Chapter Summaries

Asano Ryo learned that Heaven's Punishment was investigating Yuanshi Tianzun as the Demon Lord's heir, and she recognized two of his items in their catalog. Bound by a Knight's oath not to reveal the meeting, she urgently asked Yuanshi for a way to escape the contract, while he was drinking with Fu Xue and had not yet understood her predicament.

• Asano Ryo told Heaven's Punishment what she knew about Yuanshi Tianzun's dungeon marks and equipment, while withholding some details.
• The Demon Hunter showed Asano Ryo a catalog of items, and she denied seeing any of them used by Yuanshi.
• A blond Knight made Asano Ryo swear not to disclose the banquet conversation, and she recognized the appearance-changing ring and Wind Mage gloves in the catalog.
• Asano Ryo realized Yuanshi was the Demon Lord's heir and, unable to break her oath, messaged him to ask how to evade a contract's power.
• Zhang Yuanqing celebrated Fu Xue's investment in his company, listened as she drunkenly complained about the Fu Family, and received Asano Ryo's urgent messages.

Zhang Yuanqing helped Asano Ryo evade her oath’s penalty and learned that Heaven’s Punishment had questioned her about his possible connection to the Demon Lord. He concluded that they had no proof yet, but their investigation could expose him through his frequent use of the Gale Gloves.

• Zhang Yuanqing sent Perfect Skin to the guild warehouse and instructed Asano Ryo to use it with a clone from Kobe Ichiro’s Eight-Span Mirror to bear the oath-breaking penalty.
• At a banquet, Heaven’s Punishment’s Demon Hunter asked Kobe Ichiro to help extradite an A-rank wanted criminal from China, and Kobe agreed.
• After the guests left, Kobe told Asano Ryo to maintain ties with Zhang Yuanqing despite publicly claiming they should abandon him; she then requested Little Red Riding Hood and the corpse puppets.
• Zhang Yuanqing arrived through Greedy Divine General, and Asano Ryo used Perfect Skin on a corpse puppet before writing him an account of the meeting; the puppet bore the penalty as she revealed what she knew.
• Zhang Yuanqing learned that Asano Ryo recognized his Demon Lord items and that Heaven’s Punishment had questioned her, then reasoned that Underworld King was their true target and they lacked conclusive evidence against him.
• Zhang Yuanqing realized that Heaven’s Punishment could investigate his past use of the Gale Gloves and expose his identity, leaving him anxious about what they might discover.

Zhang Yuanqing devised a plan to use Miao Teng'er as a witness to convince Heaven's Punishment that he was the Demon Lord's successor, while Fu Qingyang arranged a banquet in Songhai. The Thousand Crane Group arrived in the Capital City, and Zhang Yuanqing greeted an arriving young man at Fu Qingyang's villa as his godfather.

• Zhang Yuanqing told Asano Ryo to enter Mohist Mechanism City and lie low while Heaven's Punishment investigated.
• Zhang Yuanqing described his predicament to Fu Qingyang through a story about an uncle, and Fu Qingyang suggested using a convincing impersonator to redirect attention.
• Fu Qingyang said he would hold a banquet to raise money for a factory and invite Miao Teng'er.
• Zhang Yuanqing realized Miao Teng'er could identify the Demon Lord's inheritance and planned to stage an abduction so she could later testify that he was the Demon Lord's successor.
• Fu Qingyang learned the Thousand Crane Group would arrive in the Capital City at eight that night and set his banquet for the same time.
• The Thousand Crane Group arrived in the Capital City, while Zhang Yuanqing greeted a young man at Fu Qingyang's villa as his godfather, astonishing the guests and Huang Taiji.

At Fu Qingyang’s banquet, Zhang Yuanqing secured Huang Taiji’s likely support for the funding plan and helped draw Miao Teng’er away from the guests. In Capital City, Heaven’s Punishment met Elder Miao to arrange an arrest and revealed that it had identified the Demon Lord’s successor, leaving Elder Miao demanding the name.

• Zhang Yuanqing persuaded Huang Taiji to help with the banquet’s financing, and Huang Taiji entered as Zhang Yuanqing’s godfather.
• Zhang Yuanqing greeted Miao Teng’er and Ling Jun, and Miao Teng’er apologized for Elder Miao’s refusal to help him at the tribunal.
• At Fu Qingyang’s banquet, Zhang Yuanqing observed the guests while Huang Taiji mingled with him and signaled that he would lend money.
• A Rabbit Girl told Miao Teng’er that Fu Qingyang wanted to speak with her and led her to a guest room.
• Demon Hunter and the Heaven’s Punishment delegation met Elder Miao, who agreed to facilitate their arrest of the Underworld King under specified conditions.
• Demon Hunter told Elder Miao that Heaven’s Punishment had preliminarily identified the Demon Lord’s successor, and Elder Miao asked who it was.

At a banquet, Zhang Yuanqing diverted Xiahou Aotian by introducing him to a group of women, while Heaven’s Punishment accused Yuanshi Tianzun of being the Demon Lord’s successor and pressed the Five Elements Alliance to surrender him for trial. Elder Miao postponed negotiations when he learned that his granddaughter Miao Teng'er had gone missing.

• Xiahou Aotian told Zhang Yuanqing that his factory had produced thirty mechanical weapons and could soon expand its output.
• Zhang Yuanqing introduced Xiahou Aotian to the women gathered around Ling Jun, but Xiahou Aotian bored them by explaining his company’s plans and products.
• The Demon Hunter told Elder Miao that Heaven’s Punishment suspected Yuanshi Tianzun was the Demon Lord’s successor, citing Free Eagle’s testimony about a black full moon.
• Elder Miao countered that the Five Elements Alliance had tested Yuanshi Tianzun with the Tiger Tally and insisted that Heaven’s Punishment provide more evidence before demanding jurisdiction.
• The Demon Hunter sought a contract granting Heaven’s Punishment priority to try Yuanshi Tianzun if he was confirmed as the successor, and Elder Miao agreed to discuss it at a meeting.
• Secretary Yang informed Elder Miao that Miao Teng'er had disappeared, prompting Elder Miao to leave the meeting immediately.

Li Dongze’s team searched for Miao Teng'er while Elder Miao confronted the banquet guests about her disappearance. Zhang Yuanqing challenged Elder Miao before using a tracking item, and Miao Teng'er woke in a hotel to find Demon Lord beside her bed.

• Li Dongze and Little Magic Fairy searched Fu Family Bay Villas but found no sign of Miao Teng'er.
• Elder Miao arrived at the banquet hall, heard Ling Jun's account, and questioned Fu Qingyang about the disappearance.
• Fu Qingyang reasoned that the kidnapper needed a way to evade surveillance and possibly teleport, while Xiahou Aotian revealed that Zhang Yuanqing fit those conditions.
• Zhang Yuanqing denied abducting Miao Teng'er, then rebuked Elder Miao for his earlier refusal to help Elder Fu before offering to track her with a tissue bearing her DNA.
• Miao Teng'er, bound and poisoned in a hotel room, pretended to be asleep until her kidnapper removed her blindfold.
• Miao Teng'er recognized the young man beside her bed as Demon Lord.

Zhang Yuanqing kidnapped Miao Teng'er to obtain the Demon Lord's inheritance, disguising himself as the Demon Lord's successor and pressuring her to reveal a jade fragment and information. When Yuanshi Tianzun arrived, Zhang Yuanqing fled, and Miao Teng'er wept in the arms of her rescuer.

• Zhang Yuanqing used an illusion of the Demon Lord to test Miao Teng'er, but she recognized the deception and identified him as the Demon Lord's successor.
• Zhang Yuanqing threatened Miao Teng'er with the Charm Ring and Endurance Spray until she handed over a Feather Ascension Immortal Jade fragment and named Yin Ji and Betty as holders of two more.
• Miao Teng'er revealed that the Demon Lord had been younger than her, had become Judge of Ghostly Eyes' servant after trusting a police officer, and had gone overseas for another reason she had not yet explained.
• Yuanshi Tianzun appeared at the hotel window and threatened the Demon Lord's successor, who fled the suite in a streak of starlight.
• Yuanshi Tianzun freed and comforted Miao Teng'er as people approached from the corridor.

Zhang Yuanqing used an Eight-Span Mirror clone to make it appear that a mysterious Demon Lord successor had kidnapped Miao Teng'er, weakening Heaven's Punishment's accusation against him. Elder Miao and Heaven's Punishment shifted their attention to finding the apparent successor, while Zhang Yuanqing planned his next moves and considered fleeing if his identity was exposed.

• Miao Teng'er identified her kidnapper as the Demon Lord's successor, and Elder Miao suspected Zhang Yuanqing until she described the successor's abilities and Fu Qingyang challenged the accusation.
• Miao Teng'er explained that the kidnapper wanted a map fragment, and Fu Qingyang proposed that he might be an accomplice of an organized group rather than Zhang Yuanqing.
• Zhang Yuanqing returned to Fu Family Bay, recalled his Eight-Span Mirror clone, and planned to lie low before capturing the Underworld King and gathering Evil Profession spirits.
• Elder Miao told Heaven's Punishment that the apparent Demon Lord successor had kidnapped Miao Teng'er, and concluded that Zhang Yuanqing was not the heir because he had an alibi.
• Heaven's Punishment agreed to focus on tracking the apparent successor and postpone releasing its item catalog, while keeping its primary mission of capturing the Underworld King.
• A waiter delivered four bags of laundry detergent to Heaven's Punishment's room as a gift from the concierge department.

Taiyi Sect and Heaven's Punishment investigated the Demon Lord's heir, while the heir, Zhang Yuanqing, traveled southwest with the Queen, Xie Lingxi, and Annie to hunt Evil Professions and find the Underworld King. The chapter ended with Annie warning Zhang Yuanqing that Heaven's Punishment might have brought the Mirror of Prophecy, prompting his suspicion.

• Yuan Ting told Taiyi Sect's group chat that the Demon Lord's heir had kidnapped Miao Teng'er, taken a relic, and likely joined Dark Night Rose.
• Crimson Sun Executioner told the Demon Hunter that Taiyi Sect could not use the Stargazing Art to locate the heir because the heir was protected from divination.
• The Demon Hunter and his subordinates planned an exchange event with Chinese organizations and discussed challenging prominent figures, but learned Zhang Yuanqing had gone traveling.
• Zhang Yuanqing traveled through Hecheng with the Queen, Xie Lingxi, and Annie, intending to find the Underworld King and hunt Evil Professions while raising his Lunar Power.
• Zhang Yuanqing combined intelligence from several sources to plan a route for hunting Evil Professions, then learned from Annie about the Overlooker's abilities and the possible presence of the Mirror of Prophecy.

Zhang Yuanqing reached Nanming City while searching for the Underworld King and learned that the Green Wheat Branch was weakened by local politics and rampant criminal groups. The chapter ended when a Nanming City employee reported that Deacon Drug Chaser had lost contact and needed support.

• Annie explained the Prophecy Mirror's three daily prophetic functions and its costs, and Zhang Yuanqing concluded its limits would help him stay ahead of Heaven's Punishment.
• After hunting more than twenty Evil Profession practitioners on the way, Zhang Yuanqing used the Great Luo Star Chart to locate the Underworld King somewhere in Nanming City.
• Zhang Yuanqing searched official records and discovered that the Nanming City Branch and the wider Green Wheat Branch suffered high casualties and lacked personnel.
• Zhang Yuanqing and his companions visited the Nanming City Branch, where Boundless Learning explained that the Green Grain Tribe took most of the funding while the Spirit Energy Society and other criminals dominated the border region.
• A female employee told Boundless Learning that Deacon Drug Chaser had lost contact after someone blocked his signal and that he needed support.

After learning that Executive Drug Chaser had been ambushed during a raid in Three Slope Village, Zhang Yuanqing set out to rescue him while Xie Lingxi investigated Southern Ming City. At the pig farm, the surviving local officers faced a drug cartel backed by a high-ranking Spirit Medium, and their captain prepared to go help the deacon.

• Boundless Learning told Zhang Yuanqing that Executive Drug Chaser was in danger and gave him the case files and the location of the raid.
• Zhang Yuanqing left with his team, then asked Xie Lingxi to investigate Southern Ming City while he teleported toward the rescue.
• Boundless Learning suspected the informant had lured the local branch into a trap but did not warn Zhang Yuanqing because he feared the team might not go.
• At Wang Defa's pig farm, poison and gunfire left half of the nine Spirit Realm Walkers and twelve security officers dead or incapacitated.
• Xiao Wang told the First Squad captain to follow procedure and retreat once the poison wore off, but the captain looked toward the battle and prepared to help Drug Chaser.

Liangshan Navy and Wang Xiao'er fought to protect Drug Chaser until Zhang Yuanqing arrived, killed the attackers, and rescued them. After the survivors regrouped, a shadowy figure warned Zhang Yuanqing that another Evil Profession nearby seemed to be someone he knew.

• Liangshan Navy tried to draw enemy fire away from the others, but Wang Xiao'er tackled him and argued that the Deacon was worth protecting.
• Liangshan Navy charged into the gunfire, and a hidden Scout sniper shot through his knee; Wang Xiao'er ran into the open to draw the sniper's fire and reveal his position.
• Zhang Yuanqing stopped the sniper's bullet with an invisible barrier, flicked it back to kill him, and then charged into the pig farm, where he killed the drug dealers and left Life Source Fluid for Liangshan Navy.
• Zhang Yuanqing found Drug Chaser fighting a cockroach man and Big Rat, killed Big Rat, and then used Star Illusion Art and Blazing Flame to kill the cockroach man.
• Drug Chaser and the surviving Southern Ming Branch Walkers reunited with Zhang Yuanqing, who explained that he had come to apprehend a wanted criminal and had rushed to help after Captain Boundless Learning told him about the ambush.
• A shadowy figure appeared behind Zhang Yuanqing and whispered that another nearby Evil Profession seemed to be someone he knew.

Zhang Yuanqing helped the Southern Ming Branch defeat a Spirit Energy Society ambush, then grew suspicious of Deacon Drug Chaser after learning that his famous past victories did not match his apparent strength. He sent Yi Chuanmei to watch Drug Chaser and began absorbing the captured Spirit Mediums’ spirit bodies, hoping to uncover the Society’s secrets and locate the Underworld King.

• Yi Chuanmei told Zhang Yuanqing that Wanderer of the Human World had been watching the battlefield but had not discovered Zhang’s identity.
• Drug Chaser reported the victory to Boundless Learning, who confirmed that Three Pure Ones Patriarch’s identity was confidential and tied to a secret mission.
• Boundless Learning informed the Southern Ming Branch that a level-six Saint from Songhai had saved them, and the branch held a memorial for the fallen officers and Walkers.
• Wang Xiao'er recounted Drug Chaser’s celebrated victories, but Zhang Yuanqing noticed that Drug Chaser’s observed strength did not match the rumors.
• Zhang Yuanqing ordered Yi Chuanmei to watch Drug Chaser, then absorbed the two captured Spirit Mediums’ spirit bodies and considered using them to learn about the Spirit Energy Society and the Underworld King.

Zhang Yuanqing learned that the Underworld King had appeared near Xishan and planned to investigate, while his team gathered intelligence in Southern Ming City. Yi Chuanmei then exposed Drug Chaser’s secret meeting with an Evil Profession, leaving their collusion at risk of discovery.

• Zhang Yuanqing absorbed the Spirit Mediums’ memories, learned that the Underworld King had appeared near Xishan three days earlier, and decided to ask Fu Qingyang for help tracking him.
• Zhang Yuanqing called Kou Beiyue to ask about the Wanderer of the Human World, and Kou Beiyue defended his friend by citing Master Wuhen’s teachings.
• Xie Lingxi, Queen, and Annie reported that Southern Ming City had many criminals and independent Spirit Realm Walkers, and they argued over whether to prioritize capturing the fugitive or cleaning up the border.
• Zhang Yuanqing told the women about the Xishan lead, and Annie explained that the Underworld King’s domain could awaken him even while he slept.
• Drug Chaser met a hidden accomplice in a parking garage, learned that a powerful wraith had discovered him, and realized the Songhai Branch might have exposed their collusion.

Zhang Yuanqing confronted Drug Chaser and the Wanderer of the Human World, then joined the Southern Ming Branch as it mourned four fallen members. He offered to quickly eliminate the Spirit Energy Society’s strongholds, and Drug Chaser ordered the branch to assemble.

• Zhang Yuanqing stopped Drug Chaser and the Wanderer of the Human World from leaving, learned they were brothers, and arranged to contact the Wanderer of the Human World privately.
• Zhang Yuanqing woke to find Xie Lingxi, Queen, and Annie in his room, then learned Guan Ya and the others had cleared their Guild Spirit Realm instance and were returning.
• Zhang Yuanqing went to the Southern Ming Branch, where Drug Chaser led him to the families of four fallen Spirit Realm Walkers.
• Drug Chaser explained that the branch lacked the manpower and strength to safely attack the Spirit Energy Society’s strongholds.
• Zhang Yuanqing promised to remove the strongholds before the Spirit Energy Society’s Sovereign could react, and Drug Chaser ordered the branch to assemble.

Zhang Yuanqing sent the guild’s Saint Realm members into a newly generated A-rank instance while the Nanming branch prepared to raid a Spirit Energy Society stronghold at Fang Sand Quarry. As Captain Gao spoke with Li Zhengde, a blood-soaked hand suddenly burst through his chest, leaving the attacker’s identity unknown.

• Executive Drug Chaser assembled the twenty-seven Spirit Realm Walkers and ordered them to prepare for sacrifices as the Nanming branch mobilized against Fang Sand Quarry.
• Boundless Learning coordinated support from Jade Pot County authorities and defended the decision to launch the raid without a detailed tactical plan.
• Zhang Yuanqing discussed the Demon Lord’s successor and Heaven’s Punishment’s delegation in the guild chat, then activated an A-rank guild instance and sent the other Saint Realm members inside.
• Li Zhengde’s history revealed that Fang Sand Quarry served as a Spirit Energy Society base for drug storage and human trafficking, guarded by three remaining superpowered individuals.
• Captain Gao ordered Li Zhengde to keep everyone at the quarry and proposed patrolling the mountains, but a blood-soaked hand pierced his chest and seized his heart.

Zhang Yuanqing led a rapid assault that destroyed six Spirit Energy Society hideouts in Southern Ming City and helped rescue trafficked people. After the branch celebrated the victory, Drug Chaser invited Three Pure Ones Patriarch to speak, while the hideout guarded by a Dominator remained untouched.

• Zhang Yuanqing killed Captain Gao, Li Zhengde, Gambling Saint, and other sand quarry forces, then took their spirits and looted the criminals' cash.
• Zhang Yuanqing called Drug Chaser and his team to clear the sand quarry, where they rescued abducted people and seized weapons, drugs, and money.
• Zhang Yuanqing, Xie Lingxi, Annie, and Queen surveyed the Underworld King's sleeping area, and Zhang gathered soil to use in locating him later.
• Zhang Yuanqing used memories from captured spirits to destroy six Spirit Energy Society hideouts across Southern Ming City, leaving the hideout guarded by a Dominator alone.
• The Southern Ming Branch gathered for a celebratory meal, and Drug Chaser invited Three Pure Ones Patriarch to address everyone.

Zhang Yuanqing divided seized cash among the Southern Ming Branch employees despite Drug Chaser’s objections and then discussed waiting for their next target. Drug Chaser delivered a share to Wanderer of the Human World, while Spirit Energy Society leader Master Dou learned that an envoy had arrived from headquarters.

• Zhang Yuanqing announced that the branch employees would each receive 660,000 yuan from the seized money, and Drug Chaser privately warned that the windfall could corrupt them.
• Zhang Yuanqing defended rewarding the employees, and Drug Chaser accepted the decision before joining the staff in celebrating the distribution.
• Zhang Yuanqing told Queen, Annie, and Xie Lingxi that they would wait for their target to fall asleep and gave each of them a one-million-yuan bonus.
• Drug Chaser brought 660,000 yuan to Wanderer of the Human World, who asked about Zhang Yuanqing and formed a favorable impression of him.
• A woman informed Master Dou, the ruler of the Spirit Energy Society, that an envoy from headquarters had arrived.

Zhang Yuanqing returned to the Southern Ming Branch after learning that Green Wheat Branch officials were demanding the illicit funds he had distributed to branch employees. He refused to hand the money over to them and challenged Minister Poppy to arrest him.

• Master Dou reviewed a composite sketch of Three Pure Ones Patriarch and told the casino members to stay put while they waited for the Southern Ming City stronghold.
• Zhang Yuanqing toured the mountains around Southern Ming City with Annie, Xie Lingxi, and the Queen, identifying possible sleeping sites for the Underworld King.
• Drug Chaser informed Zhang Yuanqing that Green Wheat Branch auditors had seized the illicit funds and demanded that he return the money he had distributed.
• Zhang Yuanqing returned to the branch, where employees worried that losing the funds would cost them their bonuses, and slapped Wang Xiao'er for telling him not to escalate the conflict.
• Minister Poppy and investigators Gods Above and Snail Rice Noodles confronted Zhang Yuanqing about the money, but he insisted it belonged to him and challenged Poppy to cuff him.

Zhang Yuanqing defended Southern Ming Branch employees against Green Wheat Branch, defeated Minister Poppy, and left after promising to help the employees. Knowing the Green Grain Tribe might retaliate, he contacted Fu Qingyang, who told him to seek help from his cousin.

• Gods Above tried to mediate the dispute over seized money, but Zhang Yuanqing invoked Songhai Branch rules and demanded the contraband back.
• Minister Poppy explained Green Wheat Branch's autonomy and sealed the meeting room to confront Zhang Yuanqing, who refused to back down.
• Zhang Yuanqing emerged victorious, leaving Minister Poppy mentally exhausted, and promised each Southern Ming Branch employee another hundred thousand.
• Gods Above carried Minister Poppy away, while Zhang Yuanqing told the employees to keep working and then escaped with Star Escape.
• Zhang Yuanqing called Fu Qingyang for help, and Fu Qingyang told him to contact his cousin; when Zhang asked what she liked, Fu said sweets and comics.