Chen Lie’s genuine talent.
• Chen Lie and the Heavy Rain Star group: Chen helps them think of ways to overcome their financial problems, while his own easy purchase of expensive Spirit Nourishing Flowers highlights the gap between them.
• Chen Lie and Qiao Xuanxi: Qiao is silently discouraged by Chen Lie’s dual-department status and superior resources and abilities.
• Chen Lie and Ruan Liusu: Their affectionate partnership is revealed publicly, and Ruan gives Chen access to the Withered Myriad Sword Domain, setting up the next stage of the story.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Lie and Ruan Liusu enter the Withered Myriad Sword Domain, a place where famous spirit swords are buried and where sword intent and Mental Power can be cultivated.
• Before entering, Ruan Liusu has Chen Lie test his sword dao talent using the Myriad Swords Stele. He manifests over 6,500 sword shadows, proving himself a genuine sword dao genius, though not yet at the highest level.
• Ruan Liusu brings Chen Lie to the Sword Spirit Sword Mound, explaining that its sword spirits can nurture weapons and greatly benefit Divine Sense Masters. She then leaves to cultivate elsewhere.
• Chen Lie uses the sword spirits and Spirit Nourishing Flowers to refine two offensive Star Gods—Horn Wood Dragon and Jing Wood Tapir—within his Consciousness Sea. His Mental Power rises to the peak of the initial Third-Rank, nearing the middle phase.
• Chen learns that a vicious demonic sword awakens at certain times each day, forcing cultivators to leave the mound. He also meets Shen Huo, who secretly reports Chen Lie’s location to others.
• At the Void Sword Mound, Chen Lie is confronted by Shen Jiuxi, who wants revenge for his previous humiliation of her and the confiscation of her Natal Flying Sword.
• Shen Jiuxi attacks, but Chen Lie’s powerful Mental Power disrupts her Five Elements Divine Palm. He flees while using the illusion of an elder to delay her pursuit.
• Chen eventually crashes into another sword cultivator’s platform while escaping. The cultivator is prepared to punish him, but Mu Yunyao recognizes Chen Lie as the benefactor who helped her in the Sumeru Illusion Realm.
• Mu Yunyao bows respectfully to Chen Lie, astonishing the surrounding cultivators. When Shen Jiuxi arrives, Chen asks Mu Yunyao to help him. She threatens Shen Jiuxi and demonstrates her superior strength.
• Shen Jiuxi, unwilling to fight someone ranked around 122nd on the Hidden Dragon Rankings, retreats while warning Chen Lie that she will seek revenge later.
• Chen and Mu Yunyao discuss her Lesser Heavenly Treasure and reveal that both are second-year students at the Heaven Second Campus.

Character Developments

• Chen Lie: Demonstrates major growth after Defying Heaven and Changing Fate. His sword dao talent is respectable, while his Mental Power has become his greatest strength. He successfully refines two Star Gods and uses powerful attacks and illusions to survive against Shen Jiuxi.
• Ruan Liusu: Acts as Chen Lie’s guide and supporter, explaining the sword domain and helping him access the Sword Spirit Sword Mound. Her affection is shown when she says she will protect him once her Nine Yin Sacred Vein fully develops.
• Shen Jiuxi: Remains arrogant, vengeful, and confident in her family’s influence. However, Chen Lie’s Mental Power alarms her, and Mu Yunyao’s intervention forces her to retreat despite her anger.
• Mu Yunyao: Reveals her deep gratitude and loyalty toward Chen Lie, whom she considers her benefactor. Her rank and strength establish her as a formidable ally capable of intimidating Shen Jiuxi.
• Shen Huo: Pretends to be friendly toward Chen Lie but secretly identifies and reports his location, suggesting hostile forces are tracking him.

Significant Themes

• Growth and transformation: Chen Lie’s rebirth-like improvement has strengthened every aspect of his abilities, especially his Mental Power.
• Mental Power as a hidden advantage: Chen’s Divine Sense abilities allow him to overcome stronger opponents through attacks, illusions, and strategy rather than raw strength.
• Connections and influence: Chen’s alliances with Ruan Liusu and Mu Yunyao protect him from powerful enemies and reveal that his influence is greater than his apparent status.
• Pride and social power: Shen Jiuxi relies on her family name and local influence, but Mu Yunyao’s superior standing shows that power and reputation extend beyond Canglong Star.
• Weapon spirituality and cultivation: The sword mounds emphasize the relationship between cultivators, spirit swords, sword spirits, and Mental Power.

Important Character Interactions

• Chen Lie and Ruan Liusu: She guides him through the sword domain, encourages him to test his talent, and shows personal concern for his safety.
• Chen Lie and Shen Jiuxi: Their hostility escalates from a previous humiliation and confiscation of her sword. Chen uses Mental Power to interrupt her attack and escape.
• Chen Lie and Mu Yunyao: Their meeting reveals her sincere gratitude and respect. Chen relies on her protection when Shen Jiuxi catches up.
• Mu Yunyao and Shen Jiuxi: Mu Yunyao openly threatens Shen Jiuxi and offers to fight her, forcing Shen Jiuxi to withdraw.
• Chen Lie and Shen Huo: Their brief friendly exchange hides Shen Huo’s betrayal, as he reports Chen’s whereabouts immediately afterward.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Lie finishes helping Mu Yunyao comprehend sword intent in the Withered Myriad Sword Domain. Mu admits that her sword talent had always existed but that she only began seriously cultivating after obtaining a spirit sword with a partially formed sword spirit.
• Mu apologizes to Xi Wanning because Chen Lie damaged Wanning’s sword platform. Xi Wanning accepts the apology and introduces herself as a student from the Zhao Kingdom. Chen Lie reveals that he is from Blue Star, causing both women to realize that he may come from the relatively barren Eastern Star Region.
• Chen Lie leaves the sword mound alone, still puzzled by Shen Jiuxi’s hostility toward him. He accepts that their conflict has already formed and will eventually have to be settled through combat.
• After meeting Ruan Liusu outside the domain, Chen learns about the Profound Yin Formation her master prepared for her. The formation greatly accelerates cultivation of Yin-attribute techniques and can theoretically produce the equivalent of ten days’ cultivation in one day.
• Ruan brings Chen to her residence at Starry Sky University’s Central Campus and allows him to use the formation. Instead of practicing the martial skill she previously gave him, Chen focuses on cultivating Gui Water Origin Purity Force, hoping it will help him comprehend the Water Martial Dao True Intent.
• With the formation’s assistance, Chen rapidly advances, reaching the beginner level in half a day and major accomplishment after more than ten hours. His cultivation consumes ten days of the formation’s remaining duration, leaving roughly forty days.
• Ruan’s sisters, Wenren Qinghe and Wenren Qingyue, return and avoid disturbing the formation. Later, their mother Yan Zhiyun returns. She explains that she rejected administrative responsibilities at the university because a serious Martial Dao cultivator should prioritize advancement rather than mundane authority.
• Yan also explains the stages of True Essence Realm cultivation: rapid growth before thirty, a prime advancement period before fifty, stabilization after fifty, decline after seventy, and near-stagnation after one hundred.
• After Chen finishes cultivating, Wenren Qinghe confronts him, believing he has improperly used the valuable formation. Ruan clarifies that Yan Zhiyun had already granted permission for her to bring a friend or relative to use it, provided it did not interfere with her own cultivation.
• Qinghe realizes she made an unjustified assumption and apologizes. Ruan remains unconcerned, privately viewing helping Chen as natural because of their close relationship.

Character Developments

• Chen Lie demonstrates growing talent in both the Sword Dao and Yin-attribute cultivation. He quickly masters Gui Water Origin Purity Force when given the proper environment, showing that his progress is limited more by time and resources than by ability.
• Mu Yunyao reveals sincere respect and gratitude toward Chen, calling him her benefactor and behaving with unusual deference. Her sword comprehension also begins to develop.
• Xi Wanning becomes curious about Chen after learning that he comes from Blue Star, a distant and supposedly undeveloped planet. Her reaction highlights the social assumptions surrounding people from the Fringe Star Domain.
• Ruan Liusu continues to support Chen openly and generously. She gives him access to an extremely valuable cultivation formation despite its limited duration, showing her trust and affection.
• Wenren Qinghe initially acts suspiciously and protectively toward the resources prepared for Ruan, but she is willing to acknowledge her mistake once the truth is explained.
• Yan Zhiyun is characterized as a powerful, ambitious Martial Dao expert who refuses to let age-based assumptions or administrative duties restrict her advancement. She also appears supportive of Ruan’s choices and grants Chen permission indirectly through Ruan.

Significant Themes

• Talent requires opportunity: Chen’s rapid progress shows that innate ability becomes truly visible when supported by rare resources and a suitable cultivation environment.
• Prejudice against humble origins: Xi Wanning and Mu Yunyao are surprised that Chen comes from Blue Star, revealing the Central Star Region’s dismissive attitude toward remote or barren planets.
• Martial advancement versus worldly authority: Yan Zhiyun argues that genuine experts should focus on strengthening themselves rather than accepting bureaucratic power. The chapter presents strength as the foundation of lasting authority.
• Time and lifespan in cultivation: The explanation of the True Essence Realm emphasizes the importance of age, vitality, and limited opportunities for breakthrough.
• Trust and personal loyalty: Ruan’s willingness to share her master’s precious formation reflects her emotional commitment to Chen, while Chen’s use of the opportunity demonstrates his seriousness about improving his Martial Dao.
• Misunderstanding and fairness: Wenren Qinghe’s confrontation illustrates how easily appearances can lead to accusations, but the conflict is resolved once the relevant permission is revealed.

Important Character Interactions

• Chen Lie and Mu Yunyao: Their exchange establishes Mu’s gratitude and respect while showing Chen’s continued role as a benefactor and mentor-like figure.
• Chen Lie and Xi Wanning: Their introduction sparks interest in Chen’s mysterious background and connects him to the Eastern Star Region.
• Chen Lie and Ruan Liusu: Ruan actively provides resources and personally brings Chen to the formation, reinforcing their intimate and mutually supportive relationship.
• Yan Zhiyun and her daughters: Yan teaches Qinghe and Qingyue about the realities of Martial Dao cultivation, age, authority, and the dangers of being distracted by administrative affairs.
• Wenren Qinghe and Chen Lie: Qinghe initially treats Chen as an unworthy outsider exploiting the family’s resources, creating tension that ends when Ruan confirms that Chen had permission.
• Ruan Liusu and Wenren Qinghe: Ruan calmly defends Chen and accepts Qinghe’s apology, revealing both confidence in her decision and loyalty toward Chen.

Chapter Summary: “Selfish Motives”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ruan Liusu introduces her master, Yan Zhiyun, to Chen Lie and openly identifies him as her boyfriend. She also receives permission to lend Chen Lie her powerful cultivation array, provided it does not interfere with her own training.
• Yan Zhiyun’s daughters, Wenren Qinghe and Wenren Qingyue, criticize Chen Lie as someone who relies on Liusu’s resources. They reveal that Liusu previously gave him over a thousand Innate Spirit Jades.
• After learning Chen Lie is Liusu’s boyfriend, Yan Zhiyun becomes concerned that their relationship may obstruct Liusu’s Martial Way cultivation.
• Yan Zhiyun explains that Liusu possesses an extraordinary physique and may be capable of opening a legendary fifth Divine Aperture, surpassing the conventional limit of four. If fully developed, Liusu could become comparable to Wang Hui, a terrifying genius who dominated powerful forces across several star domains.
• Yan Zhiyun admits she accepted Liusu as a disciple partly for personal and family reasons. She hopes Liusu will marry her nephew, Yan Yi, thereby helping both Liusu and the declining Yan Family.
• Her original plan was to use Yan Yi’s high Hidden Dragon Ranking position to impress Liusu, then provide Liusu with Divine Source and help her rise to first place. Yan Zhiyun believes Liusu would then choose the stronger Yan Yi over Chen Lie.
• Wenren Qinghe counters that Chen Lie’s achievements on Blue Star are far more impressive than Yan Yi’s. Chen Lie became Blue Star’s top student, helped Blue Star defeat Wood Source Planet in the Interstellar Contest, and is a rare dual Martial Way and Mental Power genius.
• Yan Zhiyun acknowledges Chen Lie’s talent but judges his foundation inferior because he comes from a remote planet with weaker Martial Way resources. She decides to arrange a meeting where Chen Lie and Yan Yi will compete, intending to expose the supposed gap between them.
• Meanwhile, Chen Lie returns to campus, masters the Gui Water and Ren Water Origin Purity Forces, and advances toward mastering four of the ten Five Elements Secret Techniques.
• He realizes that he still lacks Martial Dao True Intent and plans to use the reward from winning the Freshman Martial Competition to enter the Zero Martial Intent Cave and cultivate Metal True Intent.
• Chen Lie also recognizes that he must reach the Second-Order Roaming Qi Realm to safely compete for first place, since exceptional students from powerful planets may already have reached the late Third-Order Divine Aperture Stage.

Character Developments

• Ruan Liusu: Demonstrates loyalty and affection by openly acknowledging Chen Lie as her boyfriend and sharing her resources with him. Her extraordinary potential becomes clearer, as she may possess the ability to transcend the normal Divine Aperture limits.
• Chen Lie: Continues rapidly improving his cultivation, mastering additional Five Elements techniques in only one morning. Despite his achievements on Blue Star, he remains aware of the disadvantages caused by his weaker planetary background and prepares to strengthen himself before the competition.
• Yan Zhiyun: Shifts from indulgent master to calculating family strategist. Although she values Liusu, she views her partly as the key to restoring the Yan Family’s status and hopes to arrange her marriage to Yan Yi.
• Wenren Qinghe: Initially dismissive of Chen Lie, she supports her mother’s matchmaking plan and believes Yan Yi is superior. However, she recognizes Chen Lie’s extraordinary accomplishments after reviewing his records.
• Wenren Qingyue: Acts as the most openly hostile critic of Chen Lie, portraying him as a freeloader who benefits from Liusu’s generosity.
• Yan Yi: Though absent from the chapter, he is established as a top-ten Hidden Dragon Rankings genius and Yan Zhiyun’s preferred match for Liusu.

Significant Themes

• Selfish motives behind mentorship: Yan Zhiyun’s support for Liusu is not purely altruistic; she hopes to use Liusu’s potential to save and revive her declining family.
• Class and planetary prejudice: The Canglong Star characters look down on Chen Lie because he comes from Blue Star, despite his accomplishments. The chapter contrasts talent developed in a poor environment with talent nurtured by elite resources.
• Romance versus ambition: Yan Zhiyun fears Liusu’s relationship with Chen Lie will interfere with her Martial Way, while Liusu insists both can pursue cultivation without sacrificing their relationship.
• The importance of first impressions and strength: Yan Zhiyun believes Liusu’s romantic choice can be manipulated through displays of superiority, revealing her confidence that power determines attraction and loyalty.
• Potential versus resources: Liusu has unprecedented innate potential, but her depleted Divine Apertures require access to Divine Source. Chen Lie likewise possesses great talent but must overcome the limitations of his home planet’s weaker cultivation system.
• Competition as judgment: Yan Zhiyun plans to use a direct contest between Chen Lie and Yan Yi to determine—or manufacture—Liusu’s perception of their relative worth.

Important Character Interactions

• Ruan Liusu respectfully introduces Chen Lie to Yan Zhiyun and defends their relationship.
• Yan Zhiyun questions Liusu about Chen Lie and later interrogates Wenren Qinghe about him.
• Wenren Qinghe and Wenren Qingyue disparage Chen Lie, calling him dependent on Liusu.
• Yan Zhiyun reveals her plan to pair Liusu with Yan Yi and explains the family pressures behind it.
• Wenren Qinghe challenges her mother’s assumptions by presenting Chen Lie’s achievements on Blue Star.
• Yan Zhiyun and Wenren Qinghe agree to arrange a confrontation between Chen Lie and Yan Yi.
• Chen Lie’s cultivation progress contrasts with the schemes unfolding around his relationship, setting up an eventual test of his ability and status.